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A freelance content writer turned the tables by rejecting a company’s job offer, citing low pay, a generic hiring process, and an unpaid assessment. The internet loved the move
A freelance content writer’s decision to decline a job offer over what he described as poor hiring practices has gone viral (Image-AI)
In an unusual twist to the traditional hiring process, a freelance content writer has sparked a debate on LinkedIn after rejecting a company’s job offer, prompting discussion about recruitment practices and fair compensation.
Satyajit Baidya, a freelance content writer, shared a screenshot of the email he sent to a prospective employer, explaining why he had decided not to proceed with the opportunity. The post quickly gained traction on LinkedIn, with many users praising him for taking a stand against what he described as an unfair hiring process.
Sharing the screenshot, Baidya wrote, “Rejection emails are common. Today, I sent one back. 🙂 Sometimes, the right career move is saying, ‘No, thank you.’ Hiring is a two-way street.”
The screenshot included an email from the hiring team inviting him to move forward for the role of Freelance Technical Content Writer. However, instead of accepting the offer, Baidya responded with a detailed rejection email outlining the reasons behind his decision.
In his response, he thanked the company for considering his application before informing them that he had decided to move ahead with another opportunity that better matched his experience and expectations.
Explaining his decision, Baidya wrote that the recruitment process failed to leave a positive first impression. According to him, the invitation had been sent as a generic BCC email, which he felt lacked a personalised approach. He also questioned the compensation being offered, stating that while the company expected expert-level work, the remuneration reflected beginner-level rates.
He further expressed concerns over the assessment process, noting that applicants were expected to complete an unpaid one-day assignment with production-level expectations. In his view, the task resembled actual client work rather than a genuine evaluation of a candidate’s skills.
Concluding the email, he wished the company success in finding a suitable candidate before signing off with a remark that caught the internet’s attention: “I don’t write Content – I build positioning.”
The post soon sparked conversations on LinkedIn, with many users applauding Baidya’s confidence and encouraging professionals to evaluate employers just as employers assess candidates.
Reacting to the post, one user wrote, “Love this! I have always wanted to do something like this, but I was never brave enough as you are. 😍”
Another commented, “This is hilarious but satisfying at the same time. Saying no to a job that doesn’t sit well with you is a flex. Weldone,” appreciating his decision to walk away from an opportunity that did not meet his expectations.
A third user remarked, “This is way more satisfying than ASMR satisfying videos 🤣 😂”, highlighting how enjoyable they found the role reversal.
Sharing a humorous perspective, another person wrote, “Life is funny. One person’s “No, thank you” is another person’s answered prayer. If you ever change your mind about rejecting such offers again… kindly remember some of us are available. 😂 Wishing you even bigger opportunities ahead! Satyajit Baidya,”
Another user added, “Very good! Actually, they deserve it!!! I am motivated already!”
Common red flags in job applications include generic hiring processes, unpaid assessments, and receiving rejection emails before submitting an application.
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