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> where candidates of underrepresented groups are dissuaded by a lack of pre-existing representation I don't understand this persepective from candidates. The

> where candidates of underrepresented groups are dissuaded by a lack of pre-existing representation I don't understand this persepective from candidates. The job market must be really good if they can use this as a metric for pursuing a job opportunity. I was the only person from my country when I joined my current employer. It never even crossed my mind that it could be an issue. There was also a post on HN a few months ago that said asking minorities to attend things like recruiting fairs in order to show the diversity of the employer was unfair. It's a chicken and egg situation for employers.

giantg2 6y ago
At my company, you have a leg up if you fit one of the diversity metrics and are applying for a job. I've worked on teams where I'm the only one of my race. I've been on group projects where I'm the only one of my gender. Based on the conversations I've heard on some of the teams I've been on, I have a minority political view and culture/lifestyle as well. It's almost never a problem unless you believe or think it is a problem. There can be rare cases where you get someone who is actively trying to make it a problem, but that tends to be rare. So I don't see it as a chicken or egg issue, I see it as mindset problem.
- secondcoming 6y ago
  By 'chicken and egg' I meant that employers can't really do much about minority candidates not accepting a job offer because there aren't any/enough of that candidate's gender/race already employed.
- BoiledCabbage 6y ago
  Thank you. Your experience in not suffering from discrimination clearly invalidates all of the millions of people who do. It's clearly all in their head. It boggles my mind on people's basic inability to realize that not everyone has the same experiences in life as them. And rather than accept other peoples experiences as valid, it's always the same argument of "I haven't had to deal with this therfore they don't either." Yes they want to be in a situation where they can just ignore it and it won't be an issue, the problem is they don't have that luxury. It's great that you do, but that doesn't change their circumstances.
  - giantg2 6y ago
    I never said it doesn't exist. I'm sure there are people who are victims of discrimination. Where's your proof of the millions who do suffer from workplace discrimination in tech every year? More specifically, how do you see the chicken and egg problem posed in the parent comment not being a mindset issue?
dkersten 6y ago
I've actually seen women on twitter say something like "if your company doesn't already have women, we're not interested, stop your pretending to care about diversity and women's issues" or something to that effect. How will the situation ever change, then, though? Its most definitely a chicken and egg problem for employers.

giantg2 6y ago

At my company, you have a leg up if you fit one of the diversity metrics and are applying for a job. I've worked on teams where I'm the only one of my race. I've been on group projects where I'm the only one of my gender. Based on the conversations I've heard on some of the teams I've been on, I have a minority political view and culture/lifestyle as well. It's almost never a problem unless you believe or think it is a problem. There can be rare cases where you get someone who is actively trying to make it a problem, but that tends to be rare. So I don't see it as a chicken or egg issue, I see it as mindset problem.

secondcoming 6y ago
By 'chicken and egg' I meant that employers can't really do much about minority candidates not accepting a job offer because there aren't any/enough of that candidate's gender/race already employed.
BoiledCabbage 6y ago
Thank you. Your experience in not suffering from discrimination clearly invalidates all of the millions of people who do. It's clearly all in their head. It boggles my mind on people's basic inability to realize that not everyone has the same experiences in life as them. And rather than accept other peoples experiences as valid, it's always the same argument of "I haven't had to deal with this therfore they don't either." Yes they want to be in a situation where they can just ignore it and it won't be an issue, the problem is they don't have that luxury. It's great that you do, but that doesn't change their circumstances.
- giantg2 6y ago
  I never said it doesn't exist. I'm sure there are people who are victims of discrimination. Where's your proof of the millions who do suffer from workplace discrimination in tech every year? More specifically, how do you see the chicken and egg problem posed in the parent comment not being a mindset issue?

dkersten 6y ago

I've actually seen women on twitter say something like "if your company doesn't already have women, we're not interested, stop your pretending to care about diversity and women's issues" or something to that effect. How will the situation ever change, then, though? Its most definitely a chicken and egg problem for employers.