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Story: IT industry's 'macho culture' drives women away

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I went for an interview last Wednesday as an IT Support Team Leader. I have 6 years experience in a similar role and have over 10 years IT experience.
The interview went really well, I thought I answered the questions well, I really liked the sound of the job, liked the interviewers, could really see myself working there. Perfect interview really.

The company was a women's high street fashion group - from what I could gather waiting in reception, most employees are female and the manager who interviewed me confirmed this.

The next stage was shortlisting for an interview with HR to check background, health etc.

When I received the feedback on Friday I was told that they thought I would be uncomfortable in a predominantly male IT department ( I am female, BTW ).

I was totally gutted and couldn't believe this. I hadn't said anything that might even lead this to be believed - the opposite in fact - assertive, strong-willed, believe I showed I was more than capable of handling myself and definitely demonstrated I was more than capable of doing the job.

If I had been passed over for skills or experience, fair enough, but to get the excuse I was given disgusted me.

I have struggled in a male dominated industry, GCSE Computer Studies classes at the level I was were all male. I did a Computer Science degree in a male dominated university (only about 2% female on my course). I have worked in and managed male dominated teams. I love working in IT and have been extremely keen on computers for 23 years since I was 9 years old. I am pretty much a female techie.

This really knocked me for six. I have been out of work for 2 months. I have an excellent CV (know this from application feedback), a good skill set in IT, man-management and project management and business awareness.

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