After reading this article about religion and job hiring, I’d like to share a few points about religion in the work place.

1- Don’t wear your religion on your sleeve and announce it as the only thing that defines you. MSA shows up on your resume, fine. Hijab, fine. Let your qualifications shine through.

So for example, an interviewer says “So, tell us about yourself”

BAD: “Well I’m a convert al-HUM-du-lillah…”
BAD: “I’m a Muslim, spirituality is SO important to me, I went on this Rihla and ehrmegerd. ..”
GOOD: “I was born and raised here in Anytown, USA. I’m a San Antonio Spurs fan, and Ive just finished an internship at a major industry player.”
You get the point.

2- Dont list your religion on your resume. And don’t lead with it in the phone convo or interview. No one cares really about that stuff when applying for a job. And don’t bring it up. They care if you are qualified not how many rakats you prayed last Ramadan.

3- Be cordial. They want a pleasant person to be around. If you are a jerk you probably won’t get hired, unless you are a total badass. If you are a badass, still be humble. That’s two things you’ve got going for you.

4- Be confident about your faith and identity but be private as well. Lead with stuff relevant to your experience. When religion comes up, if it does in your interview, control the situation. “Yes I feel I am a person of faith but I also believe faith is a private matter. I am more concerned about doing a good job and fulfilling my job requirements.”

5- Also, don’t make demands before you are fully hired. “Before you give me this baller 130k a yr job, realize that I’ll need every Friday off and a special room to pray in 5 times a day.” If you do that, they’ll find something to disqualify you for before you are ever hired.

6- You can still practice your faith, you dont have to comprimise. If you get hired on merit or good personality then go into the job and kick butt, you can easily say to your manager “hey do mind if I take a longer lunch on Friday? There is a service I’d like to attend and I’ll stay late or come in early to compensate. Rest assured if there’s an important team meeting then I’ll be here.”

All it takes is a little tact, humility, and confidence.

What are your experiences with applying for jobs?