Entitled employer gives unsolicited advice after job candidate withdraws application: 'Accepting only easy opportunities is probably not going to take you as far'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jul 31, 2025 4:00 PM EDT

Here's a friendly reminder to folks in all positions of authority: no matter how experienced you may be, most folks do not enjoy receiving unsolicited advice. Of course, if you are someone's employer, feedback is commonplace and expected. However, if you are just their interviewer, and if they have already expressed a desire to no longer be considered for a certain position, then you really have no place to speak out of turn.

I'll never forget when I was first entering the workforce and undergoing my first round of professional interviews. Sure, a part of me felt like Shoshanna Shapiro from HBO's Girls. She experienced an unfortunate awakening in season four after thinking she was too good for one position before getting rejected from practically every other job she was pursuing. Still, there is value in knowing your worth, even when it seems like the chips are stacked against you. If you feel like you do not have the capacity to stomach what seems like a toxic work environment, do not accept the job!

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    Cheezburger Image 10536659456
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

  • Below is the tense email exchange between the job candidate and the hiring manager following the interview. The candidate expressed a desire to withdraw their application and maintained a level of professionalism in doing so. However, the manager sought the opportunity to teach the author a “lesson” just because she felt like she was in a position of authority that permitted her to do so.

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    A + 17 hours ago Details Good evening, owner Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me earlier today about the open position at ☑ Property regret to inform you that I have chosen to decline the offer. I do apologize for any time that was wasted. I did not realize this was for student housing when I applied, and I am trying to take a different route with my future. Thank you again and I wish you all the best. me
    via [deleted]
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    M Upgrade to a smarter Gmail OPEN Secure, fast & organized email Duners responce Primary M I don't look at it as time wasted at all. You are a fine candidate and I enjoyed having the opportunity to speak with you.
    via [deleted]
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    But I am curious, however, as to why you would reject the opportunity to manage Property The opportunity consists of five communities, all situated in the best part of City and they are probably "A-" assets.
    via [deleted]
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    Is your decision based on the fact that you consider the job too tough? Well....good managers are usually rewarded for accepting the most difficult opportunities which are difficult. I began in this industry decades ago as a leasing agent, and worked my way up the corporate ranks by always accepting the opportunities which were the most difficult and + 4
    via [deleted]
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    then turning them around. Every job that I had was very tough in the beginning, and very easy by the time I was promoted to the next challenging situation. For accomplishing this, I was always compensated in a manner which allowed me to save and then, ten and a half years ago start my own company which now owns 9 assets in optand in We also do a considerable amount of consulting, because we are recognized as experts by others.
    via [deleted]
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    Furthermore, I don't even consider managing these assets as very difficult. I have spent much of the past two weeks here in because I thought that the collections effort could be run much more effectively. As an example of what a little bit of effort and skill could do, a week ago Property had $29,000 in the bank, an acceptable amount but a number that I knew could be
    via [deleted]
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    Primary nad $29,000 in the pank, an acceptapie amount but a number that I knew could be improved upon. After working at this for the last seven days, our bank balance has risen to $102,000, just by applying some effort and effective techniques.
    via [deleted]
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    So I write this to advise you that accepting only easy opportunities is probably not going to take you as far as pursuing those which are the most challenging. I don't expect you to change your mind. And I don't want to change your mind to cause you to take an opportunity which you might not be thrilled to take. I'm just offering a bit of career management advice which I think would take you to much higher achievements in your career. Best regards, owner
    via [deleted]
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    Turned down a property management job and was told I won't go far for not accepting a "difficult challenge" for an asset that he doesn't consider difficult
    via [deleted]
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    starving_artista. I think you do not owe that one any explanation or return email.
    via [deleted]
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    ambreezy_ OP. I don't plan to respond. He didn't even deserve the short reasoning I gave in my original email.
    via [deleted]
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    Supergoid. 18 hr. ago exactly. His balance has increased by over 100k.
    via [deleted]
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    But that's not the wage you would have gotten.
    via [deleted]
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    Resume
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

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    JoeyDawsonJenPacey ⚫ 1 day ago FIFTEEN F DOLLARS AN HOUR FOR 500 UNITS OF STUDENT HOUSING?!?!?
    via [deleted]
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    I have a property management background and am also looking for work, and that is just downright insulting and degrading.
    via [deleted]
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    Leasing agents in my city make that, for conventional housing, which is much easier.
    via [deleted]
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    Does your state have a Multifamily Job Group on Facebook? Feel free to DM me your state and I can find it and link you if you want.
    via [deleted]
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    I'm having a really hard time getting interviews right now, the market is atrocious. I have applied for PM, APM, and leasing agent jobs, and nothing.
    via [deleted]
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    But yet every community is struggling with coverage. It's no wonder that residents hate the office staff, everywhere is perpetually understaffed and overworked and underpaid.
    via [deleted]
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    ambreezy_ OP. 19 hr. ago I know!! I was flabbergasted when he said that. I have 10 years student housing property
    via [deleted]
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    management experience and he really though I'd even consider that. My former leasing consultants made more than that plus commission.
    via [deleted]
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    I've been trying to find something outside of property management, or management in general. I just want to
    via [deleted]
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    go to work, get my work done, come home and relax and not have to worry about solving everyone's problems.
    via [deleted]
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    But since almost all my experience is in property management and everyone wants a certain amount of experience for other jobs, it's been tough.
    via [deleted]
  • 27
    I've applied to grocery stores and restaurants too with no luck because I'm "overqualified".
    via [deleted]
  • 28
    tidymaze. What a sanctimonious You dodged a bullet.
    via [deleted]

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