Gas in the tank? YES a mature employees have plenty of it.

I don’t know if anyone will read this or if anyone will really care about what I have to say in the following sentences but I hope that my message will make a difference to those who are in positions of power and to those who may be losing hope in their career plans.

Firstly I want to say that I am so grateful to be self employed. It comes with great responsibility but also the freedom to be a model entrepreneur to my loyal clients. Before I became self employed, I was an employee working hard as a “company guy” for the boss. I learned so much during my various roles and appreciate every job that I had as it shaped me into the business person that I am today.

As a mature individual in his early 40’s, I am astonished at how many of my colleagues in the same age range are experiencing unexpected job losses. I am referring to seasoned professionals with several years of experience, education and a wealth of knowledge. These people “bring it” every day and have contributed so much to the improvement of the organizations they once worked with. Yet without any warning, they are being trimmed so that the corporation can improve its bottom line.

Even at the ripe old age of 32, I was in a job interview and the recruiter asked me if I had any gas left in the tank. Are you kidding me?, I thought to myself, who is this clown trying to kid? YES, I had plenty of gas in my tank and still do several years later and so do my colleagues who are being displaced for younger and maybe cheaper models.

Let me tell you something Mr. / Mrs. Recruiter or company owner, of the hundreds of mature clients I serve, and the many mature friends, colleagues and associates over the age of 40 who have been displaced, you are making a BIG mistake if you think that younger and cheaper may be the answer. Mature clients are eager to work, contribute fresh ideas, sound reasoning and they offer plenty of useful experience that can make a big impact on the positive success of your organization.

Before you let the grey hair sway your decision toward youth and lower costs, look more closely at how useful the experience that a seasoned professional can offer.