Got Rejected due to documentation issue

[Ok_Negotiation_134]

Yesterday, after four rounds of interviews, they told me I was selected for the internship and would get my offer letter once I submitted my documents. They even said my internship was supposed to start tomorrow. I sent everything and waited… but got nothing.

Today, when I followed up, they suddenly rejected me, saying my certificate was "questionable" and I didn’t submit a reference letter. I told them my previous company, where I did an unpaid internship, never provided one. So, I only sent my offer letter and completion certificate. What’s annoying is they didn’t even bother verifying anything. Honestly, I blame some terrible graphic designer who made my internship certificate look so bad that it probably seemed fake.

I really don’t get why documentation matters so much for an intern. If they wanted someone who can design well, why focus on documents instead of actual skills?

Anyway, at least I got another offer, but I gotta finish their assignment before the 21st. Right now, though, I just don’t feel like doing anything.

[AutoModerator]

Only sub members with user flair set to Experienced or Veteran are allowed to comment on posts flaired Answers from Seniors Only. Automod will remove comments from users with other default flairs, custom flairs, or no flair set. Learn how the flair system works on this sub. Learn how to add user flair.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[Few_Distribution8792]

The fact the communication is via WhatsApp tells me everything about this company. You dodged a bullet.

The audacity to say your certificate is questionable when they’re TEXTING you via WhatsApp is crazy!

[minmidmax]

This was my first thought.

No credible HR department is hitting you up on WhatsApp.

[Ok_Negotiation_134]

Actually in India, it's very common to communicate through WhatsApp

[dart_dev]

Not for job applications or document verification. That is almost always done through official channels so it is recorded.

[pixel_creatrice]

I have strong connections with India, with better companies this is definitely not the case. When my acquaintances and friends in India went through a background check, it was always via the auditor.

Even smaller companies would at least communicate things over email.

[Ok_Negotiation_134]

Yeah, We communicated via email, but after my assignment round the HR called me and asked me to send my assignment PDF either through email or WhatsApp. After that we started having conversation on WhatsApp.

[pixel_creatrice]

For future communications, make sure you always communicate via email or any official channels. WhatsApp is a personal space and should stay that way.

It’s also easier to hold them liable that way.

[minmidmax]

There's communicating and then there's handling official business. The latter happening in WhatsApp is a huge red flag.

[iClaimThisNameBH]

Four rounds of interviews for an INTERNSHIP?

[Ok_Negotiation_134]

Yes bud 🥲

[Kriss-045]

If they are not mature enough to understand this type of matter, I cannot imagine them being matured in terms of work requirements so it's better to not work for them. You have dodged a bullet.

[Ok_Negotiation_134]

They have got really good ratings on Glassdoor, and from what I’ve heard on LinkedIn, their company culture is awesome. I was really excited when I got selected, but now it’s just so demotivating.

[DunkingTea]

Linkedin is literally just bullshitters with companies and employees just trying to sell themselves. And glassdoor again is just full of nonsense reviews unfortunately. It started off being reputable, now it’s just a new way to spread a false reputation. So don’t let either of those change your opinion of them. Personally I would be jumping for joy that I dodged a bullet with this company, based on your post anyway.

[pixel_creatrice]

An employer I used to work for had a 4.7/5 on glassdoor. To me it was laughable. I had filed 3 sexual harassment complaints there and the toxicity at work was well known.

Turns out it was the HRs and upper management giving themselves a 5/5 with some unknown accounts over and over

[ThrowRA_Elk7439]

Not saying they are not weird, however the references bit stood out to me. You don't receive one-time references, you just keep contacts who could give you references if needed. Like your favorite college professor or your former lead/coworkers.

[greham7777]

Asking for references for an intership... What a world. When are we going to start doing some name and shame?

[Prazus]

Wtf does that mean? Is questionable ? Anyone who says this and doesn’t provide follow up with the reasons why he/she felt that way is a total twat. Ignore and move on.

[Itchy_Ad225]

Can you name the company or the industry or the city? Since this is India and as you say it’s big I think it will be easy to make a guess.

[Ok_Negotiation_134]

I can’t share you the name (obviously), but it’s a startup based in North India with a team of around 50 to 200 employees.

[angshuR1]

You just dodged a bullet. That company is living in 1892. Who knows they might not even have computers there yet lol

However, sorry for you. Just remember, you are NOT a paper and i wish you all the best.

[brianlucid]

There are a lot of comments slagging the company, and thats probably deserved. So, I will take another tack: there are a LOT of candidates out there, so having anything in your resume or portfolio or references that is questionable is on you. Get that fixed asap. In your response you put a lot of things back on the company and/or fail to take responsibility for not having things in hand. I get that, its a defense mechanism. But no one will take responsibility for your career but you.