Introduction

PRIDE AT WORK

In 2019, over 10,000 people took part in the annual Dublin Pride Parade alongside their employers and work colleagues as part of company-led staff initiatives promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace . It was one of the biggest staff outings in the country . And yet, the following week, figures released from the Central Statistics Office showed that the highest rates of discrimination in Irish society were reported by people who identify as LGBTQ+ .

Ireland has come a long way in the past decade, the passing of Marriage Equality and Gender Recognition in 2015 showed the world, that, as a whole, we are a progressive and inclusive society . Yet the legacy of discrimination and inequality still exists . Less than 30 years ago, homosexuality was still illegal in Ireland and an acceptable grounds for discrimination in the workplace, it wasn’t until 1999 that legislation was finally enacted to protect LGBTQ+ workers .

Think about that for a minute . About 30 percent of people working in Ireland today entered the workforce at a time when the state not only permitted, but encouraged, discrimination against LGBTQ+ people .

That discrimination still exists .

A 2019 Oireachtas publication highlighted the existence of both an employment gap and a salary gap, LGBTQ+ people are less likely to be employed, and more likely to earn less, than non LGBTQ+ people .

This unequal footing in employment has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic . A report at the beginning of the pandemic by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation in the United States highlighted that LGBTQ+ people had a heightened health and economic risk from the virus as they were more likely to work in industries that had a higher exposure and/or a higher economic sensitivity to the COVID-19 crisis .

Pride at Work by Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride is an initiative to challenge workplace discrimination and its legacy by partnering with employers to promote allyship, inclusion and equality in the workplace while at the same time empowering and supporting LGBTQ+ people .

Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride

TOP TEN

Job Interview Tips

Ah, the job interview . As nervewracking as they can be, there’s no getting around this essential step on the journey to your dream job . Here are Pride at Work’s top 10 tips to quell those jitters and put your best foot forward!

Mind Your Health!

Get plenty of sleep the night before, drink lots of water, eat a good breakfast and rock up to the interview feeling refreshed . Not only will you make a great impression with the hiring manager, but you’ll be in a better frame of mind to thoughtfully answer their questions .

Plan Your Journey

If your interview is taking place in person, plan your route the night before . Give yourself more than enough time to get there and know exactly which bus, train or Luas to take . If you’re driving, figure out the best parking spots the day before .

Familiarise Yourself With The Tech

If your interview is remote, find out which platform you need to use . Make sure it’s downloaded and properly installed well in advance, and test your microphone and camera out beforehand . If it’s new to you, call a friend and do a trial run . Ensure that you can be seen and heard clearly!

Get To Know The Company

Employers are looking for someone who shares their vision of the company, so do your homework . Find out what their objectives are, read up on their history, their practices and their values . Then, think about what you can bring to the table .

Pose Like Wonder Woman!

This one might sound a bit silly, but trust us . In her body language research, social psychologist Amy Cuddy found that the Wonder Woman Power Pose (elbows out, fists on hips, feet apart) can boost confidence and decrease stress . So before your interview, take a moment in private to channel your inner superhero and feel the confidence rise in you .

Ask Questions

Most interviewers will give you a chance to ask questions at the end, so be sure to take advantage of this opportunity . Not only will it clear things up for you, but it will show employers that you’re engaged and interested in the company .

Don’t Sell Yourself Short

The interview is your opportunity to show employers exactly what you have to offer, so don’t be modest about your skills . Let them know what you can bring to the role, and point to real-life examples to back it up .

Be Respectful

This one sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning . Employers are looking for candidates who will fit in with their company culture, so be kind to everyone you met along the way - whether that’s through online correspondence or in the actual building . Manners matter!

Don’t Calm Down - Get Excited Instead!

Let’s be real . Interviews are stressful, and sometimes those nerves never seem to settle . But did you know that nervousness and excitement are actually very similar feelings? So channel your energy differently . Instead of trying to calm down, tell yourself that you’re not nervous, you’re excited . Studies have shown that this re-frame can actually boost your performance more effectively than trying to calm down .

And Finally, Don’t Tell Them Your Biggest Weakness Is Perfectionism

Employers want to hire a human, not a machine . It’s hard to know what to say when they ask about your biggest weakness, but resist the perfectionism cliché . Think honestly about a trait you’d like to work on - maybe you find it hard to ask for help, or you’d like to be more assertive - and let them know how you’d like to improve .