5 hiring resources to recruit overlooked talent in workplace

5 hiring resources to help tap into overlooked talent

July 19, 2022 5:30 AM

At first glance, the year-plus persistence of the Great Resignation does not bode well for employers — but it does force companies to rethink their recruitment strategy.

The Labor Department reported a total of 4.3 million people quit their jobs in March. Job openings jumped to 11.5 million, but the hiring rate did not keep up, stalling at 4.5%. Talent is out there — companies just need to know where to look.

From independent contractors and international students, to those with disabilities, refugees and young offenders, there’s a diverse pool of candidates who are underrepresented in the workplace. Granted, recruiting talent from these groups can come with its own set of challenges, which could make many employers hesitant to explore these avenues. But platforms like Mapis, Industries for the Blind, Oyster and more offer themselves as hiring tools, connecting employers to qualified talent that may otherwise seem out of reach.

Here’s how these five organizations are working to ensure both talent and employers win during the Great Resignation. Do they hold the key to your staffing challenges? (We bet they might.)

Mapis

Mapis is a free career development platform built specifically for international students. It features a centralized database of internships, fellowships, entry-level jobs and exploratory career programs that accept employment authorizations, allowing international students to engage in U.S.-based work relevant to their area of study. Mapis is a one-stop hub for international students looking to bring their talents to U.S. employers.

On the flip side, Mapis invites recruiters to connect with its users through weekly webinars, so potential candidates can learn more about the given company. Bloomberg, Google, Twitter, McKinsey and TikTok have participated.

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This career platform helps connect international talent with jobs in the U.S.

“International students spend months just trying to find a job,” Diana Vicezar, founder of Mapis, recently told EBN. “There are not many resources out there, so that inspired me to create a platform where I could centralize all the opportunities open to international students.”

National Industries for the Blind

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 70% of working-age blind Americans are unemployed. National Industries for the Blind trains these workers for careers in technology, manufacturing and administration, while working to employ blind talent in the private and public sectors.

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“One of the most difficult challenges facing job seekers who are blind is the misconception that they can’t do the same work as a person who is sighted, but nothing could be further from the truth,” Kevin Lynch, president and CEO of NIB, recently told EBN. “People who are blind are a largely untapped resource of talented, capable employees with unlimited potential.”

CareerBuilder and iHeartRadio

CareerBuilder and the Black Information Network, a Blackled news network owned by iHeartMedia, are teaming up to promote job opportunities to Black workers over radio airwaves. This partnership is up against concerning data, with the Black unemployment rate more than 2% higher than the national average, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimating that full-time Black employees make 20% less than white workers.

In addition to broadcasting job opportunities, CareerBuilder and the Black Information Network will also provide an online resource center with testimonials, career spotlights and expert interviews offering insight into economically promising opportunities.

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CareerBuilder pairs up with iHeartMedia to broadcast jobs to Black employees

“We want them to see a greater pool of opportunity and stretch themselves,” Kristin Kelley, chief marketing officer at CareerBuilder, told EBN. “Then they can really start to understand, how can I step into this industry? Can I make $5 more per hour? What more is possible?”

Oyster

The UN Refugee Agency estimates that more than 100 million people have been displaced worldwide due to persecution, conflict and human rights violations. Oyster, a global employment platform, wants to offer support by connecting displaced talent with employers, all while managing hiring, onboarding, pay and benefits at no cost to the employer.

The program is available in 180 countries currently faced with high volumes of displaced or refugee talent, including Poland, Turkey, Colombia, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Germany and Bangladesh.

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This company is helping refugees find jobs

“Some people win the lottery of location and get born into places where they can have the career of their dreams — but some people don’t get that,” Jack Mardack, cofounder of Oyster, recently told EBN. “Oyster for Refugees is looking at the folks where getting a job is a far away possibility because of their circumstances.”

Avenues for Justice

A child or teen is arrested every 59 seconds in the U.S., adding up to over half a million children last year, according to the Children’s Defense Fund. Avenues for Justice works within the New York City justice system to keep young offenders out of jail and in their future-focused program instead. Its members have access to mentors, tutors and job training, while employers can work with AFJ to offer internships and employment opportunities.

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“Sometimes we get blocked into statistics, but we have to stop viewing people within the criminal justice system as convicts — get that out of your mind,” Gamal Willis, manager of court advocacy and outreach at AFJ, told EBN last fall. “These are young people who are looking for opportunities and resources that they perhaps didn’t have before.”