Hiring trick or job scam? Asked to resign before even getting an offer letter. It's a trap, say Redditors

In today’s competitive job market, securing a new role can feel like a major achievement. But for many professionals, the hiring process itself is becoming increasingly unpredictable—and, in some cases, risky. In a recent Reddit post a jobseeker raised a red flag about being asked to resign from their current positions before receiving a formal offer letter from a prospective employer HR team. This practice has drawing criticism for putting jobseekers in a vulnerable position, with many warning others to proceed with caution.

According to the post, the individual had cleared the interviews and was verbally assured of selection, but HR insisted that an offer would only be extended once they provided proof of resignation.

This demand immediately sparked suspicion, with the candidate refusing to proceed without an official offer in hand. The post gained significant attention from others who had faced — or witnessed — similar tactics.

Others Share Similar Experiences
Multiple users responded, echoing their own or friends’ encounters with such practices. One commenter shared how their friend resigned based on verbal confirmation alone, only to be later rejected by the same company after being subjected to an unexpected and deliberately hostile additional interview round. The company never issued the promised offer letter.

Another individual recalled being asked to provide proof of resignation — like an official resignation email — even before an offer letter was released. In one case, an HR representative reportedly demanded train or flight ticket bookings to the company location as proof of intent to join. The candidate, in dire need of a job, complied but fortunately secured another opportunity before travelling.

What Jobseekers Are Saying
The general consensus from users was clear: never resign without a formal, signed offer letter. Many saw such HR behavior as manipulative, with the goal of cornering the candidate into a desperate position where they would accept lower pay or unfavorable terms. Some speculated that this tactic may be used to test a candidate’s commitment, while others saw it as a red flag for deeper organizational issues.

One HR professional with decades of experience commented that such practices were unethical and dangerous, stressing that verbal promises or vague emails should never be considered binding. In India, they noted, this trend still persists despite repeated pushback from within the industry.

Several contributors pointed out that this kind of request often signals internal disorganization or a toxic work culture. If a company begins the relationship by demanding blind trust from a potential employee while offering none in return, it may indicate how it will treat employees once they join.

Others emphasized the potential for being ghosted entirely — losing a current job without any guarantee of the new one. One user summed it up: “Once you resign, you’re at their mercy.”

Across the discussion, one message stood out — do not resign without a formal offer letter. Candidates were urged to remain firm and protect their interests. Some even recommended confronting the hiring manager directly to check whether such demands were company policy or an individual HR’s initiative.