JOB DESCRIPTIONS, RECRUITMENT, AND BIAS

For many reasons, biased behavior happens, and intelligent, talented, diverse candidates don't always get the interview or land the job. Research shows that even after training, men and women prefer hiring men, and candidates perceived to have white names and white resumes receive more interviews. As leaders, hiring managers, and recruiters, we can fall victim to our biases if we are not careful and intentional about our thinking and behavior. 

Tips on how to overcome biases in the recruitment and interview process:

1. Acknowledge that you have biases, do the necessary work to uncover the why, and put safeguards in place to help trigger you to remember, reassess, and adjust your thinking. 
2. Scrub the job description to eliminate any biased language.
3. Standardize the interview process to ensure that unconscious bias practices don't go unnoticed or addressed.
4. Consider using blind resumes free of any unnecessary data outside of skills and experience that might unfairly sway decisions.
5. Use panel interviews with diverse participants to gain more insight and ensure that all candidates receive the same treatment and assessment.
6. Know, track, and share diversity goals with your team.
7. Ask for help. Hire an expert to assist your organization with DEI; remember, it is not a one-and-done approach. It is a continual process.

RESOURCES:

• Idealrole.com
• Gender Decoder
• Eploy
• Applied Text Analysis
• Gendered Wording and Inequality
• Conscious Style Guide
• Coach Diversity

About DeNeen K. Attard, MSM

As a leadership consultant, I help women in new and emerging leadership positions gain clarity, identify soft-skills strengths, increase confidence and unapologetically lead with distinct strength and grace. As a result, clients learn to communicate better, adapt to change, strengthen interpersonal skills, and effectively problem-solve. I invite you to follow me on LinkedIn as we explore more topics and tips surrounding leading with strength and grace.

About the Podcast

Leading with Strength and Grace is for ambitious women who are eager to learn how to lead teams, champion change, and gain influence in the workspace they occupy. Each episode gives listeners the inside scope they want and need to level up their leadership skills! This podcast is designed for Fabulous Leaders like you!

About Attard Leadership Academy

Attard Leadership Academy, LLC partners with corporations to help new and emerging leaders create and execute a strategic leadership development plan to champion change, lead teams, and gain influence in the workspace they occupy. We help our clients become more confident, engaged, and productive leaders.