Switching jobs is always a cocktail of excitement and nerves—more so if it’s your very first time. But for one developer in India, what should have been a career milestone quickly turned into a cautionary tale about HR red flags, offer letter etiquette, and professional boundaries.
A Reddit user recently took to the r/developersIndia forum, recounting his rather unsettling experience with a company that had enthusiastically “welcomed” him—without actually offering him the job.
A Congratulatory Email with No Offer Letter?
The Redditor shared that after clearing all interview rounds, he received an email from the company's HR filled with cheerful language, calling him a great fit for their "snack-loving, code-slinging engineering team." But the excitement fizzled quickly when he noticed something crucial missing: there was no offer letter. No role details. No start date. No compensation package.
Instead, the HR asked him to share salary slips, his current offer letter, and even his resignation letter—without giving him any formal confirmation in return.
When Politeness Becomes ‘Inappropriate’
The jobseeker, treading carefully and professionally, responded with a simple and respectful request:
"I’m excited to join! Just requesting a written confirmation outlining role, compensation, and start date so I can resign professionally."
What followed next was nothing short of shocking. The HR reportedly called him up—furious. They deemed his request “inappropriate,” questioned his intent to join, and even said they were “reconsidering” the offer altogether. To add fuel to the fire, they insisted he must join within 30 days from the date of that initial informal email. When he requested a slight extension of a few days due to his notice period, the HR sternly capped it at “two days max.”
Reddit Reacts: ‘Major Red Flag’
The post quickly went viral in the developer community, with fellow users weighing in—and most were quick to call out the company’s behaviour as unprofessional.
“This is a clear red flag,” one user wrote. “They want you to resign without even giving you a formal offer letter? Walk away.”
Another chimed in: “This is not how reputable companies operate. If HR gets angry over a reasonable request, imagine what they’re like internally.”
Others pointed out that asking for joining details is standard practice and not at all out of line. “I’ve asked the same before. It’s normal. Companies usually provide those details without fuss.”
While a few offered a more balanced perspective—saying there’s no harm in sharing documents (photocopies, not originals) before a formal offer—most agreed on one thing: never resign without an official offer letter in hand.
A Market of Mistrust?
The incident also sparked a larger conversation around the increasingly aggressive hiring strategies adopted by companies, especially in competitive tech markets. Some speculated that the firm may be under pressure to fill roles quickly and tried to push the candidate without following due process.
Whatever the internal dynamics, the story serves as a potent reminder: excitement shouldn't replace prudence. And professionalism—on both sides—must never be optional.
To anyone navigating job switches in today’s market: Always wait for the offer letter. Always read the fine print. And always trust your gut when something feels off.
In the words of one Redditor: “Tell them you can find another company that knows how to onboard and hire employees professionally. Run while you can.”
Would you stay or walk away?
A Reddit user recently took to the r/developersIndia forum, recounting his rather unsettling experience with a company that had enthusiastically “welcomed” him—without actually offering him the job.
A Congratulatory Email with No Offer Letter?
The Redditor shared that after clearing all interview rounds, he received an email from the company's HR filled with cheerful language, calling him a great fit for their "snack-loving, code-slinging engineering team." But the excitement fizzled quickly when he noticed something crucial missing: there was no offer letter. No role details. No start date. No compensation package.
Instead, the HR asked him to share salary slips, his current offer letter, and even his resignation letter—without giving him any formal confirmation in return.
When Politeness Becomes ‘Inappropriate’
The jobseeker, treading carefully and professionally, responded with a simple and respectful request:
"I’m excited to join! Just requesting a written confirmation outlining role, compensation, and start date so I can resign professionally."
What followed next was nothing short of shocking. The HR reportedly called him up—furious. They deemed his request “inappropriate,” questioned his intent to join, and even said they were “reconsidering” the offer altogether. To add fuel to the fire, they insisted he must join within 30 days from the date of that initial informal email. When he requested a slight extension of a few days due to his notice period, the HR sternly capped it at “two days max.”
Reddit Reacts: ‘Major Red Flag’
The post quickly went viral in the developer community, with fellow users weighing in—and most were quick to call out the company’s behaviour as unprofessional.
“This is a clear red flag,” one user wrote. “They want you to resign without even giving you a formal offer letter? Walk away.”
Another chimed in: “This is not how reputable companies operate. If HR gets angry over a reasonable request, imagine what they’re like internally.”
Others pointed out that asking for joining details is standard practice and not at all out of line. “I’ve asked the same before. It’s normal. Companies usually provide those details without fuss.”
While a few offered a more balanced perspective—saying there’s no harm in sharing documents (photocopies, not originals) before a formal offer—most agreed on one thing: never resign without an official offer letter in hand.
A Market of Mistrust?
The incident also sparked a larger conversation around the increasingly aggressive hiring strategies adopted by companies, especially in competitive tech markets. Some speculated that the firm may be under pressure to fill roles quickly and tried to push the candidate without following due process.
Whatever the internal dynamics, the story serves as a potent reminder: excitement shouldn't replace prudence. And professionalism—on both sides—must never be optional.
To anyone navigating job switches in today’s market: Always wait for the offer letter. Always read the fine print. And always trust your gut when something feels off.
In the words of one Redditor: “Tell them you can find another company that knows how to onboard and hire employees professionally. Run while you can.”
Would you stay or walk away?
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