Starting orientation at the new job tomorrow and it got me all nostalgic. Years ago, I applied for a low level management position with a landscaping company. Worked off and on as a freelance landscaper for many years. I also had management experience under my belt. The hiring manager absolutely loved my answers during the interview process. He also quizzed me with more advanced questions regarding yard / decor care. At one point, he sketched a couple shrubs, told me some details about each one, and asked me to run him through the steps of how to evenly trim them and whatnot. I passed with 100%, even on his trick questions he spat out (he actually had to Google a couple answers just to be sure). He was so excited to hire me. Then he asked me the final question: “Are you completely fluent in Spanish?” I replied “No. I do know quite a bit, though I would not consider myself truly fluent.” He said “Oh…sorry, nevermind then. If it weren't for that, you'd be perfect! But I need someone who knows how to communicate everything in Spanish.” I asked “Is it because of having Spanish speaking clients? Because I know the gist of things and can utilize a translator on my phone to assist in my conversations with them.” He replied “Well…no. It's the employees. I have a bunch that don't know a single word in English. So, you either you fully know Spanish, or you don't work here.” I said “With all due respect sir, it did not state that as a requirement during the application process.” He said “Yeah, but this is landscaping. It's kinda assumed.” I just walked straight out of the office at that point.
I'm sorry…but I'm all for diversity and inclusiveness. If a job required that during the application process, I can respect that and just not apply due to it not being in my skill set. To not say it at all up front, waste my time like that, AND make a remark about “it's kinda assumed”, that's a really bad hiring process on their end. Not to mention, what kind of stereotypical crap is that to say that you should assume that landscaping = speaking Spanish. Oh, and this guy was whiter than a ghost by the way, he should not be making comments like that.