We millennials are nomads. We move from place to place trying to find where we belong and can begin a life or take the next step in one we have already begun. How are we supposed to find our place in the work force if companies we are passing out our resumes to will not give us the slightest chance?

Discrimination is a word used quite a lot within the job market. Not discriminating against those with disabilities, those that are veterans, men or women, appearances, etc. But what about discrimination against location?

My story: I applied for a position in a city I am looking to relocate to and I was e-mailed back within the hour to schedule a phone interview. I’m thinking, “This is great! I have the skills this company is looking for!” We set up the phone interview for the next day when the questions pops up, “where are you currently located?” My honest self explains where and how I will be able to move in 3-4 weeks, on my own with no financial assistance from the company. With that statement, the phone interview was immediately cancelled, explained that it was company policy that they needed someone within a close proximity already and tipped their hat to me.

I have no issue with hiring close to home, especially if you are in need of someone to fill the role quickly. However, I do have an issue with being denied a phone interview based on where I am currently located. This has only been explained to me once from a potential employer; however, I have been applying for almost 4 months now. Who else has this so-called policy?

I am young and would like to experience life in another city to be sure that is or is not where I want to make a home. If you don’t try, then how will you know? This “policy” for hiring in a certain proximity does not adhere to the modern day worker or the millennials coming up. The North Carolina “at will” term means that “unless there is a specific law to protect employees or there is an employment contract providing otherwise, then an employer can treat its employees as it sees fit and the employer can discharge an employee at the will of the employer for any reason or no reason at all.”

So, what does this mean for those of us who haven’t found our place yet and would like a career we can continue to grow with? We better get to know someone with a decent amount of “pull” if we want to land that job.