So, yeah I present as and identify as female and work in infosec. This is not usually a big deal at all, but it's important for context. Only twice have I felt directly looked down upon for this in a way that affected me.
The first was in a job interview. Applying for a SOC, interviewer came out with last candidate and was smiling. Looked me up and down, instant scowl. Barrage of technical questions, some unrelated. (thread cont. below)
(cont)
This guy was really aggressive in his questioning - it was me and the hiring manager in the room, and the hiring manager was not only very kind, but he looked sick during the whole interview.
Got a job the next day somewhere else. Got the call - declined, interview gave me bad vibes. After about a year at the new job, I offhand asked everyone about the company I interviewed with... turns out, this was a well-known thing, the guy had gotten fired and sued for discrimination by another.
(cont 2)
He had been doing that for the ~5 years he had been SOC manager, and it had resulted in a lot of lost talent.
Other story: Interviewing for a higher level job, on interview 3/6 (yes... that many). Time to meet the team I'd be working with, was going on a Senior position. Keep in mind - I am mid-20s.
Two guys in the room, one around my age and one about mid-50s. Very first words out of the older one's mouth: "Would you consider taking a lower level position?"
(cont 3, almost done I swear)
Asked him why he wanted me to take a lower level position. "I don't know if you have the experience we're looking for". Bro you haven't even looked at my resume.
So I tell him my experience actually overqualifies me for the position according to the job listing. He STILL mentions how he's not sure that it will be a 'good cultural fit'.
Yes, I got hired there. Yes, I got hired above him. Yes it was awkward.
FIN
@KillrBunn3 at least you got the job. Sadly I feel like instances like that are the norm, especially in STEM positions. Ya hate to see it