10 Women Reveal the MOST Sexist Thing They've Ever Experienced in a Job Interview

Because obviously skills and work ethic don't need to come into it...

21 March, 2018
10 Women Reveal the MOST Sexist Thing They've Ever Experienced in a Job Interview

​Hot on the heels of reports that a London recruitment agency had been advertising roles designated only for "attractive women", with some even specifying a required bra size, we thought we'd look a little closer into other outrageously sexist experiences women have had while trying to apply for a job.

And it's depressing, because despite the fact it's 2016 - we ​know ​women should be regarded equally with men - in some corners of the world, that still doesn't happen. As these women found out the hard way...

1. "The manager asked me whether my husband or children would appreciate me working night shifts. I have neither."

"When I interviewed at a hotel, the manager constantly asked me whether or not my husband or children would appreciate me working the night shifts. I have neither, and was clear about it. 'Well I just don't want your boyfriend up here causing trouble.'

I got the job there, and mentioned it to another latina who said the manager told her similar things. And would say things like, 'I don't know why you bother working when babysitting costs so much.' Like... Neither of us had children. But since we're brown and women, we're popping them out by the dozen I guess.​"

[Via]

2. "Cover your knees"

"My wife had a job interview and called me very upset and confused after. She was applying for a sales management position at a manufacturing company, went in with high hopes and looking professional - form fitting dress to the knee, chest covered, nothing inappropriate by common standards and very classy looking.

When she arrived she was sat in the boardroom and she said the owner walked by, looked in, and kept walking. A min later the female office manager walked in with a sweater and asked my wife if she could please cover her knees as the company owner was orthodox Jewish.

My wife was lost for words, and after some initial shock politely said that was offensive and she was no longer interested in working for the company."

[Via]

3. "Most of my feedback was regarding my dress and lack of make up​"

"I did a serious internship with a federal agency and when I asked for feedback at the end the majority of it was regarding my dress and lack of make up. Well specifically my dress was ok (skirts and blouses) but I should have them tailored to be more faltering, wear jewellery and make up every day.

"The conversation of panty hose vs knee highs (skirts long enough you can't tell) also came up. I still find it odd that people would be discussing my undergarments in an office setting unless I was walking around with them visible or visibly absent.​"

[Via]

4. "Do you intend to have a child during the next 5 years​?"

"Last year, in one of my graduate courses, we were talking about interviewing for positions in the program, and what changes they should make.

One of the women in the PhD program stated that at a previous university, the interviewer would be the faculty member she would be prospectively working for. Due to a history of previous grad students getting pregnant and taking a hiatus/withdrawing, leaving the faculty member high-and-dry, they asked the interviewee whether she intended to have a child during the next 5 years.​"

[Via]

5. "A less qualified man will get the job​"

"My friend went for a job interview the other day with a recruiter. At the end the woman said to her 'Look, I'll put you forward for the job, but the truth is a less qualified man will get the job. It's a very male dominated industry and I just don't think they will want a woman in the position'."

[Via]

6. "Are you married?"

"My mother told me about an interview she had with a leading chemical corporation giant back in the 70's. She had an extremely impressive resume and experience that included government contracts and mechanical and electrical engineering degrees from a very esteemed university. The first two questions they asked her were, 'Are you married?' and then, 'Do you plan to get pregnant in the near future?'

She is so awesome. She answered yes to the first question and stood up and walked out in reply to the second."

[Via]

7. "There's already one too many women on this team​"

"Male colleague upon discovering I encouraged a fellow alumna to interview: 'You brought a woman in to interview? Geez, there's already one too many women on this team!' (I was the only woman at the time).​"

[Via]

8. "Are you sure you could work in a male-dominated environment?​"

"I've felt that I've often had weird looks when I say I want to be an engineer (and have been told 'it's a man's job' several times), including things like 'Are you sure you could work in a male-dominated environment?' in most interviews - I don't think they'd ask a man applying for a 'feminine' job the reverse.​"

[Via]

9. "Women can't sell furniture"

"This was years ago, circa 1975. I was looking for a job just out of school, and saw a listing in the paper that the furniture store nearby was looking for a sales person. I went in to apply, and was told straight up by the hiring manager that he didn't think women could sell furniture and he was looking for a man for the position.​"

[Via]

10. "You know women. As soon as they get married, they quit their jobs and just stay home to let the men work all day​"

"I applied for a teaching job with two male interviewers. Halfway through the interview, one noticed my engagement ring. He turned to the other and said, 'Damn. She's getting married. You know what that means?'

When the other interviewer didn't take the bait, I responded, 'What does that mean?' His answer: 'Well, you know women. As soon as they get married, they quit their jobs and just stay home to let the men work all day.' Seriously? Asshat...

(And, no, I did NOT accept the job offer.)"

[Via]

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Credit: Cosmopolitan
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