While 85% of employers believe increasing diversity in their workplace should be prioritised, 46% do not actually have programs or strategies to attract, recruit and retain diverse candidates. For international women’s day, the recruitment team at GCS Malta discusses 6 ways to attract and recruit more women to your company.

Is it harder for women to be recruited?

It is very challenging to get women in the hiring process as although women view the same amount of job postings as men, women are 16% less likely to apply. On the bright side, should women decide to apply, then they are 16% more likely to get the job,

Often referred to as the confidence gap, women tend to underestimate their performance and abilities, while men overestimate them. This leads to men applying even when they meet only 60% of the requirements, while women do not apply if they do not meet every job criteria listed.

Being aware of this difference in job search behaviour will give you a heads-up when tackling this issue in your recruitment process.

Tackling the issue

There are several things that recruiters can do to attract and recruit more women to their company.

1. Perfect your job posting

Changing how you write your job postings is one of the most important things you can do to attract female candidates. Firstly, make sure to make job postings inclusive. It would be best to replace gendered language with gender-neutral wording, as aggressive words tend to put women off. In fact, adding words that showcase your company’s diverse culture, such as ‘progressive culture’ and ‘flexibility’, will give you a greater chance of women applying to your post. Secondly, simplify your job postings as much as possible. For example, listing down ‘must-have requirements’ and ‘nice to have’ skills is a great way to tackle the confidence gap issue.

2. List salary ranges for all positions

Listing down salary ranges and benefits is crucial to your job post. While both genders view the salary information as the most important part, it is 10% more important to women as this shows them that the company is transparent about its commitment to equal pay. In addition, you can also post a detailed salary policy to further highlight your integrity and belief in fair compensation.

3. Place women in leadership roles

To attract more women to your company, placing women in leadership roles and showcasing this online is essential. Both genders are equally as likely to visit company pages and websites; however, women will apply more should they see women in corporate roles within the company. This encourages women to apply since they can see that it is possible to climb the corporate ladder.

4. Be as flexible as possible

Following a performance-based culture will be highly beneficial to your company. When you evaluate employees based on their performance rather than the number of hours worked, you are guaranteed a boost in morale, productivity, and engagement. In addition, offering flexible work is a great incentive to attract, recruit and retain women as new mothers or working mothers can maintain their careers while being present with their families.

5. Offer the best paternity leave policy

Having the best paternity leave policy for both females and males will give you a leg up over other companies who are stingy with paternity leave. Offering an excellent paternity leave policy showcases that your company respects working mothers and fathers.

6. Continue to educate

While implementing certain policies will help you attract and recruit women, retaining them can only be done through continuous education. Fostering a culture that values both men and women at work will create a fair workplace in which both genders want to work.

Why GCS Malta?

At GCS Malta, our exceptional recruiters can implement strategies to diversify your workforce and assist you with various recruitment services tailored to your needs. Looking for your ideal job? Check out our vacancies and contact us today for more information.

Article by Sarah Jane Gauci