#USA #Atlanta #Byron Veasey #Locked Out #DEI Disruption

New Book Reveals Barriers for Black Tech Professionals

In his groundbreaking new book, Locked Out, Byron K. Veasey, a seasoned career strategist, sheds light on the three significant barriers hindering Black mid-career technology professionals from successfully entering the job market. This comprehensive guide addresses the pressing issues of algorithmic bias, unconscious bias, and the rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts post-2020, providing actionable strategies to help navigate these obstacles.

Understanding the Triple Barrier

Veasey's analysis presents what he refers to as the Triple Barrier — a combined effect of automated filtering systems, biases present in the recruitment process, and the systematic dismantling of DEI frameworks. According to Veasey, these barriers operate simultaneously and often go unnoticed by those outside the affected demographic.

He emphasizes that many Black tech professionals are not failing their job searches due to a lack of qualifications or effort; rather, they are sidelined by a system designed to overlook them. "This book gives them the blueprint for navigating a process that was built around someone else,” he explains.

Research-Backed Insights

Veasey supports his assertions with compelling data from various audit studies documented within the book. For example, he reveals that resumes with Black-sounding names receive markedly fewer callbacks compared to identical resumes with names perceived as white. This disparity remains consistent, even after candidates pass through automated tracking systems (ATS).

Furthermore, he examines the significant rollback of DEI initiatives in recent years, highlighting that Black professionals accounted for approximately 26% of layoffs in major corporations in 2023, despite representing only 7% of the tech workforce. This statistical evidence underscores the urgent need for a tailored approach to address the systemic obstacles faced by Black job seekers.

A Comprehensive Approach to Job Searching

Locked Out includes a four-part framework designed to help readers diagnose the specific challenges influencing their job search outcomes. This framework encompasses:
1. Barrier Identification: Recognizing which part of the job application process is affecting success rates.
2. Psychological Reframe: Addressing the emotional toll prolonged job searches can have on individuals.
3. Tactical Strategies: Developing ATS-compliant resumes, activating professional networks, navigating interview biases, negotiating salaries, and making informed career transition decisions.
4. Long-term Resilience Framework: Instituting five pillars to foster career resilience against future disruptions.

Addressing Organizations Directly

Veasey also includes a pivotal chapter aimed directly at organizations, presenting the business case for implementing structural changes that foster equity and improve overall corporate performance. By employing insights from McKinsey's Diversity Wins research, he articulates how equitable practices can yield competitive advantages and measurable returns on investment.

He mentions, "Most diversity conversations are centered on moral imperatives, while this chapter speaks directly to what organizations understand — competitive risk and market positioning."

Conclusion

Locked Out is not just a resource for Black tech professionals facing discrimination in hiring but serves as a comprehensive toolkit for organizations aspiring to create fairer job markets. Now available in both paperback and Kindle formats on Amazon, this groundbreaking work marks Byron K. Veasey's first foray into authorship and is poised to make waves in the intersection of career strategy and social equity.

For more information about the book and Byron’s work, visit Career Strategies.