‘Do your homework’: Dubai founder questions Gen Z work culture after candidate asks her company’s name

Dubai-based founder Mahima Jalan sparked an online debate on work culture after questioning a Gen Z candidate’s preparedness during a job interview.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Jalan said she was taken aback when a candidate asked basic questions such as the company’s name and what it did, despite the job description, hiring message and prior emails having already been shared.

“Today I interviewed someone who asked, “What’s your company called and what do you do?” Jalan wrote.

She described the lack of preparation as poor work etiquette, adding that age was not an excuse for failing to research before an interview.

Jalan, who said she has run her agency for several years, noted that she personally researches clients even for short calls, and argued that job interviews are career-defining moments that require ownership and preparation.

“Serious businesses don’t run on vibes. They run on ownership and preparation,” she wrote.

Gen Z has a different way of working.

Today I interviewed someone who asked, “What’s your company called and what do you do?”

For a moment, I was taken aback.

The job description, hiring message, and emails were already shared. Not knowing basic details is poor work etiquette.… https://t.co/ovHQwBxYkZ

— Mahima Jalan ماهيما جالان (@MahimaJalan2) January 23, 2026

The post triggered mixed reactions, with some users criticising Gen Z’s approach to work, while others defended younger professionals and questioned broader hiring expectations.

“Job postings often use broad or branded descriptions that don’t always reflect the real work culture, the client base, or what the company is truly known for. Asking question to confirm they’re aligned with the company’s vision, not because they didn’t read  description,” a user wrote.

“Preparation is basic hygiene, but this sounds like "interview fatigue." High-volume applicants often treat calls as discovery sessions rather than career moves. If they haven’t googled you,” another wrote.

Then employers ask employee candidate to
Tell Me about yourself when they already has resume. Its both the responsibilities to clear thing. Employers has 1000 candidated and canditate also has millions company. Its not a servant era now.

— uday goud (@udaygoud_faith) January 24, 2026

In a follow-up reply, Jalan clarified that the candidate was ultimately not hired, adding that his work performance was also average.

Didn’t hire him because anyways he was average at his work also.

— Mahima Jalan ماهيما جالان (@MahimaJalan2) January 23, 2026