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The Gender of Opportunity: How Gendered Job Titles Affect Job Seeker Attraction

Author

Listed:
  • Paul M. Gorny
  • Petra Nieken
  • Martin Trenkle

Abstract

Recruitment signals shape applicant pools. Across three studies, we examine whether genderfair (vs. generic masculine) German job titles affect application behavior and job seekers' beliefs about organizational culture. In a large-scale pre-registered field experiment, gender-fair titles increase female applications and clicks in Business & Management where priors are flexible by about 50 %. There is no average effect in categories with less flexible priors consistent with a signaling model. Eye-tracking evidence shows effects reflect belief updating, not visual salience, and an online study supports gender-fair language as a credible equality signal. We find no male backlash.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul M. Gorny & Petra Nieken & Martin Trenkle, 2026. "The Gender of Opportunity: How Gendered Job Titles Affect Job Seeker Attraction," CESifo Working Paper Series 12721, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_12721
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    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General

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