Is it just me or is it easier for males to get a job?

[almaty 19]

i think it depends on the job...and the amount per sex that go into the field..nurses..mainly female.social workers..mainly female...IT..mainly geeks

Edited February 16, 2006 by almaty2004

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

i think it depends on the job...and the amount per sex that go into the field..nurses..mainly female.social workers..mainly female...IT..mainly geeks

"geeks" is a gender all of its own, eh?

[Fischkoepfin 1]

Also depends on the age. If you're a woman between 20-40, chances are you might decide to have a child. If you're married, chances of pregancies are even higher. Having a child does not help either. It's not like your employer is allowed to ask you these questions so they pretty much assume - based on your age group - that you want to have children. It sucks, but at least you know once you have a job that a possible pregnancy has already been considered.

As to interviewing skills, it's really helpful to do mock interviews just to get a feel for it and to develop confidence. It's also useful to have some questions for the interviewer (not how much will you pay or how much vacation would I have). Finally, preparing for an interview is a job in itself; get to know as much as possible about your prospective employer and think of ways your skills would benefit the company.

You might also want to revise your resume and/or cover letter if you feel your application is not being considered.

[SOlcayto 0]

Thanks everyone for the great tips. I actually got the job that I'm at now by asking tons of questions like: " How would you describe the corporate culture here" "Cultural diversity is important to me, how important is it here" (They like that one bc I'm a white chick asking about it, lol, but it's true, I do find it important) "How many employees are here" "Do you like working here" "How much potential is there to move up" "How often is there in-house promotions as opposed to bringing someone in a managerial or supervisor type position from the outside" This was probably my best interview and I have been stuck here for 2 years so I know I'm rusty again, lol.

I am trying to break into a new field, so I know I need to interview really well to make up for the lack of experience. I'm trying to get into editing or proofreading or anything to do with writing. The only thing I really have going for me at this point is I have a degree in French and English, but as far as experience goes, not much.

Anyone else make a drastic career change and found success? Or what problems did you run into?

SOL

P.S. Karo, you know I got some attitude, it just takes a break during interviews for some reason, lol.

[britbird 4]

No problems here...I would like to think it's because I have excellent degrees from excellent universities and have fantastic references, but more and more I am realising that it's actually because companies like having someone with a prep school English accent working for them. I am nothing but ear candy!

[SOlcayto 0]

You're an accent #######, just handing it out like that, shame on you!

SOL

(Actually I would do the same thing, lol)

[almaty 19]

i think it depends on the job...and the amount per sex that go into the field..nurses..mainly female.social workers..mainly female...IT..mainly geeks

"geeks" is a gender all of its own, eh?

yes sir!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Also depends on the age. If you're a woman between 20-40, chances are you might decide to have a child. If you're married, chances of pregancies are even higher. Having a child does not help either. It's not like your employer is allowed to ask you these questions so they pretty much assume - based on your age group - that you want to have children. It sucks, but at least you know once you have a job that a possible pregnancy has already been considered.

I've been in hiring positions in four different companies here so far and not once have I ever considered any such thing nor have my employer encourage any such consideration.

[kc456 0]

Also depends on the age. If you're a woman between 20-40, chances are you might decide to have a child. If you're married, chances of pregancies are even higher. Having a child does not help either. It's not like your employer is allowed to ask you these questions so they pretty much assume - based on your age group - that you want to have children. It sucks, but at least you know once you have a job that a possible pregnancy has already been considered.

I've been in hiring positions in four different companies here so far and not once have I ever considered any such thing nor have my employer encourage any such consideration.

I have not found this to be a consideration at all.

I mostly agree with Agent Smith that men have more self assurance, while women are more realistic about their capabilities (i.e. they don't brag as much). I'm not saying it against men, but I think women should be more assertive in job search / presenting their accomplishments.

[Fischkoepfin 1]

Also depends on the age. If you're a woman between 20-40, chances are you might decide to have a child. If you're married, chances of pregancies are even higher. Having a child does not help either. It's not like your employer is allowed to ask you these questions so they pretty much assume - based on your age group - that you want to have children. It sucks, but at least you know once you have a job that a possible pregnancy has already been considered.

I've been in hiring positions in four different companies here so far and not once have I ever considered any such thing nor have my employer encourage any such consideration.

I have not found this to be a consideration at all.

