AITA if I don’t go to this job interview my cousin referenced me for?
Imagine cruising along, happy with your gig delivering for DoorDash, when your cousin corners you with a job opportunity you forgot you applied for months ago. That’s where one person found themselves, caught off-guard when their cousin reignited a restaurant job lead, landing them an interview they didn’t really want. With the clock ticking and their cousin buzzing about working together, they’re torn: show up to keep the peace or skip it to stay true to their current path?
This Reddit tale is a relatable tug-of-war between family favors and personal contentment. Is ditching the interview a jerk move, or just honest? Let’s dive into the story, get an expert’s take, and see how Reddit serves up advice.
‘AITA if I don’t go to this job interview my cousin referenced me for?’
A spontaneous job interview stirred up doubt for someone happy with their current hustle. Here’s the full story from the Reddit post:
This job interview dilemma is less about the gig and more about navigating family expectations without burning bridges. The person’s hesitation to attend reflects their satisfaction with DoorDash’s flexibility, but their cousin’s enthusiasm adds pressure to follow through.
Career counselor Dr. Dawn Graham notes, “Interviews are low-stakes opportunities to explore, but ghosting reflects poorly on you and your referrer.” Agreeing to the interview without intent to pursue risks wasting everyone’s time, especially since the cousin vouched for them. A 2024 study in Journal of Vocational Behavior found that 55% of jobseekers feel obligated to pursue referrals due to social pressure.
Dr. Graham suggests honesty as the best move: politely decline the interview or attend to keep options open, then transparently communicate with the cousin. A quick, “I realized I’m happy with my current job, but thanks for the hookup,” could’ve avoided the mess.
Here’s the input from the Reddit crowd:
Reddit’s dishing out some real talk on this job interview jam—here’s the spicy commentary:
![[Reddit User] − I'm glad you went. For the love of God grow a damn spine. It worked out in your favour this time but it might not next time.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/227430cmt-03.png)
These takes range from scolding the indecision to cheering the eventual outcome. Can a candid chat with the cousin clear the air, or is this a lesson in saying no upfront?
This story of a last-minute interview shows how fast family goodwill can complicate career choices. Skipping might’ve been honest, but ghosting risks making the cousin look bad. A straightforward talk could’ve kept things smooth. Have you ever felt roped into a job you didn’t want? What would you do in this person’s shoes? Share your thoughts below!
