A Reddit post has gone viral after a user shared the story of a highly qualified candidate rejected by their team because he prioritized salary over “passion” for a role. According to the post, the user’s team had finally received approval to hire for a position that is “smart and complex but soul-crushingly boring,” making it notoriously hard to fill.
The Perfect Candidate Appears
The candidate, who comes from abroad and has four years of relevant experience, impressed with his work ethic and background. “He’s from abroad, needs to sort out his visa, and has four years of excellent, very relevant experience. He talked about his background, how he supports his family back home, and that he was raised to be a hard worker,” the Redditor wrote. The poster described the applicant as “the perfect person for this thankless job.”
Team Rejection Sparks Frustration
Despite the candidate’s qualifications, the other interviewers rejected him. Their reasoning, they wanted someone with “real passion” rather than someone “just in it for the money.” The Redditor expressed disbelief, saying, “Seriously, what is wrong with people?” The post also highlighted how modern hiring techniques, including AI tools like ChatGPT or Interview Hammer, are influencing evaluations. “Even the HR lady said that this looks like it will be the new normal, and we have to deal with it,” the user added.
Debate Over Motivation and Compensation
The post sparked wide discussion on Reddit about employee motivation, salaries, and recruitment biases. Many users agreed that monetary incentives play a key role in driving performance, especially in roles that are challenging yet monotonous. The incident raises questions about how teams evaluate candidates’ suitability and the balance between passion and pragmatism in hiring decisions.