Celebrating 200 Editions of the Increase Diversity Newsletter
This is #IncreaseDiversity, a weekly newsletter series + Increase Diversity Toolbox sharing best practices for employers who want to learn how to… well, increase diversity. To see previous editions, visit JenniferTardy.com. | IG: @IncreaseDiversity | Increase Diversity - YouTube
JTC News + Events
JOB SEEKER AUDIO COURSE | Have you ever found yourself so nervous you couldn’t be your best self in a job interview? Listen to Jenn Tardy’s new audiobook, The Essential Guide to the Perfect Interview to learn the unwritten rules of the interview process, how to acknowledge—and demonstrate—your own value, and so much more. CLICK HERE
INCREASE DIVERSITY™ ROADMAP | The ID Roadmap is a training and consulting program designed to guide workplaces like yours to create a diverse and inclusive environment through diversity recruiting and retention programs. CLICK HERE
INCREASE DIVERSITY™ SUMMIT REPLAY | Our enlightening conference, held on September 14th, 2023, paves the way for a workplace founded on principles of fairness, equality, and authentic understanding. Now, you can experience it on-demand. CLICK HERE
NEW + FREE PLATINUM CHECKLIST | We have a NEW, FREE, downloadable CHECKLIST for leaders called Platinum Checklist 2.0: 5 Steps to Increasing Diversity Without Harm. CLICK HERE
Hello, Increase Diversity Community!
Wow, can you believe it? It feels like just yesterday when we embarked on this incredible journey, and here we are, celebrating the 200th edition of our Increase Diversity Newsletter! Three years of dedication, learning, and, most importantly, sharing this journey with you. It’s moments like these that make me pause and think, “We’ve really done something special here!”
As you know, we at Team JTC love to celebrate every milestone, big or small, and today is no exception. So, in the spirit of celebration, we’ve rummaged through the ‘best of the past’ to bring you Team JTC’s all-time favorite quotes. These nuggets of wisdom, moments of realization, and sparks of inspiration tell a lot about the work we do day in and day out, a journey of which you’re an integral part.
Here are the 10 best quotes from the past year that have profoundly resonated with our community.
Quote #1:
“Without data shedding light on your hiring and promotional processes, you’re left to make assumptions. And nothing causes more emotional harm to your employees than assumptions.”
This gem from the article “The Diversity Recruiting Dilemma: Balancing Risk and Employee Well-Being” really stuck with us. It’s a powerful reminder of why data is crucial in making informed decisions to avoid causing harm to employees and candidates.
Quote #2:
“If people don’t have feedback to know why they were rejected, they tend to ‘fill in the gap’ based on their own perceptions. Many times, this leads to demoralizing thoughts and attitudes that can even lead them to give up on their job search altogether.”
Oh, how true this is! Pulled from the article “How Feedback Supports Mental Health for Job Seekers (+Benefits Employers, Too),” this quote emphasizes the negative impact on job seekers when they don’t receive feedback after rejections. It highlights the importance of providing constructive feedback to maintain candidate morale and support mental health.
Quote #3:
“Senior leaders are not mere bystanders to the DEI program; they are active participants who can significantly influence your organizational culture.”
Found in the article “Discover the Secrets to Building an Effective Executive Outreach Program (EOP),” this quote is a powerful nudge to leaders everywhere. It underscores that senior leaders play a crucial, active role in DEI programs, significantly impacting organizational culture.
Quote #4:
“The argument often goes that increasing technological complexity means more jobs need a college education. Intriguingly, the evidence does not support this. The reality is that most work skills are learned on the job.”
This is a real eye-opener from the article “The Four-Year College Degree Requirement: How It Came About (+Do We Still Need It?).” It challenges us to rethink traditional norms in hiring and focus on skills rather than skill proxies.
Quote #5:
“The trend for some employers to drop the college degree requirement in favor of a more skills-based hiring approach can benefit historically underrepresented groups, and Hispanic candidates are no exception.”
This line from the article “Four Barriers to Equal Representation for Hispanic Workers in the US” talks about how employers open doors for a wider range of candidates by prioritizing skills over formal education (skill proxy), particularly benefiting groups like Hispanic workers who have been historically underrepresented. This approach diversifies the talent pool as well as aligns more closely with the actual needs and demands of today’s job market.
Quote #6:
“As a recruiter, your goal is not to convince the hiring manager that the person they want is unqualified. Instead, your goal is to show them the person they want is not the only qualified candidate for the role.”
From the article “Collaborating For Success: Overcoming the Industry Experience Barrier With Hiring Managers,” this quote is one of my personal favorites. It encapsulates the essence of what it means to be a recruiter and the power that you hold in terms of access to one of the most influential systems, the hiring system.
Quote #7:
“My hair doesn’t define my qualifications or my professionalism; it simply reflects the choices I make for myself.”
This statement from “Strand by Strand: Weaving the Stories of #CrownProud Across America” speaks volumes about individuality and self-expression in the workplace, including the unique Black experience. It’s a reminder of the historical and ongoing injustices and biases the Black community endures.
Quote #8:
“For too long, we have been using the word ‘diverse’ to describe individuals, limiting its meaning to ‘not White.’ But diversity is so much more than that. ‘Diverse’ constitutes all individuals from various backgrounds and identities.”
This excerpt from the article “5 Tips for Effective Language Use in Diversity Recruiting” challenges the ineffective use of the word ‘diverse’ and advocates for a more inclusive understanding and effective use that encompasses all individuals.
Quote #9:
“Increasing diversity in your company begins with increasing the diversity in your personal network.”
This statement from the article “From Personal Connections to Increasing Diversity in Your Organization: Bridging the Network Gap” highlights the significant impact personal connections and referral programs can have on increasing diversity within your organization.
Quote #10:
“Optimizing your hiring process does you no good if employees are leaving the organization as fast as they are joining.”
This eye-opening quote from the article “Key Issues That Define the Hiring Obstacle Course for LGBTQ+ Workers in the US” brings to light the importance of not just hiring, but also retaining diverse groups of talent, especially within the LGBTQ+ community.
That was the 10th blast from the past from our #IncreaseDiversity newsletter. As we celebrate these words of wisdom, I’m filled with joy and anticipation for what lies ahead.
Your engagement, stories, and feedback have been the fuel that keeps this newsletter going. So, here’s to you, our readers, for being an integral part of this amazing journey. Here’s to 200 editions of increasing diversity and retention without harm! Cheers!
Keep the conversation going in the comments: Which quote resonated with you the most? Share your own favorite moments from our past editions!
