Rejected for hobbies: Indian boss gives bizarre reason for not hiring 'capable' candidate who played the guitar
work-life balance and the pressure of long working hours has sparked a series of conversations in the corporate world. A recent incident shared by Parminder Singh, the COO of Tatler Asia, highlights a bizarre yet revealing moment from his career in India that sheds light on the rigid mindset some employers still have when it comes to hiring candidates with diverse interests outside of work.
The Regretful Hiring Decision
Parminder Singh took to X to recall a situation where he was unable to hire a highly qualified marketing candidate due to his extracurricular pursuits. According to Singh, the applicant, who was skilled in marketing, had also mentioned on his CV that he ran marathons and played the guitar. However, Singh’s boss rejected him, saying, «Yeh aadmi yeh sab kuchh karta hai to kaam kab karega?» – which translates to, «This man does all this, so when will he work?» Singh, in disbelief, wrote, «I thought such managers were extinct. Turns out they aren't.»
The incident was particularly disheartening for Singh, who went on to explain that the candidate was capable, and he regretted not being able to hire him. Reflecting on the matter, Singh compared it to his time at Google, where the company valued a well-rounded skillset. “At Google, there was an unwritten policy: if you excelled in the Olympics, you could walk into a Google office and get a job. Excellence is a transferable skill!” Singh emphasized, demonstrating a stark contrast to his experience in India.
This incident not only highlights the
