Category: discriminatory interview questions

Exposed Racist Hiring Practices: Was it Intentional or Accidental?

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

Article Discussed | EEOC Stance on Hiring Practices

Questions for Insight on these hiring practices:

1. Is this illegal to specify document your preference based on a protected class?

2. What does it mean to candidates that are qualified based on credentials alone vs the preferences listed on this company’s job opening?

3. What are the implications for this company truly implementing these types of “preferences” for their company?

4. If companies like this “mistakenly” place these preferences out there, can we imagine what the company culture is like?

5. Do you think it was truly the company’s intentions to source for their “preferences” or are the back pedaling because they were exposed due to the illegalities of their hiring practices?

6. How should this company be viewed going forward?

Folks, it’s 2023, and we’re still dealing with the same old story – companies placing restrictions on who can apply for a job based on their race, gender or ethnicity. It’s frustrating, it’s infuriating and it’s downright shameful. By the way, it’s also ILLEGAL! And it just goes to show that despite all the progress we’ve made as a society, discrimination is still alive and well in the hiring process. The latest example of this comes from a recent job ad posted by an IT company that specifically requested a “white male” candidate for their opening. Now, I don’t know about you, but something about that just doesn’t seem right to me. In fact, it sounds like someone needs to get a little lesson in basic anti-discrimination laws and policies.

But the question is, was this intentional or accidental? Did the company truly believe that only a white male would be qualified for the role, or was this simply a case of ignorance and misunderstanding? Frankly, I’m not sure which is worse. What I do know, however, is that this kind of blatant discrimination has no place in the modern workforce. It’s been a long time since people of color, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community were limited in their job prospects due to biased hiring practices, and it’s time for companies to catch up and make the necessary changes.

Now, I’m not suggesting that companies should blindly hire anyone and everyone who applies for a position. Rather, they should evaluate each candidate based on their skills, experience, and qualifications, regardless of their race, gender, or ethnicity.

The fact is that diversity is essential for any organization to thrive. People from different backgrounds, with different experiences and perspectives, bring unique ideas and innovation to the table. By limiting hiring practices to just one group of people, companies are missing out on the wealth of talent and creativity that exists in our diverse society.

So, to the company responsible for this latest example of discriminatory hiring, I say shame on you. It’s time to wake up and get with the times. It’s time to embrace diversity and make your company a place where everyone is welcome and valued. And if you’re not willing to do that, well, then you deserve all the backlash you’re getting.

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When Treating Employees Bad…Goes Left

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

Story on Reddit

Questions
1. Was the employer or the employee in the wrong?
2. What can we learn from this story?
3. My HR perspective on this entire situation and how this could have been avoided.
4. My perspective as a Career Coach how you need to deal with an employer like this.

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4 Illegal Interview Questions & How to Handle Them…Professionally

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

You’re all dressed up, you’ve made it to the interview round and now there’s just one more hurdle: the questions. While some are perfectly legit, others could get you into trouble. Here are four illegal interview questions and how to respond if they come up. (Hint: It’s all about staying professional.)

Looking for a job is hard enough as it is, without running into potential roadblocks along the way – which is why knowing what illegal interview questions to watch out for is key. With that in mind, here are four of the most common ones to watch out for – along with tips on how to handle them like a pro.

So, what exactly are illegal interview questions? They are any questions that related to protected characteristics, such as race, religion, national origin, gender, age, or disability. Asking these types of questions is not only unethical – it’s also against the law.

ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTION #1 – HOW OLD ARE YOU?

ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTION #2 – WHAT IS YOUR SALARY HISTORY?

ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTION #3 – DO YOU OWN A CAR?

ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTION #4 – HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ARRESTED BEFORE?

Illegal interview questions are, unfortunately, more common than you might think. In fact, a study by the Society for Human Resource Management found that nearly 60% of employers have asked at least one illegal question during a job interview. The Fair Labor Standards Act Laws (FLSA) prohibit all types of discrimination based on gender, race and other specified protected classes. To obtain more details, click here.

Fortunately, there are ways to handle illegal interview questions professionally. If you’re ever put in this situation, here’s what you should do:

1. Thank the interviewer for their time and say that you’re not comfortable answering the question because they may be illegal based on FLSA practices.
2. Always start of with the question, “how is this question relevant to the job?“.
3. Respond with a general answer that doesn’t provide any specific information about your protected characteristic. For example, if you’re asked about your religion, you could say that you respect all religions and believe that everyone has the right to practice their own faith.
4. Redirect the conversation back to your qualifications for the job.
5. If the interviewer persists, politely end the interview and contact an attorney or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for consultation.

Although you can never be too prepared for an interview, having a general understanding of what is and isn’t appropriate to ask will help ease your mind. If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being asked an illegal questions, don’t panic. Stay calm and collected and remember that it is more important to maintain professionalism than to jeopardize your career. Finally, if you need additional help or have any questions about how to handle a difficult interview situation, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here. I would be happy to offer my assistance!

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