Got a call from their recruiter quickly in maybe 3 days after applying to schedule a phone interview with the hiring manager. Had a basic phone screen of my resume and a few questions. Pretty straight forward and received a positive response that my candidacy will be moving forward until it was not via email. My take below. First my view here is not limited to International Paper as it applies to many companies with sites in rural less diverse areas. The short of it is if you’re black and fortunate to already work at one of their facilities in a leadership capacity you’re among the lucky few cause Hiring Managers are absolutely screening for race or the way they view it is culture fits in my opinion. If black and can turn wrenches you’re good but unless they are extremely desperate to fill a leadership need expect a thanks but no thanks email. I’ve seen two former co-workers who lacks my experience get hire while my search continues. I’m willing to bet a couple of fingers that the Front Line Supervisors they eventually hire will lack my experience of • 20 years of military service (I’m told corporate America values this experience) • Roles as a Maintenance Manager, Reliability Engineer and Lead Engineer with experience in manufacturing, power generation & industrial motor servicing • Journeyman’s electrician • BS in Electrical Technology • MBA • Level 1 Vibration Analyst & Thermography • Pdma & Baker SKF Static Motor Testing trained • Greenbelt Certified But for IP it is more important that the culture fit be maintained, you know a white face so again they will say yes to someone whose accomplishments do not come close. This practice of screening at the local level with always be problematic until folks at the corporate level ensures a fairer process by ensuring knowledgeable people sit in on these interviews.