A Chennai-based employer has ignited an online debate after revealing that he rejected a Gen Z job candidate who demanded more than double their current salary. His decision, and the way he framed it, has divided opinions on social media.
Man Maran Ramalingam, a self-employed Fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), shared his experience in a now-viral LinkedIn post, where he admitted he was “glad” to have turned down the candidate’s demand for a steep pay hike. His account of the interview quickly gained traction, sparking discussions about salary expectations, workplace readiness, and generational attitudes towards compensation.
In his post, Ramalingam recounted interviewing a Gen Z candidate whose current salary was Rs 5 lakh per annum. The candidate initially asked HR for Rs 8 lakh but later increased their demand to Rs 12 lakh during the interview itself.
During the conversation, Ramalingam questioned the rationale behind the 100 per cent salary hike.
"Can you help me understand why you believe a 100 per cent hike is justified?" he asked.
The candidate confidently replied, "I have the skills."
However, when asked to present past work as evidence, Ramalingam found it lacking.
"Honestly, it was subpar. I wouldn’t even pay him the Rs 5 lakh he’s currently earning," he wrote.
Ramalingam further examined the candidate’s work, pointing out flaws and offering feedback. He described how the candidate visibly reacted to the criticism, stating: "I could see, hear, and feel his heartbreak. But here’s the thing: I’m glad I did. It’s important for this generation to understand what skills, deliverables, and quality truly mean."
Ramalingam argued that professionals must justify their salary demands with tangible proof of ability rather than confidence alone.
"Salaries are determined by a combination of confidence and deliverables. In the real world, ‘I have done it’ always carries more weight than ‘I can do it’," he wrote.
He concluded his post with a postscript: "I might have just saved another interviewer from dealing with such an unrealistic demand."
Ramalingam’s post sparked a wave of reactions online, with opinions sharply divided.
Some users supported his no-nonsense stance, arguing that salary expectations must be backed by merit.
"He did the right thing. You can't just demand double without proving your worth," one user wrote.
Another added, "This generation needs to learn that skills matter more than confidence."
However, many criticised his tone, accusing him of publicly shaming a young professional instead of mentoring them.
"Breaking a ‘Gen Z heart’ shouldn’t be a flex. If his work was subpar, guide him rather than mock him," one user countered.
Another commented, "Maybe he needed guidance instead of public shaming."
Meanwhile, a third user remarked, "It has nothing to do with Gen Z ( I am a millennial ). It's just one individual who wrote cheques with his mouth that his skill couldn't cash, and he wasn't particularly charming. Happens. Why are we bringing a whole generation into this? People are people. Entitled people are everywhere. I hope he will learn to back up his words with results."
"I thought he asked for 12 and you were generous enough to give him 20 lakh and both of you lived happily ever after," a fourth wrote.
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