‘Gen Z has a different way of working’: Entrepreneur rejects candidate for asking one question

An entrepreneur has triggered a wider conversation on Gen Z’s work ethic and approach to jobs after explaining why she rejected a candidate for asking what she felt was a basic question during an interview. Mahima Jalan, founder of branding agency Sortedbrand, said she chose not to hire a candidate who asked for the company’s name and what it does, despite being sent the job description and company profile beforehand.

Sharing the incident on X, Jalan said the question caught her off guard. “Today I interviewed someone who asked, ‘What’s your company called and what do you do?’ I was taken aback. The job description, hiring message, and emails were already shared. Not knowing basic details is poor work etiquette. Being young isn’t an excuse,” she wrote.

Jalan went on to argue that serious businesses are built on ownership, accountability, and preparation, not just enthusiasm or “vibes.” Drawing from her own experience as an entrepreneur, she said that even for short meetings, she makes it a point to research the client or company. “This was a job interview—a career decision,” she noted, adding that Gen Z often has a very different way of working compared to earlier generations. She later clarified that the candidate was also average at his work, which further influenced her decision.





The post quickly drew mixed reactions online. Some users supported Jalan, calling preparation the “bare minimum” for any interview. Others took a more sympathetic view, suggesting the incident reflected interview fatigue, where candidates applying to multiple roles treat early calls as discovery sessions rather than final career decisions. A few blamed short attention spans shaped by constant scrolling, while one user quipped, “Gen Z always experiments.”

Generation Z, commonly referred to as Gen Z, includes those born roughly between 1997 and 2012. They grew up in a hyper-connected world shaped by smartphones, social media, and instant access to information. As digital natives, Gen Z is comfortable with online communication, multitasking, and learning through bite-sized content. They are often described as socially conscious, outspoken on mental health, diversity, and climate issues, and keen on flexibility and work–life balance. However, this mindset can sometimes clash with traditional workplace expectations around preparation, hierarchy, and formality.

Despite the differing opinions, Jalan’s post highlighted a clear message that cuts across generations: no matter how work culture evolves, preparation and basic diligence still matter—especially in job interviews.