Reframing DEI Experience in a Politicized Job Market
- amy Leighton
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
In a changing political landscape, popular ideas come and go. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives may be the next target of what’s popular with what’s happening in today’s culture. It’s also a topic that divides opinion. On the one side, supporters find it necessary to ensure no one is excluded from fair work practices, while on the other hand, critics argue it is reverse discrimination. If you have DEI experience, you might find yourself thinking about how to reframe it so that you are not unfairly judged. Here are a few ideas.
Talk about skills and your impact. As you would with most other job experience, focus on the skills you’ve gained from your time working in DEI. Tie these skills back to measurable outcomes. For example, if you were the head of a DEI committee, simply don’t mention much detail about the type of committee you managed. Instead, you can describe that you led a “cross-functional team.” Then as you describe the duties of this team, mention increasing employee engagement or broadening participation.
Know where you’re applying. It might be the case that where you’re applying is still applying DEI standards. It’s important to know this before you commit to a strategy. If you find in your research that an organization has no DEI initiatives or has spoken out against them, now is the time to reframe your experience in a broader sense. In these cases, look at what’s important to the organization and use your skills and experience to match what they’re looking for. Focus on team building or employee participation.
Remain honest and upfront. Bottom line, if you have DEI experience, while it may be critical to reframe it, you don’t want to mislead a potential employer. In other words, don’t go overboard to hide it. Instead, present yourself and your background in a way that emphasizes what positive impact you can have on the organization. Move away from the DEI label and focus on all the skills and attributes you’ve developed along the way.
In the end, deciding whether or not to be specific about your DEI experience on your resume depends on what industry you want to work in, the culture of the target organization, and how the DEI initiative is currently accepted in society. If you feel it’s best to reshape your experience based on any of these, reframing your skills and achievements is likely necessary to play it safe. Focus on the impact you’ve left wherever you’ve worked in the past and in whatever role you held. Consider seeking out the advice of a career coach if you’re having trouble adapting your DEI experience for a new job application.
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