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To the African Americans on the board, would you find this offensive?
I am often asked about the diversity of the town I live in while interviewing for jobs.
Now I am from Charlotte so I'm used to a big city with a lot of diversity. The small town I live in now has about 3000 people and I haven't seen one Asian person or Hispanic person (other than the one family who owns the restaurant) since I moved here. I hate it. When asked about it's diversity I've often said
"It isn't. I'm used to a bigger city with lots of diversity. This town is very small. About 3,000 residents. I think there may be 5 people who aren't white in the entire town. You probably wouldn't want to go there looking for diversity. That's part of why I'm interested in this position in ___insert whatever city__. I'm from Charlotte originally so I'm looking for a larger more diverse city"
Several times there has been an African-American man (though one was British or actually African due to the accent) as the head of HR and I've wondered if that was offensive to them. I mean the town isn't diverse at all but I fear saying that might paint me in a bad light. But if you researched it on the internet you'd see. Wikipedia says it's 9.71% other races.
Would you find that offensive? If so, how would you say it so that it comes across differently--without just outright lying about it? Thanks for any help
I've been asked it in 5 or 6 interviews so far. Office manager positions, HR positions. I'm currently part time with a military contractor so mostly it's retired military guys that interview. Apparently it's a common question with Why do you want to move?
7 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavorite Answer
I wouldn't take anything that you wrote in your question offensive. You're only stating that the town, that you now reside in, is not very diverse...I don't know how someone would find that offensive...don't worry.
- 1 decade ago
I do not understand what the diversity of the city you are moving from has to do with whatever job you are interviewing for? This is actually a racially biased question on the part of the interviewer. There are certain questions that a potential employer cannot legally ask you, and I'm not sure, but I would think this would be one such question. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the job you are interviewing for.
If an interviewer asks you about "diversity" which I don't believe they should in the first place; I would tailor my answer to such things as lack of cultural events, better opportunities, that sort of thing, and not even broach the "race" issue. You are wanting to go to a bigger city for a better chance at opportunity and advancement, not because it has a certain ethnic percentage. That is/should not even be an issue. When they ask why do you want to move? That is why you want to move, for better job opportunity, and that should be a sufficient enough answer in response to their query. I would advise not to even bring up the issue of race.
- 1 decade ago
It takes more than 3000 people to demonstrate diversity. A town of 3000 is likely firmly in the grasp of the "old guard."
- Integra Type RLv 61 decade ago
what sort of jobs are you looking at where a HR person would ask you that? It seems highly irregular. Generally all HR people care about is YOUR diversity so they can meet the BS govt forced quotas.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
I live in a town of 600 in NW PA. We have 0 blacks, 0 hispanics and ALL are white. That's why i moved here. It's just like Mayberry !!! Everybody is so nice here and we all treat others with respect. You won't find that in ANY big city anywhere and i've lived in plenty of them.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
WTH
