I’m driving a campaign at my company to hire more women and people of color into the creative ranks. However, I’m just not seeing very good candidates applying that aren’t white men. Where do I look?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

So this topic has come up on a lot of threads. A problem may be with how you’re recruiting, who is the main contact, and (I think this is the most important one) if your company is even attractive to women and poc’s.

For instance, is your recruiter a white guy? Is the website full of white male leadership? That’s a red flag for a lot of the folks you’re trying to hire. Any prominent or high-level women or poc’s that speak on behalf of the company to build an inclusive company identity?

Also is the org actually friendly to women and poc’s? What’s family leave like? Are your anti-discrimination and harassment policies (including when it comes to client interactions) public and discoverable?

I guess the answer to me is less about where you look, and more about what your company looks like to your target recruit.

likesmart

Tbh it sounds like a lot of people (WOC) are interested, giving input but you keep saying “Yes, BUT”. You’re doing exactly what the industry is doing to us. Listen to yourself. Stop making excuses to not hire WOC

likesmart
Recent IconRecent

It’s probably the fact that your agency is in Texas. It’s not the most welcoming place for minorities

like

This international recruiter is extremely connected: sasha@sashatm.com

A lot of great talent is from abroad. (More competitive schools, better creative culture, people who are willing to leave their families and lives to have trailblazing careers in the US, hard to beat that grit, etc.)

like

Are there freelance opportunities? Let me know

like

Female in LA here 🙋

like

Honest question, isn’t that also a numbers game? I’m sure there’s a fantastic diversity in entry level talent but the more senior, the more it reflects the structures these people grew up in, ie male-dominated and white. It will take another 5 years before the ranks become more diverse while retaining quality

like

Female POC here 🙋🏻‍♀️

like

@AD1: There’s many places in Texas that aren’t very welcoming to minorities, you’re right there. But I suspect most big cities in TX are as welcoming as other major cities in the USA. I’m a minority and I live in TX. I have not felt unwelcome. Of course, that’s only my experience.

CW1: It seems like you’re looking for a fight for some reason. I don’t think I mentioned something absurd. I was answering your question the best I could.

like

And, are others having the same issue finding qualified minority candidates?

Check out and sign up to get the boom list - theboomlist.co

What city OP?

@OP What level are you looking for? For entry-level, get your agency involved with MAIP and encourage them to recruit from more ethnically-diverse schools.

CW1: That’s a strange question. I / we know when a candidate is not right for the role, lacks the basic skill or experience, etc. Could we be getting it wrong? Of course. But we can’t hire everyone and try them out, unfortunately. Our screenings are very thorough and I trust we’re not incorrectly filtering people out.

@OP I was trying to better understand your situation and help you troubleshoot.

Why do you think the alternative here is something as absurd as “hire everyone and try them out”?

Hire me

Ive spent a lot of time in Texas and even though there are minorities living there it still is not a welcoming place for them

Ad1 I’m also a minority from Texas. Not discounting your experience, nor am I saying that there are no problems—I know folks who’ve had horrific experiences in Texas. Also know people who’ve had horrible experiences in other, not-traditionally-stereotyped-as-backwards-racist-redneck-states. The fucked up reality is there no where is safe from a shitty experience when you’re not a straight cis white guy. Hiring for diversity can help with that

Hi. Trilingual woman freelancer with over 10 years of experience. Would love to learn more ☺️

Or try a recruiter that has strength in creatives and diversity

@Digital Comms Producer 1: send me a private message.

@Junior Designer 1: when did I do this? I’ve only been taking in input. I have not been combative about the points being made. If you could point out where I’m mimicking the industry’s inflexibility, I’d appreciate it.

@Freelance AD 1: ok, this is getting more to my original question. What would be your solve for this problem? Would you aim to hire more women and minority juniors and train them up? Or create a sort of work-training program for senior candidates?

