JOB SEARCH TIP: There is bias in the hiring process (and workplace)—a story from Dr. Clifton

Don Clifton was at a national sales meeting of a client. He heard people whispering about a man across the room. Although the man had on a nice sports coat and tie, he apparently had made a faux paus with his socks…

They were white.

Don found out later that the man with the white socks, although ridiculed, was outstanding. In fact, his hecklers didn’t know that later that day he was being honored at the meeting.

Don deemed his peers suffered from “glare”, where in this instance they were evaluating this gentleman wearing white socks which, of course, has absolutely no relationship to his productivity and success.

If Don was alive today, he wouldn’t call it glare; he would call it bias.

Sadly, there is way too much “glare” in the world of work, too much bias, including in the hiring process.

We must fight against this bias; resist it. As job seekers, some of you may face it because:

~ Of your age

~ Of your gender

~ Because you are a person with a disability

~ You are unemployed

~ Of your sexual orientation

And, three months after the death of George Floyd in my hometown, there is bias because of your race.

Let’s name this—it is bias.

Photo is of Don and me in 1982. I miss him.

#jobsearch #careers #bias