Smart Works Reading today launched the findings from the Smart Works Index in a new report The Gendered Reality of Job-Seeking: The Smart Works Index 2025. The insights paint a portrait of modern recruitment systems designed for speed and efficiency that are unintentionally locking women out of work and undermining their confidence.
Launched at a corporate breakfast event attended by Thames Valley businesses including KPMG, Siemens, Kenvue, Michael Page, Knights, Fujitsu, and Field Seymour Parkes, the report draws on experiences from over 4,600 Smart Works clients from across the UK, including 225 women supported by Smart Works Reading in 2025.
The findings show that women are applying for more roles than ever before, yet receiving fewer responses. Women in Reading now apply for an average of 44 positions before coming to Smart Works and getting the support they need to secure a job. One in three women apply for more than 50 roles.
With the unemployment market intensifying, automated screening tools are being used to filter large numbers of applications before they reach a human reader. This often leaves candidates without feedback or even acknowledgement.
This process is taking a significant toll on confidence. 70% of women in Reading say the job search has left them feeling less confident, often before they have spoken to an employer. The impact is particularly acute for women with disabilities, those with caring responsibilities, and women from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Padma Knowles, Corporate Trustee at Smart Works Reading, who organised today's event, said:
"The Smart Works Index shows us exactly what women in the Thames Valley are up against – and it's getting harder, not easier. Local businesses have the power to change that. When employers support our mission, they're not just helping individual women – they're accessing untapped talent, strengthening our local workforce, and building a more inclusive economy."
Despite these challenges, Smart Works' human-centred approach continues to deliver strong outcomes. 68% of clients secured a job following an appointment with Smart Works in 2025.
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