Interview filter: how to negotiate questions about diversity?

November 20, 2015 4:03 PM

I'm currently on the academic job market. I've applied for positions at some places where diversity is very much on everyone's mind--and rightfully so. I'm of mixed ethnicity; one of my parents is a member of an underrepresented minority. I reflected this in the demographic question on my apps. However, I'm consistently perceived as white. It's likely I'll be asked in an interview about my commitment to supporting diversity in the university community. Is there a tactful way to mention my background, or should I avoid it?

Should I simply focus on the ways I try to be a strong ally of people of color and not talk at all about my background? I really don't know how to navigate this, especially since I'm aware that I've experienced white privilege (and am equally aware that some of my family members have not). Frankly, I feel like my appearance almost requires some explanation, like a committee might wonder what right I had to "check the box" and get the mistaken idea that I'm trying to be something I'm not! (I also have a non-identifiably-ethnic name.) But will my demographic questionnaire responses even be seen by the hiring committee?

It seems probable that there would be motivation to hire diverse faculty members right now, so I don't want to actively avoid saying something that could actually help my chances (although since I'm not "visibly" diverse, maybe it wouldn't be a point in my favor anyway). On the other hand, I do not want to exploit my heritage or give the impression I'm trying to do so.

I'm really sorry if this question comes across the wrong way or offends anyone. I've always had a complicated relationship with this aspect of my identity and right now I feel especially awkward about it.

posted by karbonokapi to Education (16 answers total)

Best answer: The Professor as In has written about this at length. Check it out.
posted by k8t at 4:09 PM on November 20, 2015

Best answer: Did you do any academic research or participate in any extra-curricular stuff that might provide a less awkward way to mention that aspect of your background?

"I did a couple of classes in [subject X] because I have some family from that culture and I wanted to learn more."
posted by jason's_planet at 4:10 PM on November 20, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Most often the professors have not seen the "box" that is checked; they usually only get word of a member's ethnicity (particularly if the appearance is hard to read) through a tactful mention in one of your recommendation letters on something that stands out in your own cv or narrative.

Personally, some of what you said here--that you can see how privilege affects members of your own family differently--seems like a good starting point for showing how you may be particularly attentive to the nuances and complications of how diversity is experienced, assumed, supported, by different constituencies on campus, etc.
posted by TwoStride at 4:17 PM on November 20, 2015 [14 favorites]

Best answer: Should I simply focus on the ways I try to be a strong ally of people of color and not talk at all about my background? I really don't know how to navigate this, especially since I'm aware that I've experienced white privilege

In an interview, you should spin what you say to your benefit. I think you should emphasize being an ally and your background. Just googling around for diversity-related interview questions, I found this, and one of the recommendations for interviewers is "Look for answers that demonstrate the applicant’s actual and direct experiences with diverse groups". You are an ally and a member of a diverse group, use those facts to your benefit.

Maybe spin your white privilege experiences as this site suggests and describe how you would use your privilege to help level the playing field for those with less privilege than yourself.

Your question comes across the right way and is not offensive. Good luck in your interview.
posted by Rob Rockets at 4:33 PM on November 20, 2015 [2 favorites]

Best answer: As someone who has sat on search committees, I will second that your committee may or may not see the checked box--it really depends on local HR. Diversity questions during interviews are not going to be framed as about you, because that can get into all sorts of forbidden territory (i.e., things you can bring up yourself, but the interviewers can't ask); the more likely phrasing will have to do with how you contribute to the education of a diverse student population. So that opens up a space for you to discuss your experiences, scholarship, mentoring, pedagogy, etc.
posted by thomas j wise at 5:02 PM on November 20, 2015 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Out of curiousity, do you mind saying what field this is in? I am also on the market, and I'll just say that while many applications asked about diversity (or even had me write an entirely separate statement about it!) literally the only time I was ever asked about it during a visit was with a non-evaluation meeting with a woman from the campus diversity center (she was very clear she was there to share information, not to evaluate me, and had no role in the hiring process). Obviously this may be different if you're in a department like African American studies or applying for a position like the "Director of Multicultural Resources". But otherwise I think you may be asked less than you might think...honestly I think a lot of places care a lot more about "looking good" by asking the questions on applications but when push comes to shove, it's not necessarily something that is a focus of interview questions. If it does come up, I would focus on things like :
--how your research deals with these topics
--how your teaching recognizes and accomodates a diverse student body
etc.....
If it does somehow come up what your own identity is, I think your comment on how you realize you've received a lot of white privilege, but also observed the experiences of family members not having that, and that gives you a unique perspective is pretty good. But I doubt you will be asked this - I think it skirts too close to asking about legally prohibited things.
posted by rainbowbrite at 5:05 PM on November 20, 2015 [2 favorites]

Please stick strictly to your professional and volunteer activities - bringing up your ethnicity/heritage in an interview is asking for trouble.

