WUNRN
STUDY - SOLUTIONS TO RECRUIT
TECHNICAL WOMEN
Practical advice on hiring women to the high-paying jobs in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) is offered in a 50-page study released today by the Anita Borg Institute. Women are 24 percent of the STEM work force.
(WOMENSENEWS)--Companies have plenty of practical ways to hire more women in the high-paying fields of science, technology, engineering and math, the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology finds in a 50-page report released today.
To prevent unconscious gender biases during the pre-screening part of the interview, for instance, hiring managers should conceal the names attached to resumes, according to the authors.
In addition, the report recommends every open technical position should include a viable female candidate.
Companies can also follow the example of IBM, a consistent star on
women-friendly rankings, by providing cash incentives for female employees to
tap into their personal social networks to recruit more women. The technology
giant, based in
"Solutions to Recruit Technical Women," was co-authored by Caroline Simard, and Denise L. Gammal, both from the Anita Borg Institute. Their findings were based on academic research and proven corporate practices.
Knowing why women are under-represented in technical fields, (reasons include unconscious biases in the recruiting process, lack of role models and mentors, plus organizational cultures that hurt recruitment and retention) the authors look at how companies such as Intel, Cisco, Google and IBM have lowered barriers.
The Anita Borg Institute, based in
Women make up only 24 percent of the work force in science, technology, engineering, and math. They hold some of the best-paid jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Women who hold these jobs average $31.11 per hour, compared with the $19.26 women earn on average in other occupations.
"What's really cool," says Jerri Barrett, vice president of marketing for the Anita Borg Institute, "is while everyone for years has been talking about, 'How do we get more women in technology jobs?', this report gives answers. We're sharing with the world how to recruit more women."
Barrett says companies have good reason to care about recruiting women. "If you're in a technology industry, and you're ignoring half the human race, you'll find that there are holes that are difficult to fill, and you'll sacrifice innovation and profits."