Farmhouse Pottery interview questions

I had interviewed initially with a HR representative...this much younger person seemed to insinuate ageist remarks about "having energy" for the job. I overcame objections as this is not in my DNA, even if I am older than this person. I was passed along to the owner. After an outstanding interview and having told HR in my presence we would work out the details and I would be offered a plan I was happy with, things went dark. When I prodded about the details of the events, the owner made a reference to talking with my former employer and getting details of my separation which is both unethical and illegal. The concern was I that my standards were too high for the organization. My advice is to run in the opposite direction from an organization uninterested in employees with high standards who value continual improvement. HR has far too much power and far too little actual HR experience and understanding of how to attract and retain talent...I mean..it's rural Vermont!

I was required to drive over 4 hours across state lines to have an in person interview at my own expense. There was no offer from the employer to cover travel expenditures. During the interview, the male owner (seeing I was a younger woman in her 20s) asked very unethical questions about my plans for marriage and pregnancy in the near future that would have the potential to effect my employment status. I gave absolutely zero reason for this to come up other than merely mentioning that my partner had traveled to the interview with me. Regardless, this kind of personal information has no place in a professional interview. The owner of this business clearly cared more about my ability to be the bearer of human life than the actual professional accolades that were relevant to a professional role in his business. There is a word for this, but I will leave that for you to decide. Needless to say, they never called me and I was better for it.