Company hires two job candidates for the same role, claiming they will rotate the responsibilities, only to fire one of them two months later: ‘I was set up to fail’

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Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Aug 1, 2025 7:00 AM EDT

It's a nice feeling, knowing you interviewed for a position in a company and managed to impress the hiring team the most out of everyone who interviewed as well. They probably went over hundreds of resumes, interviewed dozens of people, but in the end, they chose you. You are the person they thought would be best for the job, and the employee they decided they wanted to work with. It's extremely valid to feel proud of yourself for this accomplishment.

But how would it feel to find out that instead of being the one person they chose for the job, they actually went ahead and chose two? To realise that they couldn't really make a choice between the two final candidates, so they decided to go for the two candidates, and let them work together on the same role?

And how would you feel to then discover that after a few months on the job, they finally came to a conclusion about which one of you they prefer having around, and it is apparently not you?

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  • Well, the employee in the story below can tell you exactly how it feels, and it is definitely not a nice feeling.

    Keep scrolling to read the tale about a company that decided to hire two candidates for the same position…

  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10535997184
    via SHVETS production

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

  • 02

    I've applied to over 1800 applications. Finally got hired in June and was fired today.

    Hi all, I'm honestly heartbroken and exhausted. I spent *eight months* job searching. Sent out over 1800 applications.
    via IllMathematician4546
  • 03
    Got ghosted countless times, made it to final rounds, reworked my resume more times than I can count. I finally got hired in June for a Production & Operations Assistant role.
    via IllMathematician4546
  • 04
    The role was in the jewelry industry (I'm a fashion media major, but I was open to growing in different areas).
    via IllMathematician4546
  • 05
    They hired me and another girl at the same time and told us we'd rotate responsibilities- diamonds/stones and then production.
    via IllMathematician4546
  • 06
    The environment was immediately intense. Everyone seemed constantly stressed, micromanaged everything, and even early, innocent mistakes were treated like huge failures.
    via IllMathematician4546
  • 07
    Still, I was trying hard. I showed up early, took notes, asked questions, and genuinely thought I was doing okay.
    via IllMathematician4546
  • 08
    This week on Monday, they talked to the other new hire to check in-see how she thought she was doing, how she liked everything.
    via IllMathematician4546
  • 09
    They said she'd be switching to stones soon. I thought they'd pull me aside for the same chat, but they didn't.
    via IllMathematician4546
  • 10
    Then today, they fired me. The reason? "You're not enough for this job." ...What?
    via IllMathematician4546
  • 11
    I'm confused- because even though I made small mistakes, I would always eagerly fix them and learn from them.
    via IllMathematician4546
  • 12
    But most of the time, if I made a mistake, it either wasn't brought to my attention or it was labeled as my fault when it genuinely wasn't,
    via IllMathematician4546
  • 13
    or was a miscommunication on our bosses or clients/parterns fault. It felt like no matter what I did, I was set up to fail.
    via IllMathematician4546
  • 14
    Cheezburger Image 10535997440
    via Goodboy Picture Company

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

  • 15
    nicebriefs1 Sounds like they hired both of you for a probation period and liked her better. Sorry to hear.
    via nicebriefs1
  • 16
    IIIMathematician4546 OP She's a great worker! I didn't put all of it in here but the boss would often css and yell at people and she was able to take in stride and laugh with him about it. I was more serious and wouldn't entertain it. I do think it's for the best but am just shocked rn.
    via IllMathematician4546
  • 17
    sikhster As weird as this is to hear: this is a good thing. Why would you want to work there long term? You'll find another job, remember that
    via sikhster
  • 18
    you learned very important interviewing and resume reworking skills. The most important thing is to keep your head up.
    via sikhster
  • 19
    IIIMathematician4546 OP I think so too. I was two months in basically and already despised the work I was doing and just trying to take it in stride. Trying to keep a neutral outlook on it and learn from it!
    via IllMathematician4546
  • 20
    Watch5345 Unfortunately they did a comparison between you and her and you lost. File for unemployment insurance and update the resume. Good luck
    via Watch5345
  • 21
    Accomplished-Cook704 This is a blessing. Nobody should work under those conditions, stress, b",ing and ha....sment. The key to not being in this
    via Accomplished-Cook704
  • 22
    environment is simply ask the next employer you interview. about work environment. Pay attention to keywords they tell you.
    via Accomplished-Cook704
  • 23
    T2ThaSki Now isn't a good time to debate the details. Keep your head up, keep searching and we all are pushing for you to land the right opportunity for you.
    via T2ThaSki
  • 24
    IndependenceSad9576 I am so sorry this happened to you and I wish you luck in finding another position. That said, look at this as a positive. I worked in an extremely toxic place for a while. IT IS NOT WORTH IT.
    via IndependenceSad9576

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