VIDEO: Google hiring exec reminds travel industry that diverse talent is out there

Travel company executives who say they can't find diverse talent are simply not trying hard enough.

Ginny Clarke, director of executive recruitment for Google, says it's not true that talent is lacking and that it has never been the case

Speaking during the Phocuswright Conference 2020's Diversity in Leadership program, Clarke pushes back with a "hardy no!" saying, in her experience, talent is untapped.

She says companies need to have talent planning and think about “anticipated needs” rather than being reactive when they need to fill a role.

“That will reduce the likelihood of that hiring manager saying ‘I’m going to call my friend.’”

Clarke believes companies are missing out on creating a “diverse pipeline,” describing it as everyone you consider for a role, by not devoting the proper time and attention to full searches for candidates.

“My recruiters are responsible for building a diverse pipeline. I can’t guarantee they all get to the slate but if we see patterns of under-represented individuals not moving through then we have to start asking the question ‘Is there a problem?’”

Watch the full interview below, where Clarke goes on to talk about competencies and the importance of acknowledging that not everyone with experience is competent.