A Study on Hidden Gender Bias in Job Descriptions
Despite great strides being made in hiring diverse candidates and teams, there are still some hidden biases when it comes to the job descriptions being used to fill open positions in tech. For example, at the end of 2023, women in tech only held 35% of the positions. Our study, Smashing the Glass Ceiling for Women in Tech: Research on Hidden Gender Bias in Job Descriptions, uncovers some of the disparities that persist.. Below you’ll find some highlights from our study and an infographic showing the data on how language in job descriptions may be inadvertently keeping this percentage lower than it should be and how to address it.
A Few Data Insights
While tech job descriptions lead the way in the inclusion of their commitment to DE&I and parental leave policies when compared to jobs that are traditionally male-dominated, they also have the highest percentage of masculine-coded and superlative language. This type of verbiage often prevents otherwise qualified female candidates from applying. Broken down further between no-code and coding roles within tech, similar results are seen for masculine-dominated language and commitments to DE&I.
Steps You Can Take
What can be done to tackle gender bias in job descriptions? We outline five helpful tips for recruiters to build equity in tech and reduce gender bias in job descriptions – beginning with standardizing DE&I commitments across all job descriptions as well as limiting superlative language. Directly addressing the needs of parents and caregivers as well as creating a ‘Nice to Have’ section also both promote a greater a greater pool of candidates to apply. Overall, inclusive job descriptions are essential to creating an application process where everyone feels welcomed and encouraged to apply.
Download the infographic with these highlights below.
Get your free copy of the full report for more insights on how language can bias job descriptions, often negatively affecting women in tech. Smashing the Glass Ceiling for Women in Tech: Research on Hidden Gender Bias in Job Descriptions is available for download here.
