'I went full Karen on a hiring manager': Job candidate calls out recruiter's tone, shares their conversation with their head of HR

Author image for Ben Weiss
Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Aug 20, 2024 8:00 AM EDT

Some people who are in the process of hiring seem to think that this albeit temporary position of power gives them the right to treat job candidates like garbage. Thankfully, this particular candidate had enough of that kind of nonsense.

Let's start with the fact that they were asked to fill out forms with the same information they had completed in the initial job application, which is quite simply a waste of everyone's time. The job candidate was lucky enough not to be in a desperate situation, so they informed their recruiter that they would not be completing that step since HR already had all the information they were requesting. That set off the hiring manager and what ensued was a petty back-and-forth of damaged egos. By the end of the interaction, the candidate withdrew their application but they were not going to let that obnoxious hiring manager get away with their snide behavior.

So the candidate decided it was in the best interest of the hiring manager's boss to know exactly how their candidates were getting treated. Keep scrolling below for the full story. For more, check out this post about another candidate who called out a company online.

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement
  • 01
    "Yeah, you're not a good fit"
    via Tim Gouw
  • 02
    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
    via Antic_Opus
  • 03
    My current job has sold to a another company and already new management is awful so I'm job hunting.
    via Antic_Opus
  • 04
    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.
    via Antic_Opus
  • 05
    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 Antic_Opus
  • 06
    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.
    via Antic_Opus
  • 07
    They of course stick with the company line "We need these to move forward"
    via Antic_Opus
  • 08
    I thanked them for the unique insight at how inefficient the company is run and that I'm no longer interested.
    via Antic_Opus
  • 09
    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 Antic_Opus
  • 10
    Never mind they just said I was a 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 Antic_Opus
  • 11
    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."
    via Antic_Opus
  • 12
    Like lol I thought I wasn't a good fit? My response? "First of all it's Mr.Opus.
    via Antic_Opus
  • 13
    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.
    via Antic_Opus
  • 14
    I already told you to revoke my interest so regardless we're not moving forward with anything.
    via Antic_Opus
  • 15
    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."
    via Antic_Opus
  • 16
    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 Antic_Opus
  • 17
    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 Antic_Opus
  • 18
    Massive-bad- 19 hr. ago Sometimes it's just cathartic to choose the "F you, in particular" option.
    via Antic_Opus
  • 19
    Zenfinite1 16 hr. ago Told this story before, but, recently had an interview with some Boomer. He tried to give me about my job history, e.g. "Convince me you're not a job hopper and can be loyal based on your job history."
    via Antic_Opus
  • 20
    My job history spans 30 YEARS. Much of it in retail. Why the am I justifying my life to a total stranger?
    via Antic_Opus
  • 21
    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.
    via Antic_Opus

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace job work reddit thread Reddit company job interview interview karen toxic-work-environment
Scroll Down For The Next Article