Choosing a Diversity Recruitment Partner
Rethinking Diversity Hiring for Real Impact: How Canadian Employers Can Move Beyond Buzzwords to Build Truly Inclusive Workplaces
If you're investing in DEI in the workplace, finding the right recruitment partner isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s essential. Too often, companies pour time and money into “diversity hiring” that’s all optics and no outcomes.
The problem? Many vendors still rely on passive job posting or vague diversity labels. That means:
No insight into who’s engaging with your jobs
No real accountability
No genuine connection to the communities you want to reach
It’s time to ditch the checkbox approach. Use this checklist to find a diversity hiring partner who’ll bring real results — and real relationships — to your inclusive hiring efforts in Canada.
What to look for in a DEI hiring partner
1. Active outreach, not just job spam
If their only tactic is “we’ll share your jobs,” but there are no tracking mechanisms or accountability, this could be a red flag. A good partner actively connects with diverse talent and provides you with some insights on your job performance. Look for one that:
Does direct outreach and serves diverse communities
Partners with other organizations committed to diversity, equity and inclusion
Prioritizes visibility in the places diverse candidates actually search
Passive = invisible. You need a partner who shows up where the people are. An absence of online activity could signal a problem.
2. Transparent, data-driven recruitment
If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it. Your diversity, equity and inclusion partner should provide:
Applicant tracking and conversion rates
Reports on job views and apply clicks
Insights backed by Statistics Canada workforce demographics
If they can’t give you numbers, they’re not ready to help you impact real change, or achieve your hiring goals.
3. Clear accountability and metrics
Vague promises won’t move the needle. Ask questions like:
What outcomes do they track?
How often will you get updates?
Are they aligned with best practices from Canada’s HR Council?
You’re not just buying a service — you’re building a relationship that should be measurable.
4. DEI employer branding support
The best partners help you show your inclusion efforts, not just say them. Expect support with:
Targeted branding campaigns
Highlighting your inclusive workplace policies
Sharing stories and highlighting your company’s commitment to inclusion
5. Customization and flexibility
DEI hiring is not one-size-fits-all. Your ideal partner will offer:
To discuss and learn more about your company’s specific goals and challenges
Strategies tailored to your company’s needs and size
Seamless integration with your hiring process
If your partner is forcing you into a rigid package with no differentiation or alternative options this could signal that something is off.
Best practices for working with DEI hiring vendors
Even the best partner needs your team to be on board. Here’s how to make the most of the relationship:
Demand transparency: Know who sees your jobs and how they perform
Expect access to data: Your vendor should provide detailed analytics or a dashboard to demonstrate ad performance
Emphasize collaboration: Make space for regular reviews to refine the approach
Invest in education: Choose a partner who offers resources and tools for inclusive hiring and reducing bias. For example, HireDiverse offers resources for both job seekers and employers.
Want a deeper dive? Explore how to audit your hiring process for bias.
Writing inclusive job ads — it actually works
One of the quickest wins in inclusive hiring Canada is fixing your job postings.
Here’s how:
Use gender-neutral language
Skip the unnecessary jargon
Clearly state your DEI values
Need a boost? Here’s how to write inclusive job ads
The future of DEI hiring is proactive and measurable
You’re not here for tokenism. You want hiring that works — for everyone. We do too.
That means choosing a partner who can:
Actively engage top diverse talent
Show the numbers behind the results
Support your inclusive employer brand
When you team up with partners who actually live their DEI values, you attract better talent, keep employees longer, and build a workplace culture people want to be part of.
HireDiverse is a Canadian job board that prioritizes inclusion
We reach diverse candidates across Canada through intentional outreach and inclusive messaging. Posting with HireDiverse highlights your organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion — and helps your job stand out.
About HireDiverse
We’re Canada’s diversity and inclusion-focused job board. We reach diverse candidates across Canada through intentional outreach and inclusive messaging. Post jobs to highlight your organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
