Asked to claim to be a citizen on a job prescreen

[Flowercandy 0]

Hey

 

Not certain if this is the right forum for this but it is work-related. Been struggling to find a job and finally got invited for prescreen for a job. However there was a specific question in this prescreen along the lines of "Are you a US citizen with a birth certificate or a passport" to which I obviously answered no (I have a GC). Answering no to this disqualified me from continuing the screen. 

 

I asked the recruiters there how come it was possible as the initial job application online only asked if I am authorized to work in USA which I am. The first person told me to just answer yes to the question and I said no (twice). The second recruiter told me this is a glitch in their system which only can be avoided by answering yes. They tried to tell me to answer yes even after saying no.

 

This was by no means I-9 and even after doing some research online I couldn't find any info on something like this... But it must not be legal to answer yes even if it is only a prescreen? I am honestly a bit discouraged as this was the best lead in a while but I didn't feel comfortable with lying. I don't even know how a glitch like that is a possible as I would imagine that disqualifies a lot of people (the company hires thousands yearly). 

Edited January 23, 2018 by Flowercandy
Words

[pink_niru 41]

37 minutes ago, Flowercandy said:

Hey

 

Not certain if this is the right forum for this but it is work-related. Been struggling to find a job and finally got invited for prescreen for a job. However there was a specific question in this prescreen along the lines of "Are you a US citizen with a birth certificate or a passport" to which I obviously answered no (I have a GC). Answering no to this disqualified me from continuing the screen. 

 

I asked the recruiters there how come it was possible as the initial job application online only asked if I am authorized to work in USA which I am. The first person told me to just answer yes to the question and I said no (twice). The second recruiter told me this is a glitch in their system which only can be avoided by answering yes. They tried to tell me to answer yes even after saying no.

 

This was by no means I-9 and even after doing some research online I couldn't find any info on something like this... But it must not be legal to answer yes even if it is only a prescreen? I am honestly a bit discouraged as this was the best lead in a while but I didn't feel comfortable with lying. I don't even know how a glitch like that is a possible as I would imagine that disqualifies a lot of people (the company hires thousands yearly). 

Normally all companies acceptGC people unles they have special requirements of citizen due to type of job...u should be fine...

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

  People have been denied citizenship for ticking yes to that ,  If they job if for the government they will keep records. 

 

            

Edited January 23, 2018 by NigeriaorBust

[TBoneTX 45,567]

You did the right thing by refusing to answer "yes."  The company might need to be reported to the government for (?) soliciting fraudulent information.  In no way should this serious of a "glitch" be present within their system, let alone condoned by recruiters.

[debbiedoo 2,339]

There are certain jobs (usually government related, or tied closely TO it) that require citizenship.

 

MOST jobs only need you to prove your RIGHT to work in the US (such as green card)

 

Some of the positions my fiance is (more than) qualified for, require citizenship. He's debating on whether or not he wants to do that, but we still have a long road to go down before stressing about it.

[milimelo 4,505]

Good that you answered no and didn’t follow what recruiters asked you to do (claim to be a USC when you’re not). 

 

I’d go back to them and ask for your application to be emailed to them since they have the “glitch” and I’d also follow up with the local labor/employment board/commission or at the State level. May even rise to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as their hiring practices seem to discriminate on basis of origin (nationality, green card status). 

[Flowercandy 0]

8 hours ago, milimelo said:

Good that you answered no and didn’t follow what recruiters asked you to do (claim to be a USC when you’re not). 

 

I’d go back to them and ask for your application to be emailed to them since they have the “glitch” and I’d also follow up with the local labor/employment board/commission or at the State level. May even rise to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as their hiring practices seem to discriminate on basis of origin (nationality, green card status). 

I don't think going back would help as one of the recruiters stated if I refuse to answer yes to the citizenship question that automatically disqualifies me from all of their positions they have available. They use the exact same screening process for every position. They do have my application, this prescreen had a skill test and some other questions that could only be answered through their system (with the "glitch"). Thank you for the suggestion of the EEOC and the others,  this definitely stops anyone else but a citizen from actually applying.

 

9 hours ago, debbiedoo said:

There are certain jobs (usually government related, or tied closely TO it) that require citizenship.

Yes, I do realize there are jobs that require citizenship but as I said on my first post, this position isn't one that requires it.  I of course would keep from applying to such jobs that would need citizenship and always pay close attention to the requirements.

[NikLR 13,228]

1 hour ago, Flowercandy said:

I don't think going back would help as one of the recruiters stated if I refuse to answer yes to the citizenship question that automatically disqualifies me from all of their positions they have available. They use the exact same screening process for every position. They do have my application, this prescreen had a skill test and some other questions that could only be answered through their system (with the "glitch"). Thank you for the suggestion of the EEOC and the others,  this definitely stops anyone else but a citizen from actually applying.

