Should I bring up gender duing interview

[Anonymous]

I'm interviewing for a position (rotational assignment) that has been previously held by men (for the past 15 years). The hiring official is a woman and thru the grapevine I learned that I'm the only woman to be interviewed. If the cliche question should come up -- "why are you the best candidate for this position", would it be appropriate for me to add this minor detail (giving women more opportunities) to my answer, without coming off as I'm trying to "hint" at an EEO complaint later?

[Anonymous]

No. That is a completely inappropriate answer to that question.

[Anonymous]

Completely inappropriate. Is this a real post?

[Anonymous]

Woman here: only if you want to alienate the interviewer. This is not the place for that. Focus on the JOB and your qualifications for it based on prior performance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm interviewing for a position (rotational assignment) that has been previously held by men (for the past 15 years). The hiring official is a woman and thru the grapevine I learned that I'm the only woman to be interviewed. If the cliche question should come up -- "why are you the best candidate for this position", would it be appropriate for me to add this minor detail (giving women more opportunities) to my answer, without coming off as I'm trying to "hint" at an EEO complaint later?

In addition to what PP's say, this is actually a terrible reason to give someone a job. So it's even a bad answer to the question.

[Anonymous]

I hope you aren't hired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope you aren't hired.

I'm a disapproving pp but I think this is a bit much. She is asking for a check on its appropriateness and we're giving it to her. Have you never in your life wondered where a social boundary is?

[Anonymous]

I think she'll know you're a woman.

[Anonymous]

Hi. OP here. Thanks for the responses. I'm prior military, so I've only really interviewed for one (my current) job -- so forgive me, I'm a little rusty. I've been passed a few times on assignments that went to men, be it thru the "good old boys" system or just because women are still discriminated against when it comes "dangerous" or "male dominated" environments. I guess I'm just a little jaded when it comes to this and not sure how to approach it, especially after finding out that men held this position for the last 15 years. I'm going to let the merit system work itself then and hope gender discrimination is not as common as it is in the military. 12:18 -- ouch, but still, thanks for taking the time to respond. I'm staying positive.

[Anonymous]

I think the responses to this are way out of line. I took OPs question as asking whether she should say something like - i've been at this company for a long time and I know it would have been very empowering for me to have a woman mentor/role model in this position, so I'm hoping to be able to provide that for other young women in the office. That would be a follow-on to a much more substantive answer. I think it totally depends on the office culture, but in an office like mine that answer would absolutely not be offensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think she'll know you're a woman.

This. If the interviewer thinks it's important she'll reach her own conclusion. Definitely focus on things that are specific to your experience and skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the responses to this are way out of line. I took OPs question as asking whether she should say something like - i've been at this company for a long time and I know it would have been very empowering for me to have a woman mentor/role model in this position, so I'm hoping to be able to provide that for other young women in the office. That would be a follow-on to a much more substantive answer. I think it totally depends on the office culture, but in an office like mine that answer would absolutely not be offensive.

OP here. I like this approach. I think this is something I would send in a form of a post-interview follow-up. Thank you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the responses to this are way out of line. I took OPs question as asking whether she should say something like - i've been at this company for a long time and I know it would have been very empowering for me to have a woman mentor/role model in this position, so I'm hoping to be able to provide that for other young women in the office. That would be a follow-on to a much more substantive answer. I think it totally depends on the office culture, but in an office like mine that answer would absolutely not be offensive.

OP here. I like this approach. I think this is something I would send in a form of a post-interview follow-up. Thank you

I would NEVER do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the responses to this are way out of line. I took OPs question as asking whether she should say something like - i've been at this company for a long time and I know it would have been very empowering for me to have a woman mentor/role model in this position, so I'm hoping to be able to provide that for other young women in the office. That would be a follow-on to a much more substantive answer. I think it totally depends on the office culture, but in an office like mine that answer would absolutely not be offensive.

OP here. I like this approach. I think this is something I would send in a form of a post-interview follow-up. Thank you

I would NEVER do this.

I agree - don't do it. Tell them why they SHOULD give you the job. Your qualifications and experience are whey they SHOULD give you the job. Your gender shouldn't have anything to do with it (I understand that it does - but that doesn't make it right to be all, hire me b/c I'm a WOMAN!)

(woman here, in case that makes any difference at all)

[Anonymous]

OP, do you know why only men have held the position? Have any women tried and been rejected?

I see where many pps are coming from with "don't mention it, let your qualifications speak" but women are known for putting too much faith in letting competence do the talking for them. This is a fine line.