Last year, as part of Tom O’Connor Consulting Group’s continued work towards living our values regarding Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Anti-Racism (DEIAA), we drafted our own Inclusion Statement. Informed by our research and other great examples in the field, we crafted and now include the following statement in all of our job profiles (which you can find on our Active Searches page).

“Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.

We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. So, whether you’re returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.

Please use your cover letter to tell us about what you hope to bring to this role.”

The response we’ve received has been incredibly heartening. Viable applicants regularly tell us they would not have applied if it weren’t for this message. Also, we appreciate the many organizations who asked to use the language, and we’re flattered by those who adopted the statement.

We encourage anyone currently hiring to use this language in your job listings. Copy it, remix it, or re-write it to fit your organization’s voice. Job descriptions are often wish lists decided on by committee, and the complexity of our criteria doesn’t always leave space for people with applicable skills or non-linear career paths. As a result, our attempts to cast a wide net can often dissuade viable candidates from even applying. We encourage you to use this language as a touchpoint to demonstrate that your organization leads with humanity and intentionality. We aim for the same and are glad to be in good company.

Jordan Sanford is the Director of Search Operations & Community at Tom O’Connor Consulting Group. TOCG is a New York City-based arts consultancy offering strategy, assessment, executive search, and leadership coaching services to organizations across the US—all with a focus on audiences and revenue outcomes. For over a decade, Jordan has dedicated his efforts to helping emerging creative professionals forge successful careers, with a special emphasis on supporting youth of color. Jordan developed and coordinated college and career pathway programs to serve systematically marginalized youth through senior management roles at The Art Effect and the Maryland Institute College of Art.