Rejected for riding the bus? Job seeker shares bizarre interview experience after being humiliated for using public transport

Imagine walking into a job interview, only to be judged before you've said a word—not for your resume, your skills, or even your demeanor, but because you took the bus. That’s exactly what happened to one Reddit user, who shared their frustrating and bizarre experience on the r/recruitinghell subreddit. The user recounted being called out on security cameras for arriving on foot, only to be grilled about their use of public transport—an apparent deal-breaker for the hiring manager.

“He bashed me for a few minutes saying I shouldn't be using public transport,” the poster wrote. “That no one will hire me, and he personally never hires people that use it because they won’t show up on time.” Not only was the candidate’s transportation scrutinized, but their appearance was too. “Continued to complain about my red hair, and that it made me unprofessional,” they added. No interview questions were asked. Just a cold dismissal and a handshake.

“You Dodged a Bullet”: Reddit Reacts
If the hiring manager hoped to avoid scrutiny, he sorely miscalculated. Thousands of users quickly rallied behind the candidate, expressing outrage over the discrimination and poor professionalism.

“Sounds like you dodged a bullet,” one commenter said. Another added, “Such a weird take. Like having a car guarantees there won’t be traffic or an accident… How is having red hair unprofessional?” Others pointed to a troubling pattern: companies preferring car-owning candidates because it makes them more available for last-minute shifts—an exploitation tactic rather than a real concern about punctuality.

One user distilled the issue with razor-sharp clarity: “If the job does not require a car to perform its duties, someone’s method of transport is irrelevant. People with cars are late all the time. So the boss is a straight jackass.”

The Bigger Picture: When Bias Creeps Into Hiring
What seems like an isolated incident actually reflects a deeper issue in hiring culture. Discriminating based on transportation method not only disproportionately affects low-income and urban candidates but also sends a message that sustainability, accessibility, and responsibility don't matter. Public transport is a valid, often environmentally conscious choice—and in many cities, a necessity.

Then there's the issue of appearance-based bias. Red hair being labeled “unprofessional” harks back to long-debunked and deeply problematic ideas about how workers should look. It’s one thing to set a dress code for safety or uniformity. It’s another to shame someone for simply being themselves.

A Silver Lining and a Lesson
Despite the unpleasant encounter, the poster updated the thread with good news: another interview later that day went far better. “This time it went wayyy smoother so hopefully I hear back soon,” they shared with a smile emoji.

In the meantime, the Reddit community encouraged them to leave honest reviews on employer-rating platforms like Glassdoor and to remember that rejection from the wrong place is often a redirection to the right one. Because if your worth is being judged by your bus pass—or the color of your hair—you’re probably better off walking away.