Though she's more qualified, Nora worries about being replaced by Daniel. Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? What did you do about it?

Though she's more qualified, Nora worries about being replaced by Daniel. Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? What did you do about it?

Yes I have. Being a woman in the international business field I often had to prove myself to my boss in order to get the promotion that every man in the office thought he deserved. I had to work harder, much harder than the men and ultimately had to confront my boss. It worked, I got the promotion.

Being an older employee people thought I have trouble fitting into the newer technologies but other ways I could contribute in the technology area and elsewhere and was respected for that.

No I have not but I know this happens often when the woman is overlooked and the man gets the job.

I also have been in a similar situation. I am an attorney who specializes in juvenile law. While pursuing a supervisor position, I learned a male colleague with (much) less experience was also being considered. I put my best foot forward and highlighted my accomplishments and experience - I was shocked to learn I did not get the promotion but the male colleague did.

I approached both the executive and firm directors about their choice and was horrified to learn they chose him because they felt he was more of a team player! So I guess experience didn't count for much. Needless to say, I immediately started looking for a new job and was successful in finding a new position. The executive and firm directors actually got mad at me for leaving! They thought I'd understand and want to stay on. Unreal.

Yes, I was a teacher, about to earn tenure but was let go because I was "costing" the city too much because I had several degrees. A 20 year-old recent grad got my job. I left the public school system and opened my own school!

Jessica - I applaud you!

I think every woman in a professional career has been confronted with this situation - I have been passed over for promotion by a male coworker, just because they didn't know what else to do with him. I would like to believe that it is continually getting better, but I have my doubts.

No, never and actually thought I would be passed over. I applied for a teaching job when I had a Masters and 12 years experience. Another candidate was a young man recently graduated from college. In my experience, we always seemed to get teachers just out of college because they cost less money. It frustrated me because teachers with experience were not hired and it was painful to always have a newbie to train. Anyway, I left for home convinced the kid got the job. Imagine my surprise when the phone was ringing as I entered my apt and it was the dept head offering me the position! I stayed there 10 years until I retired.

I, fortunately, have not found myself in this situation...I am a female in a predominantly female dominated industry, dental hygiene.

Despite being more qualified, Nora had the problem that she was prohibited from performing the job.

However, in many situations, it is not always the most qualified who gets the job. Besides gender (female over male also), a person could also be picked based on social status, who they know, looks, etc.