A job seeker from Pune has sparked a debate on employment practices after claiming that a recruiter asked him to work without a salary for six to eight months before being considered for a paid position.
Pranav, who shared his experience on social media platform X, said he attended a walk-in interview expecting to discuss his skills, projects and work experience. Instead, he was allegedly asked whether he would be willing to work full-time without pay for several months.
According to his post, the recruiter suggested that if his performance met expectations during the unpaid period, the company would then consider offering him a salary.
Candidate expresses shock
Pranav said he initially thought the proposal was a joke. He argued that after years of education, project work and interview preparation, being asked to work for free in a full-time role was both disappointing and unreasonable.
He clarified that the arrangement was not presented as an internship or training programme but as a regular job opportunity.
The candidate further claimed that the organisation appeared to have only two individuals managing operations — the chief executive officer and a human resources representative — despite conducting a large-scale walk-in recruitment drive.
Social media users react
The post quickly gained attention online, with many users saying the incident reflected the challenges faced by job seekers in a difficult employment market.
Several commenters shared similar experiences, alleging that some startups and small companies were attempting to use unpaid labour under the guise of employment opportunities.
Others argued that if organisations are unable to pay employees, they should offer meaningful equity or clearly define such roles as co-founder positions rather than regular jobs.
Pranav concluded his post by urging job seekers to value their skills and time, warning against normalising unpaid full-time work in a competitive job market.
The incident has renewed calls for greater transparency and fairness in recruitment processes, particularly as job seekers navigate an increasingly uncertain employment landscape.