Monday, November 16, 2009

Being single and looking for a job... Does it really, really matter for a recruiter?

This seems to be a tragicomedy but for some recruiters interviewing single candidates, they seem to "conclude" beforehand that such candidates could be "immature" for the job or... gays?





Being myself single (but 100% straight of course...), I faced once an awkward situation when a recruiter (a really pretty but unexperienced young lady) "concluded" that I was "suspect" because I'm single which made me smile but in the end I couldn't apply for the job. (Discrimination for not being married?)





I'm not talking about sexual preferences (I love women) but the fact is that being 30 or 40 something and single... Could be a "handicap" for men looking for a job? How to handle this situation during a job interview?





Thank you for your replies.

Being single and looking for a job... Does it really, really matter for a recruiter?
Actually, being single and having no dependents can be a major plus. Yes, it may be inappropriate for the interviewer to ask about, but there is nothing wrong with the candidate working it into the conversation if it could be helpful.





You can offer that since you have no children at home, you are flexible to work extra hours when needed, travel if required, etc.





If you want to make it clear you are hetero (if you feel a need to do so), during the small talk portions of the interview, you can mention that over the past weekend, you and the girlfriend saw a movie you enjoyed, or that you had a really nice meal at blah blah blah restaurant with a nice woman you met a few weeks ago.





It may be really wrong and possibly illegal, but sometimes recruiters know that the company or organization they are recruiting for will not accept a gay candidate. So even though they are not supposed to make it a factor, they are conscious of it.
Reply:I have been involved in many interviews on both sides and I would deem her question unethical to ask. Basically your sexual preference and personal life should never come up in an interview. If you brought it up or volunteered the info, then I wouldnt do that anymore! Some interviewers, although unethically, do ask leading questions in an attempt to get the person to give up personal info without coming out and asking straight forward. Avoid personal talk during an interview, if that situation does come up again, make a stink about it, because it is not ethical interviewing. The young lady should get a course from her superiors on how to conduct herself during the interview. So in summation, avoid personal questions, and if they ask them, kindly respond that you prefer to keep interviews professional and not personal, the interviewe should get the picture that you aren't messing around and may even like that you are professional.
Reply:Depending on the country or state, these kind of questions are not allowed. I am 50 never married, have not dated since high school. I was a chef in Canada for 30 years and found being single allow me to go where I wanted to including Jamaica.





Some recruiters, like singles, both men and women, they can pick up and go, no family ties, no moving costs and the spousal issues are not going to interfere. Try international agencys, if your willing to travel, and leave any issues of marital status til your hired.





Try to posted resumes with as many as possible to get it spread around

blue tooth

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