Member Article

Is your business overlooking talent?

It’s often said that employees are a business’s greatest asset and every company wants to hire the best talent with varied backgrounds and skills. A diverse, inclusive company allows for more innovation and collaboration as we all know. However, finding that diverse workforce can be difficult; with talent being missed or overlooked due to misconceptions, among other things.

Qualifications for example, aren’t always an indication that a person is able to perform a role well and vice versa. In software development, knowledge of a programming language or methodology are of course important, but qualifications don’t count for everything. A person’s attitude to work, their soft skills and personal qualities can be equally important. Technical skills can be taught but a positive mentality and willingness to learn and work hard aren’t as easy to instil in others.

With regards to disability, companies should be reminded that disabled workers are as capable, independent and productive as any other employee in a company. There are a number of myths out there and businesses tend to look in the same place for candidates. Making minor adjustments in recruitment strategies and workplace environments can often help to attract candidates with disabilities. Having a more diverse workplace also has the added benefit of making your recruitment processes more efficient as well as creating better working situations for employees overall.

It’s important to remember that people of all ages can contribute to the success of a business too. Young people bring fresh ideas and new ways of thinking. They are more mouldable and can help diversify a business and create a future workforce with the right skills. It may take time and resource to train them, but this should be seen as an important and necessary investment. On the other side, older and more experienced workers have vital knowledge and commercial awareness. They also tend to know how to take on projects and manage others. They may need to be up-skilled in the latest techniques costing time and money, but their loyalty and dedication to a company who has invested in them, can help to compensate.

The right hire can be mutually beneficial to both the employer and the employee. It’s therefore worth checking that your recruitment strategy is fair, unbiased and that your company has a sustainable diversity policy. This isn’t just about complying with legal or moral obligations, it’s good business put simply.

We offer an alternative route in to the tech sector and help businesses find and grow diverse talent.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Rachel Peacock .