When recruiters reach a new low: Job seeker shares they were grilled over father's income, marital status in viral Reddit post

Sometimes, recruiters cross a line when conducting interviews. In a troubling incident that has stirred conversation online, a job seeker recently shared their experience of being subjected to unprofessional and deeply personal questions during a job interview. The incident occurred during an interaction with the recruitment team of a Mumbai-based advertising agency, reportedly located in Ghatkopar. Among those present was the agency’s director, who posed a question that crossed a clear boundary: the candidate was asked whether they were the sole earner in their family.

This incident came to light through a post shared on the "Indian Workplace" subreddit. The user detailed how the question about their family's financial structure was asked in the middle of the interview, accompanied by several other invasive queries. In addition to the sole earner question, the agency’s HR personnel inquired about the candidate’s age and marital status, both of which are generally regarded as irrelevant and inappropriate during professional recruitment processes.

The Reddit post quickly garnered attention, sparking a wave of criticism from fellow users. Many expressed shock and dismay at the invasive nature of the questioning. Some speculated that such inquiries were intended to gauge the candidate’s level of desperation for employment rather than their qualifications or skills. Others pointed out that while asking about general family background might occasionally occur, explicitly probing into a candidate’s household income and financial dependencies was an unprecedented and intrusive move.

One user, reflecting on years of professional experience, remarked that they had never encountered or posed such personal questions in any interview setting. Another shared a similar experience of overreach by an HR representative who, prior to even scheduling an interview, asked for details including the father's occupation and income, the number of siblings, the mother’s job, the home address’s pin code, and even how the candidate intended to commute to work. Despite the extensive personal data gathered, the interview never took place.

The episode has reignited conversations about ethical boundaries in recruitment practices and highlighted the importance of protecting candidates' privacy. While job interviews are meant to assess a candidate’s fit for a role, the increasing frequency of inappropriate and intrusive questions suggests a need for greater awareness and accountability within hiring teams. The incident stands as a stark reminder that professionalism and respect must remain central to the hiring process.