Startup CEO Gaurav Kheterpal, who leads Vanshiv Technologies, was forced to reject a promising job candidate due to financial constraints. Even though Kheterpal saw potential in the candidate, when he learned of her current and expected salaries from his HR team, he decided the company could not afford her.

Kheterpal shared the experience on social media, revealing that despite the candidate’s four years of experience, her current annual salary was 28 lakhs (2.8 million INR). The candidate’s expected salary at Vanshiv Technologies was 45 lakhs (4.5 million INR). In light of these figures, Kheterpal joked with his HR team that hiring her would necessitate a loan.

Reactions to Kheterpal’s post were diverse. Some argued that if a candidate can deliver what’s expected of them, then their salary should match their capabilities. Kheterpal responded by stating that while this may be true for well-funded product companies, it isn’t the case for smaller consulting and service companies like Vanshiv Technologies.

Other commenters shared their own salary experiences, with one confessing that they did not earn the same salary despite having more than double the experience. In response, Kheterpal empathised by revealing his own salary after four years of experience was a fraction of what the young candidate had been earning.

Source: Startup CEO says he found a ‘really good candidate’, but rejects her because….