How have you demonstrated an active commitment to diversity and inclusion in your most recent role?
The interviewer would like to hear the tangible and measurable ways you demonstrate your commitment to diversity and inclusion. Think about the efforts you have made in your current position. Perhaps you have worked to help educate your co-workers on equality. Maybe you have eagerly attended cultural training or diversity workshops or, you openly celebrate the strengths of those different from you. Discuss the ways that you show an active commitment to diversity and inclusion at work while spotlighting the fact that you will wholeheartedly support the hiring company's efforts, should you be hired.
"I have supported my current company's diversity and inclusion efforts in a variety of ways. One significant example was when our company planned the mass hiring of over 100 individuals in its technical department. I suggested that we find and hire an independent diversity mentor to inspire us to look at our new talent attraction strategy without bias. Our company leaders agreed, and this choice resulted in a much strong team that has brought our company greater strides in innovation than ever before. If hired, I will eagerly support your organizations' diversity and inclusion efforts by rethinking policies, educating others through trustworthy resources, making mindful decisions, and encouraging more diverse hires."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
My company only used to hire from the University of Waterloo which is one of the most prestigious schools in Canada for teaching. However, the more prestigious a school is, the less likely underprivileged people are able to attend. So I suggested hiring from a variety of schools and even community colleges to make sure we're getting a diverse array of people from different classes and regions. This helps elevate people from poor backgrounds as well as gives a fresh perspective to our products.
Amanda's Feedback
This is a strong example that you can build on. However, it's important to make sure you're not narrowing your idea of what diversity means. Remember, diversity doesn't only refer to people of a lower economic status. Diversity applies to many areas including age, gender, ethnicity, educational background, and religious belief systems as well as others. Consider improving your answer by talking about how this suggestion improved the way you work. Did your company begin hiring candidates from a variety of backgrounds? Have your teams benefited from different perspectives and new ideas? Have you been able to reach new markets based on fresh input?
