‘"I'm not sure about him… I think he's like, a video gamer"’: Job applicant finds out he isn't hired because the hiring team profiled him as a ‘video gamer’, all thanks to an Otter.AI meeting transcription

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Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Aug 27, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

We're still shaming others for their hobbies in 2025? I thought that was a pesky habit of yesteryear, but, then again, people will surprise you at every turn—even professionals who are supposed to practice fair treatment in the workplace. The job candidate in this next story finds out they were passed up on a role because he was profiled as a "video gamer". Did I mention this interview was for an after-school drama teacher role? You'd think that administration would jump at the prospect of a teacher who's "hip" and "down with the kids"…

The icing on the cake? The candidate only found out about the reason for his rejection through an Otter.AI meeting transcript because the interview was held virtually. If the meeting had been in person, he might not have known that the hiring team, and likely other staff members, operate on petty principles.

It's not the end of the world for this job candidate, as he explains that he probably shouldn't work for such shallow people anyway. It still has to sting, though. If the hiring team had given him a chance, they might've seen that his extensive background in film, acting, and set design might've come in handy. Scroll to read the full story.

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  • "I had to laugh at the absurdity of it all.” 妮 PREDATOR
    via Dollar Gill for Unsplash

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

  • "I didn't get the job because I was profiled as a 'Video Gamer'"

    I was interviewed for a Afterschool Drama Teacher program at the local museum here. This was a virtual interview
    via cray_ray
  • so I get the Google Meet email. When I joined, I notice that there was another in the room with us but it was an Al that was going to
    via cray_ray
  • transcribe the meeting called Otter. Al. I didn't think much of it, I figure that this was protocol, whatever.
    via cray_ray
  • Interview goes on, I feel good despite the little red flags I saw come up. But I need work and being lucky enough to get an
    via cray_ray
  • interview in my field of choice, I hoped for the best. About 30 minutes after the interview concluded I get another email
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  • from Otter Al that shares what was transcribed. I felt like I wasn't suppose to see this but I decided hey, if anything I can go over the interview for myself and just take it as a healthy moment to critique myself.
    via cray_ray
  • Little did I realize, the transcription continues after I left.
    via cray_ray
  • I've attached what was said but, I was profiled as a "video gamer" and that was why I was not qualified for the job.
    via cray_ray
  • two hiring manager colleagues looking at virtual meeting on computer
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

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

  • At first I was p ed but then I had to laugh at the absurdity of it all. If that's their thought process, perhaps I dodged one big ol bullet!
    via cray_ray
  • For transparency, yes I do play video games. But I have a professional resume filled with Teaching experience, industry and professional work under my
    via cray_ray
  • belt. Granted sure I don't have a bachelors in theater work but I wanted to sh ot my shot, knowing theres SOME overlap
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  • but I was willing to get my feet wet. And its for a kindergarten- program, not exactly putting on 'Kidz Bop Presents: Hamilton'.
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  • This is definitely the craziest rejection I've ever received. This is truly h !!
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  • B 18:51 I'm not sure about him, yeah, me, I think he's like, a video gamer. And no offense to video gamers, but just like, like imagining him with kindergarteners. I can't see it.
    via cray_ray
  • catsareniceactually Why did they brand you as a "video gamer"? And why does that mean you couldn't work with children?! That's the most ridiculous stereotype. I don't understand.
    via catsareniceactually
  • Imagine if you had a film poster up in the background and they were like, "urgh, he watches movies, we can't let him near children". "He seems like someone who goes skiing. That won't work for us." "Looks like a person who knits. And I'll tell you what he knits...RED FLAGS."
    via catsareniceactually
  • sgtsausagepants Because children are widely know to not relate to video games....
    via sgtsausagepants
  • Verdammt_Arschloch What was in your background as you interviewed?
    via Verdammt_Arschloch
  • cray_ray I have Film Instructor teaching experience for 3 years. A number of projects I work on that range from commercial to story-telling. Ive written one Feature Film. Accolades include Best Actor for a local film festival and Runner Up Best Short Film I directed.
    via cray_ray
  • Film Theory. Acting. Set and Prop design. Ya know, a wide arrange of tools that I can help introduce and have fun with kids who are getting into a afterschool program. Not quite as high stakes but still worth wanting to step into this, especially since now Im a father
    via cray_ray

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workplace-stories toxic-workplace work rejection reddit story horrible-management rejected workplace Horrible Bosses reddit thread job interview interview entitled people toxic-work-environment
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