Career Diversity Toolkit

Are you looking for an internship program? Consider one of these diversity programs that are seeking underrepresented candidates and provide assistance with finding your ideal internship.

• INROADS: Internships offered in business, technology, retail management, marketing, sales, and insurance.
• Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT): Offers assistance with preparation for internships and jobs in corporate America
• Minority Access: Non-profit organization that provides minorities with federal internships.
• Howard Foundation: Multimedia and entertainment internships

You may be wondering the best way to find a company that is committed to hiring a diverse workforce. Here are a few things to consider when you are assessing a company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Mission, Values, and Goals

• Look for diversity and inclusion in the company’s mission statement, values, and goals.
• Does the company have a diversity statement on their website?
• What are the company’s anti-discrimination policies?
• How involved do they seem with the community?

Demographics

• Do you see diversity at all levels of the company from leadership positions to entry-level positions? (You can search their website, recent news articles, or try Crunchbase to find their leadership team.)
• Does the company have a chief diversity officer or diversity manager?
• Is diversity represented on the company’s board of directors?

Diversity Affinity Groups

• Does the company offer special interest groups for employees? Many large corporations have affinity groups for their employees (i.e. Women’s Groups, LGBT Groups, Young Professional Groups, Race/Ethnic Groups). These groups offer support and members of the group may be called upon to assist the company with initiatives targeting specific populations. It is appropriate to ask about this resource in your interview.

Workplace Observations

• During your interview with the company, observe interactions among the staff and office arrangements.
• Is the office environment welcoming? How does the staff treat you?
• Does the company offer special rooms given special needs (i.e. prayer rooms, nursing rooms)?
• Does the company offer inclusive benefits? For example, a company without paid parental leave is making a statement about how accommodating it can be to new parents.

Ask Questions

• You may ask a question regarding the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Pay attention not only to their answer, but how readily they discuss the topic.
• Effective questions:
  • What is your company’s commitment to hiring a diverse workforce?
  • Can you give me an example of how your company has demonstrated your commitment to diversity and inclusion?
  • Describe your company’s success with the advancement of underrepresented minorities within the company.

While it is important for you to read up on questions that an employer may ask in an interview, it is also important for you to be aware of certain questions that are illegal for an employer to ask during an interview, or just in general.

An employer may NOT ask about:

• Age
  • How old are you? What year were you born/What is your birth year/When were you born? When did you graduate high school?
  • They MAY ask: Are you over the age of 18?
• Race or nationality
  • What is your race? Are you a member of a minority group? Is your spouse/partner a certain race?
  • Questions asking specifically about the nationality, racial, or religious affiliation of a school are also improper. Requests that you submit a photo at any time prior to hiring are improper.
• Disabilities
  • Are there any disabilities we should know about? Do you have any disabilities/medical conditions/mental illnesses? Do you have any handicaps? What caused your handicap? What is your medical history? How serious is your disability? How does your condition affect your abilities?
  • Do you take any prescription drugs? Do you take any drugs? (Because it does not distinguish between illegal and legal drug use, this question may cause applicants to disclose their lawful use of prescription drugs.).
  • They MAY ask: Are you able to perform this job with or without reasonable accommodation? Do you have any conditions that would keep you from performing this job?
• Family and marital status
  • Do you have any kids? How many?/Do you plan on having more children/What kind of child arrangements have you made? Are you planning to have a family in the next five years? Are you pregnant?
  • They MAY ask: Can you meet specified work schedules, or do you have activities or commitments that may prevent you from meeting attendance requirements?
• Religion or church attendance
  • Do you attend church regularly? Are you religious/ what is your religious affiliation? Do you take time off from work for religious purposes/What holidays will you be taking off from work? Any questions asking specifically about the nationality, racial, or religious affiliation of a school are improper.
  • They MAY ask: Can you work on Saturdays/Sundays? (only if relevant to the job)
• Arrest record
  • Have you ever committed a crime? What did it involve?
• Military/Veteran status
  • Do you plan to take leave to serve in the military?
  • They MAY ask: Describe the relevant work experience that you acquired from the U.S. armed forces as it relates to this position
• Work/Visa Status and Citizenship
  • Are you a U.S. citizen? You sound like you have an accent, where are you from? Where were your parents born? What is your native language? What language do you most often speak?
  • They MAY ask: Are you authorized to work in the U.S.? What languages do you speak (if relevant to the position)?
• Sexual Orientation
  • Are you straight or gay?

