All I wanted for Christmas was a true fair shot at every single interview I’ve already been to.
The job market has become increasingly tough post-graduation and it’s no secret that a bachelor’s degree feels like a high school diploma redo despite the money and sanity most college graduates pour into their education. Job postings can feel daunting (I.E. MBA preferred, entry level position with 5 years of experience, list your work experience with no internships please), but what’s even worse is feeling rejected or even a legitimate candidate before the process is over based on factors you will never be able to change.
1. “I should’ve relaxed my hair last night so my roots could be perfectly straight right now.”
I’m looking a little more disheveled than I intended to be and my god I can’t ever imagine the scrutiny if I ever decided to go natural. I don’t have the Beyoncé type money to keep this going.
2. “I didn’t see anyone who resembles me in the lobby or passing all these cublicles to the conference room.”
This is always a pet peeve of mine. I know plenty of people who look like me and are as qualified as me, but I can’t seem to find them when I show up for an interview. There is always talk of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, but sometimes I still can’t see it.
3. “I’ve interviewed with a manger, executive, and director. Why are they all male?”
I am always bugged by this one the most. Do they think women are inferior or that the work experience of women does not speak for itself enough to find a candidate that would wear a dress in the office versus a collared shirt and tie? Can they not really find a woman with the same qualifications to work at the management and executive level? Are those voices not important enough to be featured in board room conversations and for the benefit of the changing landscape of the workforce?
But seriously, where are the women to help drive the work force? How are you gaining new perspective and continuing to be diverse if you don’t even have women to turn to and provide insight? You can’t solve a woman’s issues in the workplace, if you don’t have women around to tell you what they are.
4. “Why have they stopped paying attention to my answers to questions?”
Body language tells a great deal about what people are feeling or more importantly, how someone else feels about you. Uninterested and slightly glazed over eyes have sometimes been the reception to my answers. If I’m boring a superior at a company, then odds are that I won’t be on your first list of candidates, correct? Can you at least pretend to be interested in what I have to say and then reject me in a nicely worded and HR approved email?
How far have we truly come, If I can’t see the results in action?