Jobseeker is asked for class 10 and 12 grades, gets outraged: ‘How's this normal?'

Time of India

6 days ago

A job applicant recently expressed strong disappointment after a recruiter requested their marks from Class 10 and 12 during the hiring process. Sharing their experience through a post titled 'How are employers asking for old pay slips and 10th grade still normal in India??' on the widely followed subreddit 'Indian Workplace,' the individual criticized employers in India for focusing excessively on academic scores from school, which they felt had no bearing on how efficiently someone performs in a job setting.The post emphasized that if a company has already determined a salary budget for a particular role, then that should be the basis for compensation. If an applicant does well in the interview, the employer should offer the pre-decided pay. In case the applicant asks for more than what has been allotted, they can simply be informed that the request goes beyond the limit. The user felt this approach would be straightforward and respectful.However, the individual pointed out how outdated hiring practices are still being followed in 2025, including demands for academic mark sheets, old salary slips, resignation letters, and other personal documents. They felt these requirements were unnecessary and invasive and did little to judge a candidate's true capabilities.Several other users joined the discussion, sharing similar stories. One user recounted a situation from the oil and gas EPC sector in Chennai. A Japanese company, newly launched in the city, had posted openings online. But before the interview stage, they required multiple documents—Bachelor of Engineering certificates, payslips, and letters from former employers. This user chose to withdraw their application, unwilling to entertain such invasive requirements.Another contributor recalled how someone in their social circle rejected a job seeker simply because the applicant had a low percentage in their 10th-grade exams. That hiring decision was made by a man in a managerial post, who happened to be the brother of the contributor's former girlfriend. His sister, working in HR, even took pride in that rejection—highlighting what the commenter described as a deeply toxic work and family mindset.A final user added that companies should never base a new offer on an applicant's last-drawn salary. Instead, they should communicate the budget ceiling openly, or at least offer around 80% of it by default if the candidate hasn't specified a number. Undervaluing employees, they cautioned, only results in them quitting when they discover the gap between their pay and industry standards.