Sunday, July 5, 2015

"I" Discrimination

The last two months have been super busy and frustrating to me.  The usual.  So little time to write.  However, two topics I have previously written about have intersected and I need to write about it.  The two are the "I" (introvert) personality type and my job search.

I have been looking for a new job for about nine months now.  Sorting through all the crap on the internet and dealing with headhunters is not fun, but I've turned it into a game just to keep me sane.  This week I finally got the gold ring -- an offer for a job I actually want.  It's a good job and a good company.  I went under the electron microscope to get it.

Three separate interviews.  With other managers and HR people.  Finally a video interview with their CFO in Europe.  Discussions about my DISC rating and how I would interact with different DISC types.  They checked my references.  They checked my credit.  They ran a full background check.

This week I went to the company's location where I would be working to meet with the local president and the rest of the management team.  I had tours, dinner, meetings, etc over 24 hours before the offer was made.

Here is the interesting part.  On the second day I went to the final meeting in the president's office to get the offer.  The conversation shifts back to discussion of personality types.

"After spending a little more time with you over the last day, you come across as kind of "I", he said, "Are you sure you're up for this job?"

I wanted to scream at him.  Being "I" does not make you less competent!!!!  It means I bring different strengths to the workplace.

The fact is that many managers view "I" people as less aggressive and assertive, and therefore less suited for a management position.  This may be true for some I's.  It also may be true for some E's.

Every time I go on one of these interviews I learn something.  I've learned that I need to work harder at coming across less "I" and perhaps more aggressive in order to win more jobs.

In the end I got the offer.  But for a few minutes I thought he was going to tell me he changed his mind. 

The fact is that I have a solid track record over the last fifteen years of getting the right answer, completing major projects, being the go-to person when something needs to get done, never having ugly HR situations, and hardly any turnover of my team.  I am a thoughtful listener who makes sure everyone is included and gets their fair share of the credit.  The only criticism I consistently get is that I'm too direct and push too hard sometimes.

I know I'm more effective than some of the self-centered "E"s I've worked for.

I feel there's a workplace bias against I's and this week it's really bothered me.


6 comments:

  1. An appropriate response to such a remark might be: "Well, as you know, being in introvert means that I am energized by what is going on within myself and not dependent on externals. It is precisely this inner-directedness that has made it possible for me to have a solid track record over the last fifteen years of getting the right answer, completing major projects, being the go-to person when something needs to get done, never having ugly HR situations, and hardly any turnover of my team. I am a thoughtful listener who makes sure everyone is included and gets their fair share of the credit. I like to think part of that is because I do not get distracted by unrelated issues and can stay focused on the task at hand. I am sure you will find that one of my primary strengths when I work for you."
    Anyway, congratulations on getting the offer and I hope the position is a fulfilling one.

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  2. As an "I" myself, I just want to say CONGRATULATIONS on your new position!!!!

    It's terrific to see that many years of hard work and a long, torturous job search have resulted in you getting exactly what you wanted.

    If the President's final test was to see how'd you react to being personally doubted by him, you obviously responded well enough to receive the offer. Be happy! It might be frustrating or annoying, but the end result is nothing but fantastic news.

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    1. Thank you. It's not completely perfect and we haven't agreed on money and contract terms yet. I am happy to have this offer. I've now proven that SOMEBODY likes me. Eighteen people were interviewed!

      I have another interview this week. I'm going to take a more aggressive approach and see what happens.

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  3. RB: Congratulations from another I. I have been told that the best managers have personality types that fall into the four extreme corners of the Meyers Briggs chart. So, two types of managers are strong Is, and two types are strong Es. I don't remember what my full MB classification is, but I do fall into one of the two I corners.

    Is your new job in your current city, or will you have to move? If you have to move, is that a good thing?
    -Scott

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    1. For the first two years it will be in another city about 2.5 hours away. I will get a crashpad in that city and be home on the weekends usually.

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  4. Oooo, I would certainly be a bit furious with that remark, but considering you're going for the job, hopefully you can prove them wrong. Anyhow, congratulations :)

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