To find the best talent for a role, you need to attract as wide a pool of applicants as possible. Considering diversity when recruiting can reap numerous benefits for you as an organisation, both creatively and commercially.
- Set yourself a diversity target. Have it in your mind that you want at least 20 per cent of shortlisted applicants to come from under-represented backgrounds
- Avoid limiting your job search to a word-of-mouth search of existing contacts or always using the same agencies, head-hunters or publications
- Advertise the roles on your own and others? social media networks
- Use contractor databases
- Use an agent committed to sourcing diverse new talent
- Widen your search to the creative industries more generally
- Think about job sharing
- Contact organisations who train individuals for a career in TV
- Search for organisations providing experts in their fields for on-screen factual roles
- Check out membership organisations aimed at particular contractors
- Capture new talent before they graduate by advertising in academic institutions or attending careers fairs
- Check out YouTube and other social media networks for breakthrough talent
- Avoid using unpaid internships
Links to relevant organisations and sites to widen your talent pool:
Fresh Voices – promotes the work of BAME writers
BBC BAME Expert Voices – database of industry experts specifically from BAME backgrounds, who have been professionally media-trained by the BBC Academy
Expert Women – database of female industry experts, who have been professionally media-trained by the BBC Academy
Triforce Creative Network – including Monologue Slam talent showcase for actors from diverse backgrounds?
VisABLE People – talent agency which provides professional on-screen opportunities for disabled actors, presenters and models
Think Bigger! – talent agency for diverse on- and off-screen disabled talent
Working in TV -Facebook group for TV professionals to post vacancies and apply for roles
Loving Your Work – Facebook group for TV professionals to post vacancies and apply for roles
Project Noir – Facebook group for TV professionals from BAME backgrounds
Mama Youth – trains young people from under-represented groups to work in the media industry on- and off-screen.?
The TV Collective – offers information on development, training, networking and job opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds
Media parents – a website which includes vacancies aimed specifically at those looking for flexible working
Searchlight – recruitment agency specialising in TV and media industry roles
