Job Discussion Forums

ummkhadija · Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 11:42 pm Post subject: Your picture & a job offer?

Hello:

I have recently been receiving emails from the universities I applied for, asking for a photo. I do understand that in many of the ads I have looked at, do ask for photos, but does the way I look in my photo seal the deal for them, on a hire or no hire?

I am American, but non-White, I am a Muslim who covers, not with niqab, but with the headscarf and abaya, will this not make me Western enough for them? My passport ('02) shows me wearing a headscarf, so I assuming they will see it as me not covering just for their photo, but I am wondering if I will be rejected just on the color of my skin. Even, if it is olive?

Thanks,

UmmKhadija

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I think it depends more on your credentials than your photo, but that said, this answer probably also depends on the employer. We have had a few covered Muslim women who felt that they were discriminated against because they covered... and others that have said that they had never been. Every university I worked for had Muslim women teachers of various passports - some who covered and some who did not.

I guess that only sort of answers your question... Confused

VS

ummkhadija · Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 3:36 am Post subject:

Thanks, VS

I would say that was a good enough answer...For me Cool

Take Care

UmmKhadija

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

For what it's worth (not much), the Gulf employers I've applied to in the past mostly just wanted my photo AFTER they hired me.

MrScaramanga · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 221

As far as I know, that is standard procedure. In fact, I am suprised they want only one picture! If you're hired, be prepared to be asked for 20+ pics of yourself and whoever else is coming with you Smile

MrS

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 2:38 pm Post subject:

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 3:20 pm Post subject:

It's my belief that EVERY application from yer visa to yer utilities to yer driver's license to yer government-supplied health care (I'm talkin' saudi here) to yer Iqama (saudi again)...et al...all require a photo.

Either that or wallpaper...

NCTBA

bedwiya · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 66 Location: Kuwait

Where have you been applying? Requesting a photo along with your CV is common practice in Asia. Unfortunately I believe that many recruiters in Asia also still equate "American/Western/Brit" with a white face, blonde hair and blue eyes. Sometimes the experience on your CV comes in second to how you "look" in order for them to recruit students.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

If it is pre-employment it is to allow the employer to see what you look like. If it is after you are appointed it is for all these tiresome bureaucratic procedures.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

aot531 · Joined: 27 Apr 2010 Posts: 21

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

The answer to your semi-serious question is no. The discrimination tends more towards brown-skinned, brown-eyed, black haired non-native speakers.

These comments refer mainly to the Gulf... not as much of an issue in Egypt because unless your hair is black, they consider you a blond. (really!! I would always hear them refer to what I would call a brunette as a blond... all is relative... Laughing

)

VS

aot531 · Joined: 27 Apr 2010 Posts: 21

Thanks, VS. It would've been a real pain to have to be constantly touching up my roots. Shocked