Personal Information
This can relate to small details most people don’t consider the implications of mentioning to a potential employer.
As long as nothing is said directly to the candidate, who knows what type of thoughts and discussions go on after the interview?
But if the personal information provided had been expanded upon a bit further, it may not have even had the same result. Without having all the information, hiring managers are left to draw their own conclusions to answer their own questions.
They will normally always err on the “safe” side–the company’s side.
So what types of information are job seekers revealing that cause hiring managers to reject their application? Here are some examples ;-
“I am a single parent so I have learned…”
The recruiting manager may immediately think “A single parent? Who looks after the kids if they are ill?” When in reality that candidate may have a robust childcare arrangement in place, a mother who will step in to help, and a live in partner, so is no more of a risk to the company than say, a married candidate who’s husband is not supportive, or works away a lot.
“I only have a 3-year-old son so I am free to…”
The recruiting manager may immediately think “Well she will probably have another soon then. We can’t afford for this role not to be covered if she goes on maternity leave”. The candidate may not plan any more children because her husband is a widower and has three children from his marriage.
“I recently went through a divorce…”
The recruiting manager may immediately think “How recently? What if he isn’t up to the stress of this job.” In reality the candidate may have wanted the divorce and is happy with a new partner and completely settled.
They might be looking for someone who can travel;
and because you have young children, assume you won’t be able to, not knowing that your husband is better with the kids than you are.
These issues may be revealed in the course of ordinary conversation and may not cause any negative thoughts. But because employers can’t ask for further details, sometimes the implications can be far more than would be imagined, and the job seeker will never find out that it was a disclosure like this that caused them not to be offered the position .
If you do reveal something potentially harmful to your application in the course of a conversation, be aware of the possible implication and ensure you set the mind of the recruiter at rest by discussing how you would deal with the issue if it arose. Don’t leave the topic until you know they are reassured there is not a problem. You have to drive this, the recruiter can’t. They are not allowed to broach these subjects
So how do you avoid this problem?
As most employers follow the letter of the law and don’t ask questions about personal topics, it is up to the job seeker themselves to prevent the situation developing by not revealing any personal details about their life. So, first thing is never list any personal information on a cv or resume that could lead to this type of misunderstanding and assumptions .
It is also important to be aware that some disclosures could cause prejudices to arise. Some people do have strongly held opinions about issues such as age, divorce, single parenting, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or political views. Some of these people might be in a capacity to make recruitment decisions and could quietly discriminate against anyone who discloses something that goes against their personal, moral, or religious views, even though it is illegal.
No one can ever really predict what other people might think or believe, so don’t provide that information in the first place.