Meeting Every Qualification: Job Ad Content and Applicant Demographics

Despite years of policy and revised corporate practice intended to correct inequality in the hiring process, application gaps persist for women and individuals from underrepresented racial minority groups. Economist Tanner Eastmond and colleagues will examine whether adjusting the language about qualifications in job listings can change job seekers’ views about the company and the hiring process and help increase the number of highly qualified individuals who apply, especially from underrepresented groups. The investigators will conduct a large-scale, reverse audit field experiment where they randomize the content of job ads and observe job seeker behavior. Specifically, they established a non-profit firm, Job Connections Project (JCP), to act as an intermediary in the job search process. This firm reposts real job ads and collects information from job seekers interested in applying. The PIs will randomize whether they encourage people to apply even if they do not meet all listed qualifications and whether they inform them that companies routinely hire individuals who do not have all qualifications.