Candidate refused to work Saturdays and was called ‘lazy’: Why the job interviewer hired him anyway

What happens when a job candidate refuses to say what an interviewer wants to hear? A 27-year-old candidate surprised Delhi-based entrepreneur Kanika Jain when he openly said he would not work Saturdays because he had a life outside the office. Jain initially questioned whether that was “too lazy” for his age. But instead of backing down, he explained why he valued cricket, music and family time. She eventually hired him, and his performance changed her view of workplace commitment.

27-year-old refuses to work Saturdays during job interview

Delhi-based entrepreneur Kanika Jain took to social media and shared the story of a 27-year-old she interviewed. According to Jain, the candidate “denied working on Saturdays”, prompting her to ask him directly whether that was too lazy for someone his age. His response caught her off guard. Rather than trying to impress the interviewer, he simply told her, “Ma’am, I have a life outside office.”

The candidate explained that he played cricket every Saturday, had been playing guitar since he was 14 and also wanted to spend time with his family. Jain suggested that he could manage these activities after office hours or use Sundays for them. But the candidate had another argument ready.

Candidate compares Indian work culture with the US

The 27-year-old told Jain that his elder brother worked in the US and that he had visited him twice. He pointed out that people there generally work from Monday to Friday and argued that the US remains one of the world's most competitive and developed nations.

His question left Jain and the interview panel surprised: “If they can be super successful working weekdays, why can’t we?” Jain admitted that she was baffled by his response. She had interviewed hundreds of candidates and was accustomed to hearing applicants say exactly what they thought recruiters wanted to hear. According to her, candidates often claim they are passionate, willing to give “200 percent” and comfortable working weekends. But Jain said there was often a different reality after they were hired.

Jain says many employees eventually burn out

Jain explained that many candidates who initially agree to weekend work eventually burn out. She said some of them start looking for an exit after around eight months. The 27-year-old candidate, however, stood out because he had been clear about his boundaries from the beginning. Rather than seeing that as a lack of commitment, Jain decided to hire him for a sales role. She later realised that the decision had been the right one.

He outperformed everyone for two quarters

The candidate did not simply maintain his performance while protecting his weekends. According to Jain, he “outperformed everyone on the team” for two consecutive quarters. His approach to sales also reinforced the impression he had made during the interview. Jain said he never lied to clients. Instead, he explained both the advantages and disadvantages of the product and allowed customers to make their own decisions.

That honesty, she said, was appreciated by clients. The candidate also continued with the life he had defended during the interview. He still played cricket on Saturdays. He still played guitar. And he continued making time for his family.

‘I called him lazy’: Jain changes her mind

Looking back, Jain acknowledged that her first impression had been wrong. She had called the candidate “lazy” for refusing to work Saturdays. But his subsequent performance made her reconsider what workplace dedication actually looks like. Her final assessment was striking. She described him as “the clearest person I had interviewed all year.”