How to tell if a company values diversity

Lots of companies talk about diversity, inclusion, and creating an environment where everyone can succeed – but how do you know that they really “walk the walk?” If you want to work for a company that really values diversity, start looking for some of these signs to watch for during the interview process.

• Do you see plenty of ethnically diverse employees and managers? Companies that really value diversity have diverse managers. If a company really understands diversity, you’ll see this reflected in the people who work there – and not just in entry-level jobs.
• At the job interview, do your prospective managers ask questions about diversity? If a company really wants to make diversity part of its corporate culture, they will find ways to work in questions about diversity as part of every job interview. You might hear, "Tell us about a time where you worked with people from diverse backgrounds," or “How would you describe your abilities to facilitate conversations with people of diverse perspectives?”
• Is diversity part of the "sales pitch" that the company uses to talk about itself as being a great place to work? Companies that value diversity tend to tout it as part of their marketing messages and promotional efforts. In addition to talking about the 401(k) and health insurance benefits, you might hear job interviewers telling you, "We're really proud of our diversity council and we have cultural education events all year long to learn about different holidays and cultural occasions from around the world,” or, “We have people from over 50 countries who work for our company."
• Is the company rated/recognized as a diverse employer? Check out the company’s website – do they list any awards for being honored as an outstanding employer of a diverse workforce? Does the company have scholarship programs or relationships with non-profit groups serving diverse communities?
• Are there diversity resources like Employee Resource Groups? One of the most important ways for companies to support diversity is to provide Employee Resource Groups for employees to use in networking and learning about diversity. These ERGs provide a great outlet for employees to build relationships and learn from each other outside of the typical workday setting – and ERGs are often a great pipeline of future management talent, offering volunteer and leadership opportunities.
• Do they have formal mentoring programs? Mentoring is one of the most effective ways for companies to help train their future leaders – and it can be a great opportunity for you to build your career. Mentoring programs are often included as part of a company’s diversity management efforts, but anyone can benefit from regular mentoring conversations with a more experienced advisor. Whether you want to learn the ropes in a new job, evaluate which way to go from a career crossroads, or decide how to take the next step in your career growth, mentoring is an ideal resource – and the best companies, especially those who value diversity, will offer mentoring opportunities as a way to engage and retain their top talent.

Ben Gran is a freelance writer based in Des Moines, Iowa. He is an award-winning blogger who loves to write about careers and the future of work.
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