How comfortable are you with having a black woman boss?
Criticism from women hits harder in the workplace
I should have gone with my gut instinct. I knew something was off after the mock interview ended, but I ignored that part of my brain and hired him anyway. White, older than me and with a wealth of experience, he seemed like the perfect hire for a new team of writers. His resume was impeccable. His background was top-notch. I was quite proud of my new hire. Even during the mock interview to observe his interviewing style, I kept thinking, “We have a winner!” I hired him.
Then the interview was completed and the offer was sent. Not even two minutes afterward, he started using words like “tough” to describe me. I raised an eyebrow. While I was discussing the company background and work needed, he redirected to analyzing my personality. I didn’t know him personally nor professionally before that interview. I asked where this descriptor came from. He told me he’d read prior reviews that I’d given to other freelancers. I went back through my reviews and theirs, reading them word-by-word, still agreeing with every word I typed and agreeing with theirs too (including a few critiques). I never saw the word “tough.”
Recommended Read: “Upwork client scammers who fly under the radar ~ Part 2 of 2: Troubleshooting problematic freelancing contracts”
ADVERTISEMENT ~ Amazon
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a percentage from purchases with my referral links. I know some consumers are choosing to boycott Amazon for its DEI removal. However, after thinking about this thoroughly, I want to continue promoting cool products from small businesses, women-owned businesses and (specifically) Black-owned businesses who still feature their items on Amazon. As of the first date of Black History Month 2025, each new post will ALWAYS include a MINIMUM of one product sold by a Black-owned business. (I have visited the seller’s official site to verify that Amazon Black-owned logo.) I am (slowly) doing this with older, popular posts too. If you still choose to boycott, I 100% respect that decision.
He changed his tune to saying he was “tough too.” I politely explained that I’ve always been someone to give pros and cons in any review. I don’t give five-star reviews unless I really think the work is perfect. Same for Yelp. If I give a five-star review, that person earned it. It’s part of being a Toastmaster, where you’re trained to look for the best parts of a speech and then areas of improvement. But “tough”? More like “honest.”