Recruiting mature graduates

Mature students provide a rich contribution to the life of any university and equally so, as graduates, to the world of work. Whilst many mature graduates have no problem in finding appropriate employment some may encounter difficulties.  There are many reasons for this, not least employers' limited awareness of the advantages of recruiting mature graduates.

There are many sound business reasons why employers should recruit mature graduates:

• Recruiting more mature graduates helps businesses acquire a more diverse range of skills in their workforce.  Furthermore, wider experience leads to a more creative organisation and an innovative approach to problem solving.
• Reduced staff turnover and lower rates of absenteeism are both characteristics of a mixed-age workforce.
• Older graduates are more likely to have greater stability, loyalty and improved motivation.  This is demonstrated by the challenge they have faced by going to university whilst possibly supporting families as well as holding down full-time or part-time work.
• Younger graduates, particularly those in their 20s, tend to move from job to job more in the first few years after graduation.  Older graduates are more likely to provide longer term commitments to employers (particularly if they are mindful of the extra barriers they face in securing employment).
• Reflecting the profile of an organisation's customer base through recruitment of a more diverse workforce, in terms of age, tends to improve customer satisfaction.
• Recruiting from a more diverse group tends to enhance an organisation's corporate image and reputation as a result of being seen as a good employer.