Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Add Upworthy to your Google News feed.
Google News Button

Job interviews are nerve-wracking experiences, and even the most prepared candidates can face rejection for unexpected reasons. While some employers turn applicants away for valid concerns, others seem to base their decisions on trivial factors. One Reddit user, u/Alikona_05, shared a frustrating hiring experience where a highly qualified candidate was rejected simply because of her hobbies.

The post, which has received over 1.9K upvotes and 211 comments, described how their boss was looking for a temporary employee to fill in during a medical leave. Since the boss had a scheduling conflict, the Reddit user was asked to sit in on the interview alongside a senior coworker—whom they described as a "boomer."


Representative Image Source: Pexels | Ron Lach

Initially, the interview went smoothly. The candidate spoke well, possessed the necessary skills, and seemed like a great fit for the role. The conversation remained positive until she mentioned one minor request: she needed a specific day off for a trip she had already paid for.

Her explanation proved to be her downfall.


"Her 'mistake' was going into detail about this trip. She's a big fan of Star Trek and she's going to a comic con to see an actor she likes."
— @Alikona_05

Rather than simply noting the scheduling request, the senior coworker took offense to her passion for science fiction. Viewing her enthusiasm for Star Trek as a "red flag," they deemed her unfit for the role, assuming she was lazy or unmotivated.

Shocked by the reaction, u/Alikona_05 admitted they now felt even more hesitant to share their own hobbies at work.

media.giphy.com

The problem with hobby shaming

Reflecting on their personal experience, the Reddit user pointed out that their own interests—like listening to European power metal about space wizards and playing video games—had never affected their job performance.

"Literally has 0 effect on my job performance other than the fact that I tend to be a better problem solver."
— @Alikona_05

This incident sparked widespread discussion online, with many people sharing similar frustrations about outdated hiring practices.

age Source: Reddit | u/gladgubbegbg

One user, u/overkillsd, said they make a point to mention their own hobbies during interviews to expose judgmental employers: "I bring up my gaming and death metal fandom in interviews so potential employers can out themselves if they suck."

Others noted that arbitrary hiring decisions are a major issue in the job market. u/That_White_Wall commented, "People wonder why it's so hard to get hired. When the people deciding to hire you are insane, this is why people never hear back."

A double standard?

Some users pointed out the hypocrisy in dismissing a candidate over sci-fi fandom while other, more passive hobbies might be more socially acceptable.

u/Scizmz made an interesting observation, writing: "Meanwhile if she said she watches 8 hours of TV a night to keep up to date on her shows, boomer would be vibing with that."

Another user, u/thedaj, highlighted how being a Star Trek fan should actually be seen as a positive trait: "That'd be considered a justification to hire in any logical environment. I don't think I've ever met a dumb Star Trek fan."


media.giphy.com

The situation raises an important question—why do some hiring managers still judge candidates based on personal interests rather than professional qualifications? While some may view niche hobbies as unprofessional, others argue that passion and dedication in any area of life can translate into valuable workplace skills.

At the end of the day, the best hiring decisions should be based on skills, experience, and character—not whether someone enjoys a sci-fi convention on the weekend.

More For You

For 27 years, she photographed her parents waving goodbye. The final shot is heartbreaking.
Representative image by Canva

For 27 years, she photographed her parents waving goodbye. The final shot is heartbreaking.

Saying goodbye to loved ones can be a tender, bittersweet ritual, especially when those goodbyes accumulate over decades. For photographer Deanna Dikeman—known on Instagram as @deannadikeman—documenting these moments became a powerful, long-term project. Over 27 years, she snapped photos of her parents waving farewell in their driveway, culminating in one final image that feels like a punch to the gut.

A 27-year tradition
What began in 1991 as a casual snapshot turned into an ongoing series Dikeman informally called “Leaving and Waving.” Every time she left her parents’ home, she would pause to capture them standing in the driveway, hands raised in a goodbye wave. In an Instagram post shared by @the.pinklemonade, her images spanned from the early ‘90s until October 2017. The collection is currently on display at Réseau L U X (@reseau_lux) in Paris.

Keep ReadingShow less
A basement under construction.

Representative image - These days the choice between a place of your own and a basement custom built for you by mom is pretty easy.

Photo by Cal David

Mom's basement makeover gives her daughters a rent-free start in life

How children leave the home varies across generations, cultures and even individual families. For some, turning 18 marks a race toward independence, while others linger in the nest until they're pushed out with a “good luck” and a swift kick in the rump. In today’s world of skyrocketing housing costs, however, many families are rethinking these norms, choosing support over separation.

One TikTok mom, @lxxndaa_, is breaking the mold by giving her daughters a head start—rent-free. In a viral video, she shared how she transformed her basement into a fully equipped apartment for her daughters. This move has earned her widespread admiration and over 16.6 million views.

Keep ReadingShow less
Widow refused to share inheritance as teen stepdaughter faces homelessness—backlash erupts
Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | Mikhail Nilov; Reddit | u/Spiritual_Alps3413

Widow refused to share inheritance as teen stepdaughter faces homelessness—backlash erupts

Inheritance disputes often lead to heated debates, especially when a family is divided. One woman recently sparked outrage after revealing that she inherited her late husband’s entire estate—nearly a million dollars—without leaving anything for his 16-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

Posting on Reddit as u/Spiritual_Alps3413, the widow asked if she was wrong for keeping everything while her stepdaughter and her mother struggled to survive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chris Hemsworth's response to his daughter's big question deserves applause

Chris explains what happened.

Image from ellentube/YouTube video.

Chris Hemsworth's response to his daughter's big question deserves applause

Chris Hemsworth might be best known for swinging a hammer as the Norse god of thunder in “Thor: Ragnarok,” but when it comes to being a dad, he’s just as legendary. The 35-year-old actor and father-of-three had a standout parenting moment that proves he’s more than just a superhero on screen.

It started with a curious question from his daughter

In a 2015 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Hemsworth shared a story that starts with his daughter, 4-year-old India, having a very specific question about anatomy—and ends with a beautiful message about identity and acceptance.

Keep ReadingShow less