A Bengaluru-based content writer, Vibha Gupta, recently shared her experience of rejecting a job offer due to the “unprofessional” conduct of a company CEO during her interview. In a LinkedIn post that has since gone viral, Gupta highlighted how the CEO’s behavior made her reconsider the position, prompting applause from social media users who praised her decision to prioritize her dignity over the job.
Without naming the company or the CEO, Gupta began by describing her unease at the start of the interview. The CEO had kept her waiting for 15 minutes, a delay she initially attributed to a busy schedule. However, things took a turn when she noticed further concerning behavior.
Gupta recounted how, during the interview, the CEO asked if the HR department had shared an introductory company video with her. Upon her negative response, the CEO immediately called the HR representative into his office and reprimanded her in Gupta’s presence.”
He asked me if HR had sent a video about the company. I said no, and he called her into his cabin and scolded her right in front of me. No respect for his employees. While I understand HR made a mistake, it’s disrespectful to scold your employee in front of a stranger,” Gupta said.
The situation worsened when the CEO dismissed Gupta’s creative work, comparing it to AI-generated content like ChatGPT. This comment, she explained, revealed his lack of appreciation for her skills.”
He called copywriting ‘ChatGPT.’ It made me realize that my work wouldn’t be respected by him,” Gupta shared, adding that the CEO had also copied a bio she wrote for an assignment and forwarded it to his marketing team. She expressed her belief that it would likely be updated in the near future.
This combination of disrespectful behavior led Gupta to make the firm decision to withdraw her application. “He might find someone who’ll be a great fit for his company, but he doesn’t deserve me,” she concluded in her post.
Gupta’s experience resonated with many professionals on LinkedIn, sparking a broader conversation about the importance of workplace respect and recognizing red flags during the hiring process. The post has sparked discussions about trusting one’s instincts during interviews, with many professionals advising others to listen to their gut feelings if something feels off.
Gupta’s post continues to receive significant attention, with many applauding her for standing up for herself and prioritizing her self-respect over a potential job opportunity.
