In the high-stakes world of job recruitment, persistence is often seen as a virtue—but what happens when it crosses the line into obsession? A Redditor recently took to the popular subreddit r/recruitinghell to share a jaw-dropping tale of recruiter overreach so intense, it led them to cancel an interview with one of the world’s largest companies.
The story, which has since gone viral, has become a cautionary tale for job seekers and hiring firms alike—raising eyebrows over what constitutes professional persistence versus sheer harassment.
From Hopeful to Horrified in 72 Hours
The Reddit user recounted how, between Monday and Wednesday, they received a barrage of communication from a recruiter: four emails, fifteen phone calls, and a staggering forty-five text messages. The final straw? Waking up to late-night texts sent around 10 PM. Despite already having three conversations and multiple email exchanges, the recruiter’s unrelenting pursuit didn’t slow down.
In a bizarre twist, when the candidate finally returned one of the numerous calls, someone else answered the phone—only adding to the confusion and discomfort. With red flags piling up by the minute, the jobseeker made a bold move: they contacted the interviewers directly, canceled the interview, formally withdrew their application via email, and blocked the recruiter’s number.
“I was completely turned off from one of the biggest global companies,” the user wrote. “Her behavior was just too much.”
Recruiting or Stalking? Internet Users Weigh In
The post sparked an avalanche of reactions from fellow Redditors who were equal parts shocked, sympathetic, and scathingly witty.
One user quipped, “I know a recruiter like this. I had to ditch them.” Another exclaimed, “Called 15 times and texted 45 times? That’s psychotic behavior. I’ve blocked women I’ve taken out on dates for less.”
Skepticism around the recruiter’s legitimacy was also raised, prompting the original poster to clarify, “It seemed like a scam at first, but the interviewer’s email and LinkedIn checked out. So definitely just poor agency behavior.”
Someone even suggested a career change for the recruiter: “She missed her calling. She should’ve been a telemarketer rather than a recruiter.”
The consensus? Such aggressive tactics scream desperation and damage not only the recruiter’s credibility but also the reputation of the company they represent. “When they do this, it means they’re desperate. Never again,” read one comment. Another summed it up bluntly: “That’s insane. You did the right thing.”
When Communication Becomes a Red Flag
Recruiters often walk a fine line between being proactive and being pushy, but this incident has thrown a harsh spotlight on where that boundary lies. With professional etiquette eroding under the pressure to close roles quickly, jobseekers are increasingly finding themselves dodging overly aggressive agents rather than evaluating opportunities.
This case, in particular, has ignited broader conversations online about the role of empathy and boundaries in recruitment. While following up is part of the job, relentless calling and texting verge on harassment, not hustle. For companies, this viral story serves as a wake-up call: the behavior of your recruiters, especially those from third-party agencies, can drastically impact your employer brand.
The story, which has since gone viral, has become a cautionary tale for job seekers and hiring firms alike—raising eyebrows over what constitutes professional persistence versus sheer harassment.
From Hopeful to Horrified in 72 Hours
The Reddit user recounted how, between Monday and Wednesday, they received a barrage of communication from a recruiter: four emails, fifteen phone calls, and a staggering forty-five text messages. The final straw? Waking up to late-night texts sent around 10 PM. Despite already having three conversations and multiple email exchanges, the recruiter’s unrelenting pursuit didn’t slow down.
In a bizarre twist, when the candidate finally returned one of the numerous calls, someone else answered the phone—only adding to the confusion and discomfort. With red flags piling up by the minute, the jobseeker made a bold move: they contacted the interviewers directly, canceled the interview, formally withdrew their application via email, and blocked the recruiter’s number.
“I was completely turned off from one of the biggest global companies,” the user wrote. “Her behavior was just too much.”
Recruiting or Stalking? Internet Users Weigh In
The post sparked an avalanche of reactions from fellow Redditors who were equal parts shocked, sympathetic, and scathingly witty.
One user quipped, “I know a recruiter like this. I had to ditch them.” Another exclaimed, “Called 15 times and texted 45 times? That’s psychotic behavior. I’ve blocked women I’ve taken out on dates for less.”
Skepticism around the recruiter’s legitimacy was also raised, prompting the original poster to clarify, “It seemed like a scam at first, but the interviewer’s email and LinkedIn checked out. So definitely just poor agency behavior.”
Someone even suggested a career change for the recruiter: “She missed her calling. She should’ve been a telemarketer rather than a recruiter.”
The consensus? Such aggressive tactics scream desperation and damage not only the recruiter’s credibility but also the reputation of the company they represent. “When they do this, it means they’re desperate. Never again,” read one comment. Another summed it up bluntly: “That’s insane. You did the right thing.”
When Communication Becomes a Red Flag
Recruiters often walk a fine line between being proactive and being pushy, but this incident has thrown a harsh spotlight on where that boundary lies. With professional etiquette eroding under the pressure to close roles quickly, jobseekers are increasingly finding themselves dodging overly aggressive agents rather than evaluating opportunities.
This case, in particular, has ignited broader conversations online about the role of empathy and boundaries in recruitment. While following up is part of the job, relentless calling and texting verge on harassment, not hustle. For companies, this viral story serves as a wake-up call: the behavior of your recruiters, especially those from third-party agencies, can drastically impact your employer brand.
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