I went to a job interview yesterday

[TwixVoy]

I went to a job interview yesterday at a major corporation. I applied to be an administrative assistant, and passed all their required testing last week. I was told I had excellent scores, that I was very qualified, and that they were sending me to interview.

I didn't really think much of it yesterday, but I have been thinking about it today.

One of the interviewers made a comment that "We only have one other african american working here, but don't worry everyone is really nice". The other made a comment that "Wow we don't have many male administrative assistants".

At the end of the interview I was told I have the job after the background check is done. We shall see.

I didn't think much of these comments at the time, but I have to wonder. Surely they wouldn't be so stupid to end up discriminating against me and denying me the job after bringing up my race and sex?

If I somehow end up not being hired after I was told I was told I was well qualified I may file an EEOC complaint.... I don't know, maybe they were just innocent comments like they sounded like? But it makes me wonder.

[Berry Cool]

1. If you're not hired, definitely look into it.

Those were dumb comments for the interviewers to make.

[B Calm]

2. I hope you get the job!

[RevCheesehead]

3. Maybe I'm reading your post incorrectly,

but it sounds like they may be hiring you because you are a male african-american? Affirmative action?

[PDJane]

4. It would make me wonder, too........

And yes, if you don't get the job, make sure to document who said what, in case the court comes along.

[Yunomi]

5. Good luck with the job!

Background checks can be a bitch, though. A (Gay) friend of mine went through exactly the same thing, was told he had the job pending a background check, then didn't get it because his credit was bad. There are plenty of other things to trip one up these days. They just sound kind of stupid and clueless to me, not bigoted.

[WhiteTara]

6. would they have been so flattering if

they were going to discriminate? Don't people usually stutter around and say they many applicants with your qualifications and they would get back to you? Good luck with the job.

[gateley]

7. I always think those who make statement like that aren't racist or sexist --

just kind of dumb, otherwise they wouldn't have said anything. If your initial reaction was that they were innocent comments, you're probably right. Go with your gut feeling.

And I hope you get the job, and for the record, I've worked with a black male administrative assistant before -- in North Carolina of all places!

Good luck! :hi:

[applegrove]

8. Good luck. I hope you get the job.

[lonestarnot]

9. My ears would be laid back too.

[yodoobo]

10. Well you got the job offer

So far you have the best possible outcome and have achieved what you wanted at the interview.

Sounds more like someone spoke before thinking.


The other possibility is that this person wanted to telegraph that you got the job because of affirmative action. If so, that's rather rude but I don't think its discrimination and probably not actionable.