Corporate leadership and, consequently, recruiters now place a high priority on workplace diversity. Simply put, workplace diversity refers to the presence of a wide range of individuals in a workforce, including those with various racial and ethnic backgrounds, gender identities, socioeconomic statuses, and sexual orientations. It also includes individuals with subtle differences like extroverts and introverts. A diverse workforce offers an organization a wealth of value and potential benefits.
Here are a few strategies for recruiting a more diverse workforce.
Revise Job Postings
Examine your job postings to make sure you’re using language that will resonate with a variety of candidates from various backgrounds. If you pay close attention to your job postings, you might be surprised at how you unintentionally tell candidates that your company is not for them. Always get a second opinion on your job postings to make sure you aren’t unintentionally deterring the candidates you want to draw in.
Display Diversity in External Communications
Do the people who appear in your recruitment videos, ads, social media channels, and other external communications represent a diverse group of people? If not, you might be discouraging applicants who are underrepresented from applying. Make sure your images, videos, and communications include a diverse and representative range of people. Candidates are much more likely to apply if they feel seen and represented by your company.
Create a Welcoming Workplace
Making your newly hired employees feel at ease is one of the most important things you can do for your company. Retention is critical, and creating a comfortable workplace culture is frequently an afterthought. In most offices, diverse candidates are in the minority. Your new employees may find it difficult to advocate for themselves or express their opinions. It is your responsibility to make them feel at ease and to give them a seat at the table. However, you need more than just bodies in chairs if you want to be known as a company that values diversity. It is your responsibility to take diversity seriously and to foster a workplace culture in which your new employees can thrive.
Whether you want to discuss diversity initiatives or broaden your applicant sourcing pool, the Business of HR can help you in implementing diverse workforce strategies that will help your business grow.