Thoughtful Hiring

By: Katie Augsburger

How do you make hiring more fair and inclusive? 

Start with a structured process that involves HR and equips managers with the right tools. Here’s what works: 

Involving HR: HR should play an active role early in recruitment to ensure consistency and inclusivity. 

• Job Posting: HR partners with hiring managers to create clear, inclusive postings with realistic requirements. Avoid overly ambitious qualifications that can limit diverse candidates. 

• Initial Screening and Outreach: HR sources candidates from diverse talent pools and conducts initial resume screenings to address gaps early. 

Training for Hiring Managers: Managers need training and standardized tools to meet legal requirements, ask appropriate questions, define roles accurately, and ensure a fair, consistent candidate experience. 

Clear Guidance for Hiring Panels: HR should support panels with pre- and post-hiring meetings: 

• Pre-Hiring: Align on skills, attributes, and expectations before interviews. Define roles and provide standardized tools. 

• Post-Hiring: Debrief to review what worked, identify challenges, and improve future processes. 

A New Interview Rubric: Use standardized questions and a shared rubric for fairness and objectivity. 

• Include a rating scale for consistency. 

• Allow space for “likability” as a minor factor, while emphasizing job-relevant criteria. 

• Remove “culture fit” and focus on “culture add” to encourage diversity and inclusion. 

This structured approach reduces bias, improves fairness, and ensures hiring decisions are based on skills, potential, and contribution to organizational culture.