Ask Sandi

This past weekend I was accused of discrimination. I couldn’t believe it. I am one of those love-your-neighbor kind of people who pretty much gets along with everyone. This came from a job candidate for one of our positions.

She told me that my refusal to meet with her in person was discriminating against her for being unqualified. Last time I checked, unqualified was not a protected class.

What I actually told her was that I did have several candidates who were a closer match to the skills we were looking for. Since I was responding to her by email, she took the liberty to tell me “You shoud” several times and proceeded to let me know that it was difficult for people like her to find a job if people like me would not interview them.

Recruiters have to discriminate between the qualified and the unqualified. We get more resumes for candidates than we can possibly interview or hire. I have one position and we have screened it down to five very well qualified people.

I want to use this example as a reminder to target your search, apply for positions you are qualified for (entry level is a little different), and never tell a recruiter how to do their job if you want to work with their company.

It is hard for us to make the choices and take the risk on candidates, being adversarial is never a good idea. Always be positive. And, while it is OK to ask to be reconsidered, let it go if you are not.

Take care and best wishes-

Please send any questions you have regarding employment to:

[email protected]

Fax: 407-260-2949

Mail: Ask Sandi C/O Christian HELP

450 Seminola Blvd, Casselberry, FL 32707

Our goal is to answer many of the questions you may have about your employment search, resumes, networking, promotion opportunities, and other employment related questions you may have.

Note to employers: If you email your job leads to [email protected], we will share your job openings with Christian HELP clients.

Until next time-

Sandi

Sandi Vidal is the executive director for Christian HELP and the Central Florida Employment Council. She has more than 15 years of recruiting and human resources experience. Visit the website at cfec.org