Let's use our white privilege for good

Dear fellow white people,

There is a Black professional in my network who:

• Works for a Fortune 5 company
• Holds a Master’s degree in industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology (a field we share)
• Has applied to over 200 I/O roles—from intern, to entry level, to full time—all with custom resumes and cover letters
• And has still yet to receive a call for an interview

This very qualified, educated, hard working I/O psychologist believes that this excruciating job search process is especially difficult because of being Black.

Research supports this anecdote. And I have personally lived the flip side of this experience.

When I apply to open roles, I'm more likely than not to get a first-round interview. I have been in the position of choosing between multiple job offers. I have worked at incredible companies. I’ve been offered career-changing assignments, been mentored by C-suite executives. My career success is largely due to the opportunities I’ve been given.

Yes, I worked hard to get these opportunities and worked even harder once taking them to prove that I was good investment. But the color of my skin didn’t make my success even more difficult to obtain. In fact, being white served me well. It’s a privilege all white people carry with us, regardless of whether we realize it or care to admit it.

Here’s the hard truth:

Our Black colleagues have to work twice or three times as hard to get the same credit and recognition we get as white professionals.

This is NOT FAIR. And I’ve had enough.

Rather than wallowing in this sad truth (read up on white privilege and white fragility if you don’t know what I mean), please join me in helping to DO something about it.

So, who knows what companies are hiring an I/O psychologist, someone who would kill it in the people/HR analytics space? Who knows of a company that values inclusion (and actually LIVES that value) and would be excited to add a qualified I/O psychologist (who is also a Person of Color) to their team? Internal roles, external consulting positions, and PAID internships are all fair game.

Please share this article with anyone who may be in a position to use their privilege—whether it’s white, male, executive/leadership authority, or otherwise—for GOOD and help me get this person hired where they will be respected, seen, heard, and valued for everything they have to bring to the table.

So go on and send those I/O job positions my way. I can't wait to connect you and other job searchers to this phenomenal candidate who doesn't have the benefit of white privilege but will make a great employee nonetheless.