A man from Singapore was taken aback when a recruiter asked him to pay for the coffee he had during the interview after he rejected their job offer.
Sharing his experience and screenshots of the WhatsApp conversation on Facebook, the job applicant expressed his disbelief at encountering such behavior for the first time.
The screenshots revealed the recruiter's request for reimbursement amounting to SGD6.50 (RM22) for the cup of coffee the applicant had consumed during the interview. In response, the disappointed applicant criticized the recruiter's unprofessionalism but decided to pay for the coffee nonetheless.
Photo via Facebook
Expressing his astonishment, he mentioned that in all his previous interviews, no one had ever asked him to repay them for a cup of coffee. He added that had he known about this requirement beforehand, he would have gladly paid on the spot. The applicant concluded his response by sarcastically suggesting that the recruiter inform future candidates about the need to compensate for coffee if they choose not to proceed, emphasizing the negative impression such actions leave.
In an update to his Facebook post, the applicant mentioned that a manager from the company had contacted him to apologize. The manager expressed genuine remorse for the actions of the subordinate and refunded the money, assuring the applicant that appropriate measures would be taken. The applicant also acknowledged that the individual responsible may have made an honest mistake, emphasizing that it wasn't reflective of the company's practices.
The Facebook post quickly gained attention, going viral as netizens praised the applicant for his graceful response to the recruiter's stingy request. In a lighthearted comment, someone even joked about paying for the recruiter and their manager's coffee to demonstrate the importance of avoiding pettiness.
This incident serves as a reminder for all of us to approach every situation with grace and kindness. While it's unfortunate that the job applicant had to encounter such an unexpected request, his response exemplifies how one can address a challenging situation while maintaining composure.
It's crucial to treat others with respect, even in the face of adversity or unprofessional behavior.
By doing so, we can foster a more compassionate and understanding environment, both in our professional interactions and in our daily lives.
