A techie’s awkward interview experience with an artificial intelligence and drone startup has gone viral after they revealed that the HR representative allegedly left the call midway after being asked a simple question about the company’s revenue model.
The incident, shared on Reddit, quickly sparked debate online about unpaid internships, startup transparency and whether candidates should openly question a company’s financial stability during interviews.
‘Two Months Unpaid’: Techie Shares Strange Startup Interview Experience
According to the viral post, the user had applied for an artificial intelligence and machine learning role at a drone startup.
However, the interview reportedly raised eyebrows almost immediately after the company explained its internship terms.
“Had a 10-minute interview for an AI/ML drone startup today,” the user wrote.
“Terms were two months unpaid, then maybe a stipend later if I’m ‘adequate’. I only did it for the practice.”
The techie said that towards the end of the interview, they decided to ask the HR and hiring manager about the startup’s revenue model and overall financial position before considering working for free.
That’s apparently when things became uncomfortable.
HR ‘Got Defensive’ And Left The Call
According to the Reddit post, the HR representative did not react well to the question.
“The HR guy got super defensive, asked ‘Are you a partner? How can you ask that?’ and just left the meeting,” the user claimed.
The hiring manager reportedly stayed on the call briefly and apologised, saying the company could not share that information.
The techie later joked that they may have “dodged a red flag”.
Social Media Says The Question Was Completely Fair
As screenshots of the post spread online, many social media users sided with the candidate, arguing that asking about revenue, funding or business stability is perfectly reasonable, especially for unpaid startup roles.
One user commented: “The company needs to answer that. They are in the wrong, not you.”
Another wrote: “There’s nothing inappropriate about asking that question. If anything, it exposed how badly the HR handled pressure.”
Several people also shared their own experiences of working for unstable startups that struggled to pay salaries.
One Reddit user said: “I’ve worked at multiple startups and always ask about customers and revenue. I was once left unpaid for months because the company simply had no money.”
Another comment that gained attention online read: “You didn’t dodge a red flag. You dodged an entire red parade.”
Why The Post Resonated With Young Professionals
The viral discussion reflects a growing frustration among students and young professionals around unpaid internships and vague startup hiring promises.
Many users pointed out that if a company expects candidates to work for free initially, it’s only natural for applicants to ask questions about financial stability, future growth and whether the business is actually sustainable.
The post has now become one of the latest examples of workplace interview stories sparking wider conversations online about transparency, hiring culture and startup work environments.
