Rs 5 lakh annual salary and IIM-level question: Reddit user left frustated by bizzare interview experience

A 24-year-old job seeker recently shared his surprising experience while interviewing for a digital marketing executive role at a real estate firm, and his post on Reddit has sparked widespread conversation. The applicant, who posts under the username “American_Leo,” detailed how he was taken aback by a challenging mathematical question during the interview process — one he described as “IIM-level” despite the offered salary being only Rs 5 lakh per annum.

Initially, the candidate had declined the opportunity after learning about the Rs 5 LPA package, which was on par with his existing compensation. However, when the company assured him of a better offer, he decided to participate in the online interview.

Surprised by Puzzle-Like Question During the Interview

In his Reddit post titled “Indian company wants Albert Einstein,” the applicant described how the interview began with standard questions that he answered well. The unexpected twist came when the interviewer presented a complex scenario: “Let’s say the real estate company has Rs 100 crore in inventory, which is 74 flats, and the population of Nagpur is 4,00,000. What would the CPL (Cost Per Lead) be?” He was not allowed to use a calculator, adding to the challenge.

The candidate attempted a rough mental calculation and responded with an estimated cost per lead of Rs 200–Rs 300. Reflecting on the experience, he explained that he later realized he should have calculated a 1% conversion rate from the city’s population, resulting in 4,000 leads, and then divided a hypothetical marketing budget by that number to determine the CPL.

Online Reactions Highlight Widespread Frustration

His experience resonated with many others online who shared similar encounters. One user noted that they were expected to handle responsibilities akin to those of a Senior Manager, including revamping an inactive brand, all for a salary of Rs 41,000. They added that their manager regularly mocked their pay and issued ultimatums, eventually prompting them to resign just three months into the role.

Another shared their experience interviewing for a business development associate role at Flipkart. Despite the position being contract-based with a modest salary of Rs 2 lakh per annum, the interviewers asked calculus questions and scrutinized project details beyond the candidate's scope. When the applicant questioned the relevance of these tests, they received no response and chose to walk out mid-interview.

A separate user recounted applying for an internship with a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000, only to be interrogated on advanced tools despite the position being for freshers. The interviewer’s dismissive attitude led them to criticize the unrealistic expectations placed on interns.

Another individual highlighted issues in tech interviews, where an intern was expected to complete a project in 24 hours that would typically require weeks. These anecdotes collectively point to a larger concern: mismatched expectations and responsibilities compared to the offered compensation.

The common theme among the responses is a growing dissatisfaction with the way many Indian companies approach hiring — placing unrealistic demands on candidates without offering appropriate compensation or support.