I do feel the need to preface this by saying that despite how bitter I sound in this review, the experience was truly this bad. But in retrospect, it was one of the most comical interviews I’ve ever had.

Okay. The interview was supposed to be a phone interview via WebEx (I was international without cell service). I get on the call, and the interviewer insists that I need my camera on. Well, my computer is having some software issues, and the camera will not turn on. I tell the interviewer that I suspect it’s a driver issue and that if he gives me a few minutes, I’ll revert to an old driver. The interviewer thinks he’s God’s gift to engineering and insists upon troubleshooting the issue himself. He tells me it’s not a driver issue and that I just need to restart WebEx. I do this, and it doesn’t work. I propose my original idea. He tells me to restart my computer and that he’ll wait. I do this; it doesn’t work. He insists that I try restarting WebEx again. I suggest the driver idea again. He rejects the idea. I suggest that I switch to WebEx on my phone. He finally thinks I have a good idea. He proceeds to ask me to choose three mechanical engineering topics to “dive deep” on. I propose three, and he starts asking questions. The questions are far beyond entry-level, and I can’t answer them. I’m honest about this and explain that if they’re looking for someone with more experience, I’m not the one. He shifts gears to ask easier questions. I answer them correctly, and he insists that I’m wrong. I calmly explain why I’m right. He blows me off and says that we should move on.

The sexism and obscene level of mansplaining that I experienced in this interview were unlike any other. There were many times in this interview that I considered just ending it. I’ve never been so amazed and appalled at the same time. When it was over, I cried. I’m not sure if they were tears of stress or relief that the hour was over.

After I cried, I reverted the driver to an older version, and the camera turned back on.

Have you tried restarting WebEx?

Please choose 3 engineering topics to be grilled on: