Should I or shouldn't I??

[HOPE1000]

What is the name of your state? Illinois

I am a black woman who is working for a huge non-profit organization for the past 6 years. I have a Bachelor degree in computer information systems. I have applied for many positions with-in the company. I was denied some of those position because lack of experience, which I agree the people who receive the positions had more experience. A few months went by and three entry-level positions were posted on the company web site and I applied for all three. A few of my co-workers also applied for two of the positions. A few weeks went by and my co-workers were getting calls for interviews. I didn’t get a phone call for an interview. My manager finally called the manager and I got an interview. I found out one of my co-worker did get the job. My problem is that the co-worker who received the job doesn’t have a degree, no experience in the software that needed to be supported and no project management knowledge. The same thing happen again to me just weeks apart from the first rejection letter, but the person who got hired had less qualification and was hired from the outside. Our CIO stated a year ago that during the re-organization that they will try to fill all positions with people inside the company first, and if they can’t fill the positions will re-post the job for people on the outside to apply.

I have spoken to the HR director and he is investigating the allegations. He is interviewing the manager and the panel that interviewed me. So far they claim I lack the qualifications, which is false. I am suppose to meet with the HR director and the CIO two weeks from now. My questions is this, I also applied for another position around the same time I submitted my resume for the other jobs. They have started the interview process and I haven’t been contacted. I am also qualified for this position that requires a Bachelor degree and technical knowledge. I just found out that a co-worker with less skills have received an interview. Should I bring this up to the HR director now or just sit on it to further prove my claim?

Also, thank-you for any information you can give me.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Just because you have a degree in computer information systems, are black and are losing positions to people YOU consider not as qualified as you are, there could be other indicators that you don't know of that provide an incentive for the company to hire the others.

Lack of experience is not always a sign post of competence.

Continue in your current path but don't be surprised if the company answers your concerns with personal and/or financial concerns of their own.

Being black isn't carte blanch to claim discrimination. Neither is being mexican, irish or catholic. And a degree from one university is worth more than if it is achieved at another.

 

[HOPE1000]

I have always recieved good evaluations, always done more than what is required of me at work. So when is it considered discrimination?

Thanks for the reply...

 

[BelizeBreeze]

When you can PROVE that you are being denied because of your race. And from what you've posted you may be more valuable to the organization in your present position.

 

[Beth3]

I see nothing wrong with mentioning to the HR Director that another opening has occurred for which you have applied and appear to be qualified but no interview has been scheduled.

As to your larger concerns, there are any number of legitimate reasons as to why you haven't been selected and/or interviewed for these opportunities. Those need to be ruled out before deciding race is a factor here. There are often many more skills that determine whether someone is qualified for a job than simply technical abilities.

 

[HOPE1000]

My manager and the project leaders tell me all the time how valuable I am, but they all know that I am capable of doing much more and they want me to succeed outside my current position. I don’t have visual or verbal proof of discrimination. The proof I have is my experience and observing the company minority ratio. I don’t believe in Affirmative Action but I do believe in diversity, which this company is really lacking.

Thanks.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

My manager and the project leaders tell me all the time how valuable I am, but they all know that I am capable of doing much more and they want me to succeed outside my current position. I don’t have visual or verbal proof of discrimination. The proof I have is my experience and observing the company minority ratio. I don’t believe in Affirmative Action but I do believe in diversity, which this company is really lacking.

Thanks.

In that case, and I think Beth would agree with me, I think it's time you moved on to someplace that would appreciate you.

 

[HOPE1000]

Beth before I went to speak to the HR department I did my own investigation. I really like this company so I didn’t want to actually believe my own findings at first. The first time I spoke to the HR director he couldn’t tell why me I was not chosen except for lack of qualificaition which argue and he agree. He then offer me a another position within the company. I decline because it wouldn’t be right, there could be someone with more qualification then me who actually deserve the job that is being offered to me. I just want the company to look at there procedure, they have unqualified people on the panel doing the hiring.

Thanks.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Beth before I went to speak to the HR department I did my own investigation. I really like this company so I didn’t want to actually believe my own findings at first. The first time I spoke to the HR director he couldn’t tell why me I was not chosen except for lack of qualificaition which argue and he agree. He then offer me a another position within the company. I decline because it wouldn’t be right, there could be someone with more qualification then me who actually deserve the job that is being offered to me. I just want the company to look at there procedure, they have unqualified people on the panel doing the hiring.

Thanks.

I have to be honest with you. After reading that last post I wouldn't hire you, much less promote you with such attrocious English skills. And that's an honest reply based solely on what you wrote.

Could that be part of the problem?

 

[HOPE1000]

I am sorry about the English, but I'm trying to get as much information out to you guys as fast as I can. Maybe I shouldn't even bother, sorry I wasted your time.

Thanks

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Against my better judgement I'm going to answer your last post. Then I'm done with you.

You came here with an intelligent, well thought-out situation from which your premsis was solid. As the answers came and you progressed, your posts became more defensive until the last post where I could barely read and comprehend what you intended to say.

And all through this thread you have defended yourself without any provable facts regarding your qualifications versus other employees. Until now, I was on your side at least to the point of making a career decision based on what you preceived as discrimination.

But then your last posted was purely incompetent and hardly understandable and I merely pointed out that even with a college degree such would not be tolerated in working for me. It doesn't matter if it took you five seconds or five days to prepare. It was not up to professional standards.

And instead of correcting it or offering more information to explain it, you strike out defensively to the only two people who have tried to help you.

Now I can understand why you are being passed over for promotion. It all comes out in the wash.

 

[Beth3]

So they offered you a promotion and you turned it down on the basis some other unidentified employees might be better qualified? I don't get that at all.

If they have unqualified people on a panel doing the interviewing, that's not discrimination - it's just incredibly bad management (unless they're making their decisions on the basis of race, gender, age, etc.)

I have no idea if race is a factor or not. As I said, there are many other factors involved in deciding who to hire and promote - communication skills, interpersonal style, the ability to get along with others, the ability to deal with difficult people/users, professionalism, attendance, initiative, etc., and there can be some intangibles as well. Telling an employee he or she is not "qualified" can often be a non-specific way of informing a candidate they're just not a fit for reasons other than their technical abilities. On the one hand, the employee may benefit from knowing what those are; on the other hand, such discussions can be very awkward and easily degerate into an unpleasant debate.

Before you jump to the conclusion race is the issue (and I'm not saying it's not), I suggest you ask the HR Director for candid feedback on why you aren't being selected for these openings. It's entirely possible there are reasons that have nothing to do with your race.