When you’re looking to hire, you’re required by law to be fair and not favour certain kinds of people. That starts with the job ad itself. You can make sure these adverts are as fair as possible so that everyone gets a chance. It also represents your company in a modern recruiting environment.

You also gain the benefit of increasing the number of candidates that apply for your roles!

We’ve collated the best software that removes bias from your job descriptions, so you don’t have to spend hours going through them manually.

You care about how easy they are to use, how much they cost, and whether are they worth the investment.

The Gender Bias Decoder

It’s a free tool developed that analyses text for potential gender bias. It identifies and highlights language that may reinforce gender stereotypes and offers suggestions for more inclusive and unbiased language. However, using the tool alongside human judgment and critical thinking is essential, as it may identify words in context-specific nuances which aren’t biased.

Cost:

FREE

Pros:

• Increased awareness: The tool can help individuals and organisations become more conscious of potential gender biases in their written communications.
• Promotes inclusivity: By highlighting gendered language, the tool encourages more inclusive and neutral language, fostering a more equitable environment.
• Saves time and effort: The software can quickly analyse large amounts of text, saving time and effort compared to manually reviewing and identifying potential biases.
• Provides suggestions: The tool often offers alternative, gender-neutral language options, helping users immediately improve their text.

Cons:

• Context limitations: Gender Bias Decoders may not fully understand the context or intended meaning behind specific language usage, leading to false positives or negatives.
• Over-reliance on software: Depending solely on the tool without human judgment and critical thinking can overlook specific nuances or cultural variations that require human interpretation.
• Subjectivity and bias in suggestions: The tool's recommendations may not align with every individual's or organisation's preferences or cultural norms, potentially introducing a different form of bias.
• Incomplete coverage: Gender Bias Decoders may not capture all forms of bias or types of gendered language, leaving room for improvement in their accuracy and scope.

How would you benefit from using this platform?

Using a Gender Bias Decoder tool has several benefits for companies. It promotes inclusivity, attracts diverse talent, and reduces risks. It improves the candidate experience, drives innovation, and enhances the company's reputation. However, it's important to remember that human judgment is still needed to effectively address the tool's limitations.

Textio:

Textio is a software platform that uses AI (Artificial Intelligence) and NLP (Natural Language Processing) to analyse and improve job descriptions for inclusivity and to reduce bias. It provides real-time feedback, suggests alternative language, predicts posting performance, allows real-time editing, and tracks performance metrics.

Cost:

Textio does not offer a free trial or free version. Pricing is not available.

Pros:

• Intuitive suggestions: Users appreciate Textio's intelligent suggestions, which have improved their writing by providing helpful phrases and language choices.
• Easy job descriptions: Textio makes it quick and effortless to compose job descriptions, with automatic suggested phrases that save time and streamline the writing process.
• User-friendly: Users report that Textio is easy to use, even for employees with limited writing skills.
• Eliminates writer's block: The software's real-time suggestions help users overcome writer's block and get started on their writing.
• Automatic editing: Textio provides real-time editing suggestions, leading to improved writing quality.
• Candidate database: Users appreciate the searchable database of candidates that Textio provides.

Cons:

• Inaccurate suggestions: Some users have found that Textio's recommendations are only sometimes accurate or useful, which can slow down the writing process.
• Disappointing integrations: There were a few complaints about the limited integrations with other systems, particularly applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Customers enjoy using Textio and find value in its features. It has helped improve the quality and efficiency of their writing. However, some have experienced issues with inaccurate suggestions and desired better integrations with other software systems. It's recommended to consider your specific needs and requirements before deciding if Textio is the right fit for your organisation.

How would you benefit from using this platform?

Using Textio can help businesses create more inclusive, engaging, and effective job descriptions that attract a diverse range of candidates, leading to improved recruitment outcomes and a more inclusive work environment.

HireVue

HireVue is a software platform used for video interviews and assessments in the hiring process. It allows employers to conduct virtual interviews, assess candidates' responses using AI, and collaborate with hiring teams. The platform offers features like pre-recorded or live video interviews, assessment tools, and integration with other HR systems. And it supports over 37 languages!

Cost:

HireVue does not offer a free trial or free version. Corporate pricing for companies with 2500-5000 employees starts at £29K. A demo must be requested to receive a quote.

Pros:

• Streamlined employment process and efficiency in candidate screening.
• Flexibility for candidates to complete interviews on their own time.
• Convenient and cost-effective, eliminating the need for travel.
• AI analysis and assessment tools provide valuable insights.
• User-friendly interface and easy to navigate.
• Excellent customer support.

