The hiring director was honest with you. Very rare in govt......This is truth.
There was a job I wanted, that I had always wanted.
Did the applications, went through the initial interviews and finally to the hiring director.
Very nice, looked over my stuff and said "You have every qualification we're looking for except for two, you're not black and you're not a woman and I can't hire you."
Thanked him walked out and never again even bothered with anything associated with gov.