Levelling the Playing Field: Self-Advocacy and Inclusive Recruitment

“Navigating the job market can be daunting, especially for candidates from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds. This session explores the balance between self-advocacy and employer responsibility in creating inclusive recruitment processes. We’ll unpack where candidates should feel empowered to articulate their needs and aspirations—and equally, where they should expect recruiters and employers to remove barriers without having to ask.

Through powerful case studies, we’ll highlight the real experiences of care-experienced job seekers, and individuals with justice system backgrounds. These stories will shed light on the systemic challenges candidates often face, and how proactive, inclusive practices from employers can make a lasting difference.

The session will also provide practical, actionable tips for job seekers preparing for their job hunt: from identifying personal strengths and setting clear goals, to recognizing red flags in recruitment practices and knowing when to walk away.

Whether you’re a job seeker looking for guidance, a recruiter striving for fairer processes, or an ally eager to support inclusive employment, this conversation will leave you better equipped to build and advocate for pathways that work for everyone.

Key learnings from this session:

• How to prepare to self-advocate effectively in the recruitment process.
• Where self-advocacy should not be necessary—and what red flags to look for.
• Real-world lessons from care leavers and job seekers with justice system experience.
• Practical tips to strengthen your job search strategy and confidence.
• Insight into how inclusive recruitment benefits both candidates and employers.