Job candidate mistakenly receives email about his interview performance from hiring manager, sends an epic response: 'His attire wasn't professional enough for our office culture'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Dec 20, 2025 2:00 PM EST

This job applicant thought he was a strong candidate for a position, until he received an email he wasn't supposed to receive.

Let's put ourselves in this guy's shoes for a second. We all know how difficult it can be to find a decent opening for a position you're actually qualified for at a company where you'd actually like to work. When those unicorn opportunities do arise, one has to do everything in one's power to best position oneself for the role. 

This candidate managed to land an interview for such an opportunity. He prepared vigorously and even purchased a new outfit for the meeting so that he looked professional and well-suited for the office culture. In his eyes, the interview went swimmingly… until the concept of remote work came up.

Online, the position was listed as a flexible, hybrid role, but the hiring manager casually mentioned in person that this position would require four days a week in the office. That wasn't exactly something that the candidate was prepared for, but he kept going with the interview regardless.

Then, he received an email from the hiring manager. He assumed this would be either a rejection or a request for another round. However, he quickly realized that this email was not intended for him; it was intended for the human resources department. It looks like the hiring manager accidentally sent an email to the candidate explaining why he wasn't the right fit for the position. Yikes!

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  • We applaud the candidate for having the courage to clap back at the hiring manager. After all, he already knew that he wasn't going to get the job. He might as well go out with the same degree of transparency as the hiring manager, right? Keep scrolling below for the full story and for the best reactions from several members of this online community.

  • "The hiring manager mistakenly sent me his feedback on my interview"

    Anyway, I had an interview a few days ago for a job that was listed as hybrid. When I went to the interview at the company, the hiring manager told me he expects people to come to the office at least 4 days a week. So I clarified to him that this wasn't what was written in the ad at all.
    via EdJakubowski1
  • This morning, I received an email from him by mistake that was clearly meant for the recruiter. It said, "This candidate is looking for a full remote job and his attire wasn't professional enough for our office culture. Let's pass and re-post the ad." The strange
    via EdJakubowski1
  • thing is that I had bought a new shirt and pants specifically for this interview and even asked a few of my friends if I looked professional. They all said yes.
    via EdJakubowski1
  • Honestly, I'm shocked. What would you do if you were in my place? Should I reply to him?
    via EdJakubowski1
  • Edit: I will send a response, "Hiring manager somehow landed a managerial position despite lack of attention to detail, ensuring email was sent to proper parties & not candidates. Please post a listing for a capable manager. Thank you."
    via EdJakubowski1
  • Two men face one another while shaking hands in a job interview.
    via Sebastian Herrmann

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

  • Key-Individual9148 I would resend it to him and carbon copy. The recruiter. Show him that he effed up
    via EdJakubowski1
  • LadyUnlimited Send to recruiter: Let's pass on this company, their attire wasn't a fit, they were looking for the job we posted, and they sent interview feedback to the candidate!
    via EdJakubowski1
  • Getoutofthekitch Why isn't 4 days in office and 1 day WFH hybrid?
    via EdJakubowski1
  • Icy_Cricket7038 Well, as it stands you don't have the job, so what's the worst that can happen?
    via EdJakubowski1
  • Jungianstrain I would reply "He already responded that he isn't interested in working for companies with shady ethics and bait n switch ads."
    via EdJakubowski1
  • itmgr2024 Move on. It wasn't done maliciously even if the person is wrong or an idiot. There is absolutely nothing you will gain by trying to embarrass him or get him in trouble. If it was your mistake, you'd want someone to be gracious.
    via EdJakubowski1
  • Best Relief8647 The hiring manager shouldn't even have your email address at that stage of the interview process. Communication is still through the recruiter. I call phake.
    via EdJakubowski1
  • King_Dippppppp It's because you questioned it being hybrid and it was in fact hybrid, thus making it seem like you wanted remote because you challenged it being hybrid
    via EdJakubowski1
  • FoxAmazingly Idk what your attire was but for the interviews I give, a lot of folks have given up on looking professional. Zoom interviews are often in tshirts, unkept hair, etc. the level of dress has def declined. I work in tech.
    via EdJakubowski1

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Tags

recruiter employment-discussion hiring manager email petty revenge incompetent job interview toxic-work-environment
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