Age just a number? The Dutch think differently about this. Age does matter when it comes to our careers. This is shown by worldwide research by LinkedIn, the Opportunity Index 2020. The research among 18 to 65-year-olds shows how people experience opportunities and which barriers prevent them from seizing opportunities. Despite the fact that compared to other Europeans, the Dutch think the most positively about their chances of a good life and successful career, they experience age as the biggest obstacle to seizing our opportunities.
Baby boomers less self-confidence
Dutch people are mainly looking for a job that they enjoy. However, we do see obstacles in our search for that dream job. For example, more than half of Baby Boomers (aged 55-65) and over a quarter of Gen X (aged 39-54) feel that their age is a barrier to career opportunities. They experience this especially when it comes to being appreciated for what they do and when they want to change careers. Age also affects younger employees (Gen Z), who may have difficulty seizing their opportunities due to a lack of work experience (31%).
Never underestimate a strong network
It's no surprise that knowing the right people can lead to more and better opportunities. But for those without a strong network, getting started on the networking journey isn't easy. While most people know that strong networks are important, only 22% are actively seeking networking opportunities.
