This sounds like a reasonable thing to say, if you don't look any further than the surface level. But it assumes something as axiom, that isn't actually true: that, for every given job, there is a singular, objectively "best" candidate. For most jobs (one of which being sports broadcaster), there are multiple equally qualified candidates. So, when you do have multiple equally qualified candidates, how do you decide which one gets the job?
My wife and I have discussed this exact topic, many times, during much of the social unrest that’s ongoing.
One of my points, which she agrees with, is we’ll never rid ourselves of favoritism, bias and discrimination. Most everything a person does is based upon these factors, conscious or not.
The short answer to your question re: how do people decide among equal candidates is, we typically champion or select the person we like better. Based upon our own personal bias and taste.
Isn’t that how we choose our friends? Our companions? The family members were are closest with?
I jokingly tell my wife that there were a lot of people wanting the husband position I eventually got, but she didn’t choose them. Even though they may been more “qualified” and had more things in common.
I get that is a personal example, not professional, but personal likes and dislikes bleed into everything.
When you interview for employment, or even other things such as a loan, grant or scholarship, much of the process is impressing the panel. Coming across as likeable.
If the merit of your resume, past accomplishments, etc were all that mattered, then coming across as likeable shouldn’t matter. But it most certainly does. Because of the personal likes/dislikes bleed-over that exists.
If an employer has 2 equally qualified candidates — and affirmative action or some other factor isn’t in play — the candidate that was more liked, for whatever reasons, is most likely gonna get the gig.
Realistically, that’s never gonna change.
What I think many of us would like to see, and I know I do, is for the decision makers to be educated and mature enough not to disqualify anyone because of age, race, gender, religion, etc. But, conversely, to also not select someone just because of their age, race, gender, religion, etc.
Unfortunately, there are people in charge of hiring that find candidates likeable or unlikeable due to one or more of those factors. And, possibly, aren’t even aware of it.
IMO best we can do is continue to educate and hope more and more honor the code. And be accountable for ourselves.