The role of candidates' age in recruitment consultancy

The recruitment consultancy sector, which has experienced significant growth in recent decades, is becoming increasingly important in the recruitment of qualified staff. Consequently, the influence of recruitment consultants in candidate selection processes is also growing. It is not uncommon for people to find it difficult to secure new employment due to certain traits and characteristics. Age stereotypes and prejudices against certain age groups play a particularly significant role in the pre-selection stage of the recruitment process. Using an exploratory mixed-methods design, this study identifies issues that arise in the context of candidate age within recruitment consultancy. It examines both the double-edged role of the legal framework and the personal attitudes of recruitment consultants towards the criterion of 'age'.