For years now I’ve been focusing on increasing the number of women hired on my software development teams. The first step in hiring more women is to attract more applicants. Recently Jill Carlson asked Twitter for the best tips. Here’s my top six. I hope they will help you.
I get a lot of teams asking for tips on recruiting more women. I love being asked this question and I always thinks it speaks volumes about the team.
— Jill Carlson (@jillruthcarlson) August 22, 2018
What are your best tips for recruiting a diverse team? Especially if the founding team happened to be a bunch of white dudes?
1. Fewer Requirements
Only list the things you actually require. Generally speaking, women want to tick all the requirements before they’ll apply. Men will apply if they feel semi-competent a few. Aim for no more than four dot points.
2. Language Matters
No “ninjas”, “rockstars” or “gurus”. Cut out the masculine language. There’s plenty of research that shows there are words and phrases that are off-putting to women. So why not avoid them? Services like textio.com can help you identify masculine coded prose.
3. Perks that Matter
Stop it with the Friday beers and Table Tennis tables. Instead talk about your flexibility and safe workplace policies. (If you don’t have them, get them). Get the “tick of approval” from Work180 – or at least assess yourself against their criteria.
4. Say it proud: Diversity makes us better
Don’t be afraid to be up front and declare that you believe diversity makes you better. (If someone is offended by that, raise a red flag). “We believe diversity makes us better and invite inquiries from people often underrepresented in our industry”.
5. Network, Network, Network
Support everyone you can find like Girls Who Code. Can you provide space, talks, food, or promotion? Put your message of diversity in front of as many of the people who matter as possible.
6. Close the Backdoor
This is probably the most important. Sorry it’s at the end. Around 45% of women who start in tech leave the industry. These women are connected to their communities so the most attractive thing you can do is actually be supportive and ensure you’re creating a safe workplace. Make sure you have a zero-tolerance policy on sexism and harassment.
Bonus Round
- Check the gender balance on your board of directors, executive team and management teams.
- Close the pay gaps
- Publicize your parental leave policy
- Make balance shortlists a company policy
- Include Unconscious Bias training for all employees
- Highlight the importance of career opportunities
- Showcase female role models
- Introduce a mentoring and sponsorship culture
Got any more? Send them to me on Twitter: @divZero_.