I applied for a job at a bank. The application process consisted of an initial interview over the phone, a set of tests and a final interview in person. I managed to pass the initial interview as well as the tests. But then came the final interview or, I should say, the so-called interview.

I was faced with three interviewers, two men and a woman. It began with one of the men asking me to talk about myself including where I see myself in five years. Thus, I began to explain that I had lived in England for 12 years and had moved to Saudi Arabia about three years ago. I then filled them in on my educational background and finally said that I hoped to have my own business up and running within five years.

Although the start was typical of any job interview, it immediately deteriorated. The first couple of questions were: “Did you attend a mixed school in England?” and “Did you cover?” Not surprisingly, I was shocked at the questions since I could not see their relevance. But I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt in assuming that they were trying to push my buttons in order to test my patience. The reason I came to this conclusion was because the job they were offering entailed dealing with customers and so patience was a necessity.

I was then asked if I had found any difficulties in coming back to live in Saudi Arabia after having spent most of my life in a free country. I replied by explaining that although it had been incredibly difficult at first but that I had been able to overcome the difficulties by focusing on my education and pursuing my goals.

I was also asked about the difference between studying in England and studying in Saudi Arabia. I answered by explaining that in England, education is about understanding whereas in Saudi Arabia, it has more to do with regurgitation.

Next I was asked, “Do you have a car?” which I found to be beside the point. The fact that I applied for a job automatically implies that I must have some means of transport, be it my own car with a driver, a taxi or a bus. I cannot see how any answer to this question could possibly be unfavorable but again my optimism remained high, hoping that this was all to test my patience.

However, my patience was running thin when one of the interviewers made a presumption by actually claiming with absolute confidence that I had no friends in Saudi Arabia and when I tried to correct him, he gave me a look of disbelief and asked, “Where have you made friends?” Trying to remain calm, I replied by informing him that I had made many friends at university.

By this point I was becoming frustrated, losing all hope that I would be asked one relevant question. But again I kept reassuring myself that these questions were all to test my patience and that if I continued to keep my composure, I would surely pass with flying colors.

Then the woman finally spoke, asking, “If you were offered a job in Al-Hasa rather than Alkhobar — where I live — would your decision to accept the offer be final or would you have to get your guardian’s consent?” It was quite clear to me by then that testing my patience was certainly not on their agenda.

Being a woman who comes from quite a conservative family, the idea of commuting to work over long distances was out of the question. Although I personally have no qualms about commuting, my family certainly would. In reality, a woman traveling long distances alone in Saudi Arabia will certainly be in danger and that is why most Saudi families reject such an offer regardless of how great an opportunity, career-wise, it might be. So when the woman asked me this question, I was offended as I felt it was an indirect presumption that if I required my family’s consent to accept the offer, I must be lacking in independence. The fact is, women in Saudi Arabia cannot study, work, travel or even have surgery without their male guardian’s consent — so how dare this woman judge me on a situation that is out of my hands? I did not ask for these laws to be enforced and I certainly did not ask to be born into a conservative family. This woman obviously comes from a liberal family without whose consent she never would have been able to make such strides in her career. The truth is most Saudi women are not so fortunate and anyone who claims otherwise is simply ignorant.

The interview ended with the question: “How will you be able to balance your education with work?” This was the only question which was actually appropriate. But even so, one question is not enough to redeem them as far as I’m concerned. Although I have no experience with job interviews I am certain that this was no ordinary interview, and the fact that I was rejected on the basis of such ludicrous questions proves that their aim was not to test my patience, because otherwise I would have passed with flying colors. If I had been asked appropriate questions regarding my abilities to work as part of a team or under pressure or any question of that nature, then I would not be so furious at having been rejected. In all honesty, I have no problem with rejection but I do not appreciate my time being wasted and, most importantly, not being respected. This was no job interview but rather some sort of sick game and I sincerely hope that this style of interviewing is not the norm in Saudi Arabia.

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(Jawahir Al-Subaie is a Management and Information Systems student. She is based in Alkhobar.)