What is the hiring manager looking for?

The hiring manager wants to know your understanding of diversity and inclusion, your commitment to creating an inclusive work environment, and your strategies for fostering diversity and inclusion within a team. They are looking for candidates who appreciate the value of diversity and who are proactive in promoting an inclusive culture.

How to structure your answer

Structure your answer in three parts:

1. Definition: Start by defining diversity and inclusion in your own words and explain why they are important in the workplace.
2. Personal Experience: Share a specific example from your previous work experience where you successfully promoted diversity and inclusion within your team. Describe the situation, the actions you took, and the positive outcomes that resulted.
3. Future Plans: Outline your plans for fostering diversity and inclusion in your new role if you are hired. Explain how you would create an inclusive environment, promote equal opportunities, and address any challenges that may arise.

Tips to answer this interview question

Tips:

* Avoid using clichés or generic statements. Be specific and genuine in your answer.
* Don’t focus solely on your own personal experiences. Discuss how you would promote diversity and inclusion as part of a team effort.
* Avoid making assumptions about other people’s backgrounds or identities. Be respectful and inclusive in your language.
* Practice your answer in advance so that you can deliver it confidently and smoothly during the interview.

Things to Avoid:

* Don’t say that you don’t see color or that everyone is the same. This disregards the uniqueness and value of each individual.
* Avoid making generalizations or stereotypes about different groups of people.
* Don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t have all the answers. Be open to learning and growing in your understanding of diversity and inclusion.

Example interview answers to this question

Sample Answer 1:
“To me, diversity and inclusion mean creating a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. I believe that diversity is a strength, and it allows us to learn from each other and bring unique perspectives to the table. In my previous role, I led a team of 10 people from different backgrounds and cultures. I made sure to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone felt comfortable sharing their ideas and contributing to the team’s success. I regularly organized team-building activities and workshops on diversity and inclusion to promote understanding and appreciation among team members. As a result, our team was very cohesive and productive, and we achieved great results together. In my new role, I would continue to foster diversity and inclusion by creating a welcoming environment, promoting equal opportunities, and addressing any challenges that may arise.”

Why it’s strong:
This answer is strong because it provides a clear definition of diversity and inclusion, shares a specific example of how the candidate has successfully promoted diversity and inclusion in the past, and outlines plans for fostering diversity and inclusion in the new role.

Sample Answer 2:
“I believe that diversity and inclusion are essential for creating a high-performing team. When people from different backgrounds and perspectives come together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be leveraged to solve problems and achieve great things. In my previous role, I worked with a team of engineers from all over the world. We had to overcome language barriers and cultural differences, but we were able to do so by fostering a culture of respect and understanding. We regularly held team-building activities and workshops on diversity and inclusion to promote empathy and collaboration. As a result, our team was able to develop innovative solutions to complex problems and deliver successful projects. In my new role, I would continue to promote diversity and inclusion by creating a welcoming environment, providing equal opportunities for all team members, and addressing any challenges that may arise.”

Why it’s strong:
This answer is strong because it emphasizes the value of diversity and inclusion for team performance, provides a specific example of how the candidate has successfully promoted diversity and inclusion in the past, and outlines plans for fostering diversity and inclusion in the new role.