25 August 2023

The role a specialist recruitment consultancy can play in your company's diversity and inclusion goals

Claire Collins

 

In today's dynamic and globalised business environment, the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) are not just buzzwords but key components of successful and sustainable organisations.

Cultivating a workforce that reflects a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can be a catalyst for creativity, adaptability, and profitability. Yet, many companies grapple with implementing DE&I effectively.

 

This is where recruitment agencies can play an instrumental role. But how?

 

1. Sourcing a Diverse Talent Pool

Recruitment agencies, especially those with a niche focus, possess a broader network to tap into. They have connections to international candidates from various ethnicities, genders, age groups, abilities etc.

2. Neutralising Unconscious Bias

Recruiters are trained to focus on the candidate's skills and values rather than personal identifiers. By deploying set company processes and using AI-based tools, they can help neutralise unconscious biases that might occur during the recruitment process. Encouraging the use of ‘blind’ CV’s is just one simple way to overcome unconscious bias.

 

3. Workshops

Many smaller companies may not have the luxury of fully trained HR departments, recruitment agencies can offer guidance, and workshops on DE&I for companies. This empowers employers with the tools and knowledge to foster an inclusive work environment and make informed hiring decisions.

 

4. Behavioural Fit Assessment

While ensuring diversity is crucial, it's equally vital to assess the cultural fit of potential employees. Recruitment agencies can provide comprehensive assessments that examine a candidate's alignment with the company's or a team’s values and mission, ensuring that they contribute positively to the existing work environment.

 

5. Providing Market Insights

Through consistent engagement with various sectors and industries, recruitment agencies gain insights into DE&I trends and best practices. They can provide valuable feedback on how a company's DE&I efforts compare to market standards, thereby guiding strategy. For example they can then discuss whether DE&I is the acronym for you! or are these better suited to what you are looking to achieve for your business, DIB (diversity, inclusion and belonging), D&I (diversity & inclusion), or JEDI (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

6. Feedback and Continuous Improvement

Post-hire, recruitment agencies can also assist in gathering feedback from new hires about the inclusivity of the onboarding process. This feedback can be instrumental in refining DE&I strategies and ensuring that the efforts put in place are effective.

7. Policy Development

They can assist companies in creating or refining DE&I policies, ensuring they are in line with best practices and legal requirements. With expert knowledge in this area, recruitment agencies can offer a holistic approach to policy development, from creation to implementation.

 

Embracing DE&I isn't just a moral imperative; it's a business one. Companies that leverage the power of diverse teams find themselves better equipped to innovate, adapt, and succeed in an ever-evolving marketplace. Recruitment agencies stand at the forefront of this movement, equipped with the tools, insights, and expertise to assist companies in their Diversity and Inclusion journey.

If you are ready to make a change and don’t just want to be another Diversity and Inclusion tick box organisation, speak to a Drake International Specialist and we will help you build teams that truly reflect the world in which we live.