Why Hire A Boomer?

Are Baby Boomers a special class of people? Ask one, and I guarantee they will answer in the affirmative! Baby Boomers are a very special special class of people in my opinion, but that’s probably because I was born on the tail end of this generation of people. I am proud to be a Baby Boomer. But I digress from my focus. If you are a manager and you are in need of good quality talent, than YES, you should hire a Baby Boomer, but let me say this, I don’t believe you should hire a Baby Boomer just because he/she is a Boomer. Hire them if they are the most qualified for the job you seek to fill. That being said, why should you hire a Boomer?”

According to my colleague, Jean Murray these are some of the reason:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

Here’s a an interesting story from Careerbuilder:

Clarence “Nic” Nicodemus, 64, is living proof. At the ripe age of 61, Nicodemus graduated from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) and was preparing for a one-year internship, according to a 2004 press release from Michigan State University. Nicodemus joined COM at age 57, after spending a decade teaching classes and doing orthopedic research at the University of Texas. He said going to med school was the next logical step in his career and a lifelong dream.

“I feel like I can relate to patients of any age,” he said. “A patient can bring up any subject — grandchildren or a death in the family or a disease in the family — and I can relate to them.”

Like Nicodemus, many baby boomers – the chunk of our population born in 1946 through 1964 – haven’t been able to work in highly fulfilling jobs. Working lackluster, draining, even hazardous jobs just to bring home a paycheck was the norm for boomers just trying to get by. But times, they are a changin’.

With the changing times, I agree that it may be challenging for Boomers to find a job. But over the next week or so, I will spend some time discussing the unique challenges that Boomers face in their attempt to be employed.
Image Credit: sxc.hu