When you are looking for a new job, it can be difficult to gauge how an organization’s culture and values align with your own. In today’s employment landscape, companies that are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are increasingly making their initiatives known and easy to find. According to a Glassdoor survey, “67% of job seekers consider workplace diversity an important factor when considering employment opportunities, and more than 50% of current employees want their workplace to do more to increase diversity.”
While job searching, here are some tips on how to spot companies that value and promote a diverse and inclusive culture.
Analyze the Job Description
If an organization is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, the job description should reflect that. Look for job posts that use gender-neutral and inclusive language, focuses more on the expectations for the role instead of a long list of requirements, and encourages diverse candidates to apply.
Explore the Company’s Online Presence
A company’s website and social media platforms can be a strong indicator of its DEI values. Many organizations will include a statement of diversity and inclusion on their “About” or “Jobs Page”. These pages typically also highlight inclusive benefits such as adoption assistance or gender reaffirming surgery, as well as what annual holiday’s the company observes. You can find how and in what capacity they are involved in the community and where they choose to donate their money.
Looking at a company’s social media will tell you a lot about how, if at all, they respond to current events and social justice issues. Also, there are many awards and certifications presented to companies for their DEI work. Be sure to browse an organization’s “trophy case” for accolades that support its authenticity.
The Power of LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a very helpful tool for job seekers and can aid in identifying diverse organizations. LinkedIn allows you to browse a list of current employee profiles, which will show you how diverse the company is. This is also useful in identifying who their executive team is as well as important players in the company’s DEI space. LinkedIn provides insights that chart increases and decreases in employee headcount and even which universities their employees graduated from.
Browse Company Reviews
Many job search websites collect employer reviews from past and present employees. Some sites, like Glassdoor, rate aspects like benefits, CEO approval, interview process, and competitive salary. Employees can leave a company rating and a review of the pros and cons. Look at company reviews on Indeed, Google, and for company reviews designed to reflect what women want to know about employers, check out InHerSight.
Ask Questions
There is information that can only be gathered by asking questions. If you have reached the point where you have now applied and have an interview scheduled, use this as an opportunity to ask the interviewer questions that will help shed light on the company’s commitment to DEI. Check out this list of questions you can ask during an interview to uncover these answers.
If you are looking to find a company that is truly committed to DEI, take the time to do the research and make sure your values align. A company does not have to check every single one of the boxes on your wish list but should certainly check the most important ones.
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