FIND MORE, DO MORE, REVEAL LESS

Abstract

Understanding the relationship between gender and technology demands more than simply tracking the numbers of women and men online or lists of their activities. Gender theorists call for more research into how and why women perform certain online activities, emphasizing the role of identity and the importance of context on perceptions and behavior. In order to examine the influence of gender in everyday online activities, this project examines women's perceptions of the internet within a specific context: looking for a job. It asks, how do perceptions of the internet influence women's techniques and strategies in navigating gender barriers and affordances in a job search? Interviews with 20 women looking for jobs online reveal that associations between gender and technologies and between gender and occupations can affect the job search process at various stages, including how and where people look for jobs, which jobs they apply to, and feelings of confidence and interest. Three characteristics of the internet emerged as central to women's strategies for navigating gender associations: (1) the volume and range of information online; (2) productivity and efficiency; and (3) anonymity. These characteristics are aspects of the ways in which the internet can both improve and limit women's online job searches.

Keywords:

• gender
• internet
• job search
• information-seeking
• identity
• employment

Notes

These data were collected during the spring of 2005. Internet tools and trends change rapidly, and overall, the scope of web-based tools, especially social networks, has changed significantly since 2005. The research presented here must be understood within the context of this rapid change. However, job-seeking tools per se are largely the same as they were when these data were collected: large job-seeking sites such as Monster.com have made few changes to their search interface and company web sites continue to offer job listings, online applications, and basic company information. Overall, the business of searching for jobs has not changed significantly since this study was conducted.