A SPY AMONG US!! BROTHERS BEWARE....
 

Greetings Brothers,

I recently interviewed for a position within the company I have worked for over ten years now. The position was in another department headed by an executive who also happened to be an ALPHA. We touched basis on both of us being Alphas. I also followed the necessary steps outlined by this executive four months earlier leading up to this interview. To make a long story short, I was shocked to find out I was not selected for the position after the interview. I was qualified for the position and had an outstanding interview based on the feedback following the interview. In addition, I was not the only Alpha to interview for the position. The part that really hurt, the BROTHER hired a white male. This has caused me to question my allegiance to Alpha Phi Alpha. I thought the purpose was to reach back and help one another. If not another Alpha Man, another black male if better qualified for the job.

What up with the spy among us?? Has anyone experienced this same type of situation. I need help to get through this situation. I want to return in my pin and letters.

I'm not going to doubt that you were qualified and I'm sorry you didn't get the position, but perhaps the man hired for the job was more qualified or fit better into the job than you did? I know the feeling of really clicking with the interviewer and feeling that I'm well qualified and ready to work for and with these people, and then I find out that I wasn't hired. It happens all the time though sadly.

I'm sorry Alphas...I know this is your forum and all, but I gotta say it:

1985 called, it wants its mentality back.

Yeah I have to agree with every one else. I know its is unfortunate that you didn't get the job but I do hate when people assume that they should get a job because of affliation, race or something that is UNRELATED to the job. There are many other factors to considered when one is hiring and after taking in all of these considerations the other guy who happen to be a white male was hired. So just deal with it. Now you are questioning your ties with Alpha because of one man?

If that's all it takes to question allegiance, I question your original allegiance.

I question your allegiance to logic and reason.

I put this out there obviously to get some outside opinions. I work for a company where NEPOTISM seems to be the rule and not the exception. I feel I was qualified for the job and was misled by this executive. We had conversations in regards to him not wanting to be known as a person who only hires black people or his fraternity brothers. For the record, he has not hire a black person into his department ever. The white male was selected strictly through NEPOTISM and not on qualifications. I still find myself working three times as hard as my white counterparts just to survive.

I feel if you can reach back, reach back and help another brother or sister. I speak it and live it.

Because you were not the interviewer it is nearly impossible for you to say why the other person was selected for the position. Your original post was the most racist thing I've read on GC in the longest time. Its really a shame.

Frat,

I understand your concern. However, the hiring manager is only one Brother and not Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. as a whole. Often managers have other forces influencing decions and while I don't know the particulars, I don't understand why you would hold our beloved fraternity with ill feelings. I suggest that you contact the Brother and asks how can better prepare to get the job that you desire.

You wanted to be chosen by a black man because he's an Alpha. That's nepotism. You mentioned your qualifications as an aside.

If your company as EEOC policies and you feel unfairly overlooked, take that approach. Leave the 1906/Black Man Nepotism defense out of the equation.

However, if you can't PROVE that you were more qualified and that the other man was chosen via nepotism, save your time.

Well, welcome to old news, brutha. But you as a hard working qualified man will also get ahead if you have people in the right places. It just didn't work that way for you this time around. You seem young (an older man probably wouldn't post what you posted on here), so there's still time.

That's utterly ridiculous. You clearly don't know what "racism" is so spare us with the racism claims.

Racism rears its head in many ugly forms, one of them being "discrimination or prejudice based on race." (See the dictionary for other definitions of the word 'racism.') The original poster was offended that his brother was not prejudiced against the person who was offered the position:

Welcome to the real world. My boss' son makes more in a week than I do in a month, and us peons have yet to figure out what he actually DOES all day, besides spend company money on expensive lunches and technology.

It all gets down to the academic use of the word racism and the dictionary/common use of the word. I think it's silly to expect everyone to use it only in the academic context.

My definition isn't THE academic definition, since there is more than one academic definition.

