Startup offers job interviews in exchange for applicants getting tattoos, exchanges a sky dive for LinkedIn posts: 'Humiliation ritual'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Aug 1, 2026 1:15 PM EDT

Who is that invested in a company that will probably go under in the next five years?

At this point in time, we have become accustomed to the fact that applying for jobs is frequently draining and embarrassing. With a whole host of applicants and not that many positions for them to fill, it feels like employers can do whatever they feel like in their selection process, and there will be somebody desperate enough to engage with it in the hopes of eventually getting paid.

The nonsense that comes from applying for jobs can be bad enough when it comes to larger companies and institutions, but sometimes the smaller businesses are even worse with their tactics. Without so many boring corporate rules to hold them back, they are far more capable of hiring on a whim, and perhaps doing it in ways that some people would find morally questionable. They want to stand out from the crowd.

It definitely takes a specific kind of person to want to work at a startup, but even they can be stretched to their limit by some of the gimmicks that they think up when it comes to hiring. Most of the time, a good resume and thorough interview will more than suffice to show if a candidate is worthy.

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  • Marketing is an important part of what helps most companies find success, so it is probably no surprise that those that are just getting off the ground want to extend it to every single area possible. When they bring it to their hiring campaign, it undeniably sends a strong message about what kind of employer they are.

    The internet was aghast recently when a LinkedIn post revealed how startup LemonLime was offering job interviews to attendees of a startup fair. They claimed that they would give an interview to anybody who got a tattoo at their stand. They also promised that whoever made the most successful LinkedIn posts about them would get a skydiving trip. If this is what a ‘fun’ company looks like, then maybe the horrors of some soulless corporate giant aren't so bad after all.

     

  • Lucas Chu. 2nd starting startup residencies 3d Edited + Follow I went to a YC Startup School party which offered a job interview in exchange for a permanent tattoo and skydiving for a post. Help me go skydiving. FYI, LemonLime automates SMBs. Instant Interview for anyone who gets a tattoo Top 3 most Liked linkedin posts about LemonLime by 10 pm come skydiving with the team Lemon Lime YC YC Startup School After Party -10pm Instant Interview for anyone who gets tattoo
    via on_a_downward_spiral2
  • marenlovesu Mind u it's only an interview
    via marenlovesu
  • familyguybeastmode Serfdom isn't even close to hyperbole anymore
    via familyguybeastmode
  • mr.y8s Hold up...they automate SMBs? That changes everything!
    via mr.y8s
  • ian5465 You have to do what you have to do
    via ian5465
  • doomsday_telethon What stage of capitalism is this
    via doomsday_telethon
  • selectedambientworks85_95 If I can pick the design I'm on, not even interested in the job
    via selectedambientworks85_95
  • pianormous This is awesome... new poisonous flavouring of 2008 google intern culture
    via planormus
  • 2dgirlfrien this is like the worst marketing of all time too whats the point
    via 2dgirlfrien
  • thicc_sebi Humiliation ritual
    via thicc_sebi
  • godwithalowercaseg The technofeudal lords are branding their subjects
    via godwithalowercaseg

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