How do you answer equal oppertunities questions at interveiw?

Question

I'm applying for jobs at universities, and never know what to say when they ask about equal oppurtunities. Can anyone give me some ideas as to what employers are looking for. Questions are usually posed along the lines of "How would you ensure that our equal op policy is upheld?"

They want more than just saying you will follow policy to the letter. They want examples of what you will do. How can you give an example of NOT doing something? EG, I don't discriminate against anyone so how can I give an example of not doing this? When in an interveiw you need to give evidence that you are good with equal opportunities. How?

Answer 1

This question is not asked to find out about your opinion about Equal Opportunities policies, and neither it is asked only to discuss general issues related to it. It is asked well within the context of the job you are applying for. You are required to demonstrate your practical understand of the policy, that a university aims to adhere to, and its relevance to the duties and responsibilities you would be entrusted upon. They want to know how you would bring in line your knowledge, personal skills and expertise to ensure that requirements of the policy are fulfilled, and all those who receive your service are equally benefited.

If yours is going to be a teaching post then, for example, what teaching methods and resources would you choose in a class where there are people with diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds? It is all about your understanding, and your experience of the applications of the Equal Opportunities policy. Not only how EO environments work, but also how would you function in such environment? It would be very advantageous if you can cite some instances from you previous work experience or from your personal life when you actually identified an Equal Opportunities issue and responded to it according to the codes of best practice.

Answer 2

I used to work for a University and also work within the education sector.

When asked to give an example about equal ops, try to put in a realistic situation - something to do with not discriminating against someone who was different to yourself.

An example of this could be that if you were in a managerial role and had two people working under you, one female, one male - that you would not discriminate against either one of them. Or if one of the employees was coloured and the other was not.

They pretty much just want to know that you understand what discrimination is and that you know what is right and wrong within equal opportunities.

Good luck - and you will have a blast working for Uni's, so much fun and versatility!

Answer 3

Simple enough I would have thought, answer questions honestly, and give your own opinion. I would answer your specific example by replying - once I have been given all the information I require about your equal op policy, I would follow your guide lines to the letter - end of story

Answer 4

You can request an organisation's equal opps policy in order to get a good idea of what it's about. If answering an equal opps question it usually requires you to give examples of how you have in the past or would implement that policy

Answer 5

An equal opportunities policy is upheld by ensuring that positions are made available to all, regardless of race, religion or any disability

Answer 6

I treat everyone I come across the same - regardless of the job they do (Director exactly the same as the Cleaner). And if I hear/see a colleague giving a lower ranked member of staff a hard time, I will intervene.