Has this ever happened to you? Have you applied for jobs you knew you could do with your eyes closed---only to be rejected without comment? When you don't get any type of feedback from your letter of application and resume, does it leave you feeling dejected? You want to know why you weren't considered especially when your credentials seem to line up with their job description. You want to know what research they did, if any, to determine who they would weed out. How much did race and age play a factor (in my case)? Of course, we know employers claim they don't discriminate based on race, gender or age but the real truth of the matter is THEY DO. The most common way they discriminate is by determining the "whiteness" of your name. Cody Baker versus LaSchon Jones---get the point. (Source: Forbes). I can't say I've had more than 20 years of experience because that ages me and if I send my resume via gmail the potential employer will clearly see my race because my picture is a part of my profile.
I was attempted to apply for the position again but then I thought about writing this letter to the Hiring Manager:
Dear Hiring Manager:
I see that you recently re-posted the SAME POSITION I applied for several months ago. Obviously that means you either didn't have any applicants you believed were qualified in your applicant pool or the person(s) you selected to interview didn't quite pan out for one reason or another. So now you are re-posting the position in hopes of getting a better crop of candidates.
I was tempted to re-apply because I know I am qualified due to the fact that I am a "strategic thinker and team player..." I also have "superior written and verbal communication skills..." What I DON'T have is a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration Non Profit Management or related field." Obviously, my degree in Journalism is irrelevant.
Ms. Hiring Manager, it would've been nice if you had at least acknowledged my resume the first time around with a note saying something like:
Beverly, Thank you very much for your interest in Book Harvest and the position of Program Director. We have received your materials. We will be considering applications over the next several weeks; we regret that we will not be able to interview all candidates. We will be in touch with you if we need further information. We will notify all applicants once the position has been filled.
Now that was nice and classy and I wasn't really qualified for the position.
Ms. Hiring Manager, I don't want to believe you are using my race and/or my age against me. I would think you would want someone who has enough "experience" for the detailed job description you listed and since your Organization claims to value diversity, one would think you'd want to demonstrate that in your hiring practices. That means offering jobs of value to people of color--instead of the typical office worker type.
Since I don't plan to re-apply for the position I just want to take this opportunity to wish you well in your employee search. Only you know the TRUE REASON I wasn't given an opportunity to interview for the position so may you get what you deserve.
Respectfully submitted,
Beverly Mahone.