Three Options for Answering Illegal Questions

1. Answer it. If you think the interviewer was simply trying to get to know you, and naively asked the question, you can choose to answer. If you are comfortable answering, then it is fine to do so.
2. Deflect it. You can avoid answering the question while still addressing the concerns they raise. For example, if your interviewer asks you whether or not you have children, he or she might really be getting at whether your family responsibilities would interfere with the frequent travel for the role. You could respond by saying something like “I can assure you that I am able to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of this job."
3. Question the relevance. It is appropriate to ask how the question is relevant to the position and its responsibilities. If you feel that they are asking an inappropriate or discriminatory question, you can refuse to answer their question and try changing the subject. If you feel especially uncomfortable, you can choose to excuse yourself from the interview.

More information on federal laws regarding prohibited employment policies/practices can be found on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission website.

 IMDiversity.com – a company dedicated to providing career and self-development information to all minorities, specifically African Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders.

Diversity Inc. Top 50 Companies for Diversity - This website lists top employers for specialty areas such as (i.e. Asian-Americans, Blacks, Executive Women, Latinos, LGBT, People with Disabilities, Veterans, and other minority identities.)

Diversity Search - Works directly with employers who want to showcase opportunities within their diverse company cultures. Check here for a broad listing of jobs, many within the tech industry.

INROADS - The mission of INROADS is to develop and place talented minority young people in business and industry and prepare them for corporate and community leadership.

African-American Career World - The recruitment link between students and professionals who are African American and the employers that seek to hire them. The publication includes career strategies, industry trends, and role-model profiles that target the African-American community.

Black Collegian Online - Career and job search site for African-American college students.

Black Enterprise - Career center sponsored by a major publishing and media company.

Black Equal Opportunity Employment Journal - America's leading African-American Business and Career magazine. This website provides information for African Americans seeking opportunities in corporate America.

Bureau of Indian Affairs - Provides services (directly or through contracts, grants, or compacts) to approximately 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Native American Jobs – Dedicated to diversity & indigenous employment, career-minded individuals looking for Employment and careers in ALL Communities, Locally and Nationwide. The diverse website includes Tribal and Non-Tribal Companies across the nation.

National Congress of American Indians- Job opportunities that are submitted by employers that are American Indian, Native Hawaiian, or Alaska Native businesses, governments, or organizations. Also includes legal filings that affect the community and publications.

NAISA (Native American and Indigenous Studies Association) - includes job opportunities and journal articles

Asian American Journalists Association - A professional organization devoted to Asian Americans pursuing media careers; including job listings.

Asia Pacific American Leadership - The Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) is a charitable and educational organization dedicated to building leadership and public policy knowledge within the Asian Pacific American community. Its mission is to promote APA interests and success in public service careers, to provide information and education on policy issues affecting the APA community, and to serve the APA community at large.

National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) - NAAP is a non-profit organization that cultivates, supports, and promotes Asian American leaders. Learn how to enhance your professional image through this website’s resources. Also, check out the NAAAP Career Center, which is an online community that connects Asian and minority professional talent with companies across the globe.

OCA - A job board sponsored by OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates, a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans, touching tens of thousands of individuals each year through its extensive network of over 100 chapters, affiliates, and partners from around the country.

Foreign Labor H-1B Program Data and Certification Data Center -
The Department of Labor is required to provide a list of employers who have submitted Labor Condition Applications. The search page allows you to view the H1-b Labor Certification Database and also access the Online Wage Library for prevailing wage determinations.

OPT Nation – A list of the top companies that hire international students and sponsor H1B.

S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - Information on how to apply for and get work authorization and application forms you can download.

Uniworld - A resource for both international and U.S. students that allows you to identify US firms operating in foreign countries and foreign firms operating in the U.S.

My Visa Jobs.com - Compilation of information including lists of employers with past records of sponsorship activity that are searchable using industry and geographic criteria.

NACE- Articles on public policy and legal issues

Hispanic and Latino Professional Associations - Compilation of links to the leading Hispanic and Latino professional associations, many with career and job sites of their own, sponsored by Monster.

iHispano.com - the Nation's premier professional networking site and job board for Latinos in the United States.

HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities)- Information on employment opportunities and links to job postings

The Latin American Network Information Center (LANIC) -Facilitates access to Internet-based information to, from, or on Latin America.

LatPro.com - LatPro is a source for connecting Hispanic bilingual job seekers with recruiters searching for skilled diversity candidates.

Saludos - A leading job board for bi-lingual professionals.

ADA.gov - U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, provides information and technical assistance regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act including detailed information regarding the law, regulations, accessible design standards, and enforcement activities, as well as technical assistance materials.

Our Ability Connect- An individual profile service that you can build to promote future employment for people with disabilities through mentor networking, social engagement, and personal empowerment.

Deaf Linx - Comprehensive site that fights “audism,” and includes information about education and professional organizations for those with deafness or hearing loss.

