DEI Recruiting: 5 Ways to Step It Up in 2024

Many companies are reflecting on their hiring efforts and thinking about how they can step things up in 2024. While most understand the value of building diverse and inclusive workforces, making meaningful progress can be challenging.

This article offers tips to help hiring managers and business leaders improve their hiring strategies. Whether it is taking a critical look at job descriptions or expanding outreach efforts, minor changes can add up to a significant impact. Read on for simple yet powerful ways a company can become more intentional about diversity hiring in 2024.

Understanding DEI Recruiting

DEI hiring refers to hiring practices that focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). This approach involves actively sourcing and hiring talent from marginalized groups. These can include minorities, women, members of the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, and veterans. The goal of DEI hiring is to create a more diverse workforce, promote fairness, and build an inclusive culture.

Companies engage in DEI hiring for a variety of reasons. A diverse workforce fuels innovation, improves decision-making, boosts employee satisfaction, and leads to better business outcomes. It also helps companies better understand and serve their diverse customer base. When done well, DEI hiring leads to a moral cycle of greater inclusion and opportunity.

Effective DEI hiring requires a multi-pronged strategy. Companies must review their hiring processes to remove bias and use targeted job boards to reach marginalized groups. They must connect with DEI agencies and nonprofits and promote a culture where people from all backgrounds can thrive. It also requires a commitment to continuous learning and improvement to overcome systemic barriers.

With the workforce becoming more global and diverse, DEI hiring has become a core business need. Companies leading in DEI gain an edge in attracting and retaining top talent. Although challenging, the rewards are well worth the effort.

The Importance of Diversity in the Workplace

DEI in the workplace is vital for success and growth. When companies hire from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, it leads to more creativity.

• Diverse perspectives

Diverse backgrounds and life experiences mean people often see the world in their own unique ways. They can offer a variety of options and solutions. By including diverse voices, companies benefit from a wider range of perspectives. Diverse teams lead to better problem-solving and increased innovation.

• Better connection with customers

A diverse workforce helps companies better reflect and connect with their customer base. Employees from diverse backgrounds understand the needs and experiences of diverse groups. They can help companies develop products and services tailored to more people.

• Increased productivity

DEI reduces peer pressure and promotes debate. It leads to more options, which results in better decision-making. Employees also feel more valued when companies respect DEI. This boosts motivation, job satisfaction, and productivity.

Promoting DEI is not just the right thing to do; it also makes good business sense. Building workplaces that support DEI equips companies for success in today’s globalized world. While DEI hiring does present challenges, the benefits to both business and society make the effort more than worthwhile.

5 Ways to Improve the DEI Recruiting Strategy

Enhancing DEI hiring is vital for fostering inclusive workplaces and using diverse perspectives for company success. Here are five ways to enhance hiring efforts and nurture a workforce that reflects the rich tapestry of society:

1. Broaden the Talent Pool

   Companies must tap into a more diverse range of candidates. This means posting jobs on platforms, reaching diverse groups, and connecting with DEI agencies and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). It also involves expanding recruitment to regions with greater diversity.

2. Address Unconscious Bias

   Unconscious bias refers to the stereotypes and prejudices that shape individuals’ views in subtle ways. Hiring managers must receive training on how to recognize and address bias. For example, blinding resumes by removing names and photos can help turn the focus on credentials alone.

3. Review Job Descriptions

   The language used in job listings can reflect biases and dissuade candidates from applying. Companies must review job descriptions to ensure the wording is inclusive, focusing on skills rather than gendered adjectives. Stating a commitment to DEI can also make the role appealing.

4. Consider Skills-Based Hiring

   Skills-based hiring focuses on the skills a role requires rather than relying on a candidate's degree or background. This helps address barriers that other groups face in gaining access to higher education and opens up more opportunities.

5. Hold Accountable

   For DEI hiring efforts to succeed, companies must hold departments and people accountable. Companies must set concrete DEI goals and metrics, track key indicators, and review progress regularly. They must be transparent about the results to keep the focus on continuous improvement. This can help companies build a more inclusive hiring process over time.

Conclusion

By focusing on building an inclusive employer brand, leveraging referrals and partnerships, and reviewing job descriptions, companies can lay the DEI groundwork. Expanding talent pools and measuring results further enhance their journey toward a more successful team.

DEI hiring is an ongoing process that requires commitment, self-reflection, and the willingness to enforce change across the company. With a thoughtful strategy and consistent effort, companies can make their hiring processes fair and effective for all.