A diverse workforce makes sense in any business
Employers want to recruit the best graduates, no matter what. It is important not to think that your background will be an obstacle for you to overcome.
All over the world, employers are waking up to the value of diversity: having graduates from a range of backgrounds makes business sense. To satisfy clients of all types, organisations need employees who understand their needs from personal experience. Government regulations on equal opportunities also encourage recruitment of minority figures. Many traditionally unequal sectors have defied the stereotypes and become particularly diverse. ‘Macho’ industries are welcoming women and gay men, while blue-chip organisations that were once the domain of white, upper-class men now have more variety than a bag of Liquorice Allsorts. But what’s really happening in various sectors you could work in?
Diversity in IT
For years, IT was viewed as an exclusively white, male career. Fortunately the days of the pasty techie glued to his desk all day (and night) have now passed. The IT industry is making huge strides towards diversity in all areas, and not least in gender equality. Employers strive to produce the kind of work environment where everyone is valued for their own personal skills. While being a woman in IT probably means that you will still be in the minority, many female IT professionals build successful work relationships based on seeing their colleagues as like-minded individuals rather than by gender.
Diversity in the public sector
Public sector organisations are run by the government and are subject to intense scrutiny so they really do have to comply with regulations. As a result, most are exemplary employers often having flexible working practices and generous benefits, along with a workforce that may exceed diversity quotas. Organisations in the public sector typically track their diversity figures annually through each stage of the assessment process to establish that they remain fair. If you apply to a public sector organisation you can expect to be treated the same as any other candidate. But following equal opportunity regulations is not the only motivation for diversity.
Public sector employers are keen that their workforces reflect the public they serve. This means they can better understand their customers and clients and provide the most appropriate and effective service. This attitude is particularly key in the caring professions, for example, health care and social care, where it’s important to understand people’s special needs to provide suitable care. There’s no better way of gaining this knowledge than by having the same background.
Diversity in property
Property is not typically a diverse sector but the situation is improving. Only a few years back the property profession was predominantly full of white Anglo males. However, the workplace needed to evolve and become more diverse to mirror the global market and demographics of clients and contacts. The sector is making an effort to be inclusive, partly because it makes business sense. To effectively work with clients from various backgrounds, property organisations need employees with inside knowledge who can understand their clients’ needs.
Show employers what you’ve got
If you are confident, have a genuine interest in the profession and have the grades or experience required, you will have all the opportunities available to everyone else. The possibility of being in a minority is no reason to avoid a certain career – and it will not put you at a disadvantage in interviews or at work.
Each person brings unique characteristics, experience and skills to their job. Harnessing this diversity makes an organisation strong and resourceful to meet the challenges of the modern day workplace. It’s important to have a range of opinions that can be combined to find the best solution, which is particularly important in today’s society. To understand the needs of different communities, an organisation needs employees who have personal experience and empathy with a range of situations and with people from a range of backgrounds. It can be a positive advantage to come from a minority group, if you know how to sell your experiences.
‘Diversity’ is such a buzz-word at the moment that there are loads of schemes to get people into jobs where they are underrepresented. Positive action may include open days and recruitment fairs, placements and networking opportunities. Make the most of these opportunities but remember that you still have to meet the organisation’s criteria. Employers target graduates with the right skills set and subject backgrounds, irrespective of which minority group they may or may not be part of. That’s what equal opportunity really means – and that’s what all employers should all be aiming for.
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