Cons:

• Potential connectivity issues and technical glitches.
• Concerns about the lack of face-to-face interaction and body language assessment.
• Data-intensive and may require significant internet data usage.
• Limited ability to redo or edit interview questions.
• Integration with other systems, like ATS, may have room for improvement.

Overall, users appreciate HireVue's convenience, time-saving features, and ability to screen candidates effectively. However, there are concerns about the limitations of video interviews and potential technical issues.

How would you benefit from using this platform?

HireVue helps businesses streamline and optimise their hiring process, saving time and costs, expanding their candidate pool, and making more informed and data-driven hiring decisions.

UInclude

The tool leverages research findings and powerful algorithms to make recruitment materials more inclusive and inviting. It offers data-driven solutions through scientific research, statistical analyses, and human behavioural studies. The algorithms are sensitive and extensive, capable of identifying subtly harmful language that may be overlooked in many job ads. Finally, the tool provides thorough and comprehensive textual analyses, highlighting content and themes that convey inclusivity and exclusivity.

Pricing:

Basic plan: £82 per team/month if paid annually, £103 per team/month if paid monthly. Standard, Pro and custom plans are calculated based on a request. UInclude offers a free trial!

Pros:

• Intelligent Candidate Matching: UInclude offers an innovative matching system that helps teams resolve hiring problems they've been facing for a long time. This feature could enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the recruitment process.
• Unbiased Results: The software helps to eliminate bias in hiring, leading to more diverse and fair results. This unbiased approach can contribute to a healthier work environment and society.
• Problem-solving Capabilities: UInclude assists with hiring difficulties for various candidates, especially when little knowledge about their specific skills exists. This feature helps to ensure that the right people are selected for each position.

Cons:

• Limited User Base: As a new tool, UInclude may lack a broad user base, limiting its community support, extensive real-world testing, and the availability of a wide range of user reviews. This feature could make it harder for potential users to understand the software's strengths and weaknesses comprehensively.

How would you benefit from using this platform?

UInclude is a new tool that can help companies hire the best people. It's good at matching the right jobs with the right people. It also makes sure job ads don't favour one group over another. This feature ensures that more people can see themselves in these jobs and apply. Though UInclude does not have a vast clientele yet, it carries the potential to become an incredibly helpful tool for companies wanting to be fair and diverse in their hiring.

Data People

Data People is a job description management software aiming to refine recruitment. It aids users in crafting inclusive, clear job descriptions with appropriate titles and realistic requirements, reducing candidate confusion and broadening appeal. With built-in bias guidance and standardized templates, the software promotes diverse recruitment. Its Chrome extension integrates easily with your applicant tracking system. Leveraging data from numerous job outcomes, it supports teams in writing unbiased descriptions, tracking demographic progression, and making data-driven decisions. By automating workflows, it boosts productivity, shortens hiring time, and optimizes ROI.

Price:

They offer a free trial. Pricing is not available.

Pros:

• Intuitive & Accessible: Customers appreciate the platform's intuitive and user-friendly interface.
• Actionable Suggestions: Data People offers actionable suggestions to improve job descriptions, such as changing passive to active voice.
• Inclusive Job Postings: The tool aids in writing more inclusive job descriptions, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies.
• Performance Scoring: The scoring system allows users to compare and improve the quality of their job ads.
• Integration: Data People integrates well with other recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking System) platforms.
• Regular Updates: The platform is continually updated to serve its clients better.
• Consistency: The platform enables a consistent style and structure across all job descriptions in a company.

Cons:

• Suggestions May Not Always Make Sense: Some customers found that the suggestions for improvement could sometimes be inappropriate or nonsensical.
• Not Always Accurate: The AI doesn't always accurately identify crucial information, such as reporting lines or working arrangements.
• Too Strict Scoring System: Some users found that the scoring system is too strict, especially for technical roles, which can be discouraging.
• Inflexibility: Certain requirements, such as the need for a location in the title or including specific diversity rules, are not always relevant or necessary for every job or industry and may even be counterproductive.
• Possible Dilution of Content: There is a risk of diluting job advertisements if every recommendation is accepted without thought.

How would you benefit from using this platform?

The software promotes high-scoring job descriptions that can attract 2-4 times more candidates. These descriptions can boost the number of candidates reaching the phone screening stage by 50-92% and increase interview-stage candidates by 30-100%. Importantly, these optimized listings can also double the number of female applicants, and double the offer rate for female candidates, fostering more diverse talent pools. (Disclaimer: Data is taken from Data People’s website).