The box you checked is almost certainly used strictly for (mandatory) EEOC reporting. Every place I've worked, those forms never left HR.
posted by SMPA at 5:43 PM on November 20, 2015

Best answer: Please stick strictly to your professional and volunteer activities - bringing up your ethnicity/heritage in an interview is asking for trouble.

Experiences vary, but from my observations and experiences this is absolutely incorrect in an academic context.

It's likely I'll be asked in an interview about my commitment to supporting diversity in the university community. Is there a tactful way to mention my background, or should I avoid it?

I doubt it will come up during your job talk but it might well in one-on-one or small group sessions, especially with students. That is when you can respond with an answer that includes both your membership in Group X, while also explaining your understanding of white privilege as a person who has benefited from people misidentifying you. In other words, an honest but informed answer that correctly situates you and your experiences.
posted by Dip Flash at 5:53 PM on November 20, 2015 [3 favorites]

Best answer: bringing up your ethnicity/heritage in an interview is asking for trouble.

I agree this is not true in the relevant context. People get confused about this; it's completely unacceptable for an interviewer to ask directly, but relevant, expected, acceptable and recommended for people to share of their own volition their own direct experience and philosophical approach to issues of diversity. In this case, your experience and thoughtfulness are pluses and you should weave them into the narrative of why you're right for this position.
posted by Miko at 7:18 PM on November 20, 2015 [8 favorites]

Response by poster: Thank you for all these thoughtful answers. In case anyone is searching for relevant posts from The Professor Is In, here is one.
posted by karbonokapi at 9:02 PM on November 20, 2015

Best answer: I work in a different context, but one not that different from academia, and I would absolutely mention it. Start with the professional, but then move to "because my father is African American and my sister has much darker skin than I do, [or whatever the situation is], I've experienced both racism and white privilege up close and tried to become very thoughtful about how I use my privilege to turn the spotlight towards those whose voices are often less heard."

Yes, you are privileged, but I don't think you are exploiting your heritage by mentioning this. The committee can tell that you look white and weigh that in their consideration of your contribution to campus diversity. But your family background and experiences do allow you to contribute more than many others would, and I think it's appropriate to explain that.
posted by salvia at 11:32 PM on November 20, 2015

Best answer: I teach at a college with a very ethnically diverse student body. One of our first questions in our phone interviews states that and asks for relevant experiences the candidate has. I think that we ask this because obviously not all white academics have that experience or would necessarily be comfortable, for instance, being the only white person in a room. The answers are hugely variable. In my answer, I remember talking about the diverse area where I grew up and about the volunteer stuff I did in grad school with minority youth. Other candidates have talked about their involvement with minority-affinity groups in college/grad school (one way to indicate your ethnicity), experience traveling overseas, etc. Others have spoken frankly about their experience being the only black person in their research lab in grad school.

It is wholly appropriate if asked a question like that to answer it in a way that acknowledges your own background, but of course no one is obligated to do so. Our college is downright obsessed with not being sued, and all of our questions have to be vetted by legal.
posted by hydropsyche at 4:06 AM on November 21, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: My answer depends a little bit on what your field is.

If you are pretty sure, based on their academic discipline, that the interviewers are up-to-date on issues of diversity in academia, then absolutely mention your ethnic background, and talk about the stuff you talk about here. You are displaying an honest and appropriately nuanced view of your own identity, something I would really appreciate in a candidate.

This would have a higher chance of backfiring, though, if you are interviewing in a field (*cough*STEM*cough*) where, by virtue of their educational backgrounds and disciplines, faculty are less engaged in thinking about and understanding issues like white privilege. Unless your interviewers have already showed a clear and genuine commitment to inclusivity, stick with items from your CV that demonstrate that you can work with faculty, staff, and students of diverse backgrounds.
posted by BrashTech at 5:57 AM on November 21, 2015

Best answer: In stem field, I agree with the above poster, but: if you get to the offer stage, absolutely mention it. Many Unis have extra pots of money for a diversity hire, and qualifying for that is a bonus to the department that wants you.
posted by Dashy at 6:03 AM on November 21, 2015

I am in Biology, for the record. If the student body is diverse in STEM, and the search committee cares about the students, then diversity in the faculty matters.
posted by hydropsyche at 9:37 AM on November 21, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I'm also in STEM, and while I'm all about inclusivity and diversity, many of my colleagues... are not. So, like I said, if they're into it, then go for it. It's totally okay for you to ask the interviewers questions to feel them out, like:

• How many faculty and students do you currently have in [field] who come from underrepresented groups?
• What are you doing [or planning to do] to retain URM on your faculty?
• What are you doing to provide a more inclusive climate for URM students?

How quickly and completely they can answer these questions will tell you a lot about where diversity really is on their radar.
posted by BrashTech at 9:53 AM on November 21, 2015