On Take the Stage, presented by Haley Marketing, we bring you the BEST speakers, coaches, trainers, and strategic partners from across the staffing and recruiting industry every other week. More than your standard interview, each conversation is built off of a specific session or topic these industry thought leaders bring to conferences and audiences around the country.

On this episode, Brad Bialy interviews DeLibra Wesley, founder of National Recruiting Consultants and Women of Color in Staffing. They discuss the importance of incorporating DEI principles into the hiring process and how recruiters can effectively address unconscious bias. DeLibra shares practical advice for staffing firms just starting their DEI journey and highlights the role of technology in enhancing or hindering diversity in recruitment. To address unconscious bias in the hiring process, recruiters can be cautious about the language used in job postings, consider removing non-pertinent information from candidate profiles, and create skill sheets that omit names and gender. They also discuss the biggest challenge for DEI in staffing over the next five to ten years.

Key Takeaways: Staffing firms should be committed to implementing DEI practices and making it a part of their long-term goals and strategies.  Job descriptions should be clear, and gender-biased or masculine language should be avoided. Preferred qualifications should be removed from job descriptions to encourage more diverse candidates to apply. Technology can both enhance and hinder diversity in recruitment. While some software can help remove bias from job descriptions, AI can also perpetuate biases if not properly trained. Small staffing firms can start their DEI journey by implementing simple changes such as creating a gender-neutral dress code, building out a parental leave plan, and promoting cultural awareness days. Pay transparency is a crucial aspect of DEI, and organizations should strive to make compensation information visible and equitable.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Brad Bialy is the host of Take the Stage and InSights, the staffing industry's leading podcasts with close to 175,000 downloads. He has a deep passion for helping staffing and recruiting firms achieve their business objectives through strategic marketing concepts. For over a decade, Brad has developed a proven track record of motivating and educating staffing industry professionals at over 150 industry-specific conferences and webinars. His keen eye for strategy and delivery has resulted in multiple industry award-winning social media campaigns, making him a sought-after speaker and expert.

DeLibra Wesley leads National Recruiting Consultants with over 20 years of staffing experience under her belt. She founded NRC in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and quickly grew it into a successful agency serving hundreds of school districts in need of special educators. DeLibra currently sits on the American Staffing Association board of directors. She is passionate about tackling the challenges facing women in leadership, and she is an outspoken advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. She is the founder of Women of Color in Staffing, an online network that connects and empowers women in the industry. DeLibra was named ASA’s Volunteer of the Year in 2022. She has been named to Staffing Industry Analysts DE&I Influencers list multiple times. She was also named to the SIA Global Power 150 – Women in Staffing list multiple times. Prior to founding NRC, DeLibra oversaw all aspects of operations at a major healthcare staffing company, where she worked her way up from a coordinator position to COO. Her vast expertise ranges from employee training and compliance to project management and human resources. DeLibra is a single mother of two boys – Tristen and Trace. She loves travel and the arts. She runs her blog Goals With DeLibra in her spare time.