Going beyond what companies want you to think
Our latest article “What does Diversity and Inclusion really mean?” explained the difference between the two terms and why you should look at these elements when picking your next employer. A diverse and inclusive workplace is proven to enable you to reap the full benefits of your potential, while growing as a professional.
But how can we understand if an employer is really committed to assuring diversity and inclusion? In this article we will underpin the factors that can help you answer this question and to aid you in identifying the right workplace for you.
As we mentioned in our first article “Companies finally getting serious about Diversity and Inclusion”, employers of today understand the importance of these notions to foster growth, companies that are more diverse and inclusive outperform their fellow counterparts that are not1.
It has also proven to help companies attract the best candidates, 80% of candidates state that they value diversity and inclusion and they have a preference for companies that do it too2. But understanding if an employer is really committed to diversity and inclusiveness from an outside perspective can be challenging.
Asking about it during the interview process can be a good starting point but it is not enough. You should look deeper into the company’s culture and whether employees interact between themselves in an inclusive way. We propose 4 actions to assess whether an employer takes diversity and inclusion initiatives seriously:
1. Look up for signs that suggest the company is committed to diversity and inclusion
Start off with the company website – Does the company have diversity and inclusion among their core values or mission? Do you see pictures of people from different backgrounds? Have a look at the pages where they talk about the company and the hiring processes. Do they disclose information about how they assure diversity during hiring processes or about their human resource policies? A company that is committed to ensuring diversity in hiring or equal rights such as family leaves that include all parents, including adoptive, demonstrates that it is engaged in ensuring diversity and inclusion.
2. Look among your connections or elsewhere to get insights from people that work at the company
Go further than appearances and ask direct questions to the people that work there. If you don’t know anyone that works there, look on LinkedIn for someone who has mutual connections with you or for alumni from your university. People are generally happy to have a chat and share information about their companies – that will also help you to start networking within the company!
If you do not have a way to connect with people directly, have a look at reviews on websites such as Glassdoor or Fairybodboss to see people’s views on the company. These websites usually provide testimonials and statistics that can help answer your questions.
3. Take full advantage of the interview to get your head around the company
How do you feel during the interview? Do you feel they are making an effort to make you feel welcome? Do they do something in particular to put you at ease? This is generally a sign that the company’s culture is devoted to inclusiveness.
Do you feel like the interviewer is happy and friendly during the interview? Does it look like they like their job and getting to know you? Understanding how people operate makes you comprehend how employers are really committed to inclusiveness in their everyday job – remember the interview is also a moment for the employer to seduce you, play the game and test your abilities.
You might also ask to have a look at the office and check if you see different genders, nationalities, and ages, you can even ask to have a tour of the office – asking about it will not make you look weird – it will show you are motivated and interested to understand more about the company.
You should also ask precise questions on diversity and inclusion that are important to you. For instance about women empowerment programs, flexible hours or management training. Asking for examples is a good way to understand how companies approach diversity and inclusion and the extent to which they are committed to it.
4. Do they offer ongoing training for you to develop?
Inclusive companies know that professional development is a key objective to create open-minded employees. We should always challenge our perspectives, develop new skills and learn about new ways to work together.
Professional development is not just about learning hard skills, the majority of training today is on soft skills.This is to improve the way we include everyone and interact with each other to achieve common objectives. Diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of transformative programs and training to create tomorrow’s enlightened leaders. Did they mention anything about that during the recruitment process? If not… It is not a good sign.
Diversity and inclusiveness are very important components of a strong and healthy company culture. Always take them into consideration when going through the hiring process and assess if a company is a place you would like to work. Once you are sure about the diverse and inclusive company where you want to work, you should make sure you get it. How can you give your profile an advantage boost and show your uniqueness and eagerness to join a company that shares your values? Stay tuned, we will tell more about this in our next article!
1 McKinsey & Company. “Delivering through Diversity,” Accessed Feb. 26, 2021.
2 Atlassian. “State of Diversity and Inclusion in U.S. Tech,” Accessed Feb. 26, 2021