I think it's silly that people throw the "racist/racism" word around just because they are offended by something that has some racial references.

Then you must not have been reading GC lately.

Those that are known to make racist, ignorant, inappropriate comments are on ignore. GC is a lot tamer that way, I'll admit.

True and I never said it was, but you act as if most people should adhere to your definition or they don't understand racism. There are multiple academic definitions but in general, in academia, racism is though of along power structures and only the majority can be considered "racist"

In society, it isn't seen the same way and racism is something that also happens at the individual level no matter the race of the racist.

I would hate the same, but this example you've given is not the case in reference to my comment.

Exactly and they don't understand racism 95% of the time.

The proof is in the fact that someone is wasting a very powerful construct on a GC post.

It is from where I'm sitting.

Thats fine, I can't control how you feel about posts that aren't your own.

Good observation. ;)

I'm not saying I agree with calling this post racist. More that he was stupid to complain about nepotism and then expect it, even if the nepotism he wanted wasn't because of his brotherhood, but because of his skin color.

However, using the common/dictionary definition of racism in non-academic discussion is not indicative of one's understanding of racism. It's simply using the word with its actual meaning, not a constructed one. There are plenty of similar words and concepts that this can happen to, it's just annoying that people are expected to be "beyond" the actual definition of a word in discussions.

I would, however, laugh if the white man hired was also an Alpha. It would just be a nice little twist, IMO.

No such thing as "actual meaning." It's all constructed.

Just a difference in who constructed which definitions and whose interests are served.

How long have you been a gentleman of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.? Because you sound like you just joined if you think that any corporation owes you anything in this world in this day even if you feel there is seniority on your part.

Did your "brother" promise you ANYTHING in writing? Are you ready to say he leveraged his position of power and influence to think you are a "shoo-in" for this promotion? If you have something in writing, then not only do you visit EEOC, you visit the Ombudsman for HR. But, know you will have retribution for it. Since you you are conflagrating "nepotism" in this particular corporate structure.

If I were you, I would work on my resume, start going to strategic alliance networking meetings and meet people who can emphasize your qualities you work on.

I know for a fact that the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. are about improving their community as "scholarship and manly deeds" to men, young and old. They are not about just job placement service. However, there is mentorship they can provide. Your duty is to your local, regional, state and International chapters.

If you joined Alpha because you thought you were gaining access to something without legwork, then I have questions.

Brother-
The fact that you question your allegiance to our dear fraternity based on one action of a bro that, yes may have pissed you off, but has nothing to do with the fraternity itself is a bit much. Give of your pin and letters????? This is the first time I ever heard a brother say this, but I guess there is a first time for everything. As I was taught, it isn't what your frat can do for you, but what you can and should be doing for the frat. As someone previously stated, maybe there was some reason the interviewer felt you were not qualified and if you feel that you were then approach that brother and find out what you need to do to make sure you get it the next time. Maybe you were qualified, but something else prevented you from getting your desired postion. At any rate I hope you get what you feel you deserve.

As a hiring manger for a position I purposely did not hire a soror for the job, because knowing her I knew she would not be happy on the position. She went on to find a position much better suited for her.

great expectations
 

What's up Brutha.

I was in that similar seat years ago; and like you, didn't get the position. I found out later that the executive brother owed a favor to the top guy, and paid his debt with the job I had hoped for. The brother told me this immediately after hiring the other guy. It was a bitter pill for me to take. I know how pissed you are. I hope you don't blame the entire fraternity for this dude's failure to keep his obligation.

Well...
 

Now, if the Brother hasn't hired ANY AA in department ever because he doesn't want to be known for hiring members of the frat or AA in general no matter how qualified or how good their character may be....... that is messed up!:mad::confused:

I spoke the the executive/frat last night in regards to the interview. I was advised that I was obviously very competitive for the position. However, his hands were tied by his boss who basically instructed him to hire the individual who was hired based on ties with the indiviual's father in the department. I've moved on to plan B, but I would have appreciated this information prior to the interview. I would not have wasted my time and their time. The truth hurts.

