Tech Recruiter Rejects Candidate For 'Offer Shopping', Internet Reacts

A tech recruiter rejected a candidate for job hunting while already having an offer in hand. This incident has sparked a debate on social media. The candidate was looking for a better role two weeks before joining a new organisation. Infuriated with the candidate’s attempt to offer shopping, the recruiter dropped a post on his X (Formerly Twitter) handle saying that the practice “reeks of desperation.”

Siddharth Sharma, an entrepreneur and former CTO of Shaadi[dot]com, in his post, expressed his disappointment as he narrated the discussion he had with the candidate over a call. He wrote, “Just met a candidate who said that they’re due to join some place in 15 days and were looking for a better offer. I politely declined to continue the call.”

He further opined, “Candidates, I understand the compulsions but offer shopping is not elite behaviour. It reeks of desperation and tells the world that your word is worth nothing to you. And then the only people who would associate with you are those to whom this is not important.”

Adding that he had never shopped an offer in his entire life, Sharma ended his post with a piece of advice for job seekers and said, “Learn to program and to love programming. Go find others who love programming.”

Since being shared, the post has been flooded with several comments with different views on the ethics of recruitment. A section of people expressed their opinion in favour of the candidate pointing out the arbitrary rules of the companies while hiring people. A user highlighted instances where employees have been laid off and have got their offers cancelled a day before joining.

Another questioned, “Companies can fire anyone when they undergo losses but candidates cannot have multiple offers at hand?”

Users also highlighted the candidates’ need to secure themselves saying that companies are not liable for any damage.