You need to hire, and you’re not looking for just anyone. In the past, you’ve drawn talent from the same candidate pools, but you want to try something different.
This time, you’re interested in finding candidates who might have previously slipped your radar. You know there are plenty of overlooked candidate pools out there, and you’re ready to explore them. Here’s some advice to help you get started.
Overcoming Bias in the Hiring Process
You try to give every candidate an equal opportunity to get the job, but it’s possible you’re still biased toward certain groups or individuals. Carefully audit your hiring process to make changes that can inadvertently allow you to show favoritism.
For example, if you currently have a referral program, this can be great, but it can also mean your staff is largely made up of individuals from the same schools and/or backgrounds. You’ll also want to revise job descriptions to ensure gender-specific pronouns and adjectives that imply a certain type of candidate are removed. Finally, make sure you’re using the same interview and hiring process for everyone.
Identifying Overlooked Candidate Pools
Certain types of candidate pools are used by a variety of employers, making it hard to land the best talent in these groups. Veer off from what everyone else is doing and search for unseen talent who haven’t yet been discovered. This might be people with disabilities or veterans looking to get back into the workforce. It’s very possible you’ll find the best employees you’ve ever had if you take the time to look for them.
Developing Partnerships with Community Organizations
Seek out community organizations that align with your values, as they might be able to refer outstanding talent. For example, this could be local nonprofits, government agencies, or educational institutions. This relationship may be very mutually beneficial, as it’s a way for you to connect with talented professionals who fit your company culture while helping the community organization find jobs for its members.
Providing Training and Support for Underrepresented Groups
You are truly an equal-opportunity employer, so you want everyone to feel comfortable on your team. When you hire members of underrepresented groups, some of these new employees may need a different type of training and support than you’ve provided in the past.
Train managers to build a strong relationship with employees, so they can identify skills gaps and be someone their direct hires feel comfortable talking to. If possible, also think about restructuring jobs to accommodate employee needs — i.e., flexible scheduling, work from home.
Ready to connect with fresh new talent? Wood Staffing is here to help your Michiana company find the perfect fit. Contact us today to discuss a partnership!
