Big Tech recruiter outlined six grueling interview rounds for a technical role — one question about the salary made the candidate walk away
Many candidates are happy to complete several stages if the role and pay make the effort worthwhile. One Reddit user shared an experience that made them rethink a promising opportunity. In a post shared under the username u/ClassicTwo8111 on August 28, 2025, they described being contacted by a major technology company for a highly technical position. The hiring process sounded challenging from the beginning, but one important detail later changed their decision and made them step away.
Just rejected to move forward with an interview, damn it felt good.
by u/ClassicTwo8111 in interviews
The individual explained that the first HR phone call included a detailed breakdown of the recruitment process. They were told they would have to complete six interview rounds, including live case studies, a take-home assignment, a discussion of that assignment, and additional meetings with senior leaders. The decision to move ahead changed after they asked whether the offered salary was before or after tax. HR later confirmed it was pre-tax, which meant the actual amount they would receive each month would be much lower than expected. After learning this, they politely replied, “I appreciate the opportunity given, but I won't be moving forward for the next interview rounds.”
Looking back, the candidate admitted that declining the opportunity felt satisfying after facing many previous job rejections. However, they also made it clear that their decision was not about getting back at the company. A hiring process should feel balanced, with value being offered to the applicant. They explained that the pay simply did not justify investing so much time and effort into such a demanding selection process. The interviewee ended by saying, “It's not a revenge story per se,” but a practical decision based on what made sense for them. Knowing when to walk away can be just as important as knowing when to accept an offer.
While some interviews lead to good jobs, others end up becoming memorable stories. In another incident, a job applicant shared how a disappointing interview changed their opinion of a company. They said the CEO kept them waiting for an hour before a short meeting where the interviewer had not even looked at their resume and asked questions that felt unrelated to the role. Later, the applicant came across the company's Wikipedia page and felt it looked more like an advertisement than a neutral description.
The applicant also noticed that “editors kept removing biased information from the page,” leaving behind only basic details about the company. They then decided to begin the site's normal deletion process and waited to see what would happen. A few days later, the page was removed since no one challenged the request. Looking back, they admitted they felt “a small frisson of delight” on seeing the outcome. The experience gave them satisfaction after a poorly handled interview cost them time and effort.
For more interesting stories, follow u/ClassicTwo8111 on their Reddit account.