A Reddit post recently stirred up discussion by exposing the unusual, often subjective reasons hiring managers use to reject candidates. The post described how a user’s cousin, a hiring manager at a large company, shared a surprising list of reasons for turning down job applicants. These reasons were unrelated to qualifications or experience, focusing instead on appearance and social behavior. Examples included rejecting candidates for being “overconfident” or even “too attractive,” as it was thought they might be distracting in the workplace.

Other unexpected reasons included poor choice of interview attire, appearing too eager, smiling excessively, and using too many filler words. Some candidates were also dismissed for having a weak handshake or not asking the “right” questions, showing how hiring decisions can hinge on subjective impressions over actual capability.

The post quickly sparked conversation online, with many Redditors expressing shock at how personal biases seem to influence hiring. Some criticized these criteria, questioning whether companies prioritize “vibes” over genuine skills and professionalism. Others noted the irony of expecting candidates to meet unspoken standards of “perfection” without clear guidelines. One commenter humorously suggested that a handshake with slightly too much or too little pressure could ruin someone’s chances, while another pointed out how confusing these superficial judgments must be for candidates focused on showcasing their professional abilities.

A common sentiment among users was that these odd rejection criteria reveal bias in hiring, rather than a true assessment of a candidate’s potential. The original poster later added an edit clarifying they didn’t share their cousin’s perspective and found such hiring practices misguided, especially as someone actively seeking a job.