Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: In a startling revelation, Mumbai-based entrepreneur Senain Sawant, founder of the start-up Grump, shared her distressing experience of being verbally abused by a job applicant during a WhatsApp exchange. The incident, recounted on LinkedIn, sheds light on the challenges entrepreneurs face in finding suitable candidates.
Ms. Sawant had scheduled a Google Meet interview with the candidate, who applied for a social media executive role. Due to insufficient information on the candidate’s resume, she intended to assess their potential through the video call or determine if they required training as an intern first.
“The candidate joined the call with the camera off, claiming an iOS update prevented video calls,” Ms. Sawant recounted in her LinkedIn post. When asked about their usual working setup, the candidate mentioned borrowing a laptop from a previous employer. Ms. Sawant requested a rescheduled interview when the candidate could turn on their video, but the candidate abruptly ended the call.
The conversation continued on WhatsApp, where Ms. Sawant pointed out the requirement for a video interview was clearly stated. The candidate responded defensively, asserting they applied for a social media executive role, not an internship, and expressed willingness to skip the opportunity.
The exchange took a shocking turn when the candidate, with apparent frustration, insulted Ms. Sawant, saying, “With all due respect, don’t be a bi**h. The arrogance you speak with.” Ms. Sawant responded, “Excuse me?” to which the candidate retorted, “No one would want to speak to you.”
Ms. Sawant concluded the conversation by thanking the candidate for clarifying their level of experience and professionalism. The LinkedIn post soon garnered attention and support from users, with many expressing their dismay at the candidate’s behavior.
One user commented, “The younger generation comes with this entitled attitude, thinking they know better. It’s best not to take these incidents to heart and just move on with your day.”
Another user added, “I understand your frustration. Please don’t engage with such people. You will find the right people for your team.”
A third user empathized, “Being under Placements myself for a tough 3 years, I can totally understand the frustration. All I can hope for is that you stick to your ‘bigger purpose’ and avoid such people in the future.”
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by employers in today’s job market and the importance of maintaining professionalism during the hiring process.
