Women in Science

Study Takes Mystery Out of Hiring Tech Women

By Mitzi Perdue

WeNews correspondent

Monday, February 27, 2012

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 Armonk, N.Y., estimates that close to 30 percent of all their hirings of professional women worldwide are made through such personal connections.

"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.

| More