Manager yells at job candidate after they withdraw their application without informing the recruiter, claims he will blacklist candidate for wasting his time: ‘You will never find a job in this field again’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Oct 19, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

How far should someone go to ensure they don't "burn bridges" at workplaces they interview for?

The person in the story below did not expect to be met with such pushback after deciding the job they were interviewing for was not for them. They didn't even think they should inform the recruiter; they simply stopped replying when they got the offer letter, expecting the hiring manager to take the hint and move on.

While that is not the best way to part ways with a company you interviewed for, does that really justify the manager's reaction? He called the candidate, insisting on finding out the reason they refused the job. After the candidate told them they simply didn't want the job, the manager proceeded to yell at them for their audacity. "You are worthless, you're making things up, you should be grateful," etc, etc. 

Should the candidate inform the recruiter that they do not want the job? Absolutely. Does the fact that they didn't justify the manager's over-the-top reaction? Absolutely not.

But you can be the judges of that yourselves. Keep scrolling to read the full story.

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  • 01
    angry boss demanding to leave meeting irritated by businesswoman
    via fizkes

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

  • 02

    I was honest that I didn't want the job, and the manager called me specifically to yell at me

    About four months ago, I received an offer that looked great on paper. A recruiter from this company contacted me; I didn't apply.
    via charged_breadth-8d
  • 03
    But honestly, I wasn't very interested, and after the first call, my gut told me this place wasn't for me.
    via charged_breadth-8d
  • 04
    So I decided not to proceed and didn't send the documents they requested. Anyway, fast forward to this morning, I suddenly got a call from one of the managers there.
    via charged_breadth-8d
  • 05
    He said he was calling because my file was incomplete and wanted to know what happened.
    via charged_breadth-8d
  • 06
    I was honestly very surprised. I thought they had moved on from this after I stopped responding to the recruiter and didn't send my documents for months.
    via charged_breadth-8d
  • 07
    Against my better judgment, I called him back, telling myself to be professional and not burn bridges.
    via charged_breadth-8d
  • 08
    As soon as I spoke to him, he immediately asked why I hadn't sent the documents.
    via charged_breadth-8d
  • 09
    I gave a polite and vague response, telling him I had a personal issue that made me miss the deadline.
    via charged_breadth-8d
  • 10
    He didn't buy it at all and kept pushing, saying things like, 'No, there must be something else.
    via charged_breadth-8d
  • 11
    Did our recruiter say something that upset you?'. He was so insistent that I finally just gave it to him straight.
    via charged_breadth-8d
  • 12
    I told him that besides missing the deadline, I honestly didn't see myself as the right fit for the job, and that there were surely other candidates more passionate about the field than I was.
    via charged_breadth-8d
  • 13
    And that's when he completely flipped. He told me my opinion was worthless, accused me of making things up, and said he regretted ever seeing my CV.
    via charged_breadth-8d
  • 14
    Woman sitting on chair waiting
    via Getty Images

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

  • 15
    Then he laid into me, telling me I was 'wasted talent' and that I should be 'lucky they even graced me with a call'.
    via charged_breadth-8d
  • 16
    After some more of this, he told me he would blacklist me in the entire industry and that I would never find a job in this field again.
    via charged_breadth-8d
  • 17
    He even started listing their partner companies from which I was now supposedly banned, before slamming the phone down on me.
    via charged_breadth-8d
  • 18
    BurdenBoyDH Why didn't you express the lack of interest instead of going silent? They probably turned away the next best candidate with no response from you that you aren't pursuing? The bridge was already burned before they called you.
    via BurdenBoyDH
  • 19
    Joe_Early_MD "Then he laid into me," LMAO hilarious. anyway, you dont owe these turkeys anything and fuck that guy. Lesson learned, better to not answer the phone. I know this is less of an option if you are looking for work.
    via Joe_Early_MD
  • 20
    maptechlady Sounds like you dodged a bullet there. If I was you - leave a review about it on Glassdoor or something. That is so inappropriate on so many levels and it's a good thing you decided to not pursue that.
    via maptechlady
  • 21
    Additional-Sport-945 What is wrong with him. Nobgrace at all in handling a rejection when he probably rejects multiple candidates every time with no reason at all.
    via Additional-Sport-945
  • 22
    Content_Fig5691 lol, I have been in a few similar situations (not exactly the same) and a "Brother, you called ME" usually shuts them up
    via Content_Fig5691
  • 23
    Sweaty-Seat-8878 i would have just said "oh i decided the job wasn't the right fit and stopped the process. Apologies for not communicating that better at the time. That's on me not your recruiter they were fine. Anyway, i have a meeting, good luck to you and the firm" then hang up
    via Sweaty-Seat-8878
  • 24
    Cactus-Rose He wanted you to tell him it was the recruiter fault, properly so they could not pay for part or all of the service.
    via Cactus-Rose
  • 25
    ChatGRT Other things dependent, I might email the CEO and let him know about this rogue hiring manager being totally threatening and unprofessional. You're not their employee, you owe them nothing.
    via ChatGRT

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