Spark HireDismantling bias in the hiring process is paramount for fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities, particularly bias against refugees and immigrants. Bias, whether conscious or unconscious, can lead to discriminatory practices that hinder individuals from marginalized communities from accessing employment opportunities commensurate with their skills and qualifications.
By actively addressing and mitigating bias in hiring, organizations can create a more level playing field, ensuring that immigrant and refugee talents are not overlooked or discounted due to stereotypes or prejudice.
Embracing diversity in the workforce not only enriches organizational culture but also enhances innovation and productivity. Additionally, providing fair and equitable employment opportunities to immigrants and refugees empowers individuals and families while contributing to the broader socioeconomic integration and prosperity of communities.
Thus, dismantling bias in hiring is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic imperative for fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and thriving society.
Talent Beyond Boundaries’ founders recognized a gap in support for refugees in the talent market as well as significant bias against refugees and decided to conquer it. They formed the organization around opening up skilled migration pathways for refugees to help fill global talent gaps.
At its inception, Talent Beyond Boundaries was the only organization in the world connecting skilled refugees to international job opportunities. As pioneers, their approach to resettlement has focused on labor mobility and provides a complementary solution to traditional resettlement.
This process isn’t easy. Refugees frequently face a lack of identifying documents typically required for immigration, resettlement, or employment in general. Talent Beyond Boundaries works with hiring organizations, governments, and refugees to uncover solutions to allow refugees to take employment and residency in other countries.
Since refugees cannot travel to another country for an interview, Talent Beyond Boundaries needed a tool to allow their candidates to virtually introduce themselves to hiring organizations. By sitting refugees down and allowing them to talk about their professional experience and skills, TBB can then send these virtual introductions to hiring organizations.
“Employers may have preconceived notions about refugees,” says Madeline Holland, TBB’s Managing Director. “And refugees may have non-traditional employment backgrounds, [so] a brief video introduction is the perfect way for candidates to put their best foot forward and provide additional context to their CVs.”
After consulting with a few hiring organizations TBB works with, Iress recommended they look at Spark Hire’s video interviewing platform to provide hiring organizations with one-way video interviews of all of TBB’s skilled refugees. This provides all candidates the best chances of success in the recruiting process, reducing bias against refugees.
One of the biggest benefits Talent Beyond Boundaries has found using video interviewing is its flexibility to fit their business needs. Starting with one-way video interviews allows refugees to “easily record videos at home on their computers or smartphones.”
Since implementing Spark Hire, TBB candidates have recorded over 280 one-way interviews. When a hiring organization is interested in a candidate, they can then organize a live video interview to get company-specific interview questions answered.
Through their use of Spark Hire’s video interviewing platform, Talent Beyond Boundaries demonstrates to employers skilled refugees are as talented and experienced as other candidates, and should be highly considered for international jobs.
Spark Hire is proud to support over 6,000 organizations around the world that work to improve the lives of not only their customers but also employees and new hires with missions like Talent Beyond Boundaries’.
Check out Talent Beyond Boundaries’ impact on their candidates and clients in this video:
Josh Tolan
Guest Post
