5 tips for writing inclusive, non-biased job ads

Biases… we’ve all got ‘em, but they are frankly unhelpful when hiring. Unless of course you want a whole team of “you’s” sitting around the table. 

Yikes

Being aware of your particular biases is crucial. It’s also helpful to not be ashamed and dismiss your biases - which is a whole other learning in it’s own right. Acknowledging their existence and checking them at the door is what’s going to move that needle in your workplace.

Attracting diverse talent and fostering an inclusive workplace starts way back with the job ads you’re putting out into the world. Here are 5 key tips to make your job ads shine with inclusivity and fairness:

1. Mind Your Language

Use neutral language and avoid biased terms that might unintentionally deter potential candidates.

To test ads for biased language, we love these tools:

gender-decoder.katmatfield - great at pointing out gendered terms, but doesn’t give alternatives.

witty.works - similar to Grammarly, but with a lean toward bias checking (predominantly gender).

Textio and Ongig - the ultimate bias checkers for gendered phrases, racism, age bias, ableism, elitism and more, but they do cost.

2. Focus on Skills and Experience

Encouraging diverse talent brings fresh perspectives and innovation to your team. Highlight the skills and qualifications required for the role rather than outdated criteria.

Eg; "Looking for a young and energetic candidate with 5 years of experience." could become more inclusive by: "Seeking a candidate with at least 5 years of relevant experience in the field."

3. Scrutinise your Benefits

Reflect diversity in your benefits by remembering there is no one-size fits all. Not everyone celebrates the same religious holidays, so a public holiday swap is an inclusive option. Do your Health and Wellbeing programs cover all ranges of ability? 

4. Showcase Your Inclusive Company Culture

Emphasise your commitment to inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. Share initiatives and programs that support employees of all backgrounds in your copy.

5. Test for Bias

Before posting the ad, have a diverse group review it to identify any hidden biases or exclusions that AI simply cannot pickup, helping to ensure your ad resonates with everyone! 

Creating job ads that resonate with the hearts and minds of all candidates is a first step toward building diverse, thriving teams that drive innovation and success!

P.s. Yes, we ran this copy through a bias checker. And it was not impressed with the word ‘young’.