Inclusive job descriptions improve ATS keyword match rates, reduce bias, attract diverse applicants, clarify expectations, focus on relevant skills, elevate soft skills, prevent over-filtering, enable fairer screening, remove exclusionary language, and boost applicant confidence.
How Do Inclusive Job Descriptions Influence ATS Outcomes for Underrepresented Candidates?
AdminInclusive job descriptions improve ATS keyword match rates, reduce bias, attract diverse applicants, clarify expectations, focus on relevant skills, elevate soft skills, prevent over-filtering, enable fairer screening, remove exclusionary language, and boost applicant confidence.
Empowered by Artificial Intelligence and the women in tech community.
Like this article?
ATS Optimization for Diverse Talent
Interested in sharing your knowledge ?
Learn more about how to contribute.
Sponsor this category.
Improved Keyword Match Rates for Diverse Candidates
Inclusive job descriptions typically feature broader and less biased language, which increases the likelihood that resumes from underrepresented candidates better match ATS keyword requirements. By avoiding jargon or gendered terms, these descriptions enable a wider range of applicants to pass initial automated screenings.
Reduction of Unconscious Bias in Automated Filtering
When organizations use inclusive language in their job postings, they help reduce the chance that ATS algorithms unintentionally favor dominant groups. This reduces the risk of filtering out qualified underrepresented candidates due to biased terms or qualifications.
Attraction of a Broader More Diverse Applicant Pool
Inclusive job descriptions signal openness and support for diversity, which encourages more individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. This influx of diverse applications increases their representation in the candidate pool filtered by ATS software.
Improved Relevance of Candidate Skills to Role Requirements
By focusing on essential skills and stripping away unnecessary requirements, inclusive descriptions ensure that ATS software prioritizes relevant experience over traditional credentials—benefiting candidates who may have non-linear career paths.
Enhanced Transparency of Role Expectations
Inclusive job descriptions often clarify job responsibilities and requirements, reducing ambiguity. This clarity helps candidates from underrepresented groups tailor their resumes more accurately, leading to higher ATS ranking and success.
Mitigation of Qualification Inflation
Many job postings list excessive requirements. Inclusive descriptions focus on genuine necessities rather than inflated qualifications, preventing ATS systems from prematurely screening out talented underrepresented candidates who may not tick every box.
Elevation of Soft Skills and Alternative Backgrounds
Inclusive job descriptions recognize alternative educational paths and soft skills, allowing ATS to surface candidates from non-traditional backgrounds. This results in more fair consideration for underrepresented applicants.
Alignment With Diversity Hiring Initiatives in ATS Settings
Organizations with inclusive descriptions often configure their ATS to further prioritize diversity and inclusion, such as anonymized screening or specialized filtering, which can improve outcomes for underrepresented applicants.
Lowering Barriers Created by Coded Language
Inclusive postings remove coded language—like “aggressive” or “rockstar”—that can alienate women or minorities. ATS software, when "fed" with neutral descriptions, is less likely to select against underrepresented applicants based on stereotypical terms.
Encouragement of Applicant Confidence and Engagement
Finally, inclusive language gives underrepresented candidates the confidence that they are wanted and valued, making them more likely to complete applications. This leads to higher ATS submission rates and greater diversity in the shortlisted pool.
What else to take into account
This section is for sharing any additional examples, stories, or insights that do not fit into previous sections. Is there anything else you'd like to add?