Facing Bias in Job Search: How Can Bihari HR Professionals Overcome Prejudice in Delhi?

Dear seniors,

Firstly, Happy New Year to all.

I would like to share my problem with you and seek a solution from you if possible. I graduated from Patna, not a very small place but a big city. I have 8 years of experience in HR/Admin. I came to Delhi to search for a new job in HR/Admin. I have been searching for a job for 8 months and have attended several interviews. In most places, I have noticed that many employers and people are not behaving well because I am from Bihar. Due to some negative perceptions created by a few, Bihari people have faced a tarnished reputation in some areas. But why should a civilized and dignified person like me suffer because of this? Everywhere I go in Delhi, if I mention that I am Bihari, people look at me as if something is inherently wrong with me or that I cannot be a good employee because of the Bihari tag. I do not understand why this bias exists, especially against Biharis. It is worth noting that many IPS, IS officers, and software engineers are from Bihar. I am proud to be a Bihari.

I believe that India is a vast country, and many employees come from small cities. Therefore, we must provide opportunities for them to grow in big cities like Delhi and not discriminate against them or make them feel inferior. In my view, we should identify and nurture good talent and work together with unity. My experience was very disheartening, and I have endured a lot due to this bias.

I am confident and cannot remain silent about this unjust behavior towards me. I always learn from my failures and have the courage to stand up against this dual mentality syndrome (between employees from small towns and metro cities).

I kindly request suggestions on how we can change these mindsets so that everyone has the right to live with dignity and secure a good job in a big city.

Thank you, seniors, for taking the time to read about my problem.

With regards,

Nimisha Gupta

Email: nayna_gurudeo@rediffmail.com

Hello,

You do have a very sensitive problem. You seem to infer that your Bihar background is the primary cause behind your not getting a good opening. You may or may not be right. Like you said, India is indeed a big country and it accommodates all.

I can assure you that the industry does not give a damn where you come from. It needs to be convinced that you are competent and that you can do their job. That says that to overcome their bias, you have to try harder to convince them of your credentials. Believe me, it is NOT impossible.

What you have and what the new employer needs, perhaps there is a wide gap as they perceive. A majority of professionals have come from small places and made their mark. Vikram Pandit was educated in Nagpur and now he is the chief of Citibank!

Don't lose heart. Your time will come. First, register with Placement Consultants/Agencies. Respond to all suitable advertisements. BUT do not make unsolicited approaches for a job. Such an act devalues your candidature in a country with great unemployment. It is very demeaning.

Link up with Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Go through industrial directories and who's who. And first kindly make a bio-data that gives the right message to the prospective employer and an impressive covering letter to this bio-data.

IF you have NOT done any of these things, you must quickly go about them. Can I have a look at your bio-data? Are you willing to relocate anywhere in the country? Here in Pune, I have professionals from Orissa, Punjab, UP, Gujarat, WB, Assam, and also Bihar. Everyone finds his feet ultimately.

Do yourself a favor. Hereafter no conclusions to be drawn, as such conclusions have a negative impact on further efforts.

Reply to this mail as a Private Message (PM). The site has such a possibility if you wish to maintain confidentiality.

If I can help, I will!

Cheer up and good luck for the job hunt!!!

Regards,

Samvedan

January 17, 2008

Dear Nimisha,

As Samvedan said, do not lose heart. It does not make any difference which place you belong to as long as you are talented.

Katayana

Dear Nimisha,

I agree with what Sambedan said. No matter where you come from, you just need to be competent and presentable enough that any employer, seeing you for the first time, should view you as an asset and not a burden. I guess you only need to work on your own interpersonal skills and stop thinking about all these concerns about small towns, being Bihari, etc. I can cite so many examples of Biharis being in positions not only in the government sector but also in positions like AVP, VP, Directors, etc., in the private sectors too. So, get set, ready, and cheer up! It's time to pick up! :P

Hello,

This is a response to the posting by nikkyblue!

I was not begging for anyone's agreement. My response was to the originator of this thread.

However, if the points of disagreements were narrated, it would have been nice, and more focused answers could be given. In fact, I have already said that Ms. Nimisha ".....may or may not be right..." What does this convey?

Then it is rather naive to ask for feedback at the end of the interview about the outcome of the same. Further, if the reason for rejection was indeed, albeit unfortunately, that Ms. Nimisha is a Bihari, she will NEVER be disclosed this reason by any interviewer.

Again, all that I have said is that the ".... industry does not give a damn about where you come from. It only looks for competence... (or words to that effect)....." I also gave an example of how small-town people can and do make it big at the global level.

It is unfortunate that my post has not been read at all as otherwise the disagreement was NOT possible. No, I welcome disagreements. My concern is about the tendency to rush in with comments, (and nikkiblue is not the first one nor the only one!) WITHOUT doing homework! SAD!!!

samvedan

January 18, 2008

Hi @samdevan,

I disagreed with you; that doesn't mean I have any disrespect for your opinion. I was just astonished to see that everyone discouraged Ms. Nimisha by giving some unnecessary advice rather than rational feedback. If you think it's naive to ask for feedback, that's your opinion. I do so, and it works, highlighting my and my colleagues' professional behavior. Additionally, the candidate is happy to receive valuable feedback from us.

In fact, I have already mentioned that Ms. Nimisha "...may or may not be right..." What does this convey?

I know that if Ms. Nimisha is discriminated against for being from a particular state, she wouldn't be told so. But if there is a genuine reason for her rejection, they would inform her. This would prevent her from forming incorrect opinions (if she is at all).

Hello,

For "nikiblue" first and for all others next.

It is SAD again. None of the advice Ms. Nimisha received (including mine) is discouraging or contains unnecessary "gyan."

I think they were all very fair advice, trying to console her on one hand and telling her that while it is no stigma to belong to a particular state, it is necessary to be competent to get a job, and one must convince the prospective employer of their competence.

More than what the interviewers MAY tell you at the end of the interview, introspection of a candidate is far more effective and meaningful. Further, the interviewers cannot say before discussing the performance of the candidate amongst themselves anything beyond politically correct things and merely saying "it was nice" or "you did well" one has no scope to say much. The feedback cannot be judgmental because the judgment has not been made, and therefore it would be wrong to express anything beyond platitudes!

The practices that your company follows do not set any universal norm of professionalism, and I am NOT commenting on it anyway. You did not have to fall back on your organization.

I repeat there was NOTHING in my mail or the other mails that one could find a disagreement with! They were all in a positive tone. I further assert that it is not a question of your opinion or of my opinion at all. Disagreements can generate different viewpoints and therefore new knowledge.

Lastly, I am NOT joining issues with you or with anyone and am closing this discussion from my side!

Regards,

Samvedan

January 18, 2008

Hello Nimisha,

I can understand your predicament as I am myself from the relatively mid-sized city of Baroda. However, in the end, it is your performance in your earlier jobs and your potential to contribute to your profession/job area that matters, not the place you come from. So, as other friends have advised you, I would also suggest not losing heart and continuing to search for opportunities. Also, I would recommend not limiting your search to Delhi but also exploring other places like NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, etc.

With best wishes,
Girish Tarwani

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your suggestions and comments. I have already registered with some consultancy services and placement agencies. I am trying my best and also developing my interpersonal skills. I have received more replies and I agree with all suggestions. I wholeheartedly accept all of your valuable comments on my problem. I appreciate and will implement my professional and behavioral skills.

Thank you and I assure you that I will definitely get a good job in a good work environment.

With regards,
Nimisha Gupta
Noida