Diversity Hiring: How to Create an Inclusive Workplace
What is Diversity and Inclusion in Hiring?
Diversity hiring means making an intentional effort to bring in candidates from different backgrounds. That includes race, gender, age, disability status, and more. The goal is to make the hiring process fair and accessible to everyone, not just the people who already fit the mold.
Diversity hiring is not just about checking boxes. It’s about making sure your company reflects the real world, not just one version of it. Diverse teams bring new ideas, better problem-solving, and stronger company culture.
Why Diversity Hiring Matters
Diversity hiring means going beyond the usual places you recruit from and making a real effort to find people from different backgrounds to fill your open positions.
When employees feel like they belong and are respected for their unique contributions, they’re more likely to be happy and productive at work. This creates a positive work environment that benefits everyone.
7 Benefits of Embracing Workplace Diversity
Although 43% of American employees are women, top-level and C-suite positions are only held by 1 in 4 women, according to a 2023 US DOL 2023 report. Of those women in executive positions, only 5% were women of color.
You can benefit from the following by prioritizing diversity hiring:
1. Reach More Candidates
Hiring from a wider talent pool means you’re more likely to spot people with great potential who might otherwise be overlooked.
2. Fresh Ideas
Different backgrounds bring different ways of thinking. That leads to better conversations and stronger solutions.
3. Stronger Retention
People are more likely to stay in a workplace where they feel respected and included.
4. Improve Brand Image
A company that values inclusion tends to attract both top talent and loyal customers.
5. Increase Bottom Line
Studies have shown that diverse companies outperform those that aren’t. According to a report by Forbes, companies with a diverse workforce are 35% more likely to have higher profitability.
6. Smarter Leadership
Diverse leadership teams lead to better problem-solving, innovation, decision-making, employee engagement, and employer branding by bringing in a range of perspectives and experiences. According to McKinsey, gender diverse teams see 21% higher profits and 27% more value.
7. Understanding Customers
If your team reflects your audience, it’s easier to understand what they need and how to serve them.
8 Tips for Improving Diversity Hiring Practices
Here are some top tips for enhancing your diversity hiring strategies:
1. Set Clear Goals for Diversity in Your Recruitment Strategy
Start by assessing your current employees and identifying underrepresented groups such as women, minorities, and people with disabilities. Set specific, measurable goals to increase the representation of these groups, and develop targeted hiring strategies.
2. Use New Job Boards
Post roles on platforms like Diversity.com or the Professional Diversity Network. This brings in candidates you might not reach otherwise.
3. Use Inclusive Language
Review and edit your current hiring language to ensure it is inclusive and welcoming.
For example, you could include text like this within your job posting: Our company is seeking a talented IT manager for a growing IT department. Candidates should come with experience developing in .NET and have knowledge working with Windows servers.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Our company believes in fostering a collaborative work environment where everyone’s perspectives are valued and respected.
4. Standardize the Hiring Process
Implement structured interviews with standardized assessments and use a diverse panel of interviewers. Using standardized testing as part of your diversity hiring strategy will make sure all candidates get a fair shot.
5. Build Targeted Internships
Partner with schools and organizations that support underrepresented students.
Many have access to on-campus minority groups, like the Office of Institutional Diversity, Multicultural Student Life Organization, or similar departments.
6. Try Blind Screening
Use blind resume screenings and anonymous applications that remove identifying information like name, ethnicity, or gender. Focus on skills and qualifications that can be demonstrated and measured.
7. Be Clear on Anti-Bias Rules
Establish clear anti-discrimination policies and procedures that prohibit discrimination based on background, gender, or ethnicity. Communicate these policies with every employee and applicant.
8. Train Your Team
Run regular training to help employees spot bias, speak up, and work better together.
Commit to Creating an Inclusive Workplace
Hiring with inclusion in mind is a strong start. But inclusion needs to show up in the day-to-day.
A 2020 Gallup poll showed that one in four Black and Hispanic workers still face discrimination at work. That tells you everything you need to know. Diversity hiring alone doesn’t fix the problem.
Make sure every employee feels safe, respected, and heard. Support employee groups. Create programs that give people space to grow. Build a culture where everyone can contribute.
What You Can Do Right Now
Inclusive hiring changes the way your company works. It builds stronger teams, boosts innovation, and helps you grow with purpose.
At EmployTest, we help companies reduce hiring bias through skills-based assessments. These tools measure what candidates can actually do. No guesswork, no assumptions.
If you’re serious about building a more inclusive workplace, start by changing the way you hire. Let’s make it real, not just a checkbox.
Try a free sample test today and see how it fits into your hiring process.