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This incident sparked widespread discussion online, with many people sharing similar frustrations about outdated hiring practices.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