Entrepreneur Rejects Gen Z Job Seeker—Says “Glad I Did It
Chennai Entrepreneur Explains Why He Rejected a Gen Z Job Seeker’s Salary Demand
The Viral LinkedIn Post That Sparked Debate
A Chennai-based entrepreneur, Maran Ramalingam, recently made waves on LinkedIn by sharing his experience with a Gen Z job seeker. In his candid post, Ramalingam admitted that he ‘gladly’ rejected the candidate’s high salary demand—and felt relieved about it.
The story quickly went viral, igniting a heated debate about salary expectations, skill-based compensation, and workplace realities. While some praised Ramalingam for his honesty, others criticized his approach. But what really happened? Let’s break it down.
The Job Interview That Took a Shocking Turn
During a job interview, the candidate—who was earning Rs 5 lakh annually—was asked about his expected salary. Initially, he requested Rs 8 lakh. However, during the interview, his demand suddenly jumped to Rs 12 lakh.
Surprised by the drastic increase, Ramalingam asked a simple yet crucial question:
“Why do you think you deserve a 100% salary hike?”
The candidate confidently replied, “I have the necessary skills.” However, when asked to demonstrate his abilities, the entrepreneur found his work lacking.
“Frankly, his performance was unimpressive. If I were to assess his work objectively, I wouldn’t even justify his current Rs 5 lakh salary,” Ramalingam stated in his post.
The Brutal Feedback That Broke a Heart
Instead of outright rejecting the applicant, Ramalingam decided to provide constructive criticism. He meticulously analyzed the candidate’s work, pointing out where it fell short and explaining the gaps in his skills.
“I dissected his work frame by frame, explaining why and where it lacked quality. I could see, hear, and feel his heartbreak. But here’s the thing—I’m glad I did.”
According to Ramalingam, this generation needs to understand that confidence alone doesn’t determine salaries—real skills and tangible results do.
The Reality of Salary Expectations
Ramaligam further elaborated that while self-belief is important, compensation is based on actual performance, not potential.
“In the professional world, ‘I have successfully done this’ is far more valuable than ‘I believe I can do it.’”
Before wrapping up, he humorously noted that he might have just saved another hiring manager from dealing with unrealistic salary demands.
Mixed Reactions: Praise, Criticism, and Controversy
The post sparked a fierce debate online, with opinions split into three camps:
1. Supporters of the Entrepreneur
Many agreed with Ramalingam, saying that demanding a higher salary should come with proof of skills.
“You can’t demand double your pay without demonstrating double the value,” one user commented.
2. Critics Who Called It Harsh
Some users felt that Ramalingam’s approach was unnecessarily harsh.
“If his performance was poor, why not mentor him instead of publicly ridiculing him?” one commenter asked.
3. A Balanced Perspective
Some users agreed with his stance but suggested he could have handled it more diplomatically.
“Constructive feedback should uplift, not break someone. Maybe he needed guidance, not humiliation.”
Others pointed out that the issue wasn’t about money but rather the percentage increase.
“If he was earning Rs 10 lakh, you might have agreed to Rs 12 lakh. The problem was the 100% hike, not the absolute number.”
What Can Job Seekers Learn?
This incident highlights an important lesson for job seekers—confidence is great, but proof of value is key.
Tips for Salary Negotiations:
- Justify Your Ask: Be ready to showcase past work that proves your worth.
- Be Realistic: A significant salary hike should align with your demonstrated skills.
- Accept Constructive Feedback: If an employer critiques your work, take it as a learning opportunity.
- Confidence vs. Competence: Saying “I can do it” isn’t enough—you need to show “I have done it.”
While salary negotiations are a normal part of career growth, being prepared with solid proof of skills can make all the difference.
What’s your take on this story? Was the entrepreneur justified, or did he go too far? Share your thoughts
