Strategy And Planning

Candidate flies 2000 km for job interview, but only to get ghosted –

June 19, 2025
www.ETHRWorld.com
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A Bengaluru startup faces online backlash after allegedly ghosting a candidate from Uttar Pradesh who traveled for an in-person interview based on a promise of reimbursed travel expenses. After multiple virtual rounds, the candidate’s friend funded the trip, but the company ceased communication post-interview.

  • Updated On Jun 18, 2025 at 05:48 PM IST

< />Thinking of flying to another state to interview for your dream job? Think again. A Bengaluru-based firm has ignited ire from netizens after it allegedly ghosted a candidate from UP after inviting them for a face-to-face interview. Taking to the subreddit Indian Workplace, the candidate’s friend shared her ordeal. <br /><br /><!– PROMOSLOT_M –> After advancing through several rounds of remote interviews with a Bengaluru-based startup, she was informed that the company was impressed by her and wanted to meet her in person before making a final decision. However, they asked her to travel to Bengaluru for the face-to-face round—assuring her that all travel expenses would be reimbursed.<br /><br /><div class=” article-detail-ad-slot=”” captionrendered=”1″ data-src=”https://etimg.etb2bimg.com/photo/121932534.cms” height=”442″ loading=”eager” src=”https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/images/default.jpg” width=”590″></img></p> </div> <p>Due to financial constraints in her family, she was unable to afford the journey herself. The friend, wanting to support her aspirations, stepped in and booked the flight tickets on his credit card, trusting the company’s verbal commitment to repay the costs. She made the trip, attended the interview, and returned home with high hopes. But those hopes were soon dashed—weeks passed, and there was no communication from the startup. Follow-up emails and messages went unanswered. It became evident that the company had vanished without fulfilling its promise.</p> <h3>Going Public: A Friend’s Plea for Justice<br /></br></h3> <p>Frustrated by the silence, the friend who had funded the trip turned to Reddit’s Indian Workplace community to share the situation. Detailing everything from the initial promise of reimbursement to the company’s sudden lack of communication, he sought advice from the online community, hoping someone would suggest a solution.</p> <p>His post captured the attention of many users who were both empathetic and outraged. For them, the situation highlighted a larger issue in corporate India—the growing trend of companies not respecting candidates’ time, money, or effort, especially in early-stage or startup environments where HR practices are often informal and inconsistent.</p> <h3>Online Reactions: Outrage and Advice<br /></br></h3> <p>Several Reddit users offered practical suggestions. A few advised that the candidate make a professional post on LinkedIn explaining the entire situation to raise awareness and potentially shame the company into responding. </p> <p>Many emphasized that candidates should request companies to make bookings on their behalf instead of relying on post-interview reimbursements—especially when travel is involved. Others shared that this kind of experience has made them more cautious about attending interviews that require out-of-town travel, particularly when the promises are not in writing.</p> <p>Some users proposed a more creative and emotionally resonant way of presenting the situation—using humor and storytelling to make the post go viral. For example, one suggested posting a selfie at home with a caption that highlights the emotional and financial toll of the experience while tagging senior executives of the company in the hope of drawing attention and resolving the issue. </p> <div> <div> <ul> <li><a href=ET Online

  • Published On Jun 18, 2025 at 05:45 PM IST

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