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'He was scared to reschedule': Recruiter pauses interview after candidate arrives from hospital
A recruiter paused an interview after a candidate revealed he had come straight from the hospital because he feared losing the job.
The pressure to secure a job can often push candidates to put their health on the line. A recent LinkedIn post has struck a chord online after a recruiter shared how a candidate attended an interview immediately after being discharged from hospital because he feared losing the opportunity.
The post was shared by LinkedIn user Juhi Bhatia, who recalled interviewing a candidate who appeared unusually low on energy.
"I had an interview with a candidate, and he seemed very low on energy. After a few minutes, I couldn't stop myself from asking if he was okay. He told me he had just been discharged from the hospital. I paused the interview and asked him why he hadn't requested a reschedule. He said he was scared to reschedule because he really needed the job. That broke my heart.
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"It is heartbreaking to see what people face in today's job market, feeling like they cannot take time to rest because they fear losing an opportunity. We rescheduled the interview, and I assured him it would not affect his candidacy or chances for the role. Let us all try our best to create a hiring process where people are treated with care, understanding and, above all, as human beings," she wrote.
Internet praises recruiter's empathy
The post resonated with many LinkedIn users, who praised the recruiter for prioritising compassion over process.
"That candidate's fear is something I see constantly from the other side of the table. Job seekers have internalised the idea that any sign of vulnerability, even being discharged from hospital, will be seen as unreliability rather than honesty. What you did in that moment matters more than most interview feedback ever will. The market needs more recruiters who pause to ask, 'Are you okay?' before asking, 'Are you qualified?' Thank you for sharing this," one user commented.
Another wrote, "It is alarming how the fear of losing opportunities can overshadow basic human decency. Let us challenge this toxic job market mentality together."
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Others share similar experiences
Several recruiters and job seekers also shared personal stories in the comments.
"I had a similar experience as a recruiter. A candidate once joined an interview looking very drained. When I checked in, he shared that he had just dealt with a family medical situation. He still wanted to continue because he was worried about missing the opportunity. I paused the interview and rescheduled it, reassuring him that it would not affect his chances. It was a reminder that behind every profile is a person, and sometimes empathy matters more than the process," one person shared.
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Another user recounted, "I recently asked to reschedule an interview with a major fashion brand because I was ill with bronchitis. I would not have made it through the interview without coughing constantly. I received an automated rejection email within 20 minutes. This job market is brutal."
Praising the recruiter, another comment read, "Your network is fortunate to have you. You are changing the trajectory of hiring, Juhi, one story at a time."
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)
