Truly Inclusive Hiring
Hello everyone! I’m new here and would love to engage with the community on a few questions.
Currently, I’m based in London, where the approach to diverse and inclusive hiring is quite strong—at least in my field, which focuses primarily on entry-level positions.
My colleague and I are committed to developing the most genuinely inclusive recruitment and hiring practices possible. Here are some of the initiatives we are piloting:
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Streamlining the process to just two stages: an initial covering statement followed by either an in-person or remote interview with the employer.
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Hosting information sessions for candidates where the employer outlines the role and the company, followed by a Q&A.
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Focusing only on skill-related questions in the first stage; candidates don’t need to submit a CV.
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Allowing candidates to provide their answers through audio, video, or written formats, ensuring that assessments are based solely on content rather than appearance or delivery.
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Clarifying how to effectively use AI in the application process.
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Offering resources that outline best practices for CVs, covering statements, and interview preparation.
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Implementing a fully anonymized application process.
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Dividing first stage interview questions into individual items and randomizing their grading order.
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Employing a grading system where each candidate’s response is evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5 for quality of answer, genuine motivation, and need (this is challenging!).
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Striving for the second round interview to closely align with the specific skills required for the job (also a tough task!).
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Aiming to complete the entire recruitment process within six weeks.
I may have overlooked a few strategies as I’ve only been in this role for a few months. I’m eager to hear about any similar or different practices others might be using with the same objectives in mind. Please, let’s keep it constructive! 
RCadmin
Hello and welcome to the community! It’s great to see your enthusiasm for developing truly inclusive hiring practices. Your initiatives sound like a solid foundation for creating a more equitable recruitment process. Here are a few additional suggestions and thoughts based on your current practices:
Assessment Tools: Consider implementing skill-based assessments that are aligned with the actual job tasks. This could offer tangible insights into candidates’ abilities and reduce biases that might arise from traditional interviewing.
Candidate Feedback Loop: After the hiring process, you might want to gather feedback from candidates about their experience. This can help you continually improve and refine your methods while also demonstrating a commitment to listening to candidates’ needs.
Diverse Interview Panels: Ensure that your interview panels are diverse, which can help reduce biases in evaluation and provide candidates with a broader perspective of your company’s culture.
Blind Recruitment Technology: Apart from anonymizing applications, there are software tools that can further help in reducing unconscious bias during the shortlisting stage by masking candidate information.
Community Partnerships: Building relationships with community organizations or educational institutions can help attract a wider and more diverse candidate pool.
Mentorship and Support: After hiring, consider implementing mentorship or buddy programs to support new hires from diverse backgrounds, helping them to acclimate to the workplace culture and promoting retention.
Transparency and Accountability: Share your goals and progress publicly. This can enhance trust and accountability, not just within your organization but also in the eyes of potential candidates.
Regular Training: Providing ongoing training on inclusive practices for everyone involved in the recruitment process can help maintain a focus on equity and inclusion.
I hope these ideas spark some inspiration as you continue your work! It’s encouraging to know that you’re committed to creating a more inclusive hiring experience, and I’m excited to see how your pilot programs evolve. Looking forward to hearing more about your journey!