The impact of unconscious gender bias on online professional networking & recruitment

The differences in how men and women communicate has been a popular debate and of interest to researchers for many years. Conflict and misunderstanding derived from different gender communication styles have had an impact on how sexes work together and progress in careers. This study analysed gender communication styles in the Information Technology field, more specifically in online networking and within recruitment processes using computer mediated communication. This research attempts to answer if training can aid in combating unconscious gender bias in recruitment? are gender neutral CV's effective in combating unconscious gender bias? and does language style used online help identify gender and lead to unconscious bias?

The study uses quantitative surveys and resume interaction analysis to analyse 82 IT field participants based on gender and the effects of training on unconscious bias during recruitment. The results are analysed in SPSS using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show that, yes unconscious bias training aids in combating unconscious gender bias and gender-neutral CV's aid in combating unconscious gender bias. Results also indicate that language style used online helps to identify gender and may lead to unconscious bias. The goal of the study is to increase the amount of knowledge available regarding unconscious gender bias already present in IT work place in Ireland and identify any impact as a result on initial online recruitment selection.

Implications of not understanding unconscious gender bias at recruitment level could have negative effects towards shaping a business’s culture, diversity.