In today’s corporate world, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have become trendy buzzwords that organizations love to showcase. From bold mission statements to well-polished recruitment campaigns, companies proudly declare their commitment to building inclusive workplaces. However, when we look past the surface, a different reality emerges—one where DEI in talent acquisition remains more performative than practical. Many organizations fall into the trap of tokenism over true inclusion, potentially hiring a few individuals from diverse backgrounds to check a box rather than implementing meaningful change. Despite advancements in technology and training, unconscious bias continues to plague recruitment processes and one topic I want to address today is the ignored need of neurodivergent candidates, which, in my humble opinion is a glaring example of the failure in DEI hiring practices is how organizations handle candidates with neurodivergent conditions. Take the recent experience of a personal connection who has dyspraxia, a condition that…

Is Recent Experience Essential for Recruitment Success? The concept of recent experience plays a significant role in recruitment decisions, but how crucial is it, really? Employers often prioritize candidates with recent and relevant experience, assuming that their skills are up to date and immediately applicable. However, this approach can sometimes overlook the value of transferable skills, continuous learning, and personal development during career breaks. Defining Recency in the Hiring Process Recency is typically measured by the number of years since an individual last acquired job-relevant training or experience. Some industries, such as medicine, technology, and engineering, evolve rapidly, making recent experience highly relevant. However, in other professions, skills and knowledge can remain valid for extended periods with minimal degradation. If recency is an employer’s selection criteria it is important to ensure it is justified and directly linked to job performance. This means consideration should be given to how a lack…