My story from the front line
I recently applied and was shortlisted for a leadership position. This was a position I could do alongside my main career. The final stage of the recruitment and selection process included a short presentation on a pre-set topic and the usual competency-based interview with an interviewing panel.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions this was all done remotely online. After turning up on the virtual platform and stumbling into the interview room to face the panel, as I expected I was faced with a panel of individuals very different to me on many fronts. They had been interviewing for a few days now for the position, as I flicked my camera on there appeared to be a sheer look of amazement to see me in the room. Still very polite and warm with their smiles they continued. The chair led the process, introduced the panel and the structure of the interview. He then went to pronounce my foreign name and he actually did a good job, considering it was the first time he probably said such a name. He even asked if it was the correct pronunciation of my name. I could sense he was stumbling through the process trying not to get it wrong. Then the next thing he asked was: Is ‘Hushneara’ your Christian name? The dreaded trap of religion in the recruitment process! But what if I am not Christian, I thought to myself. I understood he was doing his best not to cause offence. I smiled back and didn’t get into the religion topic. I understood he was referring to my forename and that was good enough for me.
Soon after I completed my presentation, the only woman on the panel eagerly smiling at me went in for the kill and just addressed what was visibly the ‘elephant in the room’. Without them explicitly saying I understood I was clearly someone very different to the other candidates. I understood that candidates interviewed and selected for such roles were usually white middle aged/old men, usually middle class, with a good 30 years in industry under their belt. I clearly did not fit that category, but I felt I was just as capable of that role and someone else did too, to shortlist me. For me to get 30 years under my belt I would have had to start in primary school. Nonetheless, we had an open discussion about Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), and it was lovely to hear how passionate this panellist was about EDI. We may have looked different, had different experiences but understood the struggle. The struggle of EDI implementation is real.
During the interview I outlined all the reasons why I was capable for such a role; I held the skills, experience, characteristics and qualifications. I said I had worked hard to be where I am today. They asked me to elaborate. Where do I start?…I gave it a go! I explained as a woman of colour, first generation in the UK, along with my family, I have had to adapt to new environments, a mixture of cultures and expectation. As an individual and as a family we found our own culture in modern day Britain. In addition to that I grew up in poverty, which someone would now classify as a ‘socially economically disadvantaged’ background. As a result, I did not necessarily have as many opportunities some others may have had. I have had to break down cultural and structural barriers to be where I am today. The panel seemed somewhat intrigued to hear my experiences, views and outlook on life. My experiences and outlook were just very different to theirs and perhaps people around them.
However, for everything my background is, it may not necessarily be a bad thing. I can understand how a child or adult may feel experiencing poverty, how it affects every aspect of your being in addition to how the world looks at you. I understood how my mother struggled to adapt to the language, systems and processes in the UK. On many occasions during my childhood I was my mother’s interpreter in settings such as medical and official appointments. These experiences provide you different lenses to view the world. You, may like me, find strength from such struggles. Today, when I see individuals struggle at the hospital desk to explain themselves in English it reminds me of my mother and her struggles. That person may be speaking in broken English but let that be a reminder to us that they have mastered another language!
We proceeded on with the interview, I was asked a few of the usual questions and then another killer question came out…how would you deal with a situation having to work at senior level with a team of men? I smiled and answered the question with a question: Is this not what many of us women do every day? However, I understand the further you go up the organisational hierarchy less women, less BAME and even fewer women of colour are found. It concerns me that we could be moving forward potentially with half a generation, if not more left behind. I don’t think this interviewer’s question were to cause offence but raise the task at hand, what I call ‘the teething’ and the ‘growing pains’ in the area of the equality, diversity and inclusion…people getting use to seeing women, the BAME and other groups covered by EDI taking seats at decision making tables.
I could see the beauty in the transition of thinking and interviewing panel’s genuine attempt to make me feel welcomed. This era is not about getting everything right on day one. It is more about getting started, laying a few bricks, working through the process and watching the house being built.
Many individuals I know from ethnic minority communities, women in leadership and other groups covered by EDI is that they are wonderful, hardworking and resilient beings. Their experiences are ones which may shake you when you hear them. At the same time their stories and characteristics provide richness and strength, which benefit the workplace. In the spirit of equality, diversity and inclusion people from different walks of life should be welcomed and treasured for what they bring to the table.
For those of you walking into rooms like I did that day, remember there are some great people are out there on the other side of the fence waving a flag for you. I haven’t heard back from that role just yet but whatever the outcome it was a pleasure to be part of such a process.
