Related article: Recruitment Tips for Building a More Diverse Workplace
When looking to develop and employ a recruitment strategy, the best approach is a multi-pronged one which also includes Valuing Diversity, say our recruiting experts. This approach not only impacts the bottom line but also ensures that your business is representative of your employees, clients and vendors – culturally diverse.
To attract diverse candidates you have to want them to join your organization. One of the first and most critical steps is to ensure that your corporate branding reflects one of inclusion. Since the ‘face’ of your organization that most people will first see is your website, diversity should be reflected here. This can include everything from your mission statement, the different people within your organization that you show online, to corporate videos or testimonials from employees themselves. These will all positively impact your diversity hiring initiatives.
Outreach to community organizations. These organizations provide some of the best resources for recruiting in general, and can offer access to the diversity candidates you seek. For instance, local Veterans organizations can connect you with military people looking to transition to the civilian workforce. Along these same lines, sponsoring local community events, job fairs and networking within these groups can also present your organization directly to qualified candidates.
Use the internet to your advantage. Sites like LinkedIn and Facebook are easy ways to connect with groups and organizations that value diversity. Post information about your business. Share employee stories and case studies. Join groups that mirror the types of candidates you are looking to source. Your online strategy should also include sourcing candidates from job boards that specialize in diversity recruiting.
Make sure that all employees and business managers understand and value your diversity hiring goals. Organizations that succeed in diversity and inclusion are those that have a formal diversity hiring strategy that all business stakeholders have agreed to. This should include training programs for employees that ready them for interviewing in general.
The bottom line: recruiting diverse employees accomplishes multiple business objectives, above and beyond preventing discrimination in the workplace. Employing and retaining diverse, top talent promotes a work culture that is inclusive to all, while also attracting candidates with unique skills. And in a workforce that is global, positioning your business as diverse is necessary.
To read more articles on diversity hiring, visit www.circaworks.com.
