Do I Have A Case Against This Company I Interview With?

[PolkaHero]

I had a job interview last week with a company located 65 miles away. I found out at the interview that there were actually two positions open as someone else had left between my application and the interview. I was one of 10 people interviewed for the two positions. Today I received the usual rejection email with no explanation why I wasn't considered further.

In the original job posting, it said that females and minorities were encouraged to apply yet the company stated they are an EOE. I met and exceeded all of the qualifications for either job and thought the initial interview went really well, but I'm white and male.

Do I have a case concerning job discrimination here? Would do you guys suggest I do? I feel like calling the company controller to at least get some feedback (it was an accounting position). Man, I really hate the state I live in (Mish&*gan). You guys have no idea how difficult it is to find gainful employment in this state.

[anyonefortennis]

Everytime I get a rejection letter, I send the "was it something I said?" email. Just asking, politely, why they made their decision.

As far as having a case, doubt it. Most states are "at will" states. They don't need a reason to fire you or not hire you.

Feel for ya man, jobs are hard to come by these days. Hope something shows up soon.

[Selta]

IMO, nope, not a case at all.

[jmattbassplaya]

Doubt it. Just because you met and exceeding all expectations doesn't mean someone else didn't either.

[jrthebassguy]

I interned with the EEOC in college...I'm by no means an expert or a lawyer but I got pretty good at studying cases and figuring out what does and doesn't fly.

Sadly you don't have much of a case, even if your race/gender had something to do with it, because it's really friggin' hard to prove, unless there is documented evidence of an email or voice-mail between HR and a manager among the lines of "Let's not hire that guy, we really need to have a woman or minority instead." Even then, you really would have no idea if something like that even existed.

Was the interviewer or person in charge of hiring both a different race or gender than you? If the answer is yes to both, you have a sliver of a chance the EEOC might want to hear your story. If you were interviewed by another white person, male or female, you have absolutely no case whatsoever.

[PolkaHero]

Originally Posted by jrthebassguy

Was the interviewer or person in charge of hiring both a different race or gender than you? If the answer is yes to both, you have a sliver of a chance the EEOC might want to hear your story. If you were interviewed by another white person, male or female, you have absolutely no case whatsoever.

The controller that interviewed me was a white female, probably a few years younger than me (early 30s). She probably thought that me being a single male, I would "disrupt" the office setting.

I'm still entitled to some constructive feedback though, right?

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by PolkaHero

The controller that interviewed me was a white female, probably a few years younger than me (early 30s). She probably thought that me being a single male, I would "disrupt" the office setting.

I'm still entitled to some constructive feedback though, right?

Sure. You can always politely ask why you didn't get the position. Just curious, why would she even know whether or not you're single?

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by PolkaHero

I had a job interview last week with a company located 65 miles away. I found out at the interview that there were actually two positions open as someone else had left between my application and the interview. I was one of 10 people interviewed for the two positions. Today I received the usual rejection email with no explanation why I wasn't considered further.

In the original job posting, it said that females and minorities were encouraged to apply yet the company stated they are an EOE. I met and exceeded all of the qualifications for either job and thought the initial interview went really well, but I'm white and male.

Do I have a case concerning job discrimination here? Would do you guys suggest I do? I feel like calling the company controller to at least get some feedback (it was an accounting position). Man, I really hate the state I live in (Mish&*gan). You guys have no idea how difficult it is to find gainful employment in this state.

Why should they have hired you instead of someone else? When I hired people, I considered a lot more than their qualifications on paper.

A number of years ago, we were looking for a full-time IT person. Two candidates emerged. One was a young (20-something), relatively inexperienced guy with no degree. The other was older (30-something), and had much more experience and a strong resume.

The young man had a personality and gave the impression he would do whatever was necessary in the job. The older guy had a big head. I hired the younger guy. It was one of the best hires I ever made.

You don't have a right to a job just because you apply and are qualified. No, you don't have a case. In fact, as an employer, people who share your views really annoy me.

[Radical Edward]

Originally Posted by anyonefortennis

Everytime I get a rejection letter, I send the "was it something I said?" email. Just asking, politely, why they made their decision.

As far as having a case, doubt it. Most states are "at will" states. They don't need a reason to fire you or not hire you.

Feel for ya man, jobs are hard to come by these days. Hope something shows up soon.

Michigan is indeed an "at will" employment state. It's unfortunate. But yeah, you always have the right to ask why they didn't consider you. You never know, maybe they would reconsider you if you call and see what's up. If you don't mind going through temp agencies, Manpower has helped me out in the past and I would highly recommend them.
Best of luck in your search.

[EricF]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Why should they have hired you instead of someone else? When I hired people, I considered a lot more than their qualifications on paper.

A number of years ago, we were looking for a full-time IT person. Two candidates emerged. One was a young (20-something), relatively inexperienced guy with no degree. The other was older (30-something), and had much more experience and a strong resume.

The young man had a personality and gave the impression he would do whatever was necessary in the job. The older guy had a big head. I hired the younger guy. It was one of the best hires I ever made.

You don't have a right to a job just because you apply and are qualified. No, you don't have a case. In fact, as an employer, people who share your views really annoy me.

+1. All of it.

[elgecko]

Originally Posted by PolkaHero

The controller that interviewed me was a white female, probably a few years younger than me (early 30s). She probably thought that me being a single male, I would "disrupt" the office setting.

I'm still entitled to some constructive feedback though, right?

I would consider having gotten the interview, which are hard to come by these days, as very fortunate and everything else icing on the cake. You're entitled to nothing.

But hey, this is America. Demand whatever you want!

[Selta]

Originally Posted by elgecko

But hey, this is America. Demand whatever you want!

And when demands don't work, lawsuit time!!!

[cheezewiz]

The interviewer probably read your SVT VR thread

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by PolkaHero

The controller that interviewed me was a white female, probably a few years younger than me (early 30s). She probably thought that me being a single male, I would "disrupt" the office setting.

I'm still entitled to some constructive feedback though, right?

What you are entitled to is, "I'm sorry, we hired someone else." Why would the employer expose themselves to the liability of saying something to you that you and your sense of entitlement would take to a lawyer in an effort to extract some cash off their bottom line?

It would be even worse if they hired you. It's much harder to get rid of "entitled" employees than it is to not hire them. Especially if they are a member of a "protected class" (female, over 40, disabled, non-white). I would guess that you are at least one of those.

[tastybasslines]

No.

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by PolkaHero

Do I have a case concerning job discrimination here?

Are you serious?

-Mike

[pickle]

lol is this thread a joke? By the attitude your putting across in this thread its no surprise you didn't get the job. As an employer if you came to an interview with me with and attertude of "i deserve this job because of..." i wouldnt even consider you. Confidence is good arrogance and self entitlement is a big no no.

[bmc]

Originally Posted by PolkaHero

I'm still entitled to some constructive feedback though, right?

Entitled is a very strong word. You may not wish to convey this in your post, but you almost sound like you feel entitled to the job.

You applied. You were fortunate enough to be considered for an interview. Someone else got picked.

I recently went through a hiring process and one of the candidates wanted to know why we didn't pick him. It was simple. There was someone who either best matched our needs, or did well in the interview leading us to believe he would be a better fit.

Everybody should make their resume an outstanding sales tool. Regardless of ones qualifications, when you hire, you want someone who fits. Fits the atmosphere, has the personality that jives with the place.

Move on.

[bmc]

Originally Posted by pickle

lol is this thread a joke?

+1

[mmbongo]

If that's honestly how you think, then that's probably the reason why you didn't get the job.