Candidate asks about in-hand salary, then loses job opportunity before interview

A candidate said a small firm ended his application after he asked about the in-hand salary. The exchange triggered a wider debate online over pay transparency in hiring.Candidate asks about in-hand salary, then loses job opportunity before interview (Photo: Reddit: r/Indiajobs)A candidate's simple question about salary ended his interview process before it even began, leaving many online questioning whether asking about pay had become a red flag for employers.The candidate shared his experience on Reddit's r/IndiaJobs forum in a post titled, "Got rejected over asking in-hand salary." He explained that a small firm had reached out to him on Indeed regarding a role he had applied for, but the conversation took an unexpected turn after he sought clarification about the salary being offered.According to the post, the company's HR representative informed him that the position came with a salary of Rs 2 lakh per annum (LPA) and asked whether he was interested in proceeding.The candidate responded with a straightforward question: "What will be the in-hand salary?" Instead of answering, the HR replied, "If only salary is the concern, then we believe the company may not be the right fit for you. Thanks and all the best for your job search."Sharing a screenshot of the exchange, the candidate questioned whether he had done anything wrong by simply asking for clarity about his take-home pay. He added that with the job market already being difficult, getting rejected over what he felt was a reasonable question was frustrating, especially without even getting the chance to attend an interview.Take a look at the post here:The post sparked a discussion among Reddit users, many of whom felt the candidate's question was completely justified. Several argued that knowing the in-hand salary is essential before accepting or even seriously considering a job offer, as deductions can significantly affect monthly earnings.Others pointed out that a salary of Rs 2 lakh per annum works out to roughly Rs 16,700 a month before deductions, with one user remarking that even household workers in some cities earn considerably more.A few commenters believed the candidate had "dodged a bullet", suggesting that a company unwilling to discuss compensation openly might not have offered a healthy work environment.Others speculated that if the role had been remote, it could have involved long working hours despite the modest pay. Many also felt transparency around salary should be expected during the hiring process rather than viewed as a negative sign.- EndsPublished By: Yashna TalwarPublished On: Jul 30, 2026 20:22 IST