The old adage says that "practice makes perfect." Never have those words been truer than in the field of diversity recruiting. A commitment to hiring a diverse workforce is the first step, but beginning the process of hiring minorities is only the start of the journey.
A Long-Term Commitment There are so many benefits to committing to the goal of a diverse workforce, but it's important to remember that it's a process not an immediate reality. In fact, the reality of hiring new recruits is filled with complications and unforeseen obstacles than can often waylay your course. What's important is a long-term commitment to diversity recruiting and the knowledge that it's not a one-stop shop that will change your company overnight.
Remember to stay grounded. Keep your eyes on the prize. Building a strong, diverse workforce takes time, commitment, and significant investments of energy, money, and company resources. The benefits are reaped long-term, not in a few weeks or even months. Don't let initial obstacles that arise when you are beginning a new program designed to bolster efforts at hiring minorities keep you from following through. Be patient. Stay focused. Get your whole team on board.
Go to the Source Engage in recruiting efforts that go directly to the sources for exciting, qualified minority candidates. Meet with young people on the campuses of HBCUs and other elite institutions. Prepare materials that demonstrate your firm's commitment to a diverse workforce. Make young people of different backgrounds – ethnic, gender, s*xuality, and more – motivated to find out more about working for your firm. These candidates bring unique and diverse life experiences that can transform your company's vision and open up new horizons in more fields than just HR.
Stay the Course Bringing on new hires requires a training period. The same is true of rolling out a new diversity recruiting policy. Your team may face some initial hurdles, but commitment to the goal of a diverse workforce will make the learning process that comes with renewed commitment to hiring minorities go as quickly and painlessly as possible. The best thing you can do to guarantee your ultimate success in diversity recruiting is to maintain realistic expectations and not expect everything to change overnight. Focus on the long-term and have patience; your efforts will be richly rewarded with time.
Posted By: Will Moss
Sunday, January 4th 2015 at 2:42AM
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