A techie recently shared his unusual experience on Reddit, highlighting how delicate salary negotiations can be. He had interviewed for a remote ML position at a Kochi-based startup. The first co-founder dismissed him over experience, but the CEO later called, had a long chat, and scheduled a detailed 1.5-hour panel interview. Both co-founders were on the panel, and the techie aced the discussion, leaving a strong impression on the CEO.
Two hours after the interview, the co-founder discussed the compensation. The package wasn’t huge—7 LPA base plus 1 LPA variable—but he accepted it because of the remote flexibility. Later, during an HR call, he politely asked if the variable could be included in the fixed pay. HR declined, and the call proceeded as normal.
Two days later, however, he received an unexpected rejection email. Shocked, he reached out to the CEO, who confirmed that HR had flagged the salary revision request as a “red flag,” which led to the rejection. The techie shared his experience, wondering if asking for a minor revision really counts as a serious red flag in hiring.
The story sparked a wave of discussion online, with many debating the fine line between negotiating and being perceived as difficult.
Internet reacts
Netizens had plenty to say about the techie’s experience with the salary revision. Many suggested that while discussing numbers, it’s wise not to agree immediately. Take time to consider the offer, or come prepared with your expected figure from the start. Negotiating itself isn’t a red flag, and it might have been better to discuss the number directly with the CEO rather than with HR.
Some argued that the company’s approach revealed deeper issues, labelling it as a firm that exploits candidates desperate for jobs by underpaying and overworking them. Others shared that recruiters can sometimes turn stubborn or rigid when asked for a revision, making it important to finalise your expected package beforehand or request time to think.
Several users noted that once a first offer is accepted, asking for a revision later can make HR question a candidate’s character, depending on how the negotiation is handled. Many agreed that this wasn’t a reflection of the candidate’s abilities but rather of the company’s unwillingness to value talent. A few even celebrated the rejection by saying, "Good that you got rejected" and called it a lucky escape from a company that doesn’t respect employees and emphasising that good companies always negotiate fairly when they value a resource.
Two hours after the interview, the co-founder discussed the compensation. The package wasn’t huge—7 LPA base plus 1 LPA variable—but he accepted it because of the remote flexibility. Later, during an HR call, he politely asked if the variable could be included in the fixed pay. HR declined, and the call proceeded as normal.
Two days later, however, he received an unexpected rejection email. Shocked, he reached out to the CEO, who confirmed that HR had flagged the salary revision request as a “red flag,” which led to the rejection. The techie shared his experience, wondering if asking for a minor revision really counts as a serious red flag in hiring.
The story sparked a wave of discussion online, with many debating the fine line between negotiating and being perceived as difficult.
Internet reacts
Netizens had plenty to say about the techie’s experience with the salary revision. Many suggested that while discussing numbers, it’s wise not to agree immediately. Take time to consider the offer, or come prepared with your expected figure from the start. Negotiating itself isn’t a red flag, and it might have been better to discuss the number directly with the CEO rather than with HR.
Some argued that the company’s approach revealed deeper issues, labelling it as a firm that exploits candidates desperate for jobs by underpaying and overworking them. Others shared that recruiters can sometimes turn stubborn or rigid when asked for a revision, making it important to finalise your expected package beforehand or request time to think.
Several users noted that once a first offer is accepted, asking for a revision later can make HR question a candidate’s character, depending on how the negotiation is handled. Many agreed that this wasn’t a reflection of the candidate’s abilities but rather of the company’s unwillingness to value talent. A few even celebrated the rejection by saying, "Good that you got rejected" and called it a lucky escape from a company that doesn’t respect employees and emphasising that good companies always negotiate fairly when they value a resource.
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