I recently had the opportunity to interview at Howmet Aerospace, and I must say that the experience left me with mixed feelings. While the company’s commitment to professionalism was evident in many aspects, there were some concerning moments during the interview process. One of the highlights of the interview was the comprehensive discussion about my professional experience. The HR team was genuinely interested in understanding my skills and qualifications, which made for a constructive conversation. They asked about my previous roles, accomplishments, and how my experience aligned with the position I was applying for. This focus on experience was reassuring and crucial for assessing my suitability for the role. However, during the interview, there were moments when questions veered into territory that was inappropriate and potentially discriminatory. Firstly, I was asked about my sexual orientation, a question that is entirely irrelevant to one’s ability to perform a job. Such inquiries infringe upon an individual’s right to privacy and are against HR best practices. Secondly, the interviewer asked about my race, which is another question that should never be raised during an interview. An applicant’s race should never factor into their evaluation for a job, as it perpetuates discrimination and biases. Furthermore, it was concerning that the interviewer inquired about the company’s competitors and the information I might have on them. While a certain degree of industry knowledge is important, this question seemed to be fishing for sensitive information about competitors, which could raise ethical concerns. Lastly, the interview took a strange turn when I was asked about my religious beliefs and whether they aligned with the company’s culture. Such questions about personal beliefs have no place in a professional interview setting and can lead to bias and discrimination.
