Have I Sunk This Low?

My job interview? In a word: sucked. I'm starting to get very depressed about the whole job search process. I need to make more money and get more established in my career in a place where there is job security and opportunity for advancement. This place? Let's just say they told me most people go there to get experience and then leave to make more money. She also said that the organization is not viewed favorably by its peers and they wanted people with thick skin, etc. They obviously don't value their employees since she barely seemed interested in my experience or background and was extremely short with me (pretty much just asking me questions like if I could handle x, y, and z).

Depsite the fact that it was such a negative experience, I still found myself filling out a form entitling them to do a BACKGROUND SEARCH on me. Even as I looked at the forms it felt like such a stupid idea - especially since I had listed two prior bosses as references and I don't want them getting calls about my character, but I went along with it because I've heard that sometimes companies do this and also just out of idle curiosity to see if I would be offered the position.

I feel lower than low right now at the possibility that I might be in a position to have to take this job or one just like it if things don't work out in the next couple of months. I've always done well in school, received awards, etc., why is it so hard to find a decent job?