9. Yeah I Can't Relate...

I'm tired of companies saying they pride themselves on being diverse, and then everyone looking the same and/or coming from similar backgrounds. I had an interview experience this week that turned me off from the company due to a lack of connection with the interviewers. Of course, I don't expect everyone to relate to my experiences or look like me. I want to expand my horizons with people and understand the importance of doing so.

As I write this, I realize why I left the interview, feeling how I did. The position is for sales, and the company prides and looks for employees who have grit and are willing to work hard. Which is standard, they have commission style pay, and if you aren't ready to put in the work, then you aren't going to be as successful as you can be. I have no problem with that and honestly find that appealing. I have a strong work ethic and a hustle mentality and felt confident I was a great candidate. Especially with my experiences; If I can make money or seek a better opportunity, I'm doing it. Of course, this is my biggest strength and my biggest weakness because I have a hard time saying no and then find myself with too much on my plate. But in the end, I know the situation I put myself in will always work itself out.

From the beginning of my college journey, I have always held a job while attending school full-time. There have been multiple times I held two part-time jobs (sometimes working a little over 40 hours a week) and balancing school. Having that schedule honestly is so crazy to me, and I have no idea how I did it at times.

Going into this interview, I understood the importance of having this hustle mentality and displaying my experiences to show for it. During the interview, the interviewer stated that they did not have to work during their four years of college. This is where they lost me. Now that I am reflecting on my feelings, I realize I immediately questioned their character.

Granted, I do not know their life story, their other achievements, or struggles while in college. The way they said it rubbed me the wrong way. That comment made me feel like I would most likely be unrelatable in the office, but I know I would blow them away with the hard work and effort I have. This was a reality check and realized that, unfortunately, the workplace isn't as diverse as I had hoped it to be by now.

First-gens, people with different backgrounds and experiences are in the frontier of that change. I'm excited about the future. I think about the day I hire for my team and providing a welcoming experience that will make candidates comfortable and have a sense of belonging. As I continue to interview for post-grad jobs, I realize I might have similar experiences to this one, and it's okay. It may be uncomfortable, but creating this disruption is necessary and will help create a better inclusive workplace for future candidates!

Thank you for reading! I hope you can continue to create and support the change we so desperately need to see in the professional world. Make sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram :)