Interview Gone Wild

Question

I recently interview for a company that seemed interested in my experience in Cybersecurity. It is male owned company and the interviewee kept asking how I (a women got the job) and if I could in detail describe my strengths and weaknesses. In addition, if I really got a degree. What would you do?

Carrie Topolski · Answer

Oh and if they are on FGB then write a review so other women know not to bother with this company.   This is why I swear if I go to look for another job I will be doing it through FGB!

Carrie Topolski · Answer

Look elsewhere.  That is not a company you want to work for.  They are not even worth your time.

Anonymous · Answer

Will definitely look elsewhere. What is FGB?

Courtney Klein · Answer

If Isaviel is understanding your statement properly (this is the same way I'm interpreting it, too), then I would, personally, think looooooong and hard about whether or not I would take that position. Typically, as a woman in a similarly male-dominated filed, I would encourage you to bust down that door and tear their tiny little testosterone-centric worldview to shreds, but THIS is a major red flag. Obviously, I don't have all the information, but to me this just screams misogyny.

The interviewer is basically screaming 'how could you, a WOMAN of all people, have a career in COMPUTERS? Only boys get to play that game! Girls don't know how to do THAT! Obviously, you didn't ACTUALLY get a degree - the hire was probably nepotism or something and you got your degree from some mill. Is your brother your boss? Your uncle maybe? Because THAT would make sense! But a lady person who can cybersecurity? Ha no! That's not a thing.'

Do you know any men who have interviewed for the position who you could ask after their experience? Or are there other women at the company you could ask about their interview/how it is to work there? Additionally, would you be WORKING with the interviewer? Maybe this person is just a wreck and the rest of the company is great, but given what you've said, it would probably be within your best interest to look into the culture a bit further. It seems like they may not value your skills and knowledge because of your sex, and while there are personal, social, and career advantages to tackling such hurdles, when these problems begin to pop up SO early in the process, it could really be indicative of a toxic situation. I can't imagine it would lead to you feeling terribly fulfilled personally and professionally if you constantly had to 'answer for your womanhood.'

Nancy Chapin · Answer

I would answer their questions, and promptly look for another job.

Carrie Topolski · Answer

So I want to be sure I'm not confused.  It was the person interviewing you that kept asking how you (a woman) got a job in this field?

Alyson Garrido, Career Coach · Answer

I agree - as far as your career prospects go, trust your gut. This clearly didn't feel right to you and that says a lot.

As follow up, you might consider if you'd like to share your experience with the recruiter or your contact. This may be a learning opportunity for your interviewer -  or a performance point for the interviewer's manager.

ReadySetGo! · Answer

Obviously you wouldn't want to work there. But some replies come to mind:
'The interviewer at my current company wasn't a misogynistic asshole like you.' Walk out.
'Do you have any training as an interviewer? Do you have a degree? It's not apparent based on your questions.' Walk out.
'If I cared about the future of your company, I'd tell you which violations you committed by asking me those questions. But I don't.' Walk out.

Anonymous · Answer

She just said above it was a man and his son who owned the business.

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