A tech company recently shared its frustration on Reddit after failing to hire a single candidate for a junior developer position, despite receiving around 12,000 applications. Of these, 450 candidates were interviewed for roles in frontend, backend, and QA, with a salary range going up to ₹20 lakh. The company revealed that most applicants either lacked the required skills or had resumes that didn’t align with the job, leading to the rejection of over 10,000 candidates in the initial screening phase.
What disappointed the company most, however, was the over-reliance on AI tools like ChatGPT during interviews. While they permitted candidates to use AI to assist with problem-solving, many were unable to explain their own code or answer follow-up questions on time and space complexity — raising concerns about genuine understanding. This growing trend of AI dependence, according to the firm, is making it harder to identify candidates with real problem-solving ability and foundational coding knowledge.
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The company further added, “We even allowed candidates to use GPT to solve problems. However, when we ask about time or space complexity, or an explanation of the code they just wrote, many are unable to respond.”
The tech company expressed growing concern over junior developers increasingly copy-pasting code from AI tools like ChatGPT without understanding the logic. In a Reddit post, it highlighted that this lack of comprehension makes it hard to find truly competent developers. While the firm is questioning whether its own hiring process might be flawed, it also emphasized that the core issue lies in candidates failing to grasp the code they submit, urging them to focus more on fundamentals than AI-generated shortcuts.
The post sparked heated online debate, with many users criticizing the company’s hiring methods. Several pointed out that conducting 450 interviews without a single hire signals an inefficient recruitment process. Comments called out the waste of time and questioned whether poor screening or unrealistic expectations were to blame. Some users advised the company to revisit its process, possibly by including resume shortlisting tools and technical assignments before face-to-face rounds.
However, not everyone disagreed with the company’s stance. Some Reddit users backed the idea that today’s candidates are often weak in coding basics and overly reliant on AI. They argued that while AI can assist with coding tasks, understanding the logic behind solutions remains critical. Supporters encouraged a balance — where candidates can use AI but must still demonstrate core competency and problem-solving ability during interviews.
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