From LGBTQ+ Adoption to Trans Allyship: Approaching Talent Recruitment in 2023

JPMorgan Chase offers programs, apprenticeships, internships and full-time opportunities designed for early career professionals and graduates of all backgrounds to grow, thrive and advance in their careers. We spoke with members of their Early Careers Recruitment team, as well a Software Engineer Program participant, to learn about their approach to recruiting early career talent, what fuels JPMorgan Chase’s inclusive culture and the resources and opportunities available to LGBTQ+ employees.

Thank you for chatting with us Will and Jared! Can you start by telling me about yourselves and your roles at JPMorgan Chase?

Will: I’m Will Mahood and I’m an Early Careers Recruiter for J.P. Morgan, based in Glasgow. My background has been in early top talent recruiting in technology within the financial services industry.

Jarred: My name is Jarred Lim and I’m in my second year of the Software Engineer Program at JPMorgan Chase. I support our Rates eTrading team and am currently based in London. I graduated with a computer science degree from Imperial College London.

Will, how do you approach recruitment from a diversity and inclusion perspective?

Will: First and foremost, I’m looking for candidates who are passionate and skilled individuals. Diversity, equity and inclusion is very important, not only to me, but our company. A diverse workplace enhances the employee experience and ultimately means we all can perform our best and deliver the best results. When recruiting, it’s important for candidates to see themselves reflected in the people they engage with throughout the process. At recruitment events and during interviews, for example, we ensure we have representatives from JPMorgan Chase who reflect the diversity of our workforce.

Jarred, what has your experience been with JPMorgan Chase’s culture?

Jarred: I have been open with my team members about my sexuality and civil partnership since the very first day I joined the team. I have received nothing but wholehearted support regarding my sexuality and I frequently share stories about my partner. My manager encourages me to participate in events held by our LGBTQ+ Business Resource Group called PRIDE. I have always felt safe and supported which allows me to be myself in the workplace.

Before applying to graduate programs, was understanding a company’s diversity and inclusion policies important to you?

Jarred: Of course! My topmost priority when applying was inclusivity and a commitment to providing equal opportunities for everyone. I researched company websites and employee reviews to better understand their diversity and inclusion policies. When I interviewed for JPMorgan Chase, I directly inquired about the company’s LGBTQ+ policies and initiatives. My interviewer, who is an active LGBTQ+ ally, enthusiastically shared a number of ways JPMorgan Chases supports its LGBTQ+ employees, customers and clients. I was truly impressed to learn we have a full-time Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs dedicated to advancing equity and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community, internally and externally. That really set JPMorgan Chase apart.

What other opportunities are there for LGBTQ+ early career and graduate employees to network and grow in their careers?

Will: Our PRIDE Business Resource Group is our global community of over 35,000 LGBTQ+ and ally employees in over 35 countries. The mission of this group is to engage and support LGBTQ+ employees in promoting an inclusive environment and building successful careers. PRIDE hosts professional development trainings, networking events and also offers mentorship programs to connect early career employees with members of our LGBTQ+ Executive Forum – a group of ‘out’ senior leaders. We’ve seen tremendous growth within PRIDE in the last few years which has only made our inclusive culture grow stronger.

Jarred: One of the most memorable experiences I had was attending a PRIDE-led event called ‘Demystifying Adoption’. It featured colleagues sharing valuable insights into the adoption process for LGBTQ+ parents and the experiences of those who have been adopted by LGBTQ+ parents. More recently, I enrolled in a ‘Trans 101’ course hosted by our LGBTQ+ Ally Training team, which provided me with a comprehensive understanding of gender identity and expression, as well as actionable ways to better support transgender colleagues. I hope more companies can follow our lead!