Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Gen Z Worker's Refusal To Do 90-Minute 'Test' As Part Of Job Interview Sparks Heated Debate

Man and woman completing a job interview
MangoStar_Studio/Getty Images

After an X user called out a recent Gen Z applicant's refusal to do a 90-minute Excel 'test' because it seemed like a 'lot of work' for no guarantee of a job, it sparked divisive reactions about how different generations approach work.

We should all be able to agree that it's harder to get a job than ever before.

Out are the days of being able to land a job the same day by walking into a workplace with a firm handshake and paper copy of our resumes, and in are the days of too many applicants, too few positions, and far too high of standards and degree requirements for entry-level jobs. *Le sigh*


But while we might concur that it's hard to land a job, we can't seem to come to an agreement about what is acceptable to expect in a job interview or sample work.

In what is now a viral thread on X (Twitter) about sample work and knowing our worth, a recruiter issued a complaint.

The X user had recently conducted an interview that presumably went very well—well enough for them to reach out to the applicant to say as much, and to also request that they complete a sample test for the job.

But the applicant, who they clarified was Gen Z, did not see this as a valuable use of their time, since they weren't sure they'd get the job.

The employer posted:

"Me: Really enjoyed the call. Please see attached financial modeling test."
"Gen Z applicant: This looks like a lot of work. Without knowing where I stand in the process, I'm not comfortable spending 90 minutes in Excel."
"Me: ...Well...I can tell you where you stand now."

As the responses poured in, the employer specified that their issue was the lack of willingness to communicate what the applicant needed, and instead jumping straight to an "I'm unwilling to do this" attitude.

If the applicant had, for instance, asked to be paid for the sample test, the employer would have been happy to pay them, and more than likely would have offered them the job.

The employer specified:

"A response I would have actually enjoyed would have been, 'I'm good at this and [don't] work for free. Give me $1000, and I'll break this deal down in amazing detail.'"
"Would have gladly paid and probably hired."

Despite the employer's presumed willingness to discuss payment, many X users understood the applicant's reservations.





But other X users who also had hiring experience sided with the employer's concerns.





While it might be disheartening for employers to see more reluctance from younger potential hires to invest time before getting hired or to perform free labor, the job market is so over-saturated, it's hard to guess what will be a valuable investment of time and what won't be.

While some of these investments will lead to being hired or at least making a really good connection, most of these will lead to another candidate being chosen, being ghosted, or even having ideas repurposed by the team's staff, so it's sort of no wonder that potential candidates are getting shy about sharing their ideas and offering up their time with no guarantees of reciprocation.

More from Trending

Jesse Watters
Fox News

Jesse Watters Dragged After Adding Another Mind-Boggling Rule For 'Real Men'

Fox News host Jesse Watters, who is apparently an authority of what it means to be a manly man, gave jazz hands to make a point about how "real men" should or shouldn't wave.

The target of his ridicule was Tim Walz, the enthusiastic Democratic Minnesota governor and vice presidential candidate who often greets the public by raising both hands in the air to wave.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of crowd at town hall and Rep. Mike Flood
@MorePerfectUS/X; KETV NewsWatch 7

GOP Rep. Goes Viral For His Response To Crowd Chanting 'Tax The Rich' At Town Hall

Nebraska Republican Representative Mike Flood was criticized following his incredulous response to a crowd that chanted "Tax the rich!" during a town hall meeting.

The Columbus High School auditorium hosted the town hall on Tuesday evening, drawing "nearly 380" attendees, according to local network KETV Omaha. The event was lively, with Flood facing both sharp criticism over Trump administration policies and some appreciation for showing up in person.

Keep ReadingShow less
Elon Musk
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Awkward Typo In Elon Musk's Bizarre 'Education Department' Trump Meme Is A Total Self-Own

Billionaire Elon Musk was widely mocked after he celebrated President Donald Trump's executive order to begin to dismantle the Department of Education (DOE) by posting a meme of Trump at the department's grave, only for an awkward misspelling to get all the attention.

Polling indicates that eliminating the Education Department is largely unpopular, with 60% of registered voters opposing the move, according to a Quinnipiac University survey conducted March 6-10. Support stands at 33%, with opposition particularly strong among Democrats—98% oppose it, while just 1% support it.

Keep ReadingShow less
JB Pritzker; Donald Trump
Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Dem Governor Reveals Trump's Bonkers Demand In Exchange For Equipment During COVID

Illinois Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker revealed during a speech this week that he clashed with President Donald Trump during the first Trump administration after Trump promised necessary medical equipment during the COVID pandemic on the condition that Pritzker praise him publicly.

Five years ago, the United States was grappling with the initial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country had entered shutdowns that had severe economic consequences, leaving businesses and industries on the brink of collapse.

Keep ReadingShow less
Scrabble tiles spelling the word scam
Scam spelled with scrabbles on a wooden table

People Break Down How They Realized An Entire Industry Was A Total Scam

We unfortunately live in a world where scams are on the rise.

Thankfully, some of them are pretty easy to detect, such as an automated call from the IRS telling you a warrant is out for your arrest, or an email claiming to be from Amazon or the USPS asking for your credit card information, only to look closer and see the email address is a yahoo account.

Keep ReadingShow less