I recently applied and was interviewed for an Executive Director job which my career has been leading up to. I did very well in the interview. I was humble, competent, and committed to being honest. During the question, there were a few pointed questions about certain experiences I had not had because I had not had the opportunity to form those experiences. My response was that "everyone has there first day on the job" and I explained how these are skills that can be learned.
I did not get a second interview. I was never informed that I was not going to get a second interview although I though I did an excellent job in the interview. There was someone I knew as part of the selection committee. This person unofficially let me know that I would not be getting a second interview and kept me updated on the process.
They eventually selected a candidate. I was never informed that I was not getting a second interview or anything. I even sent a thank you card!
As I reflect on this experience I am angry. I am hurt. I am frustrated. I have worked extra hard my career to prove my abilities to people in power who just have a lot of assumptions about me. I have worked hard to curate a variety of experiences to set me on a track for advancement so I can have a bigger impact. None of that was recognized in my interview. What this person shared with me about my interview was that the committee liked me and wished they had a job for me, but I was "not ready" for the job I was applying for. For the sake of "fairness", this person did not challenge what the committee said.
After the second round of interviews of two white females, the board chair really advocated for one over the other. The board chair also mentioned that while the candidate he liked lacked some skills, she could learn that and everyone starts somewhere. The person I knew. did not challenge this. He did not even draw a parallel to what I said in my interview that the board chair is now using to help justify his position.
It is interesting that minorities are held back because they may lack a specific experience, but a white person is given the grace and it is recognized that they can gain the experience. A person with marginalized identities has to be better than good. They almost have to be overqualified to be considered remotely qualified for a position.
I am not saying that the person who they picked is not qualified or should not have been picked. This has nothing to do with that person. I am trying to figure out - what can be learned here. I think this is a lesson in allyship. The person I know had the opportunity to challenge the other selection committee's thoughts about my abilities, but that person chose not to. Not maliciously - there was a thought to make things "fair" for the other candidates. However, we live in an unfair world and because of my intersecting identifies I am not seen as competitive or equal to white candidates. I could have amazing experience, but that experience is not seen as valuable or equal. My skill set is not the "right" combination or as good as the white candidates.
If the person I know chose to be an ally, I do not think the outcome would be any different. I do not think I would have been offered a second interview. I do not think I would have been offered the job opportunity. Allyship is not always about changing people's minds or creating opportunities, sometimes it is hyping up someone with marginalized identities when they are not in the room. It can look like challenging thoughts about their skills and experience. There is too little representation at top positions for people to believe that a non-white person can do the job when they don't fit the exact mold.
Again, while I am significantly disappointed about the experience and feel anger, this is not about the feelings. My feelings are valid and I can feel them. What I am calling attention too is the lack of allyship and why it is important.
Whenever and always, white people need to be an ally for people with marginalized identities. The system is biased against them. Neutrality or trying to be fair always favors the status quo.
