Monica: »It’s a very white, male-dominated world«
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 Monica’s story. Her name has been changed to protect her identity.
The result in Finansliv’s review does not surprise Monica. She was born in an African country but is raised in Sweden. Today, Monica works at one of the big Swedish banks, but she had to work hard to get into the finance sector. Simply applying for jobs she was qualified for wasn’t enough.
– I just couldn’t get an interview if I didn’t call the recruiters, send e-mails, almost harassed them.
Eight times higher unemployment rate among foreign born
Monica used to have a list over the jobs she applied for, to keep track of when to call back and how many days she could wait before she contacted them again. Finding a job was a job in itself, she says.
But a few years ago, Monica got married and changed to her husband’s name. Suddenly everything changed.
– It was like night and day. I went from never getting an interview to always getting interviews, Monica says.
She recalls one of the first interviews after changing names. She was waiting at the front desk of the company and didn’t react when her name was first called, she still had not gotten used to her new surname.
– When I finally say »that’s me«, I can see the recruiter taking a step back. She asks me if I’m sure it’s me, Monica says.
Monica explained that she recently got married, and that’s why she didn’t react at first. In the end, she had to show her ID for the recruiter to let her in.
– That was awkward. Fortunately, I got another job offer so I never had to wait for a call-back from that interview.
She has now worked in banking for several years, but she still sees the discrimination.
– It’s a very white, male-dominated world. The exclusion comes with the color of my skin. My advantage is that I can speak the language and I understand the culture, but I can still see people’s reaction sometimes when I enter a room, I don’t look like they expect, Monica says.
She believes there is a lack of awareness regarding the prejudice about certain names and skin colors.
– It’s casual racism. Even though I have lived here my whole life, I still get asked where I learned to speak Swedish so well. If I answer »I am Swedish«, they will ask if I’m ashamed of my African heritage. It’s rather rude, you can be both African and Swedish, Monica says.
Her Linkedin picture is hidden for people outside of her network. Partly because her profession requires some anonymity, but also because of the prejudice she faces.
– I want people to see me as a person first.
I probably would not be where I am today without the name change.
In the bank where Monica works, they talk a lot of the importance of diversity, but Monica questions what it means.
– Is it only showing us off in entry level positions? Because it looks quite different on management level.
The higher up in the hierarchy, the less diversity there is, according to Monica. She also feels like she is acting as a representative of all people with foreign background, which is too heavy a burden.
– Every time I get promoted, I feel a responsibility not to fail, because then I will close the door for others like me.
Monica does not want to be seen as a victim, and she often uses humor to cope in awkward moments. But she understands why some people can’t bear to stay in the finance sector. If she hadn’t changed her name, she is not sure she would have coped.
– I probably would not be where I am today without the name change. It definitely would have taken longer, and chances are I would have grown tired of trying and changed track from finance to another profession.
