Deb Bahr-Helgen, Director of Minneapolis Employment and Training, offers the following tips for recruiting and retaining a more diverse workforce:

• Be aware of hidden and unintentional biases in candidate screening by providing training to HR recruiting staff and managers who do the hiring.

• Hold open jobs for a sufficient length of time to make sure a good level of diversity is reflected in the candidate pool.

• Review job postings to ensure they are based on skills and competencies actually needed for the position.

• Develop cultural competencies of your hiring managers and staff. This means developing a workplace culture that truly values differences and inclusion.

• Train recruiters to avoid a negative judgment of employment gaps on résumés. "We are still finding talented individuals left behind from the recession because no one will give them a chance," Bahr-Helgen said.

LAURA FRENCH