A jobseeker from Delhi has sparked widespread discussion after sharing that he spent ₹14,000 travelling to Hyderabad for an interview, only to be rejected within ten minutes. The story, posted on Reddit, has resonated with thousands who see it as evidence of everything wrong with India's current hiring practices.
A Costly Interview Trip
The Reddit post, which has since accumulated thousands of upvotes and hundreds of comments, describes the jobseeker's journey from the national capital to Hyderabad. According to the post, the candidate booked flights and arranged accommodation specifically for the in-person interview, only to face an abrupt rejection shortly after arriving. The post did not specify which company conducted the interview or which Hyderabad office was involved.
The ₹14,000 amount covers what the poster estimated as return airfare plus incidental expenses accumulated during the trip. For many Indian job seekers, particularly those relocating from metro cities to pursue opportunities elsewhere, such costs represent a significant financial commitment made on the basis of initial employer encouragement.
What the Post Described
The Delhi resident wrote that the interview lasted approximately ten minutes before the hiring manager stated the position had been filled or that the candidate's profile did not match requirements. The post expressed frustration that no remote alternatives were offered despite the candidate travelling from another city.
Commenters quickly shared similar experiences, with some recounting trips across multiple states for interviews that concluded within minutes. Others pointed out that companies frequently request in-person attendance for early-stage screenings without considering the financial burden placed on candidates.
The Broader Hiring Problem
India's job market has seen significant changes in how companies approach candidate assessments, particularly post-pandemic. While remote work became normalised during the COVID-19 years, many employers have since reverted to requiring physical attendance for preliminary interviews, citing the need to evaluate cultural fit or assess soft skills in person.
Hiring consultants operating in Hyderabad's business districts confirm that mid-sized companies frequently expect candidates from outside the city to travel for first-round interviews without guaranteeing any reimbursement of travel costs. A survey conducted by a job portal last year found that nearly 60 percent of candidates operating in Tier 1 cities reported bearing interview-related expenses themselves on at least one occasion.
Financial Impact on Job Seekers
For fresh graduates and early-career professionals, the cumulative cost of job searching can become prohibitive. Annual tuition fees for professional courses already place many graduates in debt, and additional travel costs for interviews represent an unpredictable added expense. Several candidates commented on the Reddit thread that they had abandoned promising application processes specifically because the cost of attending interviews in distant cities proved unmanageable within their budgets.
Responses and Reactions
The post drew sharp criticism directed at corporate hiring practices, with multiple commenters demanding that companies either reimburse travel costs upfront or offer virtual first-round interviews as standard practice. Some HR professionals also responded, arguing that in-person assessments serve legitimate evaluation purposes but acknowledging that the industry lacks consistent standards around candidate support.
Legal experts quoted in Indian media outlets noted that Indian labour law does not mandate travel reimbursements for job candidates, leaving workers largely unprotected against practices that impose significant financial risk on applicants. Consumer forums and job portal regulation remain topics of ongoing discussion, though no formal legislation has emerged to address the issue specifically.
What to Watch Next
The Reddit post has reignited conversations about adopting standardised virtual interview protocols for early-stage screenings across Indian companies. Several hiring platforms have reported increased employer interest in video interviewing tools following viral posts highlighting the financial burden placed on candidates.
Job seekers navigating Hyderabad and other major employment hubs should carefully evaluate whether companies offer any reimbursement commitments before booking travel. Platforms that publish transparent hiring guidelines may gain traction among candidates frustrated by the current system.
