'I can already tell this won't be a good fit': Job seeker gets into heated back-and-forth with hiring manager for requiring him to do extra unpaid work, candidate contacts hiring manager's boss

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Aug 26, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

When you're going through the job search process, it's easy to forget that an interview is a two-way street. Sure, it's not totally balanced. After all, you are the one who is hoping to land a position, and they are the ones who can give it to you if they feel you are a strong fit. However, while you are trying to demonstrate what you bring to the table, it's the responsibility of hiring managers and recruiters to demonstrate what they bring to the table.

In other words, what are they going to offer that will make the time and energy you are about to commit to a given role worth it? That could manifest itself in various ways, from salary to PTO to benefits to overall company culture. Regardless, many employers should rethink the dynamics of a job interview and embrace the reality that they are in the hot seat as well. 

This job seeker may have been desperate to leave his current position, but he knew his worth during his search for better opportunities. He ultimately got into a heated back-and-forth with a hiring manager after they requested him to do more work during the application process. This work involved reiterating points he made several times in other rounds of interviews, which led him to conclude that this was not a well-run management team. If they already had all the information they needed, why did he have to explain that same information over and over again for them? Keep scrolling below for the full exchange and to see what other folks thought of this intense debate.

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  • "I went full Karen on a hiring manager"

    A man sits at a desk in a job interview opposite a businesswoman.
    via Mina Rad

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • While we can't help but feel that this author may have overdone it with the sass, the hiring manager was the person who started it. Sure, the author could have stopped responding after he withdrew his application, but something inside him clearly convinced him that it was time to make his point about the importance of transparency, efficiency, and respect during the job interview process.

  • My current job has sold to a another company and already new management is awful so I'm job hunting.
    via Antic_Opus
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • They of course stick with the company line "We need these to move forward"
    via Antic_Opus
  • I thanked them for the unique insight at how inefficient the company is run and that I'm no longer interested.
    via Antic_Opus
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Like lol I thought I wasn't a good fit? My response? "First of all it's Mr.Opus.
    via Antic_Opus
  • 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
  • A man sits at a desk in a job interview opposite a businesswoman.
    via Mina Rad

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • I already told you to revoke my interest so regardless we're not moving forward with anything.
    via Antic_Opus
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Massive-bad- . 19 hr. ago Sometimes it's just cathartic to choose the you, in particular" "F option.
    via Antic_Opus
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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