Bengaluru techie in job interview faces double dose of 'monkeys' insult. What happened

A 24-year-old woman from Bengaluru shared her “weird” experience during a job interview for a GenAI developer role at a tech company. Posting on Reddit, she detailed the process, highlighting several red flags she encountered.

The first round of the interview was conducted online with a panel that included the Directors and the Head of Engineering. Although the round went well, it had been rescheduled twice despite receiving confirmation emails with specified dates and times. The second round was an in-person interview in Bengaluru, and she received an email with the date, time, and office address. However, upon arriving at the venue, she discovered that the interviewer, the team lead, was on leave for three days, as was the HR contact she had been coordinating with. This left her uneasy but determined to proceed.

During the second round, conducted by a team leader in his 30s, she noticed a defensive attitude right from the start. The interviewer appeared uninterested in her explanations about her projects and development approach, frequently interrupting her answers. The interruptions were often followed by dismissive or sceptical questions, implying that her methods were inadequate because they differed from his preferred ways. Despite confidently answering all questions, she felt undermined by his behaviour and the way he smirked while asking some of the questions, which she described as "stupid."

What stood out most was the interviewer’s reaction when she mentioned using subreddits as one of her resources to stay updated on technology trends. He referred to Reddit users as “monkeys,” asserting that the platform was unreliable and dismissing its value as a professional resource. His repeated use of the term "monkeys" left her stunned and frustrated.

The experience left her questioning her skills and the professionalism of the company, despite her confidence in her expertise and abilities.

What did the netizens say?


Respondents on the Reddit thread shared their opinions and advice regarding the interview experience. Many urged the woman to avoid accepting the job, citing the interviewer's behaviour as unprofessional and indicative of potential issues within the company.

Some users pointed out that workplace dynamics often involve differing opinions on methodologies. They emphasized the importance of addressing disagreements respectfully, using such situations as opportunities for learning or demonstrating one's expertise. Others noted that directly confronting the interviewer about repeated interruptions and rigid views could help reveal underlying motives or attitudes, potentially diffusing the situation.

A few commenters humorously speculated about the interviewer's disdain for Reddit, suggesting it stemmed from personal grievances or a lack of understanding of the platform’s value. Overall, many felt that the interviewer’s attitude and the company’s disorganized handling of the process were significant red flags.