June 22nd 2023.
Recent findings have shown a concerning trend in tech job interview invitations: Black people and women are being excluded. According to a study by Hired, 38% of tech job opportunities invited men only for interviews in 2022. Additionally, TechTarget reported that 12% of jobs sent invitations to white people only.
The small population of Black and women in the tech industry reflects the bias against them in job interviews. In 2021, Black people made up just 7.4% of tech employees, and Black women accounted for only 1.7%, CNBC reported.
Although the figures are still disheartening, there has been some progress since 2018. Back then, 45% of tech job interview invitations were sent to men only and 26% to whites, according to TechTarget. Josh Brenner, CEO of Hired, said, “There has been a more dedicated focus between 2018 and now toward including a more representative set across races.”
Unfortunately, even if a Black person or woman manages to land a job in tech, they still face a difference in pay. The Hired study found that Black men make $0.93 for every $1 a White man makes, while Black women make $0.90.
In response to the underrepresentation of Black people in tech, some organizations are taking action. For instance, the Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative announced its commitment to supporting Blacks in tech with $300,000 in grants in June 2023, as reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE. Additionally, the co-founders of Black Women Talk Tech shared with Built In last year that it is their mission to close the gap between Black women and their peers in terms of wages.
Clearly, there is still much work to be done in order to make the tech industry more diverse and inclusive. With the right initiatives and dedication to the cause, the tech industry can become a more equitable and equal playing field for all.
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