A possible employer’s justification for rejecting a job applicant has drawn criticism on social media.
If you are unfamiliar with Ben Askins’ videos that highlight unusual, outrageous, and sometimes unacceptable interactions between employees and employers, you’re in for a surprise.
In one of Askins’ TikTok videos, he argues why an applicant’s questions shouldn’t be seen as ‘red flags,’ contrary to the employer’s perspective.
The video, shared last month, features Askins reading a conversation between a job applicant and their presumed recruiter.
The recruiter informs Katherine: “Hi Katherine, just tried to call you. I am sorry to say that you didn’t get the job. I just heard from them.”
Katherine responds: “Ah, that is such a shame, I really thought that it went well. Did they say why?”
The recruiter replies: “Yeah they said they absolutely loved meeting you, but your questions were too financially oriented.”
Katherine sums up what many might be thinking: “What on earth does that mean?”
At this juncture, Askins mentions he ‘already knows what’s going on’ and ‘absolutely hates it,’ suggesting viewers might feel similarly frustrated.
The recruiter explains that Katherine ‘asked about money a lot,’ to which Katherine clarifies she ‘asked a couple of questions at the end’ regarding the benefits package, while all her other questions were about the role.
Askins argues there’s ‘nothing to defend’ on Katherine’s part because ‘it’s a job interview.’
“Of course people are going to be interested in the price and the benefits and the package which comes with it. That’s the sole reason why they’re in that room. I know people want the love of the game and to show keenness and all that utter bulls**t,” he continues.
“And of course that helps, of course it’s nice to have a place you want to work and the job is interesting. […] But ultimately the reason people go to work is to get money to support themselves.”
Others have quickly joined the conversation.
@ben.askins Asking about pay and benefits should NOT be a red flag #Worstboss #ToxicCompanies #Bestboss
One TikTok user commented: “Why do employers want people to pretend we work for fun?”
“When the job advert says: Salary – competitive,” another added, while a third remarked: “To me if they refuse to talk about money it’s a major red flag for a company.”
“We trade time for money, there needs to be transparency and negotiations,” a fourth user noted.
A fifth person argued: “I have never understood why employers think I not in it for the money. Yes my career path is about the satisfaction of the job but the money is about how well I live outside the job.”