Hiring for Diversity

CHAPTER 4Designing an Inclusive Brand and Candidate Experience

In 2018, Splunk saw an opportunity to show job seekers just how committed the software company was to diversity. Splunk, whose slogan is “bring data to everything,” had a diverse staff and a vibrant, inclusive culture. In fact, it was one of the first things new hires often noticed about the company. But job applicants, particularly those from underrepresented groups, had no way of seeing it from the outside.

“We had done all the usual things, like putting a DEI statement and photos of our team members on our careers page,” says Splunk Chief People Officer Kristen Robinson. “But today, that stuff is just table stakes. None of it felt unique to our brand, which is this quirky blend of individuality and data obsession. We needed to do something to give diverse applicants a sense of how joyous it can be to work here.”

Back in 2017, two of Splunk's employees (Splunkers), Sarah Harbin and Chris Russell, had been exploring a creative approach to share Splunk's commitment to inclusion and celebrate their coworkers’ diversity in a way that was true to Splunk's work as a data company. The two came up with an ingenious storytelling solution they called “A Million Data Points” that centered on the unique qualities and multiple identities that make up each team member. They put their ideas into action and created a powerful campaign that allowed all Splunkers to share their personal stories.

It started with a fun, colorful ...