Building Your Diverse Dream Team: A Sacramento Employer’s Guide

Balanced Diversity Solutions Liliana Bernal CEO

If you’ve been trying to build a more diverse team in Sacramento, you’re definitely not alone. Many employers genuinely care about diversity, but when it comes to turning good intentions into real action, it can feel confusing—or even overwhelming.

The encouraging news? Building a diverse dream team doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating. With the right mindset and the right partners, you can create a workforce that truly reflects Sacramento’s vibrant community while also helping your business thrive.

Start With an Honest Look Inward

Before building your dream team, it helps to understand where you’re starting. Take a thoughtful look at your current workforce. What does it look like today? Are certain departments more homogeneous than others? Where might there be opportunities to grow?

Many employers are surprised to realize they’ve been unintentionally recruiting from the same talent pools year after year. Job postings go to familiar sites, referrals come from similar networks, and before you know it, the cycle just keeps repeating.

A workforce audit can gently shine a light on these patterns. By reviewing demographics, identifying skills gaps, and comparing your team to the community you serve, you gain clarity, and a clear starting point for meaningful change.

Rethink Where You’re Looking for Talent

Here’s something worth considering: if you’re hoping for different results, it may be time to try a different approach. Traditional job boards can be helpful, but they often don’t reach the full range of talented professionals in underrepresented communities.

Partnering with a diversity staffing agency can open doors you may not even realize are closed. It’s not about lowering the bar; it’s about widening the lens and allowing more qualified candidates to be seen.

Sacramento is home to vibrant Asian American, Hispanic, Black, and LGBTQ+ communities, each bringing valuable perspectives and experiences. When recruiting efforts intentionally reach these communities, businesses don’t just fill roles; they build stronger, more dynamic teams.

Focus on Culture, Not Just Credentials

We’ve all been there: a resume looks perfect on paper, but the hire doesn’t quite work out. Skills matter, of course, but long-term success often comes down to values, communication, and team alignment.

When building a diverse team, it’s important to pause and reflect on what “culture fit” really means. Too often, it becomes shorthand for familiarity. Instead, think about shared values and complementary strengths. Does this person connect with your mission? Will they bring a perspective your team could benefit from?

Effective diversity solutions look beyond job descriptions. They consider your culture, your goals, and how each hire can contribute to the bigger picture, now and in the future.

Give Yourself (and Candidates) Time to Be Sure

If you’re feeling hesitant about making the wrong hire, that’s completely understandable. Building a diverse team shouldn’t feel risky or rushed.

Contract-to-hire options allow both you and the candidate to take a breath and evaluate the fit in real time. You get to see how someone performs day to day, how they collaborate with your team, and how they add value. At the same time, candidates can experience your workplace culture firsthand.

This thoughtful approach often leads to stronger, more confident hiring decisions, especially when you’re expanding into new talent networks.

Build Diversity at Every Level

One piece that’s often overlooked? Diversity shouldn’t stop at entry- or mid-level roles. Leadership representation matters deeply. Your leadership team sets the tone for your entire organization. When diversity is visible at the top, it sends a powerful message about opportunity, inclusion, and growth.

A minority staffing company with executive search expertise can help you identify experienced, diverse leaders who bring both strategic insight and fresh perspective. These aren’t symbolic hires, they’re leaders who help shape stronger organizations.

Partner With People Who Know Sacramento

Building a diverse dream team takes more than good intentions. It takes trusted relationships, deep community connections, and an understanding of what works, especially here in Sacramento.

At Balanced Diversity, we bring over 50 years of combined experience helping local businesses build teams that truly reflect our community. As a certified Woman-Owned, Minority-Owned, and Small Business based right here in Sacramento, we understand the challenges employers face—and the opportunities that come with doing things differently.

Our process is simple and human-centered: we connect to understand your needs, align on your culture and goals, and co-create minority staffing strategies that actually work. Being recognized as the #3 Fastest Growing Company in Sacramento and a Best Place to Work for three consecutive years is a reflection of our people-first approach.

Your Dream Team Is Closer Than You Think

Sacramento is full of talented professionals who want to do meaningful work. The challenge isn’t finding them, it’s making sure your approach is reaching them.

Building a diverse dream team takes intention, openness, and the right support. The result is a more innovative, engaged, and resilient workforce, which is well worth the effort. When you’re ready, we’re here to help. Let’s bring some balance to your workforce.