Why an inclusive recruitment process is more than just hiring diverse candidates

An inclusive recruitment process goes beyond just hiring a diverse set of candidates. It involves creating a welcoming and respectful environment that values the unique perspectives and experiences of all individuals. Inclusive recruitment means providing equity, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) throughout the recruitment lifecycle.

Creating inclusive recruitment practices can prevent your recruiters from functioning on autopilot and make them put more effort into building a diverse workforce. By doing so, companies can attract and retain top talent from a broad range of backgrounds, leading to a more innovative and productive workforce.

Here are a few reasons why an inclusive recruitment process is crucial for organizations today:

1. Diversity is more than just skin deep: An inclusive recruitment process recognizes that diversity goes beyond just race, gender, and ethnicity. It also encompasses factors such as age, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and socioeconomic background. By considering these different aspects of diversity, companies can attract a wider range of perspectives and experiences that can help drive innovation and creativity.
2. It helps avoid unconscious bias: Unconscious bias can creep into the recruitment process without even realizing it. By actively working to eliminate unconscious bias, organizations can ensure that all candidates are given an equal chance to succeed, regardless of their background.
3. It promotes a positive company culture: An inclusive recruitment process sets the tone for a positive and respectful company culture. When employees feel valued and supported, they are more likely to be engaged and productive. In turn, this can help boost morale and retention rates, which can ultimately lead to greater success for the organization.
4. It improves the bottom line: Companies that embrace diversity and inclusion tend to outperform their competitors. According to research by McKinsey & Company, companies with more diverse workforces are more likely to have higher financial returns. This is because diverse teams are better able to understand and serve diverse customer bases, leading to better business outcomes.

Inclusive Recruitment doesn’t refer to only hiring a few diverse candidates; instead, it touches all the processes of the recruitment lifecycle; thus, shifting your company’s culture to centralise inclusion more habitually. It covers the following processes:

• Preparing
• Sourcing
• Screening
• Selecting & Hiring
• Onboarding

Finally, employers should ensure that they are providing an equitable interview experience. This includes ensuring that the interview process is fair and that all candidates are given the same opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities. Employers should also be mindful of interview questions that may be discriminatory and avoid them.