Company scouts employee for role, fires them after only 2 days on the job: 'They pursued me'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Jun 11, 2026 9:15 AM EDT

It is always confusing to be pushed away from something that chased you.

The professional world can prove to be odd and unpredictable sometimes. We have come to accept that a lot of those LinkedIn cold messages from recruiters will turn into nothing, and that a lot of the job postings you see online are likely to be fake. What we are often less prepared for, though, is dealing with a workplace that turns on us after seemingly accepting us with open arms.

With the 21st century workplace being what it is, we probably shouldn't be so surprised that companies can run hot and cold with their employees. Business plans change, profits fluctuate, and managers take a dislike to people. There are few industries in which your position is a truly secure one, and most workers get an uncomfortable reminder of that at least once in their careers.

That said, we usually expect some kind of grace period between starting a new job and facing the reality that you are not wanted there anymore. Probation periods exist for a reason. Getting rejected straight out of the gate is a rarer and more disorienting experience to deal with.

 

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  • A model representing a frustrated employee sitting behind a laptop, gesticulating at the screen
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A model representing a frustrated employee sitting behind a laptop, gesticulating at the screen

  • In this story, an employee who wasn't looking for a new job was chased by a nonprofit that was seeking to hire a business development manager. They offered them the job after they went through a multiple-interview application process, and were willing to let them have extra time to transition from their previous role into this one.

    This made it all the more shocking when, after just two days in their new role, the employee was told that they would not be a good fit and they got fired. They did not feel that they had received a satisfactory answer as to why they had been rejected.

  • Fired on day 2 after leaving my previous job for them. No reason given.

    I'm honestly still trying to process this. A nonprofit reached out to me about a Business Development position. I didn't apply out of desperation or because I was unemployed. I was already working. They pursued me, interviewed me multiple times, and eventually extended an offer.
    via OptimusCrime83
  • They were actually accommodating during the hiring process. I asked for an additional week before starting so I could properly transition out of my existing job, and they agreed. That made me feel like they genuinely wanted me there and were willing to work with me.
    via OptimusCrime83
  • I accepted the offer, left my previous employer, and started the new role.
    via OptimusCrime83
  • Day 1 was mostly onboarding and training. During that first day, my manager made a comment that I needed to dress more professionally. What confused me was that I was dressed business casual, similar to what many other employees were wearing and what was the dress code. I took the feedback seriously anyway. I figured, hey this is a new department, I need to look better than acceptable.
    via OptimusCrime83
  • So on Day 2, I dressed up more and made an effort to look even more polished. I completed all of my assigned training, asked what I should be working on next, and was trying to get added to calendars and meetings so I could start learning the role.
    via OptimusCrime83
  • A few hours later, my manager asked me to meet with her and HR. I was told only that "it wasn't going to work out." That was it. I asked why.
    via OptimusCrime83
  • No real answer. I asked HR on the way out if there was a specific reason. No real answer. Just that it wasn't going to work out.
    via OptimusCrime83
  • I was escorted out of the building, and shortly afterward my Teams access was removed.
    via OptimusCrime83
  • What makes this so confusing is that I was only there for two days. I hadn't even started doing the actual job yet. I was still onboarding, learning systems, and trying to understand the organization. There was no performance feedback, no warning, no discussion about concerns, and no explanation.
    via OptimusCrime83
  • What I'm struggling with is this: How does a company pursue a candidate, interview them multiple times, agree to delay the start date so they can transition out of another job, hire them, onboard them, and then decide after two days that they're "not a fit" without giving any explanation?
    via OptimusCrime83
  • Has anyone experienced something similar? Did you ever find out what actually happened, or were you left guessing? At this point, I'm almost more frustrated by the lack of explanation than by the termination itself.
    via OptimusCrime83
  • A model representing a frustrated employee yelling and scrunching paper in her hands while sitting behind a laptop
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A model representing a frustrated employee yelling and scrunching paper in her hands while sitting behind a laptop

  • whatever32657 i was once fired after two years and a couple of performance bonuses because "it wasn't a good fit". after two years??? it's just code for "we've decided we don't like you".
    via whatever32657
  • momo667788 This is terrible. Every new job is a risk. That's why I ask for at least 20 percent pay bump to make a job change worthwhile. Can you ask for your old job back? Did you leave on good terms?
    via momo667788
  • Stoked_Otter Whoever told you to dress more professionally didn't like you.
    via Stoked_Otter
  • Nonamanadus Probably didn't like you or nepotism came knocking at the door. They are not worth your time...
    via Nonamanadus
  • Janus9 A friend of mine left a six figure position for another one, sold her house, moved across the country, started on a Monday, and that Friday was laid off.
    via Janus9
  • GAMGAlways This happened to me after ~ a month. They just said they couldn't continue my employment and it was a "bad hire". They never replaced me so I'm fairly certain the job was eliminated.
    via GAMGAlways
  • ShelleyMonique This happened to my SIL. She left a job because they pursued her, then a week later she was fired. Like ? They didn't like her attitude. Sweetest person ever.
    via ShelleyMonique
  • asevans48 Funding cut most likely. Your position doesnt sound grant funded so maybe a donor dropped out.
    via asevans48
  • RedOnTheHead-86 Sounds like a person they wanted for the job that had initially asked for a higher salary called back and said they'd accept whatever they offered, and that person now has your job.
    via RedOnTheHead-86

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