Can hiring for diversity actually work? Spoiler alert: yes!

By
In the buzzing realm of tech hiring, diversity isn't just a trendy buzzword thrown around in corporate meetings like confetti; it's a powerful strategy that can lead to richer ideas, heightened productivity, and maybe even more fun at the office (if your metaphorical office is a chat app, that is).
But hold up—achieving genuine diversity takes more than just setting a quota or slapping a rainbow sticker on your company’s “About Us” page. I know what you might be thinking: ‘How do we go beyond quotas?’ You’re right to ask this, because let’s be real—quotas can sometimes lead to tokenism. So, what’s the deal with making diversity a real part of your hiring strategy?

🛠️ Beyond quotas: the real gameplan
To create meaningful diversity, we need to dive deep into the nuts and bolts of inclusive hiring strategies; good news for you: it’s not rocket science! Well, it might be for some of us, but thankfully, there are proven methods out there that can make your life easier.
  • Broaden your talent pools: Don’t limit your search to the usual recruitment channels; sure, LinkedIn is cool, but your dream candidate could be perfecting their code on GitHub or showcasing their creativity on Behance. Try incorporating platforms that cater to different demographics.
  • Real talk about unconscious bias: It’s 2023, and if you’re still hiring based on gut feelings—or worse, hunches informed by bias—you need an intervention; use structured interviews and Rúbricas de evaluación to keep yourself in check. For a great deep dive into this, check out our article on scorecards, where we explore how they can revolutionize IT recruitment.
  • Look beyond experience: Job descriptions often perpetuate unconscious bias and may deter qualified candidates from applying; focus on transferable skills and potential—because, believe me, talent doesn’t always come in the same old boxes.
  • Conduct comprehensive evaluations: Use practical exercises and case studies to gauge a candidate’s skills rather than just relying on historical achievements.
Studies show that diverse teams are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors; diversity can lead to increased creativity and innovation by bringing together unique perspectives.

🌈 Types of inclusion: more than meets the eye
So, what does inclusion actually look like in practice? It often shows up in small, yet impactful, ways; for instance, at companies like Salesforce, managers undergo training that encourages empathy and understanding, emphasizing the importance of diverse voices in meetings.

📚 Training to transform
Speaking of training, consider upskilling and reskilling current employees to better reflect the diversity you're aiming for; targeting underrepresented groups for training programs also shows that your company is serious about career transformation—as we elaborate further in our article on upskilling and retention strategies.
So, what are the challenges? You might think about metrics, costs associated with training, and maybe the anticipated pushback from traditionalists in the office; sure, these are valid concerns. But consider this: companies with higher diversity levels generate 19% more revenue; who wouldn’t want a slice of that pie? Not to mention the benefits of a well-rounded team are more than just quantifiable in dollars.

💭 Final thoughts
The reality is, diversity isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s essential for innovation and, ultimately, your bottom line; just remember: achieving genuine diversity requires commitment, creativity, and continual effort. Resources like Get on Board’s suite of tools can empower your recruitment process, ensuring you're not just checking a box but creating real opportunities.
So, if you’re ready to embrace unbiased, diverse hiring, give Get on Board’s tools a spin; your recruitment process deserves it!

Latest on Blog