Of course, it doesn't happen everywhere, but it has happened and continues to happen. Otherwise, there wouldn't be a law about it or informative resources on the web. Furthermore, because there is a law about it, noone in a hiring position would admit that a potential pregnancy would be considered a reason not to hire.

An FAQ on the topic.

An article offering some examples.

Edited February 17, 2006 by Fischkoepfin

[daisy16 0]

Maybe there is still discrimination against women. I wouldn't discount that at all.

However, I have also observed, from personal experience interviewing candidates, that many female applicants lack interview skills. Many do not, but many do. Among male candidates, however, interviewing skills are usually more well developed. And that actually makes my job harder, which is why I actually prefer interviewing women, lol.

For example, I could not begin to tell you how many times I've asked a woman if she's currently working on any projects on her own time or studying a new technology .. anything.. and had her say, point blank, "no". Men never say no, they try to bullsh!t me and some of them are actually pretty good at it.

I find it fascinating that BS is preferred over honesty! However, I do understand what you are getting at. You want someone with self direction, and continued learning. At the same time, many women still maintain a majority of household responsibilities and child care. We find it difficult to take 10 minutes for ourselves, let alone do something like take a course, etc.

I think that men are better at BS in certain situations. And of course women have their own areas of BS expertise

[ChristinaM 0]

Sol, if you would like someone to take an objective look at your resume, please PM me and I'll give you my email addy. I know I'm a Brit and had to revamp my CV into what you guys consider a resume, but I spent a lot of time doing it and got a lot of valuable advice.

I was offered both of the jobs I interviewed for, but I also sent in a lot of letters and didn't get anything back. It seems to be an "all or nothing" thing.

I also strongly recommend the book "What Color Is Your Parachute?" - it might give you some additional ideas.

Christina

[CarolineM 0]

Accent ####### - I love that.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Also depends on the age. If you're a woman between 20-40, chances are you might decide to have a child. If you're married, chances of pregancies are even higher. Having a child does not help either. It's not like your employer is allowed to ask you these questions so they pretty much assume - based on your age group - that you want to have children. It sucks, but at least you know once you have a job that a possible pregnancy has already been considered.

I've been in hiring positions in four different companies here so far and not once have I ever considered any such thing nor have my employer encourage any such consideration.

I have not found this to be a consideration at all.

Of course, it doesn't happen everywhere, but it has happened and continues to happen. Otherwise, there wouldn't be a law about it or informative resources on the web. Furthermore, because there is a law about it, noone in a hiring position would admit that a potential pregnancy would be considered a reason not to hire.

Firstly, there are many useless laws on the books. To argue that there must be a wrong because there's a law to deal with it is not very convincing. After all, rumor has it that in Tennessee it is against the law to drive a car while sleeping...

Secondly, consider that since it is not only against the law but also against a reasonable sense of human decency to deny a position to a qualified female solely for the reason that she may become pregnant at some point in the future, many individuals in hiring positions will not make that a part of their consideration and decision.

Lastly, gotta ask yourself: Would you really want to work for an employer where such consideration is actually made during the hiring process? What would that mean for your prospects of being rewarded and promoted for your hard work?

I'm not saying that this doesn't happen at all. Prejudices exists and will continue to exist no matter how many laws are written to deal with the consequences of them. But I do not believe that discrimination against female applicants of child bearing age is a systemic and/or widespread problem in the US today.

[ChristinaM 0]

Secondly, consider that since it is not only against the law but also against a reasonable sense of human decency to deny a position to a qualified female solely for the reason that she may become pregnant at some point in the future, many individuals in hiring positions will not make that a part of their consideration and decision.

Lastly, gotta ask yourself: Would you really want to work for an employer where such consideration is actually made during the hiring process? What would that mean for your prospects of being rewarded and promoted for your hard work?

I'm not saying that this doesn't happen at all. Prejudices exists and will continue to exist no matter how many laws are written to deal with the consequences of them. But I do not believe that discrimination against female applicants of child bearing age is a systemic and/or widespread problem in the US today.

And I think you're wrong. With the rising cost of healthcare, the inconvenience to an employer (especially a small one) of covering even a short maternity leave and the fact that regardless of the fact she's working outside the home, a woman still typically bears the brunt of much of the childcare and housework, it's a serious consideration for employers - legal or not. If they think you're going to be carrying baggage, they will find a way of shutting you out of the position. It is still a widespread problem in the US, no matter how much well-intentioned men say that equality has been reached in terms of attitudes to employment.

But no, I personally would not want to work for a company with that attitude.