Our Exclusive Grant Alexander x OpinionWay Survey Cited in Forbes Article: “Networking, a Key Factor for Senior Career Development”
30.10.2024
“Networking is often seen as a simple, obvious practice, an innate skill—but in reality, it is a true competency.”
The Forbes article highlights the growing importance of networking for senior executives in a constantly evolving job market. Once focused on experience and seniority, career progression now increasingly favours younger graduates, raising concerns among senior professionals. According to an Apec survey, 78% of French workers fear losing their job in the last ten years of their career, and 90% of senior executives believe their age is a disadvantage.
“Preconceptions about senior workers remain deeply ingrained in France, causing companies to hesitate when hiring older candidates. Indeed, 32% of recruiters and up to 68% of HR directors admit to systematically excluding senior applications” (Grant Alexander x OpinionWay study, Le Point).
Despite improvements in the employment rate of 55–64-year-olds, stereotypes about their adaptability persist, making career advancement challenging.
Networking emerges as a crucial lever for employability, helping seniors build professional contacts and avoid isolation. This skill, long perceived as innate, must be actively developed and maintained throughout one’s career. Training initiatives and specialised workshops aim to optimise these competencies, assisting seniors in overcoming labour market barriers.
Senior executives should highlight their experience and invest in intergenerational relationships to enhance employability and support career transitions or reintegration.