Strategies For Recruiting Diverse Candidates

I used to think the hardest part of hiring was sourcing candidates. Turns out, most firms lose the best talent before interviews even begin, because of subtle bias in job descriptions and unstructured interviews. Here’s what I learned: 1. Unbiased Job Descriptions Matter Gender-neutral language: Replace “he/she” with “they/their,” and swap masculine/feminine-coded words for neutral alternatives like “goal-oriented” or “team-player.” Clear, accessible language: Avoid jargon, acronyms, and long lists of “must-haves” that unintentionally filter out qualified candidates. Inclusive titles: Use “software engineer” instead of “rockstar coder,” “firefighter” instead of “fireman.” 2. Structured Interviews Reduce Bias Standardized questions: Ask every candidate the same questions in the same order to avoid “likability bias.” Scoring rubrics: Grade answers objectively on merit, not gut feeling. Behavioral + situational questions: Focus on skills and past performance, not shared backgrounds. Diverse panels & limited chit-chat: Multiple perspectives + minimal small talk reduce affinity bias. Here’s the kicker: these simple practices don’t just make hiring fairer, they make it smarter. Firms using inclusive, structured approaches attract more qualified, diverse candidates, shorten time-to-hire, and build teams that actually perform. If you’re still relying on old-school job posts and free-flow interviews, you’re leaving talent and revenue on the table.

How does a company with 1000 people end up with fewer than 20 Black people or less than 10% women? It’s called “diversity debt” — the idea that if your company consists primarily of a specific type of person by hire number 10, it’s basically impossible to get representation back on track. No one wants to be a DEI hire. When we were recruiting for Chezie, a company with an explicit mission to build more diverse and equitable workplaces, we knew we couldn’t fall into this trap. We had to figure out how to promote fair recruiting practices from day 1. Here’s what we did: 1. Encouraged all to apply: We know long lists of requirements can scare people off, so we made sure to include a note encouraging candidates to apply, even if they didn’t check every box (pictured below!). More and more companies are doing this these days, which we love to see. 2. Posted clear compensation ranges: Transparency is huge for us, so we shared salary and equity details upfront in every job posting. This keeps us accountable and helps us avoid perpetuating pay gaps. 3. Standardized the application process: Every candidate went through the same @Airtable form with screener questions, which made sure we evaluated based on qualifications, not biases. 4. Sourced diverse candidates: We intentionally reached out to underrepresented communities. For example, we used Wellfound’s diversity feature filter to invite people directly to apply. 5. Accommodations-Ready: Before interviews, we asked candidates if they needed any accommodations because everyone should feel comfortable and supported during the process. You can hire for merit and make your process more inclusive at the same time. I promise. As the founder ecosystem becomes more diverse, I think more founders will prioritize building teams the right way. For any founders hiring or who’ve recently hired, what did you do to build equity into the process? #recruiting #startups

Ever walked into a room and felt like you didn't belong? Now imagine feeling that way at work. Every. Single. Day. This is why diversity and inclusion in recruitment isn't just a buzzword – it's a business imperative. As someone who's spent years in executive research and recruitment, I've seen firsthand the power of diverse teams. But here's the truth: attracting diverse talent is just the beginning. I remember when a client came to me, frustrated. "We're trying to hire diversely," they said, "but it's not working." Their mistake? They were fishing in the same old ponds. So, how do we shake things up? Here's what I've learned: 1. Cast a wider net: Look beyond your usual talent pools. Partner with diverse professional organizations. 2. Check your job descriptions: Are they truly inclusive? Words matter more than you think. 3. Diverse interview panels: Candidates should see themselves reflected in your team. 4. Blind resume reviews: Remove bias-triggering information like names and schools. 5. Showcase your commitment: Make your diversity initiatives visible on your website and social media. And hiring diverse talent means nothing if you can't retain them. Inclusion is where the real work begins. I once worked with a company that hired a diverse workforce but couldn't figure out why turnover was so high. The problem? They expected new hires to "fit in" rather than creating a culture where everyone could belong. To foster true inclusion: -> Mentor programs: Pair diverse employees with senior leaders. -> Employee resource groups: Give people a place to connect and be heard. -> Inclusive leadership training: Help managers understand and mitigate unconscious bias. -> Regular feedback: Create safe spaces for honest conversations about inclusion. -> Celebrate differences: Don't just tolerate diversity – embrace it! You should focus on creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, contribute, and feel valued. As leaders, it's on us to make this happen. It's not always easy, but it's always worth it. What's your experience with diversity and inclusion initiatives? #DiversityAndInclusion #RecruitmentBestPractices #InclusiveLeadership #WorkplaceCulture

How to solve the "pipeline problem" in diversity hiring? It's not a shortage of talent, it's a failure in strategy. As a diversity and inclusion advocate and co-founder of Chezie, I have often encountered the "pipeline problem" excuse in discussions about diversity recruiting failures. Let’s address this misconception and explore the real reasons behind the underrepresentation of diverse talents in top companies. → 𝟏/ 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦: • 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬: Data from a 2014 USA Study revealed that Black and Latinx computer science students graduate at twice the rate of their hiring in major tech companies. • 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐬: This indicates that the issue isn't a shortage of qualified candidates but rather how recruitment strategies are structured. → 𝟐/ 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: • 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐬: Many firms repeatedly tap into the same prestigious schools, overlooking the rich talent in less traditional spaces. • 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: Minority students at top schools often face a steeper curve in recruitment preparation. → 𝟑/ 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐨𝐥: • 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬: Organizations like America on Tech are making strides in preparing diverse students for tech careers. • 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Companies must actively seek partnerships with such organizations to diversify their recruiting pipelines. → 𝟒/ 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬: • 𝐁𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Implement technology that evaluates candidates based on skills and experience, minimizing unconscious bias. • 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬: Standardize interview questions and use performance tasks to assess candidates fairly. → 𝟓/ 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐢𝐭 𝐯𝐬 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐝𝐝: • 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬: Transition from seeking a "cultural fit" to a "cultural add" to encourage diversity. • 𝐄𝐧𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: This shift brings new perspectives that enrich the company's culture. The real challenge isn't finding diverse talent; it's about creating a recruitment strategy that genuinely values diversity and inclusivity. Companies need to move beyond the convenient narrative of the pipeline problem and implement concrete steps to improve their diversity recruiting outcomes. Have you seen improvements in diversity hiring? Share your experiences and let's push for real change together.