An award-winning recruitment consultancy is urging employers to focus on inclusivity rather than trying to be woke in advertising for new roles.

Kettering-based Wills Consultants take very seriously their responsibility of value alignment with regards to all communities and how that is filtering into employers seeking employees.

Recent experience of their recruitment consultants has found that some employers aren’t doing enough to be inclusive in how they advertise for new jobs – and that needs to change.

Co-director Nikki Wills said: “All of society need to feel like they are seen, heard, understood and, most importantly, that the opportunities available are open to all. This is particularly important when employers recognise, they need to address underrepresentation in their workforce.

“However, we have had other companies that go to great lengths not to leave anyone out and list all minorities and different communities in the terms and conditions of an application for a vacancy. This starts to come across as inauthentic and leads to a rollcall as long as a length of wallpaper listing every single possible group of people that could potentially be offended if they weren’t in the checklist.

“We end up with so many communities in the buzzwords that it can be construed that if a particular minority community has been forgotten that they are not wanted and therefore, don’t apply. Most people would apply regardless; however, the wording is still important to attract great candidates who see themselves matching the outlined criteria.”

In recruitment, it is vital that everyone has aligned values when matching a candidate, a skill set and a company so that they can work together, with similar mindsets, towards a common goal.

An ‘open to all’ offer must be genuine and interpreted as genuine by jobseekers for it to be successful.

Nikki added: “Let’s not shy away from discrimination, it exists. Saying you are woke does not mean you are actively addressing these issues. Ensuring your business has no bias when advertising a role and that you are confident you are inclusive, and your equality statements are not just an empty promise, will mean you will reap the rewards of appealing to all.”

If you need help navigating a job advert or want assistance in filling a vacancy, Wills Consultants can help. Call 01536 512202.