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> The average of black candidates, and women candidates, simply asked for less than the average of white male candidates I agree that the phenomenon is much mo

> The average of black candidates, and women candidates, simply asked for less than the average of white male candidates I agree that the phenomenon is much more complex than conspiratorial movie villains, and it's unproductive to simplify things that way (often out of anger). But I'll add some complexity to what you said: They would be wise to ask for less because that is what the market will bear, due to widespread discrimination. It seems beyond debate that discrimination is widespread, though again I agree we need to understand that simple statement in detail. The black, female, Latino, etc. candidates would have to be deaf and blind not to be aware of it, and would need unusual courage to try to ignore it. Anecdotally, I was at dinner with a retired female biologist. She was discussing the challenges of being a female scientist in her generation, and how today's women in science take their opportunities for granted. Later in the meal, she told me that women are naturally worse at math and computer science, and that males of northern European ancestry are naturally superior (which flies in the face of even current discriminatory hiring in IT). It wasn't anything I haven't heard before, unfortunately; even in my personal experience, explicit discrimination is not so rare as to be shocking.

ringaroundthetx 9y ago
> They would be wise to ask for less because that is what the market will bear, due to widespread discrimination. I would agree with you if it wasn't for how HIRED works. This is information asymmetry. There are only a few kinds of roles available on HIRED by this time and candidates get to post their ask and employers get to post their bids. The black and women candidates that aren't bidding below market are also getting hired through that system. There is a mentality associated with it. The "I feel lucky an employer considers me at all" mentality that could come with generations of oppression. The "$100,000 is great don't push it" mentality that would broadcast exactly what class of society you are in, completely ignoring what the market actually will bear. The employer offers you $110,000 and woah they must have REALLY liked you in the interview. Lets dive deeper, as I'm extrapolating here as well. I'm glad HIRED released that report, several other recruitment firms have insights that aren't included in the collective conscious.
brooklyn_ashey 9y ago
Good point. And those who have been discriminated against internalize it. It is the water they have been swimming in their whole lives, so it takes a concerted effort from everyone to become more aware of how these biases operate if we wish to turn things in a more egalitarian direction.

ringaroundthetx 9y ago

> They would be wise to ask for less because that is what the market will bear, due to widespread discrimination. I would agree with you if it wasn't for how HIRED works. This is information asymmetry. There are only a few kinds of roles available on HIRED by this time and candidates get to post their ask and employers get to post their bids. The black and women candidates that aren't bidding below market are also getting hired through that system. There is a mentality associated with it. The "I feel lucky an employer considers me at all" mentality that could come with generations of oppression. The "$100,000 is great don't push it" mentality that would broadcast exactly what class of society you are in, completely ignoring what the market actually will bear. The employer offers you $110,000 and woah they must have REALLY liked you in the interview. Lets dive deeper, as I'm extrapolating here as well. I'm glad HIRED released that report, several other recruitment firms have insights that aren't included in the collective conscious.

brooklyn_ashey 9y ago

Good point. And those who have been discriminated against internalize it. It is the water they have been swimming in their whole lives, so it takes a concerted effort from everyone to become more aware of how these biases operate if we wish to turn things in a more egalitarian direction.