In Search of the Older Worker: Framing Job Requirements in Recruitment Advertisements

Abstract Older workers face problems in the labor market due to dominant beliefs about their abilities: they are perceived as reliable, trustworthy, and loyal, but also less adaptable, motivated, capable compared younger workers. The mixed older resonate with stereotype of people society according Stereotype Content Model (SCM) being warm competent reflected news corporate media. present study contributes by approaching stereotypes workers’ employability from a communication perspective. examines which requirements communicated employers job advertisements targeting seekers, those general seekers. This is done using automated content analysis inductively identify prominently advertised requirements, examine how these align stereotype. Additionally, interviews recruitment experts conducted provide explanation interpretation. Findings reveal that persistent idea performing well on so-called soft abilities poorer hard represent related lesser extent, whereas customer service more often requested. expert perspective recruiters too, although some optimism fit employers’ need for social responsible workforce. insights regarding SCM framing theory.