'How about NO': Hiring manager blocks candidate after they politely inquire about the job's pay rate, all while claiming it's unprofessional to even ask

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Apr 6, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

Why has the conversation about wages and pay rates become such a taboo topic? What is it about money that gets people so sensitive, or even offended, that it became impossible to talk about?

When it comes to people's private lives, we get it. People don't want to disclose how much they make, or what their financial status is, and that's fair. But when it comes to the workplace, or at the very least, during a hiring process, we don't understand why it has become almost a rule to avoid talking about money.

A job posting's most important detail is the pay; it is as simple as that. There is no reason why hiring managers should waste time, both their own and job candidates, by going through a hiring process without first discussing the wage expectations. If it's not a good fit, it is simply pointless, and all the politics around the "negotiation" are just a waste of time.

That is why the hiring manager in the story below needs a serious wake-up call. Keep scrolling to understand why.

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  • 01
    mic Te rges WAGES
    via TheaDesign
  • 02
    Uh... What? If I wanted to know what the pay was, I should have put it on my resume? Am I stupid?
    via Ukelikely_Not
  • 03
    I passively applied to this local job, got a voicemail, checked the job listing again before I called them back. Sent the hiring manager this message, and got yelled at? Uhh....????
    via Ukelikely_Not
  • 04
    Admin job SUNDAY 6:06 PM Hey there! I just picked up a voicemail from you regarding the admin position. In reviewing the job posting in preparation to reach back out, I noticed that the pay rate isn't posted. Would you be able to share that with me before we proceed with scheduling a call? Thank you!
    via Ukelikely_Not
  • 05
    Hi Thanks for reaching out, but that's not how this interview process is supposed to go. The Title of the Position is Entry Level AA Position.
    via Ukelikely_Not
  • 06
    From this you should be able to deduce that I am a small business owner, who is not a Corporate Business, but at the Entry Level Business Stage. Therefore if you were looking for a job offering a wage requirement,401(k) or healthcare, then you should of implied that on your RESUME. Regards. → Your InMail message was declined. Learn more
    via Ukelikely_Not
  • 07
    Ukelikely_Not OP UPDATE: Found this in his LinkedIn comments. Mystery solved lollll Can't post a pic in the comments, so I'll summarize. "I'm in sales so I never lead with the price. I don't post the salary.
    via Ukelikely_Not
  • 08
    I get an applicant on a zoom call or in-person interview where I sell them on the role then hit them with the $11.50 an hour salary. It's a sales tactic."
    via Ukelikely_Not
  • 09
    Sir, I'm a Program Director with 20 years of professional experience. How about NO. And you can't sales-pitch someone to make less than a living wage.
    via Ukelikely_Not
  • 10
    the_ber1 And I'm sure you will come across a "nobody wants to work" quote from him. It couldn't be his snarky comments, lack of understanding regarding the interview/application process, manipulative interviews, or sy pay. Obviously, it is "lazy people."/s
    via the_ber1
  • 11
    Ukelikely_Not OP That's funny you said that, because another comment or post or something on his LinkedIn profile said something like since nobody wants to work for $11 an hour full time, he will just post a part-time position for $15 an hour.
    via Ukelikely_Not
  • 12
    Wait till he finds out that part-time administrative assistants make way more than full-time per hour. I have worked as both in the past and part-time was like $40 an hour or full-time was 25 to 30. Even for entry level. This guy obviously doesn't know what an administrative assistant does, which is practically run the business for you. Admin assistance are worth their weight in gold
    via Ukelikely_Not
  • 13
    SuzyQ93 "selling" the person on the job, Imao. I'm not buying a job, dude. YOU are purchasing MY labor. And it sounds like you can't afford me. Buh-bye.
    via SuzyQ93
  • 14
    GeneStarwind1 "How much are you going to pay me?" "First of all, how dare you. In this essay I will..."
    via GeneStarwind1
  • 15
    WASHINGTO LIB PAME 2018 2950 WASHING
    via Darren415
  • 16
    JayRayBear99 Well your answer is minimum wage, but how dare you ask or insinuate I'm an incompetent employer/s
    via JayRayBear99
  • 17
    Pen15club2004 I bet it was a contract gig that paid less than minimum wage lol. Also, how are you supposed to put pay expectations on your résumé?!
    via Pen15club2004
  • 18
    swisssf I'd reply "Thank you so much for your response. Unfortunately, I'm not the right candidate for this position. Hope you find a great match. Best regards,
    via swisssf
  • 19
    Ukelikely_Not OP That's the kicker - I can't reply because he blocked me from messaging → Kbye, I guess!
    via Ukelikely_Not
  • 20
    swisssf Then again, if as he said, the title of the position was Entry Level AA what led you to apply for it, if you have 20 years of senior experience?
    via swisssf
  • 21
    Ukelikely_Not OP Fair point! I was an admin assistant for a year or so while experiencing a period of being laid off, and it was $30/hr, which I would consider to help a small business grow! Totally fair question tho, I see why it looks sus.
    via Ukelikely_Not
  • 22
    NoNamePhantom Guy doesn't know how to run a business.
    via NoNamePhantom
  • 23
    BildoBaggens No AA is running the business that's for sure. They are not privy to strategic decisions. Without strategy you don't have a business.
    via BildoBaggens
  • 24
    Ukelikely_Not OP Depends on the business! But esp in small businesses, like this one absolutely is, administrative assistants to most if not all of the actual execution of strategy. That's pretty far beyond the point of this post tho :)
    via Ukelikely_Not

  • If inquiring about a job's pay rate is somehow insulting to this hiring manager, maybe they are in the wrong field. Their response was not only disrespectful, it was downright childish, and we hope they never find someone willing to take the job and be treated this way.

    Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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boss workplace-stories employee manager job hiring manager tales-from-the-workplace job candidate wages reddit story pay workplace Reddit company funny money
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