The Status Trap: Examining Gender Disparities in Skill Signaling on LinkedIn

• In Event: Organizations, Occupations, and Work Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 21: Gender Inequality

Abstract

Existing studies of gender disparities in skill signaling consistently show that men are more likely to report “hard” or technical skills, while women emphasize “soft” or interpersonal skills. This pattern aligns with gender typing theories, which suggest men and women specialize in role-consistent traits. However, we argue that this focus on horizontal differentiation obscures vertical stratification. Building on masculinity, status, and gender queueing theories, we propose that skill signaling is primarily governed by gendered claims to status, not just content. Using U.S. LinkedIn profiles, we show that men are more likely to report skills associated with stereotypical masculine competencies and women are more likely to report those associated with feminine competencies. Yet when skills are distinguished by their status, we find that men are significantly more likely to claim high-status skills than women, even for skills that demand significant communication, relational, and emotional competencies. We conclude with the implications of these findings on persistent gender inequality in the U.S. labor market.

Authors

• Ken-Hou Lin, University of Texas at Austin

• Kim Pernell, University of Texas at Austin