So London. Job Interview. Third round job interview, down to two candidates and actually a quite intense, competitive affair, with many of the interviews/events being head-to-head against her. Her being the other applicant, an intelligent young lady, about my age, with a frightening degree of knowledge about fungi. Most of it was easy(ish) enough, role play for example - one of you works for “an entirely fictitious environmental pressure group” (a lobotomy, flags and a tall building to climb were, unfortunately, not provided), discuss the benefits of genetically modified crops, with me trying to behave as described in the job description of the position we were both after. The reverse scenario involved me being the science editor of “an entirely fictitious left-wing newspaper which has the tendency to get its letters mixed up and isn’t entirely amenable to the principle of scientific progress” (again, the lobotomy required to play the role effectively wasn’t provided, nor, for me, entirely necessary - I can manage the spelling/grammar screw-ups too) and her being the voice of reason.
It was all good, clean, mentally exhausting fun. Then came another joint point, counter-point session, where we were interviewed together and I had the only question of the day that really threw me; “Dr. Male, we’re committed to being an equal opportunity employer and at the moment only 12% of our staff at this salary grade are female, why should we employ you?”
I gave a rather bland “I believe in the value of the individual, irrelevant of gender or race etc. and that you should employ the best candidate” reply. I didn’t say, “Why is the position free, eh? It’s because the woman that did it before is starting a family, and how long did she hold the position? 18 months. And why did the woman who did it before her leave? Eh? Eh?” apart from anything, I’m sure the employers are aware of it and it does somewhat go against my employ the best person for the job rule.
Disregarding how annoying this was for me, as was pointed out to me yesterday evening, if the woman gets the job, she’s never going to know if she got it because she was the better candidate, or because one of her chromosomes is a bit longer than mine.
I hate discrimination, even if it’s “positive”.
German Phrase For Today: “Frauenanteil erhöhen” – Hmmm
Song playing as this was published: Pizzicato Five “Baby Love Child”
Ahem, before anyone calls you a male chauvinist pig, it’s not just guys that feel this way. I do too.
What a horrible ordeal the whole day sounds to have been. Why do they feel they need to be so ’scientific’ about it? Surely they should just go on gut-instinct - the result would probably be the same, anyway. And even if it wasn’t, it sounds like there’s little difference in the candidates.
As for that question: now that’s just horrible. And seemingly pointless. I wonder if they could provide a proper explanation for why they bothered to ask it. Well, perhaps they were trying all they could to see how much it would take for you to lose your cool. It sounds to me as though you did well. Good luck!
David: I’d rehearsed as many tricky questions as I could before, obviously. I just thought that they might have noticed my gender from the c.v. and the previous interview and I hadn’t considered that “But, but you’re a man!” would come up. Bad preparation on my part I suppose.
EasyJetsetter: Yeah, like your opinions count, you’re just a woman.
I can’t believe that this place made it so obvious they feel they have a ‘female’ quota to fill. If I was the female applicant and I knew that, of course I’d wonder why I had been given the job. And I’m not sure telling me I was the best applicant would convince me.
But I am very impressed with your response to the question. Interviews freak me out and that question would have thrown me. I would have been too indignant to reply. Bravo for keeping your cool - and best of luck!
Gab: The answer is pretty much what I believe - if I like someone they can be male, female, straight, gay, black, green whatever, by the same logic, one can be male, female, straight, gay, black etc and a complete fuckwit. It really is what’s on the inside that counts.
Yes I judge people according to stereotypes - I’ve studied enough psychology to know that that’s how our brains work - they’d explode if they had to process all the inputs they receive without being able to put objects, situations, people etc. pretty instantly into little groups - it’s knowing this and being able to take people out of the pigeonholes and see them as individuals that’s the trick.
Anyway, if I don’t get the job at least I now have something to salve my ego with….
I had this question posed when I was a young republican on tour in D.C. Would I want the job if i got it just because I was a woman. My democratic roots were obvious to all when i shouted out “Hell yes I’d want the job”. Sorry, bud, but call me Ms. 12%. I mean, really, without going into the whole gender equality thing, If the roles were reversed and you really wanted that job and you thought you were capable, would you turn it down because there is a chance the other applicant was better? Would you turn down a job that you got beacuse of a connection? Is getting a job soley based on honor, intellect and ability or are there other factors? I understand your frustration. The situation sucks. Its like a girlfriend leaving you for another woman, no matter how good you perform, you’ll never be a woman and your S.O.L.
jen: On a personal level, I completely agree - give me the job, I don’t care how! But the idea that despite knowing the right people, having gone to the right school, and yes, I did in fact get a tip about the position (and probably some help) from a connection. That’s why I go out and network (that’s a lie. I go out and network for the free champagne and canapés) - the idea that despite all this I might not get the job because of some rules regarding equality, well that’s just wrong!
wheee! free champagene. I like firemen. Vive la france!
i agree with Gab - that was a great answer. i hate interviews and haven’t been for one since i graduated 4 years back…and then i didn’t care how i did anyway, because the world seemed full of opportunities (and i was unafraid, young and foolish). i’d be scared shitless if i had to go through role playing and all that…and to be honest, it seems like such a load of crap to me - i don’t think my ego would be able to survive having to convince someone i’m good enough!!
i’m SO glad i work for daddy!!
EasyJetsetter: Free champagne? Posting at 3:57 a.m.? A little hungover now are we?
rocky: Er, don’t want to talk about it right now.