To avoid discrimination during the hiring process, The Five O’Clock Club, a career counselling network, suggests the following:

• Intend to hire a diverse mix. Before you start putting together a new team, enter the process with the diverse mindset. Intentionally bring together people from very different backgrounds. Hire the best candidates, but try to make your organization reflect the diversity of the markets you compete in.

• Look for people who are ethical, hard-working, and have the appropriate skill level. As opposed to people who share your beliefs and background. Someone from your Alma Mater may not necessarily round out your team. Evaluate each candidate on a purely objective level, or at least try your best. Some hiring managers even create exercises to evaluate their own predispositions and attitudes.
  
  
• Establish a hiring panel. A democratic hiring process can increase the chances that equal consideration is given to all candidates. Take the ‘power to hire’ away from a single manager who may gravitate only to a certain type. A diverse staff or hiring managers can insure that your entire company is diverse.

• Forget the ‘war for talent’ fad. Drop out of the bidding wars for ‘stars only.’ Work harder to increase the morale, loyalty, and productivity of your existing staff. A diverse staff can be excellent for morale and interesting, as well. No employee will enter the office feeling outnumbered or bullied. Create office incentives to encourage diversity, recognize and celebrate ethnic and religious holidays, and create a diversity committee.