How to Overcome Bias in the Job Search: Tips for Improving Your Chances of landing an interview
Here’s how to overcome bias in the job search process as a job seeker in Canada. Personal identifiers such as your name, the location of your work experience, and your religious affiliations can sometimes inadvertently affect your chances of landing an interview. Bias in recruitment is a real challenge that can impact your job search, so it’s essential to understand how these factors might influence your opportunities.
To improve your chances of receiving fair and equitable treatment during the hiring process, it’s important to be proactive about addressing potential biases. By removing or modifying certain personal information from your resume, you can focus on showcasing your skills and qualifications. This approach can help mitigate the risk of discrimination and increase your odds of securing an interview.
Bias in the hiring process is undoubtedly unfair, but it does occur. According to a study by the University of Toronto, candidates with non-Anglophone names are 28% less likely to receive a callback for a job interview compared to those with traditionally Anglophone names. As a job seeker, you can work to overcome this bias even though it shouldn’t be a requirement. By removing or modifying certain personal information from your resume, you can focus on showcasing your skills and qualifications. This approach can help mitigate the risk of discrimination and increase your odds of securing an interview.
Video: How to overcome bias in the job search
3 tips to protect yourself from bias in the recruitment process
1. Consider changing your name on your resume
There are studies that show that folks with white, North American names are two times more likely to get an interview than someone who has an ‘ethnic’ sounding name. So, have you considered changing your name on your resume to a more North American-friendly name to fit in the job market that you’re targeting?
It’s wrong that some candidates have to consider this. As a result, I don’t think you should take this decision lightly. But I do think it’s important consider the possibilities angles and the realities of bias in recruitment processes. Is it possible that you are getting screened out of the process on the basis or assumptions that a recruiter or a hiring manager is making from your name?
Consider changing your name on your resume, if that feels okay to you. If it doesn’t feel okay to you, absolutely don’t do it. The way to change your name on your resume is to select a name or a nickname that’s traditionally ‘North American’ sounding. This would become your nickname. I’d even re-submit my applications for any jobs that I applied for under my legal given name, under my new nickname. There have been candidates who make this single change and move from being screened out to landing an interview.
If you’re considering changing your name on your resume, make sure to check out the full post on that topic, Should I Change My Name on My Resume to Get More Interviews?
2. Delete work locations from your resume and application
Consider removing work locations, like the country and city, from your resume. I’ve seen newcomers to Canada list all their great experience in oil and gas, for example. They include the country in which they achieved this experience. Say Nigeria, or India, for example. I’ve seen employers discount the value of that previous experience because it was not North American work experience. The work location piece of information may not be relevant or bolster your candidacy. On a North American style resume, we wouldn’t typically include this country tidbit (in most cases). So, why do we expect newcomers and International Students to disclose work locations?
Exclude this from the resume and talk about your work locations in the interview instead. North American employers can tend to pass judgments about other locations and overemphasize the value of Canadian and American work experience. As a job seekers with International experience, I think (most of the time) you’re much better served to omit the work location on your resume.
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3. don’t mention religious or other personal identifiers through the process
Religious or other identifiers shouldn’t have a place on your resume. So, make sure you’re not listing anything that would tell a potential employer about your religious beliefs. Even if you volunteered at a youth group, you need to be aware of the information you’re sharing on your resume. Instead of saying ‘I volunteered at the youth group for Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.’ Say this instead ‘I volunteered at a youth group’. Be aware of personal identifiers that can sneak into your resume in cases like this. With both examples, the employer is getting the same information about your volunteer work. In the latter example, you are protecting yourself from any sort of bias about your religious affiliations.
As a candidate, we probably don’t know what the thoughts, opinion, perspectives are of the person reviewing your resume. They might have a dislike for this particular church or affiliation. While this shouldn’t impact your candidacy, the reality is, it might. The best practice is to delete the information altogether.
Consider deleting additional elements from your resume that have no relevant input to the hiring process. This can include information like your home address, a headshot and more.
Starting with career clarity is crucial in this process. By uncovering your own values, goals, and career aspirations, you can tailor your job search strategy to align with what truly matters to you. This self-awareness will help you make informed decisions and focus on opportunities that genuinely fit your aspirations. For further guidance, the Career Advancement Journal can be an invaluable tool. It helps you explore your career path, set clear objectives, and develop strategies to navigate the job market with confidence and resilience.
Bias in hiring is undeniably unfair and can create significant obstacles for many job seekers. However, overcoming such bias can begin with acquiring knowledge and taking proactive steps to protect yourself whenever possible. By understanding the challenges you might face, you can better navigate the job search process and advocate for yourself more effectively. Recognizing and addressing biases is not just about self-preservation; it’s also about ensuring that you present your true strengths and potential to potential employers.
There are simple and easy things that you can do to remove personal identifiers from your resume. Removing this information can help you to protect yourself from recruitment bias. Not all of these things feel great… And for the record, there is nothing wrong with your name, your past work locations or your religion.
There are, however, often problems with bias in recruitment processes. Bias is wrong and unfair but very real. Through this awareness and knowledge the candidate starts to take back some power in the process. With this new information, you can decide whether or not you’d like to make changes to your resume.
Conclusion: by understanding bias you can start to protect yourself
“When writing the story of your life, don’t let anyone else hold the pen.”
- drake
Embracing self-reflection allows you to navigate your career with intention and confidence. When you know yourself deeply, you can make decisions that resonate with your true self, leading to greater satisfaction and success. It's about finding a career path that not only utilizes your skills but also brings joy and meaning to your life. By continually assessing and realigning your goals with your inner values, you ensure long-term fulfillment and growth. Remember, the journey to career happiness is ongoing, and it starts with understanding yourself from the inside out.
Advancing your career starts from within. It's not just about climbing the corporate ladder or landing the next big promotion; it's about understanding your passions, values, and strengths. Self-reflection is the cornerstone of finding true career happiness. Taking the time to reflect on your experiences, challenges, and successes helps you gain clarity on what you truly want in your professional journey. By looking inward, you can identify what drives you and align your career goals with your personal values. This inner work sets a strong foundation for a fulfilling and purpose-driven career.
