I agree, a properly blinded selection process is a very good idea. This doesn’t really do anything about information asymmetries and existing networks. Also, i

I agree, a properly blinded selection process is a very good idea. This doesn’t really do anything about information asymmetries and existing networks. Also, it doesn’t change anything about that part of the selection process where you actually have to meet in person or at least talk. Blinding can necessarily only ever be a tiny part of any any solution. I would argue that specifically seeking out certain groups and advertising to them that a position is open and that they would be the perfect candidates would be a good idea. (Please note that I’m not arguing for ads in pink to specifically target women or some bullshit like that. If you already have ads they should already work irrespective of gender, race, etc.) Often it’s a problem that people do not know that they can apply or they might think applying is not for them. They might also not be aware that someone is looking because they are not part of existing networks. Despite all of that it will inevitably always be easier to hire people you know and those people will tend to be very similar to each other. This is not even intentionally sexist, but the consequences are icky. This means that even targeted advertising for open positions and a completely blind selection process will not solve this. Both of those things would still be excellent if implemented, though. (This is a common misunderstanding so I should address it right away: Please note that when I talk about targeted advertising I do not mean that the selection process itself should give an advantage to those who are targeted by the advertising. Sometimes even that might be worthwhile strategy, but I’m arguing that candidates, once they apply, should all be treated exactly the same and that the selection process should be blind to name, age, race insofar as that is possible. Targeted advertising is just the acknowledgement that the process by which potential candidates get to know about open positions right now is far from random and fair and it attempts to correct that.)