Words Matter

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Jobseekers have a short window to make a first impression.

It can take just milliseconds for a hiring manager to size you up. It takes no more than the formal presentation of your person – your resume – to stoke instant judgment.

“Implicit bias” is to blame, where we categorize people to be part of a certain group, or not.

The same biases can be evoked in jobseekers when reading a job posting. New York University associate psychology professor Jay J. Van Bavel studies bias and helps firms overcome it.

Bavel says all humans harbor bias to some degree, and companies can sabotage their chances of finding the employee based on the words used in a job posting. Here, Van Bavel shares a few of those terms:

• Dominant, competitive, ninja, rock star, spokesman. Terms like these in a job posting convey that a firm wants a male, or even has a “frat-house vibe” that would make a woman uncomfortable. Females might pass up a good opportunity, scared off by words.

• New grad, recent graduate, fresh, up and coming. You’re probably thinking this means young, right? Postings like these should instead read “no experience required” or “entry-level”.

• English must be your first language. This is inherently discriminatory, implying that a firm wants a white candidate. Instead, “companies should simply say ‘proficiency in English’ is required,” Van Bavel says.

For jobseekers, research shows minority candidates can increase their calls by deleting certain terms on their resume. For instance, “volunteered with the Chinese Students’ Association” could be changed to “volunteered for an Undergraduate Student Association.” Or, changing a first name to initials helps mute bias by hiring managers.

Not a Harvard grad? Some organizations are heavy with Ivy League types, and applicants may feel they don’t have a shot with their degree from Ordinary State U. Resumes should brandish grades, coursework, experiences, and accomplishments, to establish a candidate’s qualifications, with their alma mater placed less prominently.

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