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Decoding bias: Gendered language in finance internship job postings

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  • Oldford, Erin
  • Fiset, John

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the language content of job postings as a potential explanation for the gender imbalance in the finance industry. We conduct two interlinked studies of internship job postings by finance companies that assess the use and effects of agentic (e.g., ambitious) versus communal (e.g., caring) language. We find high levels of agentic language within finance job postings, and our results reveal that women applicants are more likely to perceive a higher level of fit with the position and exhibit an interest in applying to internship postings that are high in communal language and low in agentic language suggesting a current mismatch between our findings and current practice. We discuss the theoretical implications associated with the wording of internship job postings as well as implications for finance recruiters looking to increase the gender diversity of their workforce.

Suggested Citation

  • Oldford, Erin & Fiset, John, 2021. "Decoding bias: Gendered language in finance internship job postings," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 31(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:beexfi:v:31:y:2021:i:c:s2214635021000885
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbef.2021.100544
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    References listed on IDEAS

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