For Rs 3 LPA job, Noida techie endures 8-hour interview marathon, only to be insulted by CEO in final round
A software developer's frustrating experience at a walk-in interview in Noida has gone viral, shedding light on questionable hiring practices, low salary packages, and lack of professionalism in parts of India's tech industry. Sharing his experience online, the candidate described spending nearly eight hours at a recruitment drive, only to walk away without a proper interview, and with his self-respect shaken.
The walk-in drive was organised by a Noida-based software firm for a Software Development Engineer role offering Rs 3 lakh per annum, roughly Rs 25,000 per month. Despite the relatively low pay, the recruitment process was extensive, involving a group discussion, two technical interview rounds, a senior-level round, and a final interaction with the CEO.
The candidate arrived at 11 am along with nearly 100 other applicants. Initially, everything seemed standard.
"At the beginning, everything felt normal," the software engineer wrote on Reddit.
By 2 pm, he had cleared the group discussion and the first technical round. By 4 pm, he had successfully completed the second technical round, with most candidates filtered out by then.
Out of the large pool, only six candidates were shortlisted for the final CEO round. It felt like the process was nearing completion.
"We thought we were close to the end," he said.
However, what followed was a long and exhausting wait.
"That was when the waiting began. Four pm passed, then five, then six. There were no proper updates, no clear communication on delays or timelines."
Candidates slowly started leaving due to fatigue or prior commitments. Only the final six remained by the time the CEO round began at around 6:45 pm.
The delay, they were told, was because the CEO was busy in meetings, something that didn't sit well with the candidates.
"If the drive was already scheduled, why call so many candidates without ensuring availability?" he questioned.
After hours of waiting, the candidate expected at least a meaningful discussion. Instead, the interaction reportedly lasted only seconds.
According to him, the CEO glanced at his resume and remarked: "Ye kya hai? Isme to kuch dikh bhi nahi raha."
The candidate calmly responded that the document was clearly readable. However, without asking any technical or behavioural questions, the CEO abruptly ended the interaction: "Hogya tumhara interview."
The candidate described the moment as shocking and disheartening.
"There was no discussion. No evaluation. No questions. For a moment, it almost felt like the test wasn't about my skills, it was about how much disrespect I was willing to tolerate."
Choosing not to escalate the situation, he decided to walk away quietly.
"No arguments. No reactions. Just left."
Reflecting on the role later, the candidate said the experience began to make more sense. The offer included a six-month training period with a stipend of Rs 15,000 per month, a 2.5-year bond, and a Rs 1.5 lakh penalty for early exit, along with submission of original documents.
"Honestly, it just confirmed what I felt in that room," he wrote.
He also noted that all six shortlisted candidates appeared overqualified, and none accepted the offer.
The story quickly gained traction online, with many users criticising both the hiring process and the CEO's behaviour. A common point of frustration was the mismatch between the extensive interview process and the modest pay package.
Others highlighted a broader issue: the normalisation of lengthy, poorly managed recruitment processes in a competitive job market. With more candidates competing for fewer roles, some companies appear to be placing heavy demands on applicants without offering proportional value in return.
The incident has also sparked conversations about respect and professionalism during hiring. Many pointed out that interviews are not just about evaluating candidates, they also reflect a company's culture and values.
The techie's takeaway struck a chord with many. He emphasised that job interviews are a two-way process, where candidates should also assess whether a company respects their time and effort.
In today's challenging job market, it's easy to overlook red flags in the hope of securing an opportunity. However, experiences like this serve as a reminder that not every opportunity is worth pursuing.
Sometimes, walking away isn't a setback, it's a decision that protects your time, dignity, and long-term career growth.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on Reddit. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.
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