Exposing Hidden Gender Bias in Job Descriptions

In the fast-paced world of technology, the hunt for top talent knows no gender. But a look beneath the surface shows that gender bias lurks in job descriptions, limiting talent pools and affecting the diversity and inclusivity of the industry.

At the end of 2023, women in tech held only 35% positions. When it comes to recruiting top talent in tech, it’s essential that job postings are free from any gender biases that may deter qualified candidates. By embracing diversity and implementing best practices in job posting, organizations can attract a wide range of talent and foster a more inclusive workplace for women in tech.

Recognizing the need for improvement, Cangrade researched how job description language might keep women from applying to tech positions. Our study aimed to uncover whether the language used in tech job descriptions contributes to or avoids gender biases that hinder diversity and shrink talent pools.

To comprehensively examine gender bias in tech job descriptions, we selected job roles representing both female-dominated and male-dominated occupations to compare to tech. The analysis included job descriptions across five major U.S. cities and analyzed criteria such as DE&I statements, gendered language, and parent-friendly policies.