By Soo KimShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberA woman’s story about being asked an unexpected question during a job interview has gone viral on social media, sparking discussion about honesty, self-awareness, and workplace values.
The post, shared by Threads user Beatriz (@lavraiebeatriz), has garnered over 846,000 views since it was posted on November 25.
In her post, Beatriz described how a CEO asked her to name one good reason not to hire her during a recent interview. Caught off guard, she admitted she wasn’t ready to answer. "I told her I wasn’t ready for that question and needed some time to think," she wrote. The CEO then asked her to send her answer later by email. "Honestly, I thought she’d forget," Beatriz shared. But within hours, the CEO followed up, reminding her to send it.
Beatriz said she spent time reflecting before writing her response. Shortly afterward, she learned she got the job. "So yes, I love woman-led businesses," she added.
...In the email she ultimately sent to the CEO, Beatriz wrote: "I had time to think about the question why you shouldn't hire me and I apologize if this is a bit of a long answer but it comes from real self-reflection."
What followed was a thoughtful explanation centered on boundaries and personal organization. Beatriz wrote: "A good reason not to hire me is that I have my life together. What that means for me is that I keep my professional and personal life organized. I have my time to work, usually from 9 to 5 on weekdays, and I set boundaries to keep work within those hours. Some clients and companies treat everything like a priority and sometimes people expect us to work endlessly, including weekends or after hours, to meet their urgencies."
Beatriz continued: "I genuinely believe that when everything is urgent, nothing is urgent. Setting boundaries is important for people to respect me as a professional. While some people appreciate that, others might see it as a red flag. Being organized and mindful of my time, and other people's time, is very important to me."
Beatriz ended the email by saying, "So that is it! I hope both of you have a wonderful weekend, and it was a pleasure to get to know you. Even if this does not work out, I will be happy if our paths cross again in the future. You both have great energy!"
Why Her Approach Worked, According to Career Experts
Career and hiring experts say Beatriz’s candid and reflective answer likely set her apart in the best-possible way.
Nathan Putsey, a talent acquisition manager at JobLeads, told Newsweek: "I think this applicant's approach is a wonderful way to turn a tricky interview question into a discussion on values match. In my experience of asking similar questions, many people panic and shoot something obvious like ‘I'm a perfectionist.’ Well, many people are in fact perfectionists, but it's not a good interview answer."
Putsey said that Beatriz’s introspection and honesty likely stood out, as she "used this as an opportunity to think and reflect and gave a very honest, thoughtful, and personal answer, which is definitely a green flag for any recruiter."
Putsey added that her focus on work-life balance and "having her life put together" is a "great signal for companies with solid culture." He noted: "This integrity and emotional intelligence, as well as transparent and open communication with deep reflection, helped her secure the job."
Career expert Lauren Mastroni of Resume Genius agreed that the poster's honest pause worked in her favor. She told Newsweek: "Too often in interviews, people feel pressured to have a perfect answer to every question without needing any time to think…by honestly stating that she wasn't ready to answer the question, the candidate showed self-awareness and strong professional boundaries, which likely impressed the CEO more than any rehearsed answer would have."
Mastroni added that Beatriz’s answer balanced honesty with professionalism. She said: "Her response also seemed genuine while not being self-incriminating. She was honest about her values with a level of openness that can be a green flag for employers, especially in people-first or founder-led environments.
"Ultimately, this story reminds us that it's completely acceptable, and strategically wise, to say, ‘Let me think about that.'"
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via Threads.
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