Building a diverse team isn’t just a trendy buzzword—it’s a smart business move. A diverse engineering team brings together different perspectives, ideas, and solutions, which are crucial for innovation and problem-solving. But, many founders hit a wall when figuring out how to recruit a diverse workforce.
Creating a diverse workforce is more than just attracting a mix of candidates during hiring. It’s about fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to bring their unique skills and perspectives to the table.
Here’s a roadmap to help you get there.
Benefits of a Diverse Engineering Team
Enhanced Problem-Solving
Having a team with mixed backgrounds and perspectives means you’ll get a wider range of solutions when problems pop up.
For instance, an engineer from a startup and another from a big corporation will tackle an issue from different angles, offering unique insights. One might bring out-of-the-box ideas, while the other zeros in on scalability.
When these diverse minds come together, you’re more likely to spark innovative breakthroughs. It’s like having a toolbox with all the right tools instead of just a hammer.
Improved Decision-Making and Innovation
When you have different viewpoints and experiences in the mix, you get a more well-rounded perspective on any given issue. This means potential problems get spotted earlier, and solutions are more thoroughly vetted. Diverse teams challenge each other’s assumptions and ideas, leading to smarter, more effective decisions.
Diverse teams are proven to outperform homogenous ones. A study by Cloverpop revealed that diverse teams make better decisions a remarkable 87% of the time. While traditional diversity focuses on demographics like race and gender, intellectual diversity – a variety of thought processes and problem-solving approaches – is equally crucial for innovation and success.
In short, diversity isn’t just about being inclusive—it’s about being smarter and making better choices.
What is a Diverse Engineering Workforce in a Startup Setting?
A diverse engineering workforce goes beyond just demographics. It’s about bringing together a team of engineers with a rich tapestry of:
Backgrounds
This includes gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, and academics.
Do you want to attract and hire more female engineers in your team?
Read more about this in our guide: How to Hire More Female Engineers
Experiences
Look for engineers who have tackled problems from different angles. Some might have experience in large corporations, while others might have built their skills through independent projects or open-source contributions.
Perspectives
Diversity of thought is crucial. Engineers with different backgrounds bring unique approaches to problem-solving, leading to more innovative solutions.
Working Styles
Some engineers thrive in fast-paced collaborative environments, while others prefer a more heads-down approach. A diverse team benefits from a mix of working styles to ensure all voices are heard and ideas are effectively explored.
By building a diverse engineering team, your startup gains a significant advantage. You’ll have a wider range of skills and experiences at your disposal, leading to more creative solutions, improved decision-making, and a stronger team dynamic overall.
What is Intellectual Diversity?
Intellectual diversity means bringing together a team with different backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. It’s not just about surface-level differences; it’s about how people think, learn, and tackle problems. For example, having engineers from finance, healthcare, and gaming on the same team means you’ll get a unique mix of problem-solving skills and creative ideas.
The Power of Intellectual Diversity
- Amplified Problem-Solving: Different minds bring diverse solutions. A methodical researcher and a quick-thinking startup veteran can complement each other perfectly.
- Boosted Innovation: Intellectual diversity is the catalyst for groundbreaking ideas. When various perspectives collide, creativity flourishes.
- Enhanced Adaptability: Teams with varied ways of thinking can navigate unexpected challenges more smoothly.
- Stronger Collaboration: Mutual respect for different viewpoints creates a collaborative environment where everyone can contribute meaningfully.
Challenges of Building a Diverse Engineering Team
Despite the advantages, assembling a diverse engineering team isn’t without its hurdles. Here are some common roadblocks faced by startups.
Unconscious Bias
Recruiters and interviewers might unknowingly favor candidates who resemble themselves or those from similar backgrounds.
Limited Candidate Pool
Traditional recruitment channels often lean towards a specific demographic, leaving a vast pool of talented engineers untapped.
Focus on “Pedigree”
Newer founders might overemphasize academic pedigree or prior experience at well-known companies, potentially overlooking exceptional engineers who took non-traditional paths.
Building a Diverse Engineering Team: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s a roadmap to help your startup build a truly diverse engineering team.
1. Craft Inclusive Job Descriptions
- Focus on skills and problem-solving abilities over pedigree or specific years of experience. Highlight the particular technical skills and problem-solving approaches required for success in the role.
- Use inclusive language that avoids gendered terms or stereotypes. Instead of “rockstar developer,” consider “exceptional engineer” or “talented problem solver.”
- Highlight your company culture and values to attract candidates who resonate with your mission. Showcase your commitment to diversity and inclusion, and how your team values different perspectives.
2. Expand Your Recruitment Channels
- Partner with diversity-focused organizations: Forge partnerships with universities with strong female or minority engineering programs, coding bootcamps with diverse cohorts, and professional organizations for underrepresented groups in tech. These organizations can connect you with a wider pool of qualified candidates.
- Post on job boards targeting diverse demographics. Look for job boards specifically designed to connect companies with diverse tech talent.
- Leverage employee referral programs: Encourage your existing, hopefully already diverse, team to spread the word within their networks. Diverse people tend to refer to people they know and trust, so having a diverse team can help attract a more diverse candidate pool.