Related Posts

Tips for applying for a PM role, being a software engineer my whole life! Much appreciated!!!!

like

Hi Fishes,
Need suggestions on informatica interview.
What type of questions panel ask?
Anyone gave interview recently?

like

I'm currently interviewing for a hardware internship (at a startup). I've had a phone interview, a 30 minute technical interview and now I have a 2-3 hour interview. Is it just me or does this seem a little excessive for an internship?

like

Hey , I need some help ,I am a backend Java dev with 7+yrs of experience, however I am looking for a switch and I do have an interview scheduled with a startup looking for NodeJs+ReactJs , I desperately need to convert this ,what can I do ? Any tips ?

like

Hello

I've been interviewed by @Amazon on 8th July and even after multiple follow up emails, there's no update. Any suggestions?

like
like

Accounting role potential interview questions and process? L4

like

Accenture India Hi Guys, Is anyone attended interview at Accenture India for the role of SAB ABAP HANA... How is the interview process,how difficulty the level of interview is? What is the salary package we can expect? Can anyone help?Accenture

like

Was told I’d only have one round (4 interviews), each split 50/50 on case/behavioral. This is for an Associate position and will be interviewing with AP/P/SP level. Is this typical? Since I see most people have multiple rounds.

like

Have a final round on-site at Uber within Central Operations team. Anyone been through the process? Any wisdom to lend on presenting against the case study/prompt they provide you?

like

Hi, fishes.
A quick query here.

I'm going to move from non IT profile to IT profile. Basically I'll be applying as front end engineer in new company. Previously I was working in a BPO profile.
Just wanted to ask if I'll be provided training in my initial months as a front end engineer or am I expected to work from the very first day.
Your comments will be really helpful.

Thank you.

Any HR contact for FCB Chicago? Saw an Associate Producer position that I’m interested in applying to. Thanks in advance

like

Any walk-in interviews in Pune? Please Help

like

Hello fishes.

I was reached out by a
Microsoft recruiter yesterday. And I told not interested in the position. Now I feel little bad may be i should have given the interview. Can I reach out to the recruiter again ?
PS: it's been only 6months since I joined in the current company

Microsoft

like

I have recently given interview at Microsoft.
HR provided the feedback as I am not rejected bit not fit for the role so they have put me in talent plus pool. What should I expect next and does this mean that I may get the offer ?

like
like

What sort of work is considered corporate finance? This was referenced in a energy practice related interview and am not sure what sort of work that would entail.

like

Have a consulting interview this week I’m prepping for. Doesn’t necessarily have to be related to the case portion, but what are the best questions candidates have asked you during an interview?

like
like

More Posts

How is EY’s Healthcare Performance Improvement Practice? Any insights into culture, pipeline, types of projects?

like

Hello! I’m going to BSchool in August. Any recommendations on books / websites / videos to be more prepared for management consulting interviews?

Is job changing a good idea at this time? Considering recession, mass layoffs.

like

Random question, my boss wants me to become a notary so I can handle notarizing all of the official documents myself. Has anyone else been asked to do this for their employer? Is it ethical?

like

Will there be any variable pay in CAPEGENINI ans ACCENTURE?

like

How long did you study before the CSCP exam? Any advice for someone who just enrolled?

like

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐮𝐩()

Rule Functions in SAP SuccessFactors

#SAP #SuccessFactors #Validationrules #TimeManagement #Functions

Post Photo

If you start as a Program Manager, how/when do you begin to advise people as a people lead? I’ve heard Program Managers are not people leads. I started lead a team of 3 about a month ago at my current job and don’t want to lose leadership experience but have been told my YOE would map to a Program Manager level at Google.

like

Hey Guys,

need some help.

my DOJ & Notice period is conflicting by 5 days. None of the party agreeing to adjust.

New Employer (Oracle) mentioned that his budget will expire by May 31 so cloudn't shift the DOJ.

