Inclusive hiring is a proactive practice. You are not only making sure you avoid discriminatory practices, but also seeking to value and celebrate diversity. This strategic approach sees hiring as an opportunity to grow as an organization. Here are four ways you can foster a diverse workplace at your college or university.
Consider Your Community
Take stock of the current composition of your workforce. Compare that with the demographic make-up of your students. Then, look at the diversity of the surrounding community. How has the diversity of your faculty and staff changed in recent years? How have you made progress with inclusivity already? Where have the inroads taken more time? These questions allow you to establish your goal and identify where you have work to do.
Develop an Inclusive Job Posting
Craft your job description with inclusivity in mind. Are the degrees you note as requirements essential or is demonstrated experience and competency just as effective? Eliminate jargon that would alienate those outside your field. Recognize that qualified employees come through a variety of paths, not only the ones you’ve traditionally utilized. Be sure your job postings comply with accessibility best-practices so that they work with screen readers and other technology.
Seek Input
Your search committee must include the diversity that you seek to emulate in your company. Seek out the under-represented members of your community and ask for their perspective. It is paramount that you avoid tokenism as you do so. They are not there so you can check a diversity box and move on. They bring valuable insights that you can—and must—learn from.
Reflect Often
Changing the culture of your organization won’t happen overnight. You will face growing pains as you integrate inclusivity. Make a habit of reflecting on both your progress and your process. How are your efforts going? What is working and what needs adjustment? Who can help you adapt your approach? Learn from other institutions that are fostering diversity well.
One final word of encouragement. We have seen the benefits institutions reap when they practice inclusive hiring. Diversity helps us flourish. It is worth the effort it takes to get there.
Cheryl Hyatt is a founding partner and CEO of Hyatt – Fennell, Executive Search and President and owner of The Charitable Resources Group, Inc.
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