Jenny: »We are used as alibis«
Nine persons tells how difficult it is getting into the Swedish finance industry if you have a foreign background, and that advancing in your career is just as hard. Here is Jenny’s story. Her name has been changed to protect her identity.
Jenny is born and raised in Sweden, with one Swedish and one African parent. She recognizes the result Finansliv’s review shows.
– I am not surprised at all, sadly. The Swedish finance sector is small and homogeneous.
Eight times higher unemployment rate among foreign born
Jenny works in banking, but she has not experienced discrimination herself.
– I have not been as affected as other non-white people, because I grew up here and speak flawless Swedish. But I see it all the time in the recruitment process.
Factors such as background, which school you went to and where you play golf carries weight in recruiting, according to Jenny. Personally, she never had that network.
– I have applied for my jobs by ad, and there aren’t that many people I know who have done that. But one of my strong sides is that I am a chameleon, I have an ability to blend in. It’s very difficult if you don’t have that characteristic. But it shouldn’t be, you shouldn’t have to compromise yourself to fit in to the finance sector.
Very few of the managers in banking are foreign born or non-white, according to Jenny. Particularly in top management.
At the same time, the banks are keen on promoting her and others with foreign background in various contexts, she says.
– We who are non-white are used as some kind of alibis, by being promoted on the website or participating in interviews, because it makes the company look good.
One of the problems, Jenny thinks, is that the managers want to avoid awkward situations. Even though studies show that diversity result in higher profitability, it’s easier to choose someone who blends in.
– It’s easier, there will be no friction. But it’s the friction that creates good discussions, more perspectives, and better decisions. I believe that everyone needs to understand that diversity is better for the company, but probably harder for the individual manager.