What should I do now ?

like
like

What’s your favorite WFH footwear? Any recommended brands for a chilly home office?

like

Hello Everyone,

I am actively looking for job change. Please help to refer me in your organization , if there are any openings for Qlik Development.

like

I submitted application for work permit canada and my fitment letter mentioned 1 year so will i get work permit for 1 year only?

like

What are some common exit opps for strategy (MBB) consultants in London?

like

What kind of info do we hope to find about the journal entry section of work paper reviews? Say a company has a passed on adjustments from their audit

like

Most woman with excellent WOE don’t negotiate their pay.. I’m a woman working in Tech and this is so sad to know..

like

Is RPA a bubble and will soon fade away? How much valuable is it as a skill set?

Exit opportunities from SALT - partnership focus? Starting to get worried that the opportunities are too slim and debating leaving for a federal position (even if at a lower title) to gain experience. Anyone have experience with this? I feel like my only options right now are the same jobs just at different cpa firms.

like

Experienced HR Rep here looking to pivot companies. Anyone have any recommendations or can help get my foot in the door anywhere?

like

Received an offer with Parthenon in London for AC role. Is it a good pipeline for PE exit (in the UK or India)? Any thoughts and examples will be highly appreciated! Cheers!

like

Additional Posts in Creatives

So, 100% of the times I’ve got further in the interview process and I’ve got an interview with the ECDs or CCOs, I got the job. Always.

Except for the 2 last ones. And the only difference was...cont

Anyone genuinely happy with their job/where they are right now?

If yes - where do you work and why?

I am mainly working with shops in the States as a non-native speaker and I am constantly worried about my ability to communicate (in any professional occasion but mostly in meetings). I am working with some of the best shops and this makes the situation worse considering that I am largely surrounded by an extremely competent group of folks that are super good at any form of communication. How do you feel as a native speaker when you meet non-natives? Should they be worried, or, they doing ok?

like

Looking to move to New York - does anyone know which agencies are hiring these days?

like

Any resources out there to find great up-and-coming photographers, stylists, set designers etc, in LA?

like

Creatives who have gone from agency to in-house then back to agency, was it difficult to find your way back to agency when talking to recruiters?

like

Trying to find a video example of where a person stays in the same place in the frame but a new scene is revealed by a wipe or mask. So it’s the same person but their wardrobe and set will change around them. TIA

like

Looking for an AD to comp up work I’m going on my own. I will pay you.

like

Been at a “top 5” agency for 2 years now and haven’t produced a single piece of work that I feel is book worthy. Granted, there is the whole global pandemic thing. But at what point do you start looking for a new job? Is 2 years long enough to at least get some cred for the name on the resume, despite not making anything great?

like

I want to become an art director with zero design skills. I’m going to have someone else comp everything up for me. The ideas might be solid. Who wants to hire me?

like

NAME AND SHAME… the best CD/ECD you’ve ever worked for.

Spread the good vibes 🙏

Post Photo
likeuplifting

Being forced to work out of a spreadsheet is killing me

likefunny

Design lead i interviewed with told my recruiter that they loved the interview and thought id be a great fit, but hesitant that id be “bored” in the role. Whats this mean? Should i tell the recruiters i gave it more thought and am excited for the role? Bummed i gave off a disinterested vibe

like

Does adhd cause you to struggle with job performance or satisfaction? I’ve been having a hard time focusing on tasks for long periods of time and have lost interest in my job. It’s discouraging because I’m just a junior and worried that it means I’m not suited to be a cw.

like

Any agencies in Amsterdam hiring?

like

GSP San Fran or Leo Chicago?

like

Any recos for directors who kill it when it comes emotional storytelling in short form content? As in :15. Mostly visual, little dialogue.

Anyone want to work for us in our chicago office and make me some referral money?

We’re looking for ACD’s, seniors, and a mid-level writer. Send me a DM with your book(s) and i’ll refer you.

likeuplifting

I know I’m an excellent designer and creative leader but I am having the worst time securing just an interview. I’m tired of being ghosted. What can I do?

like

Career advice needed.

Anyone ever transition from media to creative? How? What did you do?

On another note, how do you make a portfolio without any paid gigs? Does my work have to be a paid gig?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal