I am a native Italian and have been living in the States since 1974. Went back once. I recieved my citzienship in 2003. When I arrived here I didn't speak the language at all. I learned it all on my own and fought a Kentucky judge way back in 1975 when my first husban left and try to deport my back home. I convinced the judge that I was healthy, willing and capable of working; which I did. Held two job to support my two children and learned the language and at the present I am extremely glad that I did.

I have been working for a Gov.agency for eight years. In those eight years I have got one promotion. For the past three to four years I have applied within the agency for a promotion. Most of the time I get the interview, but not the job. I noticed that others are able to do that, regardless of their job performance. Last year the agency hired a man that was in our Unit. The man was completely clueless of what we did. Was very arrogant and told us that he had the POWER. He never worked. Also he was the Decon of one of the hihg up in management. :-( WE -the- Unit set up a meeting with the Head people and <I> spoke up among others. I feel like that since that meeting I am ignored even more so. That didn't stop me from keep applying.
Hower, I am beginning to think if discrimination is a issue. Especially when my office mate (which she has been doing his work since he left) also applied for the supervisor job. She had a stroke way back and is considered I think (handicapped). She was denied the job that we both applied for the supervisor ( the arrogant one resigned because another employee file a discrimination suit against him)

Now, I do understand that probably those kind of things go on even in the private industry. My question is: I have a collections of rejections and I don't understand. I even went to management and asked if there was anything that I could do or if they had any suggestion that could improve my performance. He said that my work is excellent. I had many employers commendation. He said that he would look in to it.
Nothing happened. Someone suggested that it could be: my origin or my color. I have nothing against other people, but that makes me wonder. Especially when I have history of being good on what I do.
Maybe I am wrong. Please, advise!

You are correct in that *if* you are being treated differently because of your national origin, that would constitute discrimination. The EEOC has a great website that explains the dynamics of discrimination. Feel free to visit them online at www.eeoc.gov/ (http://www.eeoc.gov/).

The problem with that assumption is that you really aren't sure why you are being passed over for promotion. I agree that it would be more constructive if the boss provided an action plan showing where you are deficient. At least it would give you an idea of where you'd need to improve so that next time this job opens up, you'd have a better chance at getting it.

Taking the job postings out of the picture, do you feel that you are being discriminated against because of national origin? Can you provide other examples.

I cannot be certain IF my assumptions are correct. My guessing is based on history with the agency and observations.
It seems to me that whenever there is a postion available, I, for some reason qualify enough to be interviewed, but not enough to get the job.
But doing so they are following the procedure and to cover themeselves: but most likely they have in mind already who they want. And it isn't ME.
I have had many GOOD interviews, but I am starting to wonder if there is someone in managemendt that is blocking me.
I am white, not black.
I am smart, not ignorant.
I am a working employee, not lazy.
I am ambitious, motivated and always ready to learn. I have enourmous experience with good customer service. I am currently taking spanish courses that could help me on the job. Yet, none of the above is NEVER good enough.

I do understand that the one chosen are perphaps either more qualified or a better choice. I fully agreed. However, how can that reason or others be used for this long? I have been in my Unit for six years. I know the IN an
OUTof what we do. I could go on.
I cannot understand , though, why I haven't been considered (not once) on every single job that I have been applying all those years.
I keep telling myself that there is a reasonable excuse for all that and to JUST wait. Since I cannot come up with an answer: the only thing left for me to think is someone is that someone is discriminating against me. Maybe someone out there don't like ITALIANS.

I can certainly understand your frustration in continually getting passed over for promotion. I'm just not sure if you have enough evidence to *prove* discrimination.

Have you tried to approach this from another perspective? For example, my company has career pathing programs in place. The manager and employee discuss the employee's future with the company and maps out what needs to happen to get the employee from A to B.

Since you are a white, and the fact that you are in the State for such a long time, and a US citizen, it is very rare that people still consider your national origin a disadvantage. Obviously your English fluency is no longer an issue according to your post. Did you ever think about other criteria you might be on the short end like the credentials required for the new position?

Try to make some difference before you apply for the position next time, like take some courses that would definitely help to make you stand out from the rest of the candidates. Maybe different effort will arise your current standing, which would persvade management to make a decision favoriate to you.

According to the information you provided here, it is very hard to say there is any thing to do with race or national origin.

Thanks for both responses.
I have taken courses.Computer courses.Customer Service curses and now I am taking Spanish courses. All of those are what's need it in my job.
We don't interact with people but we have to use our customer skills to provide employers with the help they need.

Well, I guess you are right. Or maybe I am not good enough.

At this point it sounds like you may not be ready for these other positions. Since as far as you have said, no one has made any inapproriate comments about you being Italian, I'm not sure why you would think that was the reason. You admit the others are more qualified, and that is a perfectly legitimate reason to promote them. Knowing the business and being there for years is important, but it is hardly the only important thing.

Unless others who are Italian are also not being promoted, it just isn't very likely that there is some bias.