This ship has sailed. I'm on to my next career move.

Frat,

Welcome to the real world. It has taken me several years to develop "thick skin." People that you consider your friend will turn on you to make themselves look good. I left a position where I worked for more than twelve years only to learn the director is now running me down at every turn. Prior to my leaving, we ate lunch, hung out on the weekends, visited each others home, etc. We had each others back so I thought. To this day I have no understanding why she has started a personal attack. I have taken pictures down in my current office of my old staff, put away awards received as a result of the job and have nothing to do with my old office. To that end, accept that the position you wanted may not have been what God wanted you to have. Keep moving forward and let no man destroy your self fulfillment.
"What God has for you . . . It is for you."

Maybe the guy was hired over any protests of your frat? People do what their boss tells them sometimes, regardless of whether they agree with it or how it looks.

Frankly, your depening on the brother to have your back when the decision is not his alone is a little naive.

I should have read to the end of the thread before posting!

Please know that this happens much more often than you can imagine. ALWAYS have a Plan B from the beginning.

BTW, ethically and probably legally speaking, he could NOT have given that info to you prior to the interview.

LOL...you all are overlooking the most important component of this thread.

All the other stuff is just a run of the mill dose of reality. THIS part is the realness.

I find this one rather key to the thread as well:

I don't know about Alpha Phi Alpha, but nowhere in my Ritual was the requirement to hire a sister if in the postion to do so. If I was choosing between two candiates, one being a sister, and the other better qualified, I'm going with the better qualified.

That is true, however networks propel people ahead 95% of the time. The conclusion is that the other guy was hired because of family ties. That may be true and it may just be what BrothersKeeper was told because he wouldn't shut up about it. Either case, the original post was entertainingly disturbing.

Hello,

I wanted to ignore this post BUT something about THIS post is annoying my spirit and I must address it.

1) Brotherskeeper, I know it is hard to verify over the 'net, Nonetheless, If YOU ARE a BRO. I would be the 1st here to "GRIP" you:). BUT If YOU AINT I would be the 1st to CHIN CHECK you:mad:! Albiet, you might want to put your info on the new members thread.

2) As a brother previously stated, It not what Alpha can do for you it is about what you can do for Alpha. I am sure the brother with whom you interviewed tried his best to get you in but the final decision may have not lied with him.

3) The fact that you would return your pin and letters based on this. QUESTIONABLE:confused:

:)

Like most threads on GC, I seem to have stumbled onto this one by accident, but it's come as a pleasantly entertaining surprise, so I figure I'll give it a whirl.

I can understand the unwelcome feelings toward that hindsight; I'd be angry, too. I'm glad you know the truth and that you are moving on. I pray that you find what is better suited for you, as this obviously was not the right place--not with such goings-on that were displeasing to you. I think it may have been a blessing in disguise because you were not feeling how things were run from the jump. Keep searching and you'll find something wonderful.:) However, I don't think it's the runnings of corporations that need your attention. If the disappointment of not getting a job made you take your limited knowledge of another man's character, compare it with his affiliation and jump to that many conclusions, you might have something in yourself to re-evaluate. What's more, if this situation was enough to make you want to walk away from what you once held so dear and, presumably, worked so hard for, then that is a situation you may want to re-evaluate as well. That one sentence about returning you "pin and letters" said a lot and, if you don't mind my saying so, if you're not going to listen to the advice other Greeks are posting(you might, but if you don't), at least listen to what your actions are saying and see if the thoughts and feelings you projected were ones that you possess and, if so, why on earth even consider such a permanent decision over such a short-lived situation. Outside of that, I'm not qualified to advise you further since I'm not Greek, so I'll end the psycho-babble here. :cool: Best wishes!