Experimental Analysis of Gender Bias in Hiring within STEM Fields

This study investigates the presence of gender bias in students' hiring evaluations within STEM fields using a survey-based experimental design with systematically varied resumes. Students were randomly assigned to evaluate one of four fictional CVs, differing by candidate gender and qualification strength. Participants rated the applicants on competence, hireability, salary recommendation, and willingness to offer professional support. The results reveal no consistent bias in favor of male candidates; however, strong male applicants received higher salary suggestions, while female candidates were more likely to be offered professional support. These patterns are primarily driven by interactions between candidate gender and resume strength. The effects are most pronounced among participants from Eastern Europe and older participants, suggesting a role of social background in shaping perceptions. The findings highlight how implicit biases may form prior to labor market entry and underscore the need for early educational interventions to promote equitable hiring perceptions in STEM.