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Topic: Race/Gender/Not identifying?
| Author | Message |
| jobhunter08 | Posted – 6/24/2008 7:36:23 PM | show profile Almost every online job application "for legal reasons" asks me to identify my race and gender, however I can choose not to identify as well. I have been identifying my gender and race each time, but I can't help but think employers weed out applications based on what people identify, even though they say they don't. Thoughts on this? |
| blossom53 | Posted – 6/25/2008 10:03:04 AM | show profile I'm 1/2 Latino, 1/2 Caucasian, and I NEVER know what to put. I usually find the boxes say, "Check One": and one box says: Latino/Spanish, and another says, "Causcasian," along with 6 other boxes. So, basically, you are asking me to choose between my mother and my father. Where is the box that just simply says, "American?" |
| blossom53 | Posted – 6/25/2008 10:04:47 AM | show profile sorry...caucasian...forgive me, my second Starbucks has yet to kick in. |
| foodlit | Posted – 6/25/2008 11:56:54 AM | show profile No, I don't think they do. That box is just there for compliance reasons. Companies need to show that they are making efforts to be diverse and considering all candidates. |
| Louisewasnothalfbad | Posted – 6/25/2008 1:27:12 PM | show profile So pick "other" and be done with it. Or don't check any box. Not a head scratcher. |
| gimmemags | Posted – 6/25/2008 2:04:47 PM | show profile Real talk I'm black and I NEVER put my race or any race identifiers on my resume. I do have a girl's name so I can't really help that, but you never know who gets to see your resume first sometimes, especially when you're sending it online, into an HR black hole. Your actual editors and coworkers may be free of that kind of outward bias, but hiring managers, maybe not so much. I only use the identifiers, however, when I am applying for something specific to it. i.e. for progressive/liberal-bent pubs, I will use identify myself and in the past, I've done work with pubs and organizations that took a specific interest in black people. Otherwise, leave it out. And good luck. |
| justthefactsman | Posted – 7/7/2008 9:34:26 PM | show profile If it wasn't true, it would be funny. I rarely put my ethnicity down, I rather it be a surprise to the interviewer when I show up. My mother was careful with my name too, making sure it was as racially ambiguous as possible. It make be really paranoid, but I removed all of my pictures and reel from my website, blog, and any pages. It's hard enough to get a job, I'd rather not be discounted because of whomever they think I am before I walk through the door. I need to eat too! |
| mkelly | Posted – 7/8/2008 8:27:01 AM | show profile As a hiring editor I can tell you... Yes, companies include this question to comply with Labor Department rules and regulations; otherwise, we wouldn't be smart enough to ask it. The only weeding out I've ever noticed is some editors at large newspapers try to guess which job applicants are minorities, since the industry is always scrambling to hire more minority reporters. Even then, this is rare, and usually you just look for the resume that includes 'National Association of Black Reporters' or something like that. If the OP is subtly trying to provoke a discussion on racism, I can also say that subject is a bit tired here. Try whipping up a discussion on age discrimination instead, since that really is rampant, with everyone trying to guess an applicant's age based on when he or she graduated from college. |
| foodlit | Posted – 7/8/2008 9:29:49 AM | show profile As an fyi, if you are a minority, and that includes just being a woman, it actually benefits you to make that information known. As companies are being scrutinized and have to show that they consider a diverse slate of candidates, this can give you edge in at least getting an interview, then go in and wow them. |
| jobhunter08 | Posted – 7/8/2008 3:03:51 PM | show profile I am not trying to have a discussion on racism. I've just been wondering the best method to answer this standard inquiry. |
| intraining | Posted – 7/8/2008 4:39:31 PM | show profile Thanks for clearing that up foodlit. In the past I was skeptical about filling out that information, but these days I have no qualms. Lots of companies recruit for diversity and if that gets me a foot in the door, all the better! I once interviewed for a company that was ECSTATIC I was a minority. It left me feeling a bit uncomfortable because although I was qualified (and yes, I did get an offer), I couldn't help feeling like the token. |
| beachbum | Posted – 7/8/2008 5:53:09 PM | show profile I know for a fact of 2 jobs I got b/c I'm a woman of Spanish descent. So I guess in my case it helps to give out that info. |
| WordyBird | Posted – 7/8/2008 9:37:11 PM | show profile One day the human race will be evolved enough that you won't be able to tell a person's race or gender by looking at a piece of paper, and no one will have to try to guess so that they can comply with idiotic quota laws. So much for my idealism. |
