Mr. Harris is a twenty-seven-year-old white male. He is applying for a job working on a loading dock. Mr. Harris is interviewing as part of a social services program.

Interview Transcript

(I = interviewer; A = applicant)

I: Please tell me a little bit about your last job.

A: Well, the job was basically a blue-collar job. I worked in a factory doing janitor work mostly. Second shift for most of the time. I didnt mind the job too much. Ive been out of work for quite a while now. I guess you could say I was at the poverty level for the last year.

I: Do you have a criminal record?

A: Well, yeah, but the crime wasnt too serious. I spent a few weeks in jail for breaking and entering when I was a kid. Me and some friends broke into a department store. Pretty stupid.

I: Tell me a little bit about your education, Mr. Harris.

A: I finished high school in 1980. I was brought up in a Catholic family in a small southern country town. So I went to a Catholic school. Kind of unusual I guess. I used to really give the nuns a hard time (laughs). I was thinkin about going to college but never made it.

I: Have you and your family adjusted well to moving into the area?

A: Yeah, I like New Jersey. I dont live with my wife no. . . . er, a . . . any more. I hope to see my three kids pretty soon. Maybe bring them up here. Havent seen em for years. I really need the job because Im behind on my child support.

I: What have you been doing in your spare time?

A: Well, I been looking around the area quite a bit. Ive been drivin my truck, you know just checkin things out. I went to a hockey game the other night. Had a good time. Otherwise I watch a little TV. Watch a lot of comedies.

I: Please tell me about your accomplishments.

A: Well, I was a sort of a star athlete in school. Our team went to the state tournament. I suppose I could have been a college player. Besides that, I won a writing contest when I was in high school. It was for the region. Oh yeah, I got a commendation from my last job. They wanted me to train the new guys.

I: What are your greatest weaknesses?

A: I could probably take orders better. But I dont get too upset. Maybe I should read a little more. Been a long time since school.

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Answer the following questions in an original post by Wednesdsay. Then reply to at least 2 of our classmates posts by Sunday at midnight.

1. In what ways does the exercise show that stereotypes can influence interviewers, even without their awareness?

2. Many people believe stereotypes are motivated by hate or insecurity. How do these exercise results fit this idea?

3. What can be done to reduce the effects of stereotypes in interviews?

4. If stereotypes help you remember information that is consistent with the stereotype and help you ignore information that is inconsistent with the stereotype, how can stereotypes be changed?