My Proudest Moment as a Recruiter Came without extending a job offer
?As a recruiter focused on ensuring I match the right candidate for the right role regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation I often get met by major roadblocks.
?One of those roadblocks is in the basic qualifications. A lot of tech roles require a Bachelor's degree. While the 'BQ' may also say 'or relevant experience' most hiring managers in large companies are focused on that degree.
?The problem that creates is by requiring a degree you are disqualifying anyone that either can't afford to go to school or those that become interested in technology from their own curiosity and self-teach in order to create.
The vast majority of those that cannot afford to go to school are coming from lower income areas which are overwhelmingly populated by minorities.
?With tech jobs having some of the highest annual salaries, this only increases the gender and racial wealth gap. For example, a black woman currently makes 58 to 68 cents on the dollar compared to a white male, and if those in these areas are not getting the opportunity to be put in these positions regardless of qualifications outside of a degree, then that means the higher paying positions are being pushed to the already well paid 2% which is primarily made up of white individuals.
?So how do we as recruiters break this cycle? The answer seems simple enough, we become open to more people from non-traditional backgrounds being assessed for the positions and not focus as much on a piece of paper that may have no relevance that to the job they are going for. (A degree in communications means nothing if you are going for a software development position).
?Give these individuals the opportunity to take an assessment and they can pass or fail based on their own merit.
?I recently escalated a case in which a candidate with an associate’s degree wanted to be a developer. Even though there was not a BA, after conversing with the candidate, I felt they would be a good fit and so I escalated to get them pushed through.
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?When I got the notice that the hiring manager had chosen to reject the candidate, I was disappointed, but then I took a look at the feedback. The candidate had aced a part of the interview that well more experienced individuals often fail. They also were able to identify the root cause of the problem. The only thing missing was practical on the job experience.
?This wasn’t a failure; this was a huge success. The interviewer felt that this person belonged at the organization just needed more seasoning. It wasn’t derivative of something they could have learned in class; it was just a matter of practice.
?I rejoiced with the candidate and let them know that they just proved that you can’t look at a resume, at a profile and assume someone doesn’t belong because the reality is you will be surprised more often than not.
?I urged them to keep in contact and I am going to work with them to make sure next time, because there will be a next time, it isn’t a moral victory, but a job offer.
?I have full faith that the time will come.
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Working with school site leaders and educators on how students learn - neuroplasticity. CSU-San Bernardino College of Education - Fellow Core Competencies??Biological ?? and Chemical science ??
2 年This is a perfect start to the conversation about equity in business. Imagine the amount of talent we are missing or imagine how much talent you gained because of the voice of the new employee. Bravo ???? How do we develop more advocates for doing what’s right for the company and the employee? How do companies create a learning model to increase professional capital in an organization where it also brings the voices of a more diverse staff?
Ex-Amazonian People Leader| HRIS | Program Manager | Talent Management | Scrum Master
2 年So very proud of you Dan Roth
Strategy Consultant ? Operations Executive ? Operations Consultant ? Sales Operations Executive
2 年I appreciate this!
Become the Obvious Hire in Medical Sales (w/o applying online) | Resumes | LinkedIn Profiles | Branding | LinkedIn Top Voice | ?? Biotech, ?? Med Tech, ?? Device, ?? Pharma → DM me to start ??
2 年Inspiring, Dan Roth! Love this approach to career 'fit' regardless of years of experience. Soft skills and character are hard to gauge from a resume alone!