After spending two decades in a fulfilling career, I found myself at a crossroads. The desire for new challenges led me down the path of a new job hunt. As I dove into the job search after a long and successful career, self-doubt began to creep in. I was applying to thousands of jobs, some I was frankly too qualified for, paying professionals to make my resume algorithm proof and robot review ready, but was getting nowhere.
Was my experience still relevant? Did I have the necessary skills to compete in the current job market? Could it be because I’m not some AI unicorn with a degree in female biblical studies of the colonization of underpopulated, overweight leprechauns?
And, as I navigated through the labyrinth of job sites and encountered third-party "HR" gatekeepers, I couldn’t help but wonder if we're all just victims of one big data mining exercise. Has Industry changed to the point where algorithms and data-driven decision-making have replaced genuine human connection? And why, in this day and age, do factors such as sexual preference or skin color or political/religious affiliation continue to influence our perceived abilities to perform a job?
The other night, as my husband was engrossed in the newest season of 'Alone' and I was pretending to care, (I mean, what kind of psycho willingly gets dropped off in a frozen tundra with nothing but a fishing net and the company of grizzly bears?!), he casually asked me if my outspokenness on social media could be the reason companies weren't extending interview invitations to me. After clutching my pearls, audibly and exaggeratedly gasping at such a crazy notion, I stopped to think. Maybe he’s right? (Although I would never admit it!)
This seemingly innocent question sparked a cascade of thoughts in my mind.
We've all witnessed how personal social media activism can impact businesses. From the big ones like Budweiser and Tractor Supply down to the small, independently owned shops, to the school teacher, nearly every profession in between, has seen its share of ‘Cancellations’. So it naturally begs the question: should our online presence be a hindrance or an asset in the job search or in our businesses?
Recently, I stumbled upon the story of a well-known female Jewish artist who bravely took to Instagram to share her experience of losing almost all of her contracts due to her mission to support Israel. It's both disheartening and eye-opening to witness how personal convictions can impact professional opportunities.
I spoke with a public school teacher in New York shared his concerns about needing to maintain privacy on social media due to his Pro Israel stance. As he explained, he cannot attend certain events that could potentially lead to being doxxed, jeopardizing his professional life.
What happened to truth in self and authenticity? Two values I define myself by that I believe are crucial and impactful in the board room and beyond. It’s what I built my career on. It’s what I built my life on. In a world that values authenticity and truth, it's dismaying to consider the possibility of compromising our real selves for the sake of a paycheck.
Should we be forced to choose between our genuine identities and conformity to societal expectations?
While it’s clear that personal beliefs and activism can have unanticipated consequences in the job market, I believe that, ultimately, our worth as individuals should not be defined by algorithms or societal biases, but by our unique skills, experiences, and the contributions we can make to the world.
And though what I believe may be a lofty ideal, technology shows no signs of slowing down and neither do the bills! So for now, I'll just continue telling myself "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it [some] people like me!" and my posts.
Gila Stern is an award-winning content and marketing executive with over two decades of experience driving growth for diverse brands, from global leaders to startups. She brings a deep background in new media/entertainment management and content development across a diversified distribution network, including television, digital, and mobile. Gila has written and produced more than 1500 episodes of business television programming, hosted by renowned politicians and celebrities, featured on Fox Business Network, CNBC, Bloomberg, Bravo, E! and more.
Gila is highly regarded for her leadership, strategic thinking, and execution capabilities, earning multiple Aegis and over 45 Telly awards for her productions. She has been a member of The Telly Awards Judging Council since 2021.