These were probably the most insulting interviews I have ever had. Initially, I did not even process what had just happened. It was only a few days later when I really understood how condescending those phone calls were.

The initial call, with the actual recruiter, went just fine. He seemed like a nice person, understanding of the needs of his company and to the point about the process. Nothing much to comment, negatively, about him.

I agreed to have a call with the person in charge. The call started off in what seemed like a nice environment, which quickly turned sour. The person on the other end of the line told me, literally: "I had to laugh at your CV, listing you won a programming contest four years in a row when there were probably no other contestants."

To put things in context; I grew up in South America, where I also got my university degree. We used to hold a programming contest among the local universities, which had a significant number of students in the IT branch. Having that said; I won that contest four years in a row. Four out of my five years at university; the fifth time I did not take part in the contest.

The tone in which this person said he had to laugh at my CV took me by surprise. I tried to ignore the fact that I had just been plainly insulted, almost like I had to put that in my CV just to make it sound more interesting. I continued with the conversation, trying to focus on what Red Hat could potentially offer me.

The interview ended well – of course, the person on the other line must have felt his ego take a boost – which led to another phone call from the recruiter organizing a second interview with another person.

I got the call as scheduled, and it all seemed to go well; the usual questions about "what and why", and then...

Again, let's put things into context; I have been involved, mainly, with start-ups for as long as I can remember. It made me happy, and I am proud I went that route. Not only has it been a very enriching path, but it has also given me the opportunity to fully unleash my creative power and build some of the most amazing things.

Then, at some point, my interlocutor said he was extremely worried because of my start-up experience. "It does not seem you have much corporate experience, and Red Hat is NOT (stressing out the 'not') a start-up," he continued; "You cannot join a company like Red Hat, with over 9000 employees, with a start-up mind set. We used to be a start-up, yes, 15 years ago. We are NOT (again, the stress on 'not') a start-up." – Interesting, wouldn't you agree?

I guess the part that was actually funny was that they were calling me for a role I did not even apply for.

I remember the days when tech companies thought it was cool to try to completely destroy the candidate at an interview. Companies like Google used to have this ridiculous recruitment process where, in the middle of a significant conversation, they would ask you how many tennis balls you can fit in a plane... To determine your reactive thinking, so they said. Absurd!

If I, or anyone else, applies for a job at your company, that does not mean you have the right to patronize, be condescending, insult, diminish, or in any way offend the person you are interviewing. You must, first of all, acknowledge that to this person you (or your company, for that matter) are someone to look up to, else they would not waste their time sending you their application. Be humble; you have been chosen by someone, and this someone is going to dedicate a part of their life to your company.

I felt very disrespected by Red Hat and I would encourage anyone to stop this behavior as soon as it appears. No matter which company it is, do not let them pretend they are better, stronger, faster, and smarter than you; if they were, they would not be calling you, they need you.

About me; I am a software engineer. I hold a MSc. in Computer Science and a MSc. in Biomedical Engineering. I started a PhD. in Neuroscience, and I have worked on every continent. I also speak 5 languages.

Why do I list on my CV that I have won a programming contest four years in a row? Why do I have so much start-up experience?