your interviewer has already rejected you, based on nothing more than the way you look. This is a snapshot prejudice; and no doubt about it, it’s chronically unfair.
But let’s face the facts. Along with being illegal in this country, “prejudice” is a very ugly word. And precious few interviewers will ever admit to it openly. Instead, the prejudice is often blamed on a client, or another third party, who isn’t there to refute the charge. This secondhand prejudice can be quite difficult to conquer, even when the interviewer secretly agrees with you that it’s unjust. Learn how to confront prejudice in the executive suite by studying the answers that follow.
69.
At CYT, we have an Equal Opportunity hiring policy. But at the same time, our show covers the beauty and fashion industries. Can you address how well you would fit in with the corporate culture?A.
Well, I’m not a model, and I hope that’s not a requirement for dealing with people in the beauty and fashion business! I’m terrific at scheduling and juggling people’s hectic timetables. I also follow all trends in the women’s fashion publications, read “Page Six” religiously, along with Vogue, InStyle magazine, and W, and have tons of ideas for how we can scout for new talent for your show. I’m on the “A List” at many of the new clubs in town, so I feel confident that I can quickly befriend the up-and-coming stars that we wish to bring on as guests. Lastly, years of going to the gym have strengthened my arm muscles. So when it comes to helping the producer set up camera equipment, I’ll be the assistant producer of his dreams.Why This Technique Works
1. You let your interviewer know that he should review your candidacy without prejudice.
2. Then you cited your skills with panache.
70.
We love women at this company, but our clients are [pick any nationality other than American that is a male-driven society] and so we were thinking of hiring a man for this particular job.A.
Why is that, exactly? It seems to me that I am probably more qualified to handle this position than anyone, man or woman. I graduated cum laude from my class at the university, and I’m fluent in four different languages along with English—which I understand is somewhat unusual among applicants. My father’s career as a diplomat took our family around the world seven times, and I even spent my junior year abroad in the Far East. So I am very familiar with the customs and the etiquette that would be expected of me. I would need far less training than an American man who grew up here and has never traveled outside our borders.Go further. Recount a story about a particular foreign custom that you observed, and how it impacted you. Did your family ever entertain foreign diplomats? Tell you
interviewer about it.
71.
Our clients feel more comfortable with ethnic writers. After all, their products are targeted to the ethnic market. So, while I would love to recommend you for the position, I’m worried that our clients will feel uneasy about us hiring you.A.
Well, Margo, it’s true that I’m not African American or Hispanic. But does that really mean that your company won’t consider me for the job? I sincerely believe that being a great writer requires one major skill beyond being able to string sentences together, and that quality is empathy. I think that, rather than looking at my skin color, your company needs to consider whether or not I can empathize with our target market, and the answer is certainly yes. My advertising campaign for L’Oréal’s line of hair mousses increased sales in urban markets by 65 percent. I also suggested the concept for a line of ethnic lipsticks to the marketing and sales staff of MAC—and it’s performing brilliantly in focus groups right now. I have always identified with ethnic causes, and attended the kick-off party for a new urban radio station in our area two weeks ago.I would hate to think that a company such as yours, which helps market ethnic products, wouldn’t hire me simply because I don’t meet a certain profile. Why don’t you test me out for a month on a freelance basis, to see how well I perform on the job?
Why This Technique Works
1. You’ve hinted that “racial profiling” is wrong, without coming out and blatantly stating it.
2. The company is scared to hire someone who isn’t ethnic. You’ve given your interviewer a way to save face: she can test you for a month and see how well you do on the job.