Ok, I had something very interesting happen to me today. It is quite frustrating and I guess I wanted to share it. I went for an interview at a company that sells accounting software. I am highly skilled in the areas they need to teach/train clientele on their software (12 years accounting, logistics background and computer certifications). I interviewed initially with a woman, and then a man. The woman was wonderful. We felt we had a lot in common in many areas our pasts and our future and our capabilities. It was a very good interview. She wanted me to meet the CEO of the company right away.

When he walked in and sat down his opening line was

“I thought you were a man”

(No joke) Well I was stunned! Then he proceeded to tell me that he thought this because of looking at my resume. Hmmmm.?? Well my character is to make excuses and try to see the bright side, so I did and ignored the comments. At that point he proceeded to ask me very stupid and trivial questions about my High school because he “knew” people there. In which at the same time said and I will quote him

“ It is not like I am asking your age you know it would be illegal to do that”.

Well, I don’t know maybe it is just me but the date I graduated from High School pretty much says it all don’t ya think? I told him it did not matter to me and that I was 31 years old. He proceeded to tell me he did not care, and then at that point he finally got to the resume. Then he asked the difference between Shipping and Receiving and Logistics, I responded nothing it is the same concept, different name. The only thing he asked is to explain the “gaps” in employment. When I started to explain, he blew it off with never mind. Then at that point laid down the resume and asked if I had any questions for him. I proceeded to ask about the position available and what it entails and salary/ requirements and benefits. Needless to say, his answer was the same for every question. Referring me to the lady that I initially interviewed with. That he wasn’t really sure of the answers. And then excused himself.

I had this really gross feeling all the way home, making excuses all the time, but I am not sure what to think of this. I thought at first he just had poor communicative skill, or even that he might not have known answers and or how to deal with the interview. But that bad feeling just kept getting worse and I am convinced that there is something wrong.

They are supposed to call when they have made their final decision but I wonder if I should just decline this position. Or am I overreacting? I am usually good at gut feelings and I am the farthest to even worry about sexism or ageism. I have always assumed that worrying or thinking like that will get you nowhere. But I have some pretty strong feelings on this.

I really feel that he just went through the process because he had to, but he wanted a man. Not to mention his over protectiveness about the age thing…it just struck me as odd. Because it was pertaining to when I was in High School-clearly stated on my resume. He made it such a big issue?

It seems like I am asking for trouble…. anyone else had this situation before?

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Think back to the first interview and remind yourself that you were qualified enough and left enough of an impression to be referred to this nut in the first place Now, who actually is making the hiring decision? The first lady or the nut? My first technical job interview was similar. The first interview was fabulous - we talked for almost 2 hours! Then she had me meet with the CIO. He was an idiot! There's no nice way to say it. He only noticed that I had never actually had a paying job doing what I was applying to do there. He didn't take the time to find out that I was paid to be a secretary in a hospital where tech support is worthless so I was the one that did the application trouble-shooting for the dept. and eventually for the other secretaries in the hospital too.

Ultimately, I got the job because the hiring decision was up to the first lady. Not only did I get that job then, but I'm working for her now at another company and we're having a lot of fun from 8-7ish (you know how IT life can be - on call)

I guess my point here is to stick with your gut feeling. If this guy is going to have a direct impact on your success/failure on the job then go with your instinct and keep looking for the job that's right for you. However, if this guy just happens to oversee the general dept. that you'll be working for then take the job and prove to him how wrong he was with demonstrated success and wow the socks off of him!

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Pav, MCP, A+

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Shooiiieee! His interviewing techniques really stinkorama. Please don't think that all men in IT are that foolish.

I agree with Pavlov. If he will be a manager farther up the chain I'd take the job for the experience, but if he will be your direct supervisor I'd be a bit wary. But I suspect this manager stinks to his male employees, well at least to those male employees that try to conduct themselves with a little class at work anyway.


And unless he works around a bunch of other fools, I bet many in the office can smell him. If he didn't know the pay scale I doubt he's too close to direct management of the position.

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Don't you hate those kinds of feelings, I'm sure you thought about it all night and woke up feeling the same way this morning. Sounds as if you are a very qualified proffesonal and unless you need this job badly I would look else where. For one thing you are not old by any means, 31 come one. If this guy gave you that many bad vibes then I would listen to your instints, there are better opportunities around the corner for you I bet, remember you are interviewing this company as well, and if they didn't make the cut for you (because of this clown) then they don't get you!! Their loss!!

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Boy, that is terrible. Maybe you don't need to work for that company. I would feel uneasy too. He must have felt that his masculinity was threatened by someone with so much knowledge. Obviously he would not treat you fairly as far as pay and raises since you are not a man. That is what it all comes down to.... we get treated different because it isa male dominated field.

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idiots are found everywhere,
taske it easy, would you really like to work in a company where such idiots have resposibility??

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I had a similar experience. I was interviewing for a job as network engineer, presales, cisco type job, and when I sent my resume in I used my initials, no indication I was a woman. The first telephone interview the guy was surprised to find himself talking to a woman, but as the company was long distance, they were doing all initial interviews that way. It was great. We talked for hours discussing equipment and he gave me the salary range and said no way would I be starting, that's what he said, starting at the bottom range. It was great. I felt great. Another guy came into town to do the face interviews and when he walked into the room and looked at me I knew I didn't have a prayer from the expression on his face. He wanted to hire a man and was there to interview me under protest because the first guy had put me on the list. I don't think the first guy told him I was a woman. My resume lists my name with initials for my first and middle names. The next time I called I was told they had hired a man because they felt he could better relate to the people they were trying to sell to.

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Hershey, your story made me so mad and sick. That was just so discusting. I quit my last job in electrical because I found out my partner who had less time in the company and way less exp. was making 40% more then I. When I confronted the boss he said " Well he's a man and has a family to support" I wrote my letter of resignation that afternoon basically stating that I could not ethically work for a company that felt men where superior beings and woman were viewed as peasents and that the company would loose tremendsly from the loss of my expertise because of their barbarque views. And in fact they lost their 3 major accounts because I left!! Really left a bad taste in my mouth. Later a group of woman from the company contacted me and asked if I would join in on a class action suit based on discrimination, I declined and told the rest of the woman to just quit and that would put them out of business. I have no idea what ever happened with all of that but I'm glad of the decision I made.

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cryptogirl, you did right to quit. places like that there's no chance for advancement and they just don't take you seriously. Discrimination cases are devilishly difficult to prove. it takes a lot of time, money, and proof to get anywhere. and in most cases it ends up being one of those he said, she said, kind of things. sad, but true. you can just hope they get it in the end and go out of business because they can't keep qualified, talented people.

and flynmonkie, even if they offered you the job, i would think twice about taking it, because even if the man who interviewed you isn't your direct supervisor or directly involved with you, you have to wonder about the corporate atmosphere that lets someone like that stay employed there.

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quote:

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Originally posted by hershey:

and flynmonkie, even if they offered you the job, i would think twice about taking it, because even if the man who interviewed you isn't your direct supervisor or directly involved with you, you have to wonder about the corporate atmosphere that lets someone like that stay employed there.

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