This tech company posted a job ad seeking 'preferably Caucasian' applicants is all over the internet

Implicit bias is a huge problem when it comes to hiring. Studies have shown that a wide range of identifiers (or assumed identifiers) can lead to people passing over resumes or interviews; for example, if you have a name that’s seen as difficult to pronounce (by white people), or wear certain hairstyles, you’re less likely to make it past the resume stage, much less get a job offer.

Unfortunately, this often happens in the subtext. Meaning it’s hard to prove why you didn’t get a job, especially in a competitive market. One company, Cynet Systems, made it incredibly easy to prove. How? They shared a job listing that literally said their desired candidate is "preferably Caucasian." 

Yikes.

Cynet Systems, which does information technology staffing and recruiting, is based in northern Virginia. The job in question was based in Tampa, Florida, and the position was for an unnamed pharma company. The position was for an “account manager,” who would be, as we all learned, “preferably Caucasian.” Sigh.

It’s unclear how many days the ad had been up with that discriminatory (and illegal) phrasing. What is clear, however, is that it took the company about two days to respond to the social media outrage.

Cynet Systems has, as of now, apologized for the job listing. Before their apology, the job had been posted on numerous sites, including LinkedIn, and ended up going viral on Twitter. It’s since been removed from the aforementioned job sites.

from Daily Kos http://bit.ly/2GKk9We