Heartwarming detail in job ad: ‘Brings me hope’

A business owner has been praised for including one particular attribute at the top of a “good things to have” list that sent a job advert viral.

The owner of a New Zealand roofing company has been praised for taking a “slightly different approach” to recruiting employees.

A job advert for a semi-experienced roofer at the Roofing Hub, based in Queenstown and Wanaka, went viral last month for including “dyslexia” and “built stuff as a kid” as attributes on a “good things to have” list.

“Ideally we are looking for someone wanting to learn and push their skill set and with a bit of effort, get ahead,” the ad read.

“Nothing comes easily in life, so effort is key.”

The advert written by Roofing Hub’s owner Dave Strudwick also noted that it would be “no big deal” if applicants didn’t have a CV.

It said the job would provide the selected candidate with the opportunity to learn from experienced roofers and came with a “paid day off on your birthday”.

New Zealand business owner Dave Strudwick has been applauded for a job ad that listed dyslexia at the top of a 'good things to have' list. Picture: Facebook

New Zealand business owner Dave Strudwick has been praised for listing “dyslexia” at the top of a “good things to have” list. Picture: Facebook.

Mr Strudwick said the decision to be an inclusive employer was simple.

“I didn’t know I was dyslexic until I was around 35 and I taught myself to read and write when I was 29,” he told Yahoo News Australia.

“Over the last 10 years in business, I noticed how much of a strength dyslexia is.

“It’s an under-utilised gift in a person and so I purposely went looking for that in mind.”

After posting the advert on two dyslexia support Facebook pages, Mr Strudwick’s ad was inundated with more than a thousand comments, the outlet reported.

“This brings me so much hope and joy,” one person wrote online.

“[It’s] fantastic to see dyslexia being sought after as a really positive attribute,” said another.

A third person said“this is exactly what is needed.”

“A practical advert to promote the right thinking skills, personality and ability to do a job.”

“What an amazingly diverse and inclusive ad,” someone else said. “I just love it and big kudos to the company.

The business owner ultimately secured “two new young fellas” with dyslexia as his latest recruits.

“One of them was definitely a kid that can’t read or write but he is on time every day,” Mr Strudwick told Yahoo.

“Both of them have been really polite, they’ve asked me to do apprenticeships, and you can’t fault them for their attitude. They’re really grateful.”

Originally published as Heartwarming detail in job ad: ‘Brings me hope’