Your Best Hire Might Be Your Mom

Despite the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S. since before the Great Recession, millions of Americans are still finding it hard to get back to work. According to a recent report by the Federal Reserve, one group in particular is struggling to rejoin the labor force: women over 50. However, employers might want to reconsider these female baby boomers—new research shows, they might be the best hires.

Breakthrough Research

Imperative, along with Dr. Anna Tavis of NYU, recently published the 2015 Workforce Purpose Index (WPI). The WPI is an annual study of work orientation—the psychological predisposition that each individual has towards work—of the US workforce. In the report, we explain the two work orientations present in every industry: either people work primarily for status and income, or they work for personal fulfillment and service to others. This latter group is purpose-oriented.

Once formed during adolescence, research shows that your work orientation remains relatively stable throughout your career. Most importantly for employers: work orientation is a strong predictor of performance, and purpose-oriented workers out-perform their peers in nearly every measure.

Purpose Predicts Success

Purpose-oriented people are 50% more likely to be the top leaders in their organizations compared to their peers. They are 51% more likely to develop meaningful relationships at work and seek out opportunities for personal and professional growth. 79% of purpose-oriented workers plan to stay with their current employers longer than two years compared to 69% of their peers. They are almost twice as likely to recommend their employers.

Our research revealed that only 28% of the U.S. workforce is purpose-oriented. It also revealed that women are significantly more likely to be purpose-oriented than men. The biggest surprise: 46% of women over the age of 55 are purpose-oriented workers—almost 1 in 2!

Your Mom as Competitive Advantage

For employers looking for a competitive advantage in a tight labor market, strategically recruiting women over 50 for their teams and leadership is a smart move.

So, for your next hire, be bold enough to think outside the box and reach out to your mom and her friends. They likely know some great purpose-oriented candidates that are being overlooked by your competitors.