People most often associate diversity with race, gender, or sexual orientation, but there are many other dimensions of diversity to consider, such as differences in social class and family structure. To help you to gain a fuller understanding of these dimensions, please begin this week’s homework by reviewing Regina Hartley’s TED Talk, Why the Best Hire Might Not Have the Perfect ResumeLinks to an external site.. Now that you’ve viewed the TED Talk, please read the following scenario and decide what you would do.
Scenario: Challenging Hiring Decision
You are on the hiring committee for a key role in your organization. After a thorough and lengthy process, the committee has narrowed the field to two final candidates: Silver Spoon and Scrapper.
Both Silver Spoon and Scrapper meet or exceed all of the requirements for the position in terms of education and experience. However, there are significant differences between the two. Silver Spoon attended a private boarding school and then graduated from an expensive, elite university with a perfect GPA. Silver Spoon worked in a coveted internship at a prestigious law firm as well. Silver Spoon’s parents are wealthy and well connected and donated lots of money to that university. Scrapper, in contrast, attended a local high school, followed by going to a relatively inexpensive college. While attending college, Scrapper worked as a server in a restaurant to help pay tuition and living expenses. Scrapper’s grades were good but not perfect. Scrapper was raised by a single parent who cleaned houses and worked at the local grocery store to make ends meet.
During the interview, Silver Spoon was all smiles and confidence. In contrast, Scrapper wore a serious expression and seemed a bit nervous at times. Both answered the questions about equally well though.
Later that day, your boss, who is the leader of the hiring committee, writes you an email asking for your opinion on which candidate to hire.
Your Task:
Reply to your boss’s email and explain which candidate you feel should be hired. What factors influenced your decision? Write your message in the style of a workplace email message. The message should look something like this.
To: Name of Recipient
CC: Names of those also copied on the message
Subject: Your message will be in reply to the boss, but for purposes of the assignment, supply an appropriate subject line.
Because your boss is a busy person and will receive messages not only from you but from the other members of the committee, keep your message concise. The ideal length of the message is about 200 words.
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContentThe message demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the issues raised by the scenario. The message communicates the student’s recommendations clearly and includes sufficient reasoning for the recommendation.35 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDocument DesignThe message is formatted in the style of a workplace email message. The message meets the length requirement.Points may be deducted for mechanical errors.25 ptsTotal Points: 60
