January 6, 2024 - CareerBeeps

Decoding DE&I: How Candidates Can Assess Inclusion In Workplaces

In today's dynamic landscape, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) have become more than buzzwords. They're intertwined into the constitution of successful organizations, fostering innovation, driving productivity, and, perhaps most importantly, attracting top talent. But for job seekers, navigating the nuances of company culture and assessing its genuine commitment to DE&I can be tricky.

Therefore, how can the candidates confidently step into an interview and try to assess a company's DE&I commitment but also amplify their own contribution to an inclusive environment? Here are some key lessons I've gained throughout my career:

1. Do Your Research

Serious woman on laptop researches a company's DE&I

Before the interview, delve deeper than the company website. Look for news articles, social media posts, and employee testimonials that paint a picture of the company's DE&I initiatives. Are there leadership development programs specifically for underrepresented groups? Actively search for evidence of their commitment beyond statements.

2. Ask The Right Questions

Don't be afraid to ask questions, and, especially, don't shy away from directly addressing DE&I. Prepare beforehand and skip the generic, "Are you an equal opportunity employer?" Ask about specific policies, programs, and metrics they use to track progress on DE&I. Inquire about their approach to unconscious bias training and their commitment to creating a psychologically safe space for all employees. Use the data you gather to your advantage during the interview process.

3. Observe The Interview Panel

Man looks at hiring managers during a panel interview

Pay attention to the composition of the interview panel. Does it reflect the company's stated commitment to diversity? If the panel is homogenous, it might be a red flag. However, remember that a diverse panel doesn't automatically guarantee an inclusive culture. Look for genuine interaction and respect among the interviewers, regardless of their backgrounds.

4. Trust Your Gut

Woman thinks about the company's DE&I during a job interview

Pay attention to the overall tone of the interview. Do you feel comfortable expressing your opinion? Are you being listened to with respect? Are the interviewers genuinely interested in your unique value proposition? While a single interview can't give you a complete picture, your intuition can be a valuable tool in assessing the company's DE&I landscape.

Assessing a company's DE&I is about seeking an environment where you can thrive, contribute your authentic self, and feel valued for your unique perspective. By doing your research, asking the right questions, and sharing your own story, you can not only gauge a company's commitment to DE&I but also amplify your own contribution to creating a more inclusive workplace for everyone.

We must always strive to build a future where every voice is heard, every talent is valued, and every individual has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

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Decoding DE&I: How Candidates Can Assess Inclusion …

If you're looking to be a medical assistant, you probably love the idea of helping people. You likely have great interest in health and wellness. Although many people focus on doctors and nurses when thinking about healthcare, medical assistants play a key role in the field.

Consider these 12 essential traits of a medical assistant to see whether this position would be a good fit for you.

1. Communication Skills

You must be able to translate medical lingo into layman's terms for the patient. For example, if a doctor tells you to report the results of a specific test to a patient, you must be able to paraphrase the doctor's words using language that the patient will understand.

2. Outgoing

Medical assistant and nurse take care of a patient

You need to be proactive when meeting new people, and you must be able to interact professionally with people throughout the day. For example, you may go into a patient's room to deliver medication. You will need to introduce yourself and see how that patient is doing. Next, you may need to take a phone call, and then communicate with a new doctor in the hallway. This may be difficult for more withdrawn people.

3. Good Listener

Medical assistant listens to a patient on the phone

Listening is essential in the medical field. Throughout the day, you will need to listen carefully to the needs and concerns of several patients. Nurses and doctors will give you detailed instructions to follow, and you will need to remember all of these things to ensure that no essential detail is forgotten.

4. Compassionate

Compassionate medical assistant with a patient

When patients are experiencing pain, be there to comfort and support them. Even though you may have several patients suffering all at once, you need to go into each room with the attitude that your whole focus is solely on the patient in that room.

5. Nonjudgmental

Medical assistant writes down some notes while talking to a patient

You must never gossip or hold negative feelings towards those who practice a different lifestyle than you do. For example, you have to be professional and caring whether you are treating a victim of drunk driving or the drunk driver. You are in this profession to heal, not to harm, and certainly not to judge.

6. Self-Controlled

Dealing with death and undesirable test results on a daily basis, a medical office can be an emotional place. Especially when patients blame you for their problems, it may be easy to get angry, upset, or frustrated. As a medical assistant, however, you need to have the self-control to maintain a professional composure no matter what you face.

7. Organized

Medical assistant takes notes during a work meeting

Consider a day in which you will need to take care of multiple patients, fill out the necessary paperwork, and communicate with several other people. All of these tasks need to be done at a certain time of the day, and no one can be forgotten. This is a typical day as a medical assistant. Multitasking and efficient organization are key.

8. Adaptable

You need to be able to bounce back and forth between patient interaction and administrative tasks. You also need to be able to treat all of your patients precisely how they will feel most comfortable. Thus, you must have an adaptable personality.

9. Problem Solver

Medical assistant stays organized at work

You will face patient questions and insurance problems every day. When a supervisor cannot be found, you may have to address difficult issues on your own. Solving problems without making excuses is essential to your work.

10. Follows Directions

Medical assistant listens and takes notes during a meeting

There is no room for disobeying or forgetting the instructions of doctors and nurses. Everything that you do is under their authority. Even if a doctor prescribes a treatment with which you personally disagree, you must follow those instructions.

As you can see, getting a medical assistant associate degree isn't everything. You also need to possess or develop characteristics that will complement what you learned in school. If you don't have all of these traits yet, you can get there. You do have the power within you to make all of these traits your own and become a great medical assistant.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.