What trend is dominating hiring this year?

Diversity is the number one trend shaping the future of hiring and recruitment, according to LinkedIn’s global recruiting trends report.

The survey of 8,815 talent acquisition professionals and hiring managers found that 78% thought that diversity was very or extremely important, beating new interviewing tools (56%), data (50%), and artificial intelligence (AI) (35%).

When it came to the reasons why diversity scores so highly, the data shows that 78% of companies prioritise diversity to improve culture, and 62% do so to boost financial performance. Half (49%) wanted to better represent their customer base.

Diversity efforts tend to be centred around gender, with 71% of firms stating they have a focus in this area. Only half (49%) agree they have a focus on race and ethnicity, half (48%) on age, and 43% on educational differences.

Neglected areas include disability, where only 32% of firms agree they have a focus, and religious, at just 19%.

Steve Pemberton, the former chief diversity officer for Walgreens, told the researchers of the value of diversity. “When different perspectives are recognized and supported, advocated, and most importantly, expected, I think it creates a more inclusive environment,” he said. “When you are recognized for bringing a different perspective, it leads to higher degrees of engagement.”

If you would like to improve your focus on diversity, LinkedIn suggests using inclusive language in your job descriptions to broaden the appeal of your opportunities and let you reach more diverse talent. Rather than having a diversity “strategy,” think of it as a mindset instead. “Start small to effect change, the researchers suggest. “Weave it into everything your company does, little by little.”