A Pretoria woman's painful job interview experience has gone viral, igniting a fierce discussion about the often humiliating nature of the hiring process.
The video, shared on TikTok by user @bontle.bjoy on January 6, 2026, quickly amassed over 79,000 views and 7,200 likes as she recounts her bewildering experience with a hiring panel.
In the clip, she describes how she was questioned about her experience with finance software. When she mentioned her familiarity with Sage, the interview took a sharp turn. The interviewer implied that only students with 80% and above would receive a certificate of completion, leading to insinuations about her qualifications. A second female panelist defended her, but the damage was done, leaving her questioning her worthiness for the position.
The candidate loses confidence during the interview
As the interrogation continued, the woman's confidence plummeted. Confused and disheartened, she wondered why she was even invited if her credentials were in doubt. She expressed gratitude for the colleague who stood up for her amidst the unexpected hostility.
SA reacts to toxic job interview cultures
The video resonated with many, generating 1,100 comments from viewers sharing their own hiring horror stories. Numerous TikTok users empathized with her experience, highlighting a prevalent sentiment that job interviews often feel like power plays. Some even recounted instances where interviewers acted unprofessionally, such as one commenter who was informed they were 'too rich for the job.'
User @Survivor remarked:
"You will feel humiliated if you do not prepare for the interview."
User @_maximo added:
"Try being an intern."
User @I_am_love noted:
"But if you need 80% to get the certificate, that means 80% is the passing percentage and anything below that is a fail, but it was rude of her to point that out."
User @Flwrs10912873465564378 shared:
"I was interviewed in Menlyn by a lady who wasn’t even HR and asked me questions like what my husband does, etc. She said I’m too rich for the job 🙄."
User @Divana recalled:
"Have you ever been laughed at during an interview? 😭 Like people laughing uncontrollably at your answers?"
Another user, @Mohumagadi_Basetsana, lamented:
"Internal interviews are worse. I had four this year, and they broke my confidence. I told myself that I am never doing internal interviews again because they already know who they want."
Check out the TikTok video below:
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