 

Yes, I do realize there are jobs that require citizenship but as I said on my first post, this position isn't one that requires it.  I of course would keep from applying to such jobs that would need citizenship and always pay close attention to the requirements.

Then they need to change their screening procedures.  Do not, under any circumstances, answer yes.  

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

On ‎1‎/‎23‎/‎2018 at 1:20 PM, Flowercandy said:

Hey

 

Not certain if this is the right forum for this but it is work-related. Been struggling to find a job and finally got invited for prescreen for a job. However there was a specific question in this prescreen along the lines of "Are you a US citizen with a birth certificate or a passport" to which I obviously answered no (I have a GC). Answering no to this disqualified me from continuing the screen. 

 

I asked the recruiters there how come it was possible as the initial job application online only asked if I am authorized to work in USA which I am. The first person told me to just answer yes to the question and I said no (twice). The second recruiter told me this is a glitch in their system which only can be avoided by answering yes. They tried to tell me to answer yes even after saying no.

 

This was by no means I-9 and even after doing some research online I couldn't find any info on something like this... But it must not be legal to answer yes even if it is only a prescreen? I am honestly a bit discouraged as this was the best lead in a while but I didn't feel comfortable with lying. I don't even know how a glitch like that is a possible as I would imagine that disqualifies a lot of people (the company hires thousands yearly). 

Just have company on letter head write out that it is a glitch and you are requested to say "Yes" even though you are only a GC holder.

 

 

[NikLR 13,228]

23 minutes ago, Chris Duffy said:

Just have company on letter head write out that it is a glitch and you are requested to say "Yes" even though you are only a GC holder.

 

 

I wouldnt do it even with that.  Not if you ever want to become a USC.  

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

Just now, NikLR said:

I wouldnt do it even with that.  Not if you ever want to become a USC.  

I wouldn't sweat it

[NikLR 13,228]

2 minutes ago, Chris Duffy said:

I wouldn't sweat it

Me either.  I wouldn't apply for a job with a badly scripted computer program that "glitches" in this manner. 

[Steeleballz 7,550]

On 2/3/2018 at 8:00 AM, Chris Duffy said:

Just have company on letter head write out that it is a glitch and you are requested to say "Yes" even though you are only a GC holder.

 

 

 

  You cannot knowingly make a false claim to be a USC. USCIS does not care what the reasons are. Having the company write a letter only serves as proof that the claim was made knowingly and for material benefit.  

 

 

 

  

 

  

Edited February 5, 2018 by Steeleballz

[Nitas_man 3,100]

On ‎1‎/‎23‎/‎2018 at 10:20 PM, Flowercandy said:

Hey

 

Not certain if this is the right forum for this but it is work-related. Been struggling to find a job and finally got invited for prescreen for a job. However there was a specific question in this prescreen along the lines of "Are you a US citizen with a birth certificate or a passport" to which I obviously answered no (I have a GC). Answering no to this disqualified me from continuing the screen. 

 

I asked the recruiters there how come it was possible as the initial job application online only asked if I am authorized to work in USA which I am. The first person told me to just answer yes to the question and I said no (twice). The second recruiter told me this is a glitch in their system which only can be avoided by answering yes. They tried to tell me to answer yes even after saying no.

 

This was by no means I-9 and even after doing some research online I couldn't find any info on something like this... But it must not be legal to answer yes even if it is only a prescreen? I am honestly a bit discouraged as this was the best lead in a while but I didn't feel comfortable with lying. I don't even know how a glitch like that is a possible as I would imagine that disqualifies a lot of people (the company hires thousands yearly). 

Don't do that.  It's bad to claim to be a citizen when you are not.  The company recruiter said to do that?  What company?  We are offended that they would say that.  Name and shame please.

Edited February 7, 2018 by Nitas_man

[moosy 139]

Have had the same issue while applying. The first time online I was asked if I needed sponsorship (no) and was legally allowed to work in the US (yes) ... and then they sent me something else, and I was supposed to have citizenship all of a sudden (despite it just being a regular job). I said I didn't, and I was filtered out, despite me being allowed to legally work and would have done more than an excellent job. I noticed they just put out the exact same ad again yesterday, so I will try again and send them my resume personally. It's a larger company in my case, so I am hoping mine was also a simple "glitch".

I think some companies just don't want to deal with the whole green card expiration stuff. And some others have no idea that you are even allowed to work without a greencard.

Do NOT answer yes to that. Lying is never the answer. Calling them up was the right thing. If they force you to lie, that's not okay. Send your resume and cover letter to the actual person, explaining why you cannot get through their flawed system.