“She Said She Knew Nothing”: Student gets tech job in 5 minutes after bold honesty

In a hiring story that caught the Internet’s attention, Sandy Slonsak, CEO and founder of software agency Code of Us in Croatia, offered a college student a job after just five minutes of their conversation. The move surprised many when Slungsak shared the reasons behind his decision.

In his post, the CEO explained what distinguishes the young applicant. She had the confidence to send out an open application even though there were no job postings, and openly admitted that she was still learning, writing: “She straight-up admitted that she knew nothing.”

Beyond her honesty, Slungsak said the student showed a remarkable willingness to work hard and learn as much as possible. He praised her openness to feedback, her receptiveness to direction, and the clarity with which she conveyed her ideas.

He added that what impressed him most was her initiative. The student worked independently on personal projects in her free time to demonstrate her skills and interests. Her intelligence, ambition, and willingness to work for minimum wage for three months just to get a foot in the door convinced him that she was the right person.

“She met all the conditions. Green flags everywhere, she was hired,” Slongsak wrote, summarizing the quick decision.

The story quickly went viral, attracting widespread attention online. Users praised the student’s initiative and Slonjsak’s ability to recognize potential so quickly. “Not all recruiters would choose her, I’m glad you did. Now you can make her an expert in the role you applied for,” one user commented. Another wrote: “Looks like she’s about to learn more in three months than most people learn in three years.”

The comments continued to pour in, with many sharing their thoughts and experiences. One person highlighted the importance of her side projects: “Point 6 is what most people miss. The rest is just talk, but Point 6 proves that she actually did something.” Another added: “Admitting she knows nothing but still has projects means she’s learned by doing – which is the right mix of honesty and effort.”

Many users also noted how nice it was to see a candidate who wasn’t focused on perks or flexible work arrangements. “You mean she didn’t ask about work-from-home days, meditation rooms, or work-life balance? How unusual for this generation,” one comment read.