One memory of an incident when I experienced bias was when I applied for an Administrative Coordinator position online. I believe the hiring of this position was bias because I wasn't contacted for an interview. All I received was an email stating:
To whom It May Concern:
Your application for the Administrative Coordinator, is greatly appreciated. Your qualifications, along with those of other applicants, were very competitive. However, the search has concluded and the hiring department has selected a candidate whose qualifications appear to meet its current needs...
This incident diminish equity in that there wasn't any interviews conducted, and the email was sent out unprofessionally. I felt like this was unfair and unjust treatment in selecting the candidate for the position, and that the person hired was already employed in that business. From experience, I know that in the school system I work, they have to post the available position, but many times someone in the system has already been hired for that position prior to the posting.
In order for this incident to be turned into an opportunity for greater equity, I think every candidate should be given an opportunity for an interview, in order to get to know the candidate personally and professionally, instead of drawing conclusions from an online application.
Carol,
ReplyDeleteI have also had a similar experience. For some companies it is pointless to apply because they already have preselected the candidate they want. However what would you do if you were the one hiring and already knew who you wanted to hire. Would you interview all candidates or continue with online applications?
Carol, I understand how you must have felt. It does seem as if the organization just went through the formalities in case there was an investigation. Best wishes in your future endeavors.
ReplyDeleteCarol, this is a frustrating practice. Due to legalities companies often have to "go through the motions" of posting when they already have someone in mind. It is terribly hard because it gets others hopes and dreams up only to be dashed without even a thought. I have found that this is an especially difficult hurdle in the early education field!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck and thanks for sharing!
Tammy
Like many others, I have had a similar experience. When a was an assistant director of a child care center, my boss had a baby and didn't return to work. I applied for the position and wasn't even interviewed. I certainly met and exceeded the qualifications the Board set forth, but all I got was an email telling me I did not meet the qualifications. It was aggrevating and i am not sure what reason they had to exclude me.
ReplyDelete