A Reddit user recently recounted an unexpected incident from a second-round Zoom interview for a business analyst position, which took an abrupt turn after revealing that they were also attending interviews with other companies.
The post, uploaded on the subreddit Interviews, detailed that the conversation was progressing smoothly until the HR representative inquired whether the candidate was actively exploring opportunities elsewhere. The Redditor answered candidly, mentioning participation in later rounds with two other firms. However, this moment of honesty marked the turning point of the interaction.
As per the post, the HR representative’s demeanor changed immediately. Their expressions shifted, and the interviewer responded by stating that their company preferred to engage with applicants who demonstrated exclusive interest in their organization. The representative then suggested that the candidate should continue pursuing those other opportunities and abruptly ended the call without further discussion.
The Redditor noted that there was no opportunity to explain or clarify intentions. What had seemed like a positive and transparent conversation suddenly ended on a dismissive note, leaving the candidate feeling that truthfulness had worked against them. The post highlighted how honesty, which is often encouraged in professional settings, became the reason for disqualification in this instance.
The story quickly attracted attention from the Reddit community, prompting a wave of comments and debate. Many users expressed disbelief and empathy, criticizing the company’s approach. They argued that punishing honesty reflected poorly on its work culture, as transparency is typically seen as a valuable professional trait. Others pointed out that this incident revealed a narrow-minded hiring attitude, where employers expect complete loyalty even before extending an offer.
Meanwhile, a few commenters took a more optimistic stance, suggesting that the Redditor might have avoided an undesirable workplace. One user remarked that such an abrupt reaction indicated a company culture where openness was not appreciated, describing it as a “bullet dodged.”
The episode sparked broader discussions online about recruitment ethics, candidate honesty, and how many organizations still fail to handle transparency with professionalism.
The post, uploaded on the subreddit Interviews, detailed that the conversation was progressing smoothly until the HR representative inquired whether the candidate was actively exploring opportunities elsewhere. The Redditor answered candidly, mentioning participation in later rounds with two other firms. However, this moment of honesty marked the turning point of the interaction.
As per the post, the HR representative’s demeanor changed immediately. Their expressions shifted, and the interviewer responded by stating that their company preferred to engage with applicants who demonstrated exclusive interest in their organization. The representative then suggested that the candidate should continue pursuing those other opportunities and abruptly ended the call without further discussion.
The Redditor noted that there was no opportunity to explain or clarify intentions. What had seemed like a positive and transparent conversation suddenly ended on a dismissive note, leaving the candidate feeling that truthfulness had worked against them. The post highlighted how honesty, which is often encouraged in professional settings, became the reason for disqualification in this instance.
The story quickly attracted attention from the Reddit community, prompting a wave of comments and debate. Many users expressed disbelief and empathy, criticizing the company’s approach. They argued that punishing honesty reflected poorly on its work culture, as transparency is typically seen as a valuable professional trait. Others pointed out that this incident revealed a narrow-minded hiring attitude, where employers expect complete loyalty even before extending an offer.
Meanwhile, a few commenters took a more optimistic stance, suggesting that the Redditor might have avoided an undesirable workplace. One user remarked that such an abrupt reaction indicated a company culture where openness was not appreciated, describing it as a “bullet dodged.”
The episode sparked broader discussions online about recruitment ethics, candidate honesty, and how many organizations still fail to handle transparency with professionalism.
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