Words and Phrases Not to use in Job Ads!
There is discrimination in all parts of the hiring process. From the moment a company makes the realization that they need to make a hire to the day you see the whites of their eyes at their desk there are places where discriminatory pitfalls can be found. one example is in the words used in the job descriptions and ads.
Different words and phrases will become outdated and some, over time, will be downright offensive. “Seasoned” for older candidates. Are they steaks? Why is this ever in a job ad? But other less obvious phrases can also (intentional or not) give off the wrong impression. what do you think when you “digital native” or a “recent grad”? Does a younger candidate come to mind? That’s because those phrases are examples of ageism. Only candidates born 20-25 years ago will be “digital natives” or will have been born with digital technology and “recent grad” insinuates someone in their early 20s as the traditional “recent graduate”.
Avoid Discrimination in the Hiring Process – in job descriptions and job postings
Utilize this list to help keep inherently discriminatory words out of your postings. Appeal to a larger talent pool, and cut down on bias in the application process.
| Do Not Use | Possible substitutions |
| Seasoned | Experience in a similar role |
| Digital native | |
| Men or women | Use “you” |
| Non-descript words like “superstar” | Use proper title |
| Do not use gender-specific pronouns He/she | Use the plural “they” or “you” as appropriate in the sentence |
| Recent Grads, or Graduates | 0 or less than 1 year of experience |
| Ambitious young people | Do not use any age indicators |
| “Brogrammer”, or variations of “bro” and other positions | Use proper title |
| Veterans and their wives | Excludes female veterans and same-sex marriage use “Spouse” or “partner” instead of wives |
| Master/slave Data Architecture | In Databases jobs, this phrase should not be used “Primary/replica” is a good substitution |
| Afflicted, crippled | Person with disability |
| Man-hours | Work hours |
| Businessman | businessperson |
| Grandfather Clause | legacy |
| Layman | Layperson |
| Spokesman, or Spokeswoman | Spokesperson |
| Workmanship | work |
| Man-made | Artificial, synthetic |
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