What Can a Company Do to Attract More Diversity in its Candidate Pool?
Short Answer Branding yourselves an equal opportunity employer is important. If your company is known for it’s diversity, naturally, candidates in that demographic will seek out opportunities within your organization. While you do that, here are a few more tips: Make It Part of Your Corporate Culture Develop and implement an equal opportunity employment policy […]
Short Answer
Branding yourselves an equal opportunity employer is important. If your company is known for it’s diversity, naturally, candidates in that demographic will seek out opportunities within your organization.
While you do that, here are a few more tips:
Make It Part of Your Corporate Culture
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- Develop and implement an equal opportunity employment policy and map out what that looks like for your workforce.
- Be transparent. Make it part of your corporate mission and vision statements.
- Create a committee that will implement your new policy.
- Provide diversity training to make sure everyone understands why you have a diverse workforce.
Build Relationships with Minority Organizations
- Start with minority colleges and universities, and offer internships and scholarships. It’s always a best practice to make sure you are well branded at these college events.
- Sponsor job fairs in minority communities.
- Contact national organizations like the NAACP and the Urban League and local organizations like churches and cultural institutions.
- Target your recruiting advertisements to minority publications like the Hispanic Times and The Advocate.
Ask for Referrals From Employees
Your employees are an excellent resource for knowing what your company is looking for in candidates. Don’t just ask your minority employees; others may have a wider base of friends and acquaintances they could recommend. Consider offering employees a bonus for minority candidate referrals that get hired.
Conclusion
Hiring from a limited pool of candidates restricts the ideas and creativity in your company. By diversifying your workforce, you not only expand your exposure to new and different viewpoints, but you may find that it sparks innovation and greater loyalty from employees.
Helpful Links
US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s laws, regulations, and guidance – EEOC.gov
Getting People in the Pool: Diversity Recruitment that Works – HR Magazine
