This Google techie was rejected by a startup for being ‘overqualified'. See her viral post

Reactions on social media were mixed, with many users expressing both amusement and frustration.

A Google software engineer, Annu Sharma, has shared a rejection letter from a startup that has ignited a lively debate online. Sharma, based in Delhi, took to X (formerly Twitter) to reveal that her qualifications were deemed “too good” for the role she applied for. In her post, she humorously commented, “Didn’t know you could be rejected for being too good,” highlighting her surprise at the reasoning behind the rejection.

The letter from the startup explained that they had reviewed Sharma's resume and concluded that her qualifications exceeded the requirements of the position. The startup noted, “Our experience indicates that candidates with higher qualifications often find the work unfulfilling and tend to leave shortly after joining.” This reasoning has drawn attention, with the post quickly going viral.

Didn't know you could be rejected for being too good pic.twitter.com/mbo5fbqEP3
Anu Sharma (@O_Anu_O) October 17, 2024

Reactions on social media were mixed, with many users expressing both amusement and frustration. One user commented, “Being too good should be a compliment, not a reason for rejection!” Others shared their own experiences of unusual job rejections, creating a thread of relatable stories. Another user suggested, “You should start your own startup; clearly, you have the skills!”

"Suffering from success," a user joked. Another user stated, "Art of being too good: should be a book."

The situation also sparked a broader discussion about hiring practices in startups. One comment raised the issue of how qualifications and experience are balanced against cultural fit in hiring decisions, stating, “This raises important questions about how startups value qualifications and experience compared to cultural fit.”