Entitled coworker rejects job candidate because she's a fan of Stark Trek: 'She made the mistake of mentioning her hobbies during [the] interview'

Author image for Ben Weiss
Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Apr 23, 2025 4:00 PM EDT

There is nothing more infuriating than a hiring manager with a strange bias that shouldn't affect a job candidate's chances whatsoever, yet somehow, it inevitably does. We all have our preconceived notions about professionalism and what a strong fit for an employment opportunity looks like, and it's often up to us to challenge those preconceived notions.

For instance, perhaps the way you dress to work really doesn't have any effect on whether or not you can read a contract or make a phone call or send an email. Perhaps the way you speak doesn't have any impact on the quality of what you're saying. These are all ingrained ideas in our minds about how a good employee looks, sounds, and acts, but the problem with this thinking is the refusal to accept a different approach and the inability to meet a candidate where they are. 

Keep scrolling below for this tale of an unfortunately biased manager who thought a candidate was weird and unfit simply because she was a Star Trek fan.

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    "Potential candidate almost rejected because she made the 'mistake' of mentioning her hobbies during an interview"

    My boss is currently looking for temp help for while I'm out on medical leave later this year. We had a candidate come in last week and I was asked to sit in on the interview because my boss
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    had an important meeting that she couldn't reschedule. The other person in the room was my coworker, whom most would consider a boomer.
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    Cheezburger Image 10497137664
    via Unsplash+ (Ahmet Kurt)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • We want to clarify before we get into the details of this story that taking a day off to go to a Star Trek event is not something that should be punished. This candidate revealed that she had a personal conflict coming up because of this event and made the “error” of revealing exactly what the event was. The most upsetting part about this tale is that while some personal details certainly should be off limits in an office environment, this was so minor and harmless but ended up being a red flag in the eyes of the buffoon in charge.

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    I thought she came across really nice, she spoke in an intelligent manner and had most of the skills the job requires. Towards the end of the interview she said she could be available immediately
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    but asked if she could have this specific day off because she had a trip planned (hotel + flight booked and paid for).
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    Her "mistake" was going into detail about this trip. Basically she's a big fan of Star Tek and she's going to a comic con to see an actor she really likes.
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    My coworker found this to be a red flag and a sign that she might not be a "hard worker" or that she was "weird".
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    ?! This I'm sorry.... What the f just further cements my opinion about never sharing my personal life or likes at work.
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    My boomer coworkers would probably d if they knew I sat at my desk listening to European Power Metal about space wizards
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    fighting und d unicorns or the fact that I spend what little free time I have playing video games with my friends. Literally has 0
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    effect on my job performance other than the fact that I tend to be a better problem solver.
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    1
    via Stefan Cosma

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    overkillsd⚫ I bring up my gaming and death metal fandom in interviews so potential employers can out themselves if they sh
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    ballfacedbuddy. 1. Live short and di poor, huh?
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    That_White_Wall People wonder why it's so hard to get hired. When the people deciding to hire you are insane this is why people never hear back.
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    Thellluminate1992 0.0 Ok for someone not in the know....what band are you referring to because that sounds freaking awesome.
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    thedaj That'd be considered a justification to hire in any logical environment. I don't think I've ever met a dumb Star Trek fan.
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    gladgubbegbg . Sounds like your coworker feels threatened by this woman.
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    SamuelVimesTrain... I would ask "can you bring me a signed item from any of the actors" ?
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    I once got an interview (networking role) and at that point i only my star trek related mail due to ISP switch. Department manager saw that, pointed it out to HR and remarked "we should hire him, he fits the culture"
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    III_Quantity_5634 Pretty sure the last interview I had didn't go well because of the face the woman made when I told her I crochet.
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    She was somewhat interested and asked to see something. The only thing close by I was the tiny bantha I made. She looked like she stepped in sh and said, "oh you must like fantasy."
    via Alikona_05

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workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace job candidates Professional At Work work job candidate company job interview interview toxic-work-environment
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