A hiring manager on Reddit's r/interviews laid out the hidden criteria that sink candidates after what felt like a flawless interview. Among the revelations: someone else was already the internal favourite before you walked in, roles carry unstated requirements that never make it into the job description, and -- most unsettling -- an interviewer's warmth is often just professional courtesy, not a signal. "Friendliness is not a yes," the post warned. The thread drew thousands of comments from candidates who mistook politeness for a verdict, and from other hiring managers who confirmed every point.
True story · general · Issue —
Six invisible reasons you didn't get the job
As told to the Host · Storyteller verified · Hiring manager · via r/interviews
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All stories →Rs 90 lakh. One bad boss. No deal.
Software professional · via LinkedIn
ATS said no. The founder said yes.
Harshit Srivastava · Delhi-based startup founder · via LinkedIn