Sorry for the rant, but I need to get this out of my system, and I don't want to take it out on my younger brothers.

It was the worst interview of my life. I'm disappointed, but I might be more disappointed if I get an offer. I desperately need the money, and I'd have to accept it. I'd probably cry.

I got grilled by the owner for exactly 54 minutes. He repeatedly made it a point to say that people with a resume like mine don't normally apply for jobs like that and wanted to know why I'm different. He called me an "intellectual" in an unflattering tone at least five times and told the manager, "See, we have a genius here." Then he snorted.

When he asked about my major, I said that I was studying pure math rather than applied. I explained that pure math is entirely abstract and involves a lot of writing proofs when you're an undergrad, and he said, "So you just learn the math the rest of us learn... algebra and whatnot. That's not hard. I could do that." I mean... no, not at all.

Then he told me to do something more useful for someone like me. Someone like who? A woman? Am I analyzing what he said in too much detail?

When he asked if I do volunteer work, I said I'm going to be tutoring students in my spare time and that I work with the Gay Straight Alliance at the local high school, because bullying is an issue there and it's important to me. He looked absolutely horrified. I know that look, because I've seen it over and over. Saying I'm helping queer youth feel better about themselves was a big mistake. I may as well have worn a sign saying "Gigantically Queer."

When he asked why I'm not in school, I told him that I was traveling (I did spend a while in San Francisco, so that's technically not a lie) and that I was ill for two of years, but that I've recovered and am excited to be able to go into the workforce. After that, he started to pry for answers that could clarify what the illness was without coming out and asking about it.

He told me he only hires women for this position, because "the men do the hard work."

He didn't laugh or smile once. I don't think I've been so intimidated by someone before. He was so intense that I stuttered a lot and had difficulty maintaining eye contact.

The manager is a woman who made me feel very comfortable. I think she'd give me a chance if it were up to her, but it's not.

I feel much better now. I don't even want to write the obligatory "thank you for the interview" note. I'm just praying that my next interview won't be like this.