How do you prepare a diversity and inclusion statement or portfolio for a job fair?

1 Know your audience

Before you write your statement or portfolio, research the employers that you are interested in and their diversity and inclusion goals, initiatives, and culture. Find out what they value, what challenges they face, and what opportunities they offer. This will help you tailor your message and highlight your relevant achievements and contributions. You can also use this information to ask insightful questions and show your interest and enthusiasm during the job fair.

2 Write your statement

A diversity and inclusion statement is a short essay that explains how you embrace and promote diversity and inclusion in your personal and professional life. It should showcase your awareness, understanding, and actions related to diversity and inclusion issues, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, culture, and more. It should also reflect your goals, values, and motivations for working in a diverse and inclusive environment. A good statement should be clear, concise, authentic, and specific. Avoid vague or generic statements that could apply to anyone. Use examples and stories to illustrate your points and show your impact.

3 Create your portfolio

A diversity and inclusion portfolio is a collection of documents, artifacts, and evidence that demonstrate your skills, experiences, and achievements related to diversity and inclusion. It can include anything that showcases your work, such as projects, reports, presentations, publications, awards, testimonials, certificates, or volunteer activities. It can also include anything that reflects your learning, such as courses, workshops, webinars, podcasts, books, or articles. A good portfolio should be organized, relevant, and selective. Choose the best and most recent examples that match the employers' needs and expectations. Use labels, captions, and summaries to explain the context and significance of each item.

4 Format your statement or portfolio

Depending on the format and platform of the job fair, you may need to present your statement or portfolio in different ways. For example, if the job fair is online, you may need to upload your statement or portfolio as a PDF file, a website link, or a video. If the job fair is in person, you may need to print your statement or portfolio as a brochure, a flyer, or a poster. Whatever the format, make sure your statement or portfolio is easy to read, visually appealing, and professional. Use clear fonts, colors, and layouts. Proofread and edit your statement or portfolio for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

5 Practice your pitch

A statement or portfolio is not enough to impress the employers at the job fair. You also need to be able to communicate your diversity and inclusion message verbally and confidently. Prepare a short and catchy pitch that summarizes your statement or portfolio and highlights your main skills, experiences, and achievements related to diversity and inclusion. Practice your pitch out loud and time yourself. Aim for about 30 seconds to one minute. Use positive and enthusiastic language and tone. Avoid jargon and acronyms. Be ready to answer questions and provide more details if asked.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?