After a year of pandemic-induced uncertainty, tech hiring is roaring back. Companies that paused recruitment are opening requisitions. Headcount targets are aggressive. For employers committed to diversity, 2021 presents an opportunity to build teams that should have been built years ago.
The Hiring Landscape
The numbers tell the story:
- Tech job postings have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels—and beyond
- Competition for talent is intense across engineering, product, and design
- Salaries are rising as companies compete for candidates
- Remote work has expanded the available talent pool
Companies that froze hiring in 2020 are now racing to catch up. The war for talent has resumed.
The Diversity Opportunity
This hiring surge creates a unique opportunity for diversity:
More Positions to Fill
When companies hire one person, demographic patterns tend to repeat. When companies hire many people, intentional diversity efforts can shift team composition.
New Hiring Practices
Many companies are rebuilding recruiting processes post-pandemic. This is the moment to embed diversity into systems, not bolt it on later.
Remote Talent Pools
Geographic constraints previously limited candidate pools. With remote work normalized, companies can access diverse talent regardless of location.
Available Talent
Women who stepped back during the pandemic are re-entering the workforce. Career changers who used lockdowns to reskill are job-ready. The talent exists.
What Smart Companies Are Doing
Engaging Diverse Communities
Rather than posting to generic job boards and hoping, companies are partnering with organizations like WomenHack that aggregate diverse candidates. Our events connect employers directly with talented women actively seeking opportunities.
Revising Job Requirements
Inflated requirements exclude qualified candidates. Companies are questioning whether CS degrees are really necessary, whether years-of-experience thresholds make sense, and whether job descriptions use inclusive language.
Structured Interview Processes
Unstructured interviews favor candidates similar to interviewers. Companies implementing standardized questions, clear evaluation criteria, and diverse panels see more diverse hires.
Setting Explicit Goals
What gets measured gets managed. Companies setting explicit diversity targets—and holding hiring managers accountable—achieve better outcomes than those relying on good intentions.
The Competitive Advantage
Research consistently demonstrates that diverse teams outperform:
- Gender-diverse executive teams are 25% more likely to achieve above-average profitability
- Diverse teams make better decisions 73% of the time
- Companies with inclusive cultures have 30% higher retention
Building diverse teams now creates advantages that compound over time.
For Job Seekers
2021’s hiring rebound benefits candidates too:
- More opportunities are available
- Companies are competing for talent, not the reverse
- Remote options provide flexibility
- Negotiating leverage has increased
If you’ve been waiting to make a move, the market favors action.
WomenHack Events
WomenHack continues connecting talented women with employers who value them. Our virtual events allow participation regardless of location. Our speed-interview format creates efficient connections.
As hiring accelerates, so does our event calendar. Whether you’re an employer seeking diverse talent or a candidate seeking opportunity, we’re here to connect you.