Our recruitment
process

 

 

We welcome applications from all individuals, irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, or belief. As we understand the value of the transferability of skills and experiences, we are not looking for the 'perfect candidate' – we encourage everyone who is truly excited about our mission to apply.

We also understand that talent and potential don't always fit neatly into a box. We appreciate that everyone's career journey is unique, and we recognise the value of diverse experiences. That's why we don’t focus solely on checkboxes or traditional career paths when we recruit.

Career gaps or unconventional experiences are not drawbacks. Instead, we see them as opportunities for growth, learning, and unique perspectives that can enrich our team. We're not looking for candidates who tick all the boxes – we’re looking for individuals who bring something special to our team.

On this page

Please get in touch with our People Team if you'd like to discuss anything you see here.

Our interview process


Making sure everyone understands the process involved when applying for a role with us means there’s hopefully no surprises for you along the way.

 

We know interviews can be daunting for some so hopefully being more transparent with you will help make you feel more relaxed and in control. Below are the stages you can expect if you apply for a role at Emerald:

Application

Your application will be made by completing a short form and attaching your CV. This is then saved anonymously within our recruitment portal where all communication will be made from. You can communicate with the hiring manager whenever you like, via the portal, if you have any questions.

Once we’ve received your application, all members of the hiring panel (hiring manager and at least one other person) will review it. If you are a potential match, we’ll schedule a screening interview over Microsoft Teams to learn more about your skills and experience. These are typically scheduled within 2 weeks of receipt of application. Unfortunately, we’re unable to provide feedback to unsuccessful candidates at this stage.

 

Screening interview

A short interview (usually 30 mins) via Microsoft Teams will help us to understand more about you, why you applied and what your skill set is. This will allow us to assess if we can progress you to the second stage interview (usually scheduled within a week of the screening interview).

If you are unsuccessful, feedback will be provided so that you understand the reasons why we don't think you were right for the role this time.

 

Second stage interview

Following a successful screening interview, the hiring panel will conduct a longer interview (usually 60 mins, or 90 mins if a presentation or test is involved), usually via Microsoft Teams. During this interview, the panel will spend more time getting to know you and understand more about your skills and experience and what you can bring to the role.

There will be the opportunity for you to find out more about us and the team you would work with. (For more technical roles, a test may be required and for more senior or creative roles, a presentation may be required. But all of this will be declared on the advert and a full brief will be given ahead of the second stage interview). If unsuccessful, feedback on your interview will be provided so that you understand the reason why.

 

Offer

If successful after the second stage interview, the hiring manager will call you with the good news to make you an offer and to outline all the information of your offer (salary, start date etc.).  Following verbal acceptance, you will receive an offer in writing via email which will be sent via our recruitment portal, confirming what you have discussed on the phone with the hiring manager. This offer will require an e-signature and will have a built-in expiry date, usually of a week, for you to sign and return to us.

After the letter has been signed, you will receive a contract of employment and comprehensive information about the benefits we offer. If you would like to meet your team at any stage, we can arrange this.

Features of our recruitment process

 

Our use of scorecards

When hiring managers set-up a new vacancy, they produce a list of non-negotiable criteria that they establish in collaboration with the People Team before they see any applications. This allows us to reduce bias in the hiring process and ensure objective criteria for the role are set up-front. Scorecards are then set up using these criteria, within our recruitment portal. All criteria are weighted depending on how important the skillset, knowledge or behavioural factor is for the role. Each of the panel will then score accordingly based on the interview.

How our anonymous application process works

When you apply for our roles, our portal automatically anonymises your application due to its built-in anonymous recruitment software. This ensures that our hiring panels assess you based exclusively on your experience and skills. Once you have been selected for screening, and only once you have accepted our invitation to interview, your personal details are revealed so we know who we are talking to when we meet virtually.

Right to work checks

Before your employment formally begins, we need to make sure that you are legally allowed to work in the UK. To check your right to work we use TrustID as our certified provider. You will need your mobile phone to scan a QR code to get started on the check and you should also have your ID document ready to upload. The document you will need will be either an in-date UK or Irish passport or a share code from the Home Office online checking service. This is a quick and simple process, and the email comes with a handy online guide to help you through it.

How we ensure employee referrals are fair

Employee referrals go through our recruitment portal either by the employee sending a link to the vacancy or by the employee sending the CV to our People Team Coordinator who uploads it to the portal. Much like all other applications, they are anonymous and need to be scored by all hiring panel members to be successful to progress through our hiring process.

Interview questions

We ask that our hiring managers ask the same questions to each candidate to provide fairness and allow all candidates to be scored against the same criteria and assessed in the same way.  At the same time, we don’t want our interviews to feel too formal, so we make sure we have time to get to know you and for you to ask anything of us.  For some roles, we may provide interview questions in advance..

Reasonable adjustments

We are also committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our applicants. If you would like to request any accommodations/adjustments from application through to interview stages, such as receiving the application form in a different format, access to a quiet, private place for your interview or captions during your video interview,  please complete the relevant section within the application or contact us at [email protected] and let us know, we would be happy to help.

What we look for in every hire

We might be the perfect place for you if:

  • You want to make a difference and take actions in an industry that is striving to become more equitable.
  • You enjoy varied work, working cross-functionally to help achieve a business's purpose and goals.
  • You enjoy contributing to the People, Planet, and Prosperity of local communities.
  • You’d welcome the opportunity to take ownership of your professional development and embrace a “squiggly” career.
  • Working in an industry that is facing complex challenges, and opportunities sounds exciting.
  • You can visit our local office at least once a month and attend quarterly in-person events.

We might not be right for you if:

  • Achieving the highest possible salary is more important to you than flexibility at work.
  • You prefer a more linear career path and clearly defined promotion structures.
  • You only want to work within your role scope only and are not interested in contributing to other areas.

Why Emerald Publishing

We think Emerald is unique in many ways. From our global workforce to our passion for doing things differently, no day is the same. Here are just some of things that you can expect when working at Emerald.

 

Meaning & purpose

You'll have an important part to play in our meaning and purpose with a shared responsibility that empowers us all to grow, develop and make a real impact.

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Benefits & pay

You'll benefit from some of the most flexible working arrangements in the academic publishing industry, as well as recognition for your commitment to doing meaningful work.

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Develop & grow

You'll have the opportunity to work directly with senior leaders and decision makers, whilst being supported to upskill and open more doors.

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Connection & community

You can always be yourself and have your voice heard at Emerald. Finding ways we can all feel included is high on our agenda.

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