Survey: 90% Stay Silent on Unconscious Bias by Interviewers, Leading to Talent Loss

XTalent Inc., operator of the career service 'withwork' for working parents, conducted a survey on gender bias in recruitment. As labor shortages rise, securing top talent is increasingly difficult. The survey reveals a 'silent withdrawal' where unconscious bias and inappropriate communication by interviewers lower candidate interest, preventing job offer acceptances. Key findings show 57% of women reported gender-based remarks, while 44.8% of men were asked about family circumstances. Such remarks heavily impacted female candidates' interest, especially regarding marriage, childbirth, and gender roles. Despite feeling uncomfortable, 90% of candidates do not report it to the company. Reasons for silence include fear of disadvantages in the selection process (41% of women, 29% of men) and already deciding to decline the offer. The remarks increasing withdrawal risk relate to a lack of respect, gender assumptions, and expressions of concern. To address this issue, XTalent will host a free online webinar on July 14, 2026.