3. Implement Blind Hiring Practices
- Redact resumes with identifying information like names, schools, and previous employers during the initial screening process. This helps focus solely on the candidate’s skills and experience, mitigating unconscious bias based on background.
- Use standardized interview formats with clear evaluation criteria to minimize subjective bias. Develop a structured interview process with predefined questions that all candidates answer. This ensures everyone is assessed based on the same criteria and reduces the chance of bias influencing decisions.
4. Create an Inclusive Interview Process
- Train your interviewers on unconscious bias and how to mitigate its influence. Provide workshops or training sessions to educate your team on recognizing and mitigating unconscious bias during the interview process.
- Develop a structured interview process with predefined questions to ensure all candidates are evaluated based on the same criteria.
- Focus on assessing problem-solving skills and cultural fit. Look for candidates who demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and are a good fit with your company culture. Cultural fit doesn’t mean everyone needs to be the same. Still, it does mean they should value collaboration, open communication, and a commitment to diversity.
- Include diverse interview panels. Having a mix of genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds on the interview panel can help create a more welcoming environment for candidates from diverse backgrounds and provide a wider range of perspectives during the evaluation process.
5. Showcase Your Company Culture and Values
Throughout the interview process, highlight your commitment to diversity and inclusion. Don’t just talk about it, show it!
- Showcase company events, team initiatives, or programs that celebrate diversity.
- Share stories of how your team has benefited from diverse perspectives.
- Encourage candidates to ask questions about your culture and values. This transparency will help attract candidates who are a good fit for your team environment.
Reassessing Your Hiring Criteria
Many first-time founders rely on traditional hiring practices that can unintentionally exclude talented engineers. Here’s why a reevaluation is crucial.
Focus on Raw Competence, Not Pedigree
Overemphasizing academic pedigree or years of experience can miss out on exceptional engineers who took non-traditional paths like coding bootcamps or self-taught learning. Look for demonstrably strong technical skills and a passion for problem-solving.
Rethink Location Requirements, Hire Remotely
The ability to work remotely opens the door to a wider pool of talent. This is especially beneficial for attracting engineers from underrepresented demographics who might face geographical limitations due to family obligations or lack of local tech hubs.
The Remote Work Advantage
The rise of remote work has revolutionized talent acquisition. According to Global Workplace Analytics, remote work has surged by 159% since 2005. Companies like GitLab and Zapier, pioneers in remote work, have harnessed the power of a global talent pool to build exceptionally diverse teams.
- Global Talent Access: Remote work eliminates geographical boundaries, allowing you to recruit top talent from around the world.
- Candidate Flexibility: Remote positions appeal to a wider range of candidates, including those with family or personal commitments that prevent relocation.
- Cost Efficiency: Reduced overhead from physical office spaces means more investment in talent and growth.
Experience Over Credentials
Consider alternative forms of experience, like open-source contributions, personal projects, or participation in hackathons. These can demonstrate a candidate’s problem-solving skills and passion for coding just as effectively as formal work experience.
By reevaluating your hiring criteria, you can tap into a broader pool of talented engineers and build a stronger, more diverse team.
Beyond Recruitment: Retaining Diverse Talent
Building a diverse staff is just the first step. Here’s how to ensure your engineers from diverse backgrounds thrive.
Provide mentorship and career development opportunities. Pair new hires with experienced mentors who can provide guidance and support. Offer opportunities for professional development, such as conferences, workshops, or training programs. This demonstrates your investment in their growth and helps them feel valued.
Foster a culture of inclusion where open communication and respect are paramount. Encourage open communication and feedback from all team members. Create a safe space where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns.
Implement programs that address work-life balance, especially for underrepresented demographics who might face unique challenges. Offer flexible work arrangements, parental leave policies, or employee resource groups (ERGs) that cater to specific needs. These programs can help reduce stress and burnout, leading to a happier and more productive workforce.
Here are some additional tips for encouraging a culture of inclusion.
- Celebrate diversity through company events and initiatives.
- Recognize and reward employees who contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Regularly solicit feedback from employees on your diversity and inclusion efforts.
Measuring Your Success
Track your progress by monitoring diversity metrics like the demographics of your engineering team. Analyze the demographics of your applicant pool, interview participants, and new hires. This data will help you identify areas for improvement and track your progress over time.
Furthermore, regularly gather feedback from both candidates and employees to identify areas for improvement. Conduct surveys or hold focus groups to understand their experiences and identify any potential roadblocks to inclusion.
Conclusion: Building the Future
By prioritizing diversity in your engineering team, you’re not just building a more diverse workforce – you’re building a stronger, more innovative team ready to succeed. Keep in mind that attracting and keeping top talent from diverse backgrounds takes ongoing effort. By following these steps and promoting an inclusive environment, your startup can reach its full potential and build the A-team needed to disrupt the industry.
Taking the First Step
If you’re ready to start building a more diverse engineering team, we can help. Kofi Group specializes in connecting startups with top engineering talent from diverse backgrounds.