Zomato’s CEO, Deepinder Goyal, has made headlines with a controversial job opening for a Chief of Staff position. The role comes with an unusual condition: no salary in the first year. Additionally, the selected candidate must pay a fee of PKR 70 lakh and INR 20 lakh. This fee will be donated to Feeding India, Zomato’s non-profit initiative aimed at tackling hunger.
The job posting has sparked a lot of debate, as the position is not designed for those looking for immediate financial benefits or to add a prestigious title to their resume. Instead, it is meant for individuals who are passionate about learning, growth, and contributing to a cause greater than personal gain.
Goyal explained that the role seeks candidates with qualities like “hunger” (for growth), “empathy,” and “common sense,” rather than traditional qualifications. The role will be based at Zomato’s headquarters in Gurugram, India.
While the first year comes with no salary and the payment of the fee, things will change in the second year. At that point, the Chief of Staff will start receiving a competitive salary, which is expected to be more than Rs 50 lakh annually.
This unconventional offer highlights Zomato’s unique approach to recruitment and its commitment to supporting social causes, but it also raises questions about the ethics of asking candidates to pay for a job.