Disabled Person - This jobs board posts 250,000 open positions at any given time. Check here for comprehensive lists of postings, open to individuals across the spectrum of ability.

GettingHired.com - Careers and Community for People with Disabilities.  The GettingHired Mission is "To create sustainable employment growth and opportunity for people with disabilities.”

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) - JAN is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. JAN represents the most comprehensive job accommodation resource available, from Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurs.

The National Business & Disability Council - The NBDC is the leading resource for employers seeking to integrate people with disabilities into the workplace and companies seeking to reach them in the consumer marketplace. Free Services to Job Seekers include the National Resume Database, Job and internship listings, NBDC Yellow Pages, and Career Events.

The Washington Center Leadership Initiative for Students with Disabilities - The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars offers several scholarships for students with disabilities and works closely with students to provide reasonable accommodations during their internship experience.

The Workforce Recruitment Program - The WRP is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal and private sector employers nationwide with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to prove their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs.

AbilityLinks.org - Information for job seekers including a job board, mentoring possibilities, employer information, news, events and more.

Corporate Equality Index 2018 – A report published by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation as a tool to rate American businesses on their treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender employees, consumers, and investors.

LGBT Career Link - Find jobs, learn about employment at diversity-friendly companies, and research careers by networking with your LGBT and allied colleagues.

National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) – Business advocate for LGBT-owned and friendly businesses, entrepreneurs, professionals, and corporations. 

Lambda Legal - National LGBT civil rights organization; website includes information about workplace discrimination cases.

National Consortium of Directors of LGBT Resources in Higher Education - Includes job listings for college and university positions.

National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce - Nondiscrimination and other information from a national grassroots organization.

Out for Work - Career resources, internship, and job posting sites dedicated to LGBTQA college students

Human Rights Campaign – Nondiscrimination policies and links leading to other recruiting sites for employers who are recruiting LGBTQ+ workers.

Resources for trans/gender non-conforming people in the workplace

Transgender Law Center - The Transgender Law Center works to change laws, policies, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression.

Trans Student Educational Resources - a youth-led organization dedicated to transforming the educational environment for trans and gender nonconforming students through advocacy and empowerment.

Navigating Gender Identity and Expression During a Job Search – Inside Hire Ed Article

Ultimate Campus Guide for LGBTQ Students - College Consensus Article

Hiring Our Heroes - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched Hiring Our Heroes, a nationwide initiative to help veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment.

Operation New Uniform – Program to help veterans develop the skills necessary to interconnect their background into business, network in a professional environment, and sharpen communication skills that will lead to better opportunities in business. Located in Jacksonville, FL.

Vet Roadmap- The VET Roadmap breaks the military-to-civilian transition process into three simple actions, helps a veteran navigate the transition process which is continuous, and identifies best-in-class resources.

S. Office of Personnel Management - The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) administers entitlement to veterans' preference.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment VetSuccess Program - The VetSuccess program assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. For Veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VetSuccess offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.

AAUW - AAUW empowers women in a variety of domains. Their career and workplace site has articles on everything from women in tech careers to general salary negotiation.

CareerWomen.com - Leading national online career center by and for women. Tailored to the needs of today's working women, CareerWomen.com provides job seekers easy, targeted access to top employers and recruiters who are actively looking to recruit and hire women.

Negotiating Women - Provides innovative training and consulting to professional women; a company of women committed to helping other women. Provides practical advice to help women at every stage of their career to claim their value and create conditions for success in business. No cost to job-seekers.

United States Department of Labor – Women’s Bureau - Women in the workforce are vital to the nation's economic security. The Women's Bureau develops policies and standards and conducts inquiries to safeguard the interests of working women; to advocate for their equality and economic security for themselves and their families; and to promote quality work environments.

Women for Hire - This site where women job-seekers can find a variety of career and job resources specifically for you, including recruiting events and job fairs, career coaching, resume critiquing, and job-search seminars. Job-seekers can post your resume.

Women Venture - WomenVenture’s resources focus on entrepreneurship, career building, financial education, and Women Can Do It! -- a yearlong program that supports women with low incomes who want to pursue a career in non-traditional, higher-paying industries such as construction, trades, manufacturing, IT, and renewable energy.

Catalyst- Catalyst drives change with pioneering research, practical tools, and proven solutions to accelerate and advance women into leadership- because progress for women is progress for everyone.

We understand that athletes have a demanding schedule, so we are here to help you stay on track and keep your stress level low. We have a 4-Year Plan dedicated to providing the highest quality of career development to all student-athletes at Flagler College. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for workshops planned just for you!