'I went full Karen': Job applicant rejects hiring manager's process, contacts HR, manager gets reprimanded

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Aug 12, 2023 2:00 PM EDT

Job applicants often forget that they have more power than people think they do. In this case, we have a candidate who was lucky enough to be in a more choosy position with their job search. For instance, if a potential employer refused to disclose important information like salary from the get-go, this Redditor would withdraw their application immediately. Power to you, sir!

 

Here's where things got messy. This one hiring manager had been messaging the applicant and requesting more information following the job application that the applicant felt was not necessary to disclose until after a job offer was put forth. The manager said this paperwork was important to see if the applicant would be a good "culture fit," but the applicant felt that their interview and resume/cover letter should be sufficient. So the applicant called off the process and asked to remove their name from consideration. You would think the exchange would have ended there, but unfortunately, the hiring manager continued to press further, which set the applicant off and sent them into full Karen rage mode. 

 

Keep scrolling below to read the sassy exchange and to find out how the head of HR got involved. When you're finished, take a look at the top Karens of the week!

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  • 01
    Fixture - a WE ARE HIRING APPLY TODAY "If you cannot do that we cannot move forward"
    via Eric Prouzet
  • 02
    Font - I went full Karen on a hiring manager. EDIT: There seems to be some confusion. My fault for how I worded it. I did apply. On indeed. Where the job was posted. /EDIT My current job has sold to a another company and already new management is awful so I'm job hunting.
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 03
    Font - Since I'm in a position to be picky, I've been in a "don't take no mentality. Don't want to tell me salary? Withdraw my application. Expect me to do extra work? Withdraw my application. So today I get a text saying how great my resume looks for their position and they would love to bring me on board. Just please fill out this application.
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 04
    Font - I, politely, told them I'll be happy to fill out any paperwork when I get the job offer but until then they have my information from indeed. They of course stick with the company line "We need these to move forward"
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 05
    Font - I thanked them for the unique insight at how inefficient the company is run and that I'm no longer interested. Oh man that really triggered whoever was texting me as I started getting snide remarks "yeah you're not a good fit." "We need people who can follow instructions"
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 06
    Font - Never mind they just said I was great fit. I just told them I need a company that respects their time and good luck to them cause it sounds like they're exactly where they deserve to be.
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 07
    Font - This started another string of snide texts that led to "Antic, we require a culture index to see if you are a good fit for the position. If you cannot do that we cannot move forward." Like lol I thought I wasn't a good fit? My response? "First of all it's Mr.Opus.
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 08
    Font - You don't know me well enough to address me by my first name nor do I respect you enough to let you address me by my first name. I already told you to revoke my interest so regardless we're not moving forward with anything.
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 09
    Font - And you know this yet you keep using your companies resources and time to continue your little petty ego stroking but that's a conversation you can have with your supervisor." I found the HR director on LinkedIn, called them up directly to explain the situation. The I emailed them a screen shot of the conversation and cced the hiring manager.
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 10
    Human body - I doubt it'll get them fired but they'll probably get chewed out for it and I'll live in their head rent free for a couple weeks.
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 11
    Font - Massive-bad- 19 hr. ago Sometimes it's just cathartic to choose the "F you, in particular" option. 4.2k ↓ Reply Share
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 12
    Font - Zenfinite1 16 hr. ago Told this story before, but, recently had an interview with some Boomer. He tried to give about my job me history, e.g. "Convince me you're not a job hopper and can be loyal based on your job history."
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 13
    Rectangle - My job history spans 30 YEARS. Much of it in retail. Why the am I justifying my life to a total stranger?
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 14
    Font - Told him "I can already tell this won't be a good fit; please remove me from consideration and thanks for your time." The perplexed noises he made were glorious to hear. them. 1.3k Reply Share
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 15
    Font - desertboots 20 hr. ago Your application might just not get binned, and HR director might want what you've got. Good luck! 932 Reply Share
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 16
    Font - Famous_Bit_5119. 19 hr. ago "You've got moxie, kid. That's just what we need yo shake things up around here. You're our new H.R. " 604 Reply Share
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 17
    Font - beesechurger759 - 16 hr. ago edited 14 hr. ago I hate when applications ask you to write loads of BS about yourself and how you're right for the role. Recently I applied to a job I rlly wanted and had to type out nearly 1000 words to answer all the questions they ask me... 2 weeks later I get the "sorry not sorry we didn't bother to look at your application and hired someone else, 11 you" email
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 18
    Font - Never again. If x company wants anything more than just your CV and basic information the application isn't worth your time 795 Reply Share
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 19
    Font - People_be_Sheeple. 19 hr. ago Imma copy this "First of all it's Mr. Opus. You don't know me well enough to address me by my first name nor do I respect you enough to let you address me by my first name." It irks me so when someone emails me using my first name and it's their first time contacting me. EDIT: You're my hero for today. 484 Reply Share
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 20
    Font - Dracidwastaken 17 hr. ago I see it from both sides. Their side is that they have their own application process seperate from indeed. I'm the same as you. Unless it's a job i REALLY want, if i have to fill out an application that's just what my resume says, I won't bother. It's on my resume, read it.
    via u/Antic_Opus
  • 21
    Font - On the other hand, it should have ended at you saying you weren't interested anymore and that was it. Incredibly unprofessional of them to hound you like that and just shows you dodged a bullet. Everyone getting their panties in a knot saying you're in the wrong is just being weird. You did nothing wrong. 117 Reply Share
    via u/Antic_Opus

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karens workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace manager job work hiring Office human resources karens in the wild workplace reddit thread Reddit job interview interview karen toxic-work-environment
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