A woman on TikTok launched a great debate after tearfully sharing how she was denied a job she was more than qualified for because of a "Gen Z problem."
TikToker Alejandra (@fungalmicrobe) took to the platform to express her devastation when she found out that she didn't get the internal job she applied fo—but the reasons the hiring manager gave for passing on her left people in the comments up in arms.
Alejandra began:
"If you’re wondering what the job market looks like right now, look no further than my swollen eyelids."
"A Gen X hiring manager told me that I wasn't hired because I'm Gen Z."
“That’s been making me cry for the better part of the last five hours."
She then explained that the position she applied for was for her present company in a department where she previously worked— and worked well—and got along with the entire team.
“I was a shoo-in. I had done the job before and fit in really well with the team.”
She believed she would thrive in this position and also thought her interview went well. Afterward, the hiring team said someone would be reaching out soon.
But that never happened despite the TikToker's several attempts to contact them.
Then one day, Alejandra just so happened to catch an elevator occupied by none other than the hiring manager who broke the news that they had instead hired someone who was “better fitting for the team and had a little bit more history.”
The TikToker then asked for feedback on what she could have done better during her interview.
The hiring manager first told Alejandra that although the team liked her and worked well with her in the past, she “shared things they wouldn’t have,” specifically her disability and her passion for social media.
But according the creator, the big issue was that she didn't have a "five-year plan," and the hiring manager told her:
"Yeah, I have this issue with my son as well, and to be quite frank with you, I think it's a Gen Z problem."
"You have to understand, it's all about perception and optics."
“Gen Z needs to understand that you don’t have to share everything about yourself."
She continued that not having a five-year plan shows "you're not good for commitment" and even suggested "making something up on the spot."
The TikToker was floored, especially considering the team knew about her multiple sclerosis diagnosis, and her bringing it up was in response to her "five-year plan" of becoming a doctor no longer being an option for her.
Alejandra then encouraged Gen X and Boomers to "start investing in us, start taking a chance on us."
“I just graduated a year ago and no I don’t know what I want my future to look like."
“But I’m a good worker and my résumé shows for it."
You can watch below.
Viewers of the TikTok chimed in.
Many agreed that it's unfortunate a company would rather hire someone who would lie about their future with a company than an honest and transparent candidate.
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
Others feel that a five-year plan is pretty much a joke, anyway.
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
Several also believe the goal of many employers is to seek out those who agree to an unfair work-life balance.
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
We hate that Alejandra had to endure this experience, but we love that it launched a discussion about the unrealistic expectations of potential employers.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Getty Images
@huntichon/X
@bigugly/X