Benjamin Mena, host of the Elite Recruiter Podcast, is joined by James Dyson, the Head of Global DEI for Talent Acquisition at Boomi. James talks about how he got into recruiting, as he was previously a fitness trainer living in DC. He transitioned into marketing and then found his way into agency recruiting. He then he had a few others moves before landing at Boomi where he is now the head of their DEI for Talent Acquisition. Boomi's mission is to connect the world through their multiple API connectors and the systems that they are able to use to connect different platforms and organizations within a company. James sees Boomi's name on resumes in the cleared space, showing the reach of their technology.

The conversation discussed the current environment for diversity and inclusion in the recruiting world. The key point was that companies need to be more strategic than tactical in order to hire diverse talent. Companies should be a place that diverse talent wants to come and should back up the things they are proclaiming their company does. This could include offering mentorship programs and creating a workplace that is open, transparent and supportive of different backgrounds and opinions. Additionally, companies should reach out to diverse organizations and networks to get the word out and build relationships with potential hires.

The conversation is about how to best recruit diverse talent for organizations. The speaker stresses that the first step to successful diversity recruiting is to make the organization itself more diverse. To do this, organizations should get involved in the community where potential candidates reside, and ensure that there are members of the company and corporate teams that reflect various backgrounds and identities.

The speaker then suggests looking into various diversity-focused organizations that can be tapped into to find potential candidates, depending on the makeup of the organization. For example, if the organization is lacking in female representation, they should look into organizations such as Latinas in Tech, Black Girls Who Code, NESB, SWEET, and the National Association of Women's Sales Professionals.

Recruiting members of underrepresented communities can be a challenge, but there are a few ways to do it. First and foremost, it is important to be honest and genuine in all interactions. Consider attending events, conferences, and hackathons that are specifically targeted towards these groups. Showcasing products and services is also a great way to get people interested. Additionally, going to the areas where these communities are located and being present is a great way to let them know you are interested. Finally, if you are looking for a job, don’t expect people to fly out to you, rather fly out to them and make those connections.

James Dyson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdysonjr/

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