Need Business Help? Hire a Baby Boomer!
April 5, 2009 by Jean Murray
Filed under Business
Baby Boomers are great people – I know, because I am one. Baby Boomers are also great employees. If you are starting your first business, I would strongly urge you to hire a Baby Boomer to help manage your business. Your first reaction may be “why would I hire someone that’s old?” Baby Boomers (late 40s to early 60s) may be older, but in this case older is better. Many Boomers are looking for work now, the victims of the massive dislocations in the auto industry and many other industries. And you can take advantage of this opportunity to get a Baby Boomer to work for you.
Case in point: My friend Carol took early retirement from her employer, a large university. She was the administrator for a department, and her work included administration, personnel, and financial management; she also has a PhD. She is looking for work, but she is finding many people who say she is “over-qualified” and they are afraid she will get bored. Carol needs to work for her own self-esteem and to keep busy. Carol and other Baby Boomers like her could be a great asset to your small business.
Work Ethic. Baby Boomers know how to work; they have been doing it for many years. They know how to keep a job, show up on time, and follow directions. They didn’t get where they are without that work ethic.
Dependability and Reliability. Baby Boomers are reliable; they don’t take time off to care for young children. They come in early and stay late and they understand responsibility.
Skills and Experience. They know their fields well; many have been working for 20 years and more. They aren’t over-qualified; in fact, they have the qualifications you need to help you. Carol, for example, can help you hire employees, keep your finances in order, and provide you with reports and analysis.
Carol and others (yes, me too) are just what you need. In my case, I was ready to leave the stress of a management job for a quieter life working from home. Like Carol, and me, Baby Boomers can be a huge benefit to your new business. Don’t count them out.
Image source: Newscom
Hey Jean! I love this post. I will use some of this information to help me frame my post on for Boomers. I believe I will do a series of post this month, specifically focused for Baby Boomers. Thanks for the comment and the suggestion!
Darlene
This is an excellent point. Companies, especially small companies should not shy away from Boomers even highly experienced ones. I know many who want to work but don’t have to. If you interview properly and find a nugget, imagine the transfer of knowledge and experience you can benefit from as a small business. Great Post.
Thanks, Tom. I have talked with several Baby Boomers since I wrote this article. They are frustrated because they can’t find jobs – people say, “You’re over-qualified.” Someday business owners will figure out that the “transfer of knowledge and experience” you mentioned can be of benefit to them.
Jean