Francesca Baker-Brooker

New research shows that despite their fears, over 55s are more likely to be hired than younger counterparts.

Recruitment tech platform Tribepad’s Stop the Bias report found that the biggest fear that candidates aged over 55 have when applying for jobs is that they will be perceived as ‘too old’. This is ahead of other characteristics including personal appearance.

Data from over two million job applications on Tribepad’s recruitment platform, shows these fears are unfounded. Tribepad data indicates that whilst only 4% candidates applying are aged over 55, this rises to 5.75% of interviewees and 6.1% of offers – an over representation of 55%. This suggests hiring managers are looking for skills and experience, beyond the demographic profile.

There is often a diversity data collection form to complete that asks about age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion and disabilities. But nearly half (44%) of over 55s say that they don’t trust diversity data will be used for their benefit. One in five respondents (22%) in this age bracket believe it should never be mandatory to disclose personal information.

The number of people fearing they will be discriminated against due to being too old has decreased from when Tribepad first started the Stop the Bias campaign in 2022. Only two in five (39%) of Londoners feel they are too old, compared to seven in ten (70%) of those in East England. 

This older demographic are also seeking different things from the application process. Previous report Salary, security and purpose found that nearly half (47%) of over 55’s say an in-person interview is essential when applying for a job compared to a third (37%) overall.

Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash