An ally is someone who is not a member of an underrepresented group but who takes action to support that group to help make their workplace more diverse and inclusive for all.
For workplaces to become truly inclusive it is up to people who hold positions of privilege to be active allies and to take responsibility for making changes that will help others be successful.
Allies at all levels can take action with simple, everyday efforts that make a real difference and in this series, we highlight some things that you can do to be an ally and to support your colleagues from underrepresented groups.
#68: Diversify your Talent Pipeline
There are a number of ways that firms can work to diversify their talent pipeline. Here are a few strategies you might consider:
- Partner with diverse organisations and job boards: Look for opportunities to partner with organizations and job boards that focus on diverse candidates. This can include specific initiatives like 10000 black interns, working with a wider pool of colleges and universities, offering apprenticeships, and working with organisations that focus on LGBTQ+ or disability inclusion, for example.
- Review and revise your job postings: Make sure your job postings are inclusive and welcoming to candidates from all backgrounds. This can include using language that is gender-neutral and avoiding requirements that may disproportionately exclude certain groups.
- Expand your recruiting efforts: Consider reaching out to organisations and groups that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and participate in job fairs and career events targeted at diverse candidates.
- Encourage employee referrals: Encourage your employees to refer diverse candidates for open positions. This can help to broaden the pool of potential candidates and increase the diversity of your talent pipeline.
- Implement diversity hiring goals: Set specific diversity hiring goals and track your progress towards meeting them. This can help to ensure that you are actively working to diversify your talent pipeline.
By implementing these strategies, you can work to diversify your talent pipeline and build a more inclusive and diverse workforce.
Read the full “How to be an Ally” series here.
