SafeApply

Inspiration

The inspiration for Safe Apply came from the need to address the issue of bias in the hiring process. We recognized that unconscious bias can affect a recruiter's decision-making and that it often disproportionately affects women. Personally, as women in tech who are applying to internships during our undergraduate studies, we suffer from this problem. We wanted to create a solution that would promote equity and inclusivity in the hiring process by allowing job seekers to apply anonymously.

Here are some information we gathered:

In a study conducted by Harvard University, researchers found that job applications with male names were rated higher than identical applications with female names, despite the fact that the resumes were identical.

A survey by Pew Research Center found that 42% of women in the workplace have experienced some form of gender discrimination. Of these women, 22% said they had been paid less than a man doing the same job, and 16% said they had been passed over for a promotion in favor of a less-qualified male colleague.

A study by LeanIn.org and McKinsey & Company found that women are less likely than men to be hired into entry-level jobs, and they are more likely to face obstacles to advancement. The study also found that women are less likely to receive the first promotion to manager than men, which can have a long-term impact on their career trajectory.

Bertrand, M., & Mullainathan, S. (2004). Are Emily and Greg more employable than Lakisha and Jamal? A field experiment on labor market discrimination. American Economic Review, 94(4), 991-1013. https://doi.org/10.1257/0002828042002561

Rudman, L. A., & Glick, P. (1999). Feminized management and backlash toward agentic women: The hidden costs to women of a kinder, gentler image of middle managers. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 77(5), 1004–1010. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.77.5.1004

Pew Research Center. (2017). Women and leadership: Public says women are equally qualified, but barriers persist. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2017/03/08/womens-leadership/

LeanIn.Org & McKinsey & Company. (2019). Women in the workplace. https://womenintheworkplace.com/

What it does

Safe Apply is a web app that allows job seekers to apply for jobs anonymously while emphasizing more in their talent. To achieve this, we encrypt all identifying information to help recruiters make fair and unbiased hiring decisions in the initial screening process. This not only helps eliminate unconscious bias but also encourages employers to focus more on a candidate's skills and experience.

In addition, our app also includes learning resources section to increase unconscious bias awareness among recruiters, promoting a more inclusive and diverse hiring process. This helps to address the root cause of bias and discrimination by educating employers on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

How we built it

We built the UI prototype using Figma. For the frontend of the app, we used React.js to create a responsive and user-friendly interface. For the backend, we utilized Python and Django to handle the server-side logic and database management. We also integrated various APIs and libraries to enhance the app's functionality.

Challenges we ran into

We encountered issues with integrating multiple technologies and ensuring compatibility between different components of the app.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud of the impact that SafeApply can have on promoting equity and reducing gender bias in the hiring process. By creating a more inclusive and diverse process, we hope to encourage employers to hire based on talent and qualifications, rather than unconscious biases or discriminatory practices. We are also proud of the design and functionality of the app, which we believe provides a user-friendly and secure experience for both job seekers and recruiters.

What we learned

We gained experience in developing web applications, integrating multiple technologies, and collaborating effectively as a team.

What's next for SafeApply

In the future, we plan to expand the features of *SafeApply * to include more resources and tools for recruiters. We also want to explore the possibility of integrating machine learning algorithms to further reduce bias in the next stages of the hiring process (video interview). We made a customized Avanade safe Apply, ultimately, we hope to see *SafeApply * implemented, helping to create a more equitable and inclusive hiring process.

You can try our app using the source code here (instructions provided in the README): link