'I couldn’t take “no” for an answer': Determined job candidate emails the CEO's private email address after getting rejected from a position, gets hired as a result

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Oct 10, 2025 8:00 PM EDT

Hard-pressed determination is often rewarded in the workplace, especially when you're dealing with CEO types. Motivated entirely by ambition and fueled by intern-won coffees, CEOs have a certain level of respect for employees and prospective job candidates who challenge the traditional hierarchy. This is why the guy in this next story went viral: Because he wouldn't take "no" for an answer. 

Any of us who have had to struggle on the job market know that things are pretty bleak out there right now. Unemployment is up and morale is way down, but that didn't slow the mind of this witty job candidate. They knew that they had the skills to do this job and were, quite frankly, tired of trying to prove it. Most other employees would have taken the rejection email from HR and sulked back to Linkedin's job listing site, but not this guy! 

Instead of slumming it, he charged back to his laptop and wrote a powerful email, reiterating his expertise, hyping himself up, and telling the company they were making a mistake letting him walk away. Funnily enough, when he hit send, he never thought the CEO would actually respond to his personal email, and he certainly didn't expect to get hired as a result. 

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  • Cheezburger Image 10562734080
    via freedomz

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

  • Got rejected, emailed the CEO... and got another shot
    via asbrightasday
  • I recently interviewed for a Business analyst role at a company I really wanted to join.
    via asbrightasday
  • I went through multiple rounds, and a test, everyone i interviewed seemed eager to see me join the team, but after the final interview I got the rejection email.
    via asbrightasday
  • Instead of accepting it, I decided to take a risk and emailed the CEO directly. I explained that I felt that I was confident in my skills and really felt that i got the job only in the end to get rejected, and asked for a chance to redo it.
    via asbrightasday
  • Surprisingly, it worked. They gave me a second shot through a trial period, which could lead to a full- time offer if I perform well.
    via asbrightasday
  • Well now I'm curious how do you think the company sees me after this? Desperate, like I couldn't take "no" for an answer?
    via asbrightasday
  • Or eager/driven, showing I'm willing to fight for the opportunity? I'm grateful for the chance either way, but I'd love to hear your perspective.
    via asbrightasday
  • Edit: Usually in this company the final interview is with the CEO, but he didnt interview me a head of another department did and discussed my file with him and the hiring team
    via asbrightasday
  • LinaArhov ⚫ Determination is the key factor for success. A founder or CEO is most likely to see and value that. Keep it up.
    via LinaArhov
  • StarChunkFever ⚫ I wouldn't sweat it. If you get in there and find there are weird political dynamics, then stick around long enough to get enough experience to get a job somewhere else.
    via StarChunkFever
  • EX_Enthusiast ⚫ They probably see you as bold, motivated, and serious about the opportunity especially since they gave you a second chance. Most people don't follow up like that. As long as you show up and deliver during the trial, this move will likely be seen as a strength, not desperation.
    via EX_Enthusiast
  • EternalHeal⚫ So, you bypassed the hiring team and went straight to the CEO. And got him to secound guess his hiring team? I don't know if I would be eager to get a job in such environment... But all power to you for being that persistent :)
    via EternalHeal
  • mallesjaakie ⚫ No new advice to offer but just wanted to say: good for you! Regardless of wheter or not this works out you followed your gut, took a risk and it paid off. That's, at the very least, a personal win!
    via mallesjaakie

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