How HireNext is helping employers fill entry level positions
By Mackenzie Currier (Career Boost Student)
CivicAction is a network of leaders and organizations that creates inclusive cities by fostering collaborative community spaces and programs. CivicAction calls on leaders to convene, collaborate, and co-create solutions.
As part of its mission to drive inclusivity, CivicAction (est 2002) partnered with Accenture to create HireNext, an AI-enabled tool that provides employers with practical recommendations to improve their job postings and attract entry-level talent.
After conducting a survey with 200 youth, CivicAction concluded that traditional job postings may screen out young, diverse talent. HireNext helps employers overcome this barrier by providing actionable suggestions on writing inclusive job postings.
Employers should consider hiring youth now that the great resignation has caused talent shortages across industries. CivicAction further explains that youth can help increase workforce diversity and improve retention rates. Additionally, young talent often has greater availability and comfort with new-age technology.
HireNext uses AI to connect employers with next-gen talent
Employers may have trouble attracting youth, however, with job postings that have vague job titles, arbitrary education/experience requirements, and a general lack of information.
75% of survey respondents expressed that they had been deterred from a suitable position because they did not fit the mandatory education and experience requirements. 85% of youth surveyed said they wanted a statement on workplace culture to be included in a job posting, and over half of survey takers were interested in having a company’s inclusivity statement included in the posting. By listening to criticism from youth, CivicAction has a thorough understanding of what makes job postings attractive to youth.
The HireNext AI-enabled job posting scanner helps employers create inclusive job postings by flagging language, content, and gaps in a posting that may deter youth. The scanner uses combined data science and diversity and inclusion best practices to create lenses that identify youth, gender, or disability biases; buzzwords and cliches; jargon and acronyms; and clarity. The resulting job posting should have fewer barriers for youth seeking employment.
Creating job postings geared toward youths is only one way for employers to diversify their workforce. CivicAction suggests companies also partner with community organizations or employment service providers to expand their recruitment efforts. Additionally, companies should consider application questions and short essays in lieu of traditional cover letters and resumes when hiring.
Learn more about inclusive youth recruitment strategies, HR policies, practices, and approaches on the HireNext Website.
