Zomato’s Chief of Staff is what the company’s CEO, Deepinder Goyal, has sought to fill through perhaps the most unconventional job posting ever. Ripe with surprising terms that have simultaneously interested and sullied many a polarized opinion, the position entails no salary for one year and requires the candidate to “pay” for it with a Rs 20 lakh “opportunity fee.” As a bonus, the latter will be directly donated to Feeding India, a charity the firm spearheaded to address hunger. While it has raised some eyebrows about the terms, the role promises a significant career growth path, a competitive salary from the second year, and an opportunity to work closely with one of India’s top consumer tech leaders.
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal Job Offer
Update: I am looking for a chief of staff for myself. pic.twitter.com/R4XPp3CefJ
— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) November 20, 2024
In a detailed post on social media, Goyal described the Chief of Staff role as a rare opportunity for those driven by the desire to learn and grow rather than financial perks or prestige. As per Goyal, the ideal candidate is someone with “hunger, empathy, and common sense” who is not burdened by a sense of entitlement or the need for resume-building. Goyal explicitly stated that this role is not for individuals seeking a traditional job but for those looking for a fast-tracked learning experience.
The structure of the offer is as follows:
- First-Year Terms: The selected candidate will receive no salary but must pay Rs 20 lakh as a fee. This amount, Goyal emphasized, would not go to Zomato but directly to Feeding India. To further demonstrate the company’s commitment to philanthropy, Zomato will contribute an additional Rs 50 lakh to a charity of the candidate’s choice.
- Second-Year Benefits: From the second year onwards, the Chief of Staff will receive a competitive salary exceeding Rs 50 lakh annually. Goyal promised that the exact figure would be discussed at the start of the second year, assuring candidates of substantial financial rewards for their contributions.
Goyal framed the position as an intense, real-world learning program, akin to a high-stakes management course, that packs far more punch than any two-year MBA from some top-tier business school. He described the role as working on “anything and everything” required to build the future of Zomato and its resultant ventures: Blinkit, Hyperpure, and Feeding India.
Zomato’s Unconventional Approach
This job offer represents a bold departure from the traditional hiring practices of corporate India. Goyal’s focus on learning, impact, and innovation but not financial gain is a message about redefining professional growth. Elimination of financial incentives for the first year and an upfront fee targets inwardly motivated risk takers who seek self and professional development for being at Zomato.
The application process for this role is as odd as the rest. The candidate has to mail a 200-word cover letter to Goyal. This avoids attaching a resume, which makes the applicant interested in Zomato based on the candidate’s potential and passion rather than past achievements.
Update 2: we have over 10,000 applications, a lot of them well thought through, mixed between –
1. Those who have all the money
2. Those who have some of the money
3. Those who say they don’t have the money
4. Those who really don’t have the moneyWe will be closing the… https://t.co/8a6XhgeOGk
— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) November 21, 2024
Goyal further underlined the transformative role, saying that whoever is selected will be exposed to cutting-edge projects and some of the brightest minds in the industry. The Chief of Staff will be a strategic partner to Goyal, addressing challenging challenges and helping shape the future of the businesses at Zomato.
The Debate: Praise And Criticism
The real altMBA has landed.
20L fees.
1 year program
Concurrent 1 year internship at Zomato CEO’s office
Guaranteed placement at 1cr job as CoS at ZomatoOnly 1 seat.
Other large company founders/CEOs should create a similar program for their staff offices like this! https://t.co/dirpKSPSlO
— Arnav Gupta (@championswimmer) November 20, 2024
The job offer is being hailed as a novel initiative in nurturing talent, but much criticism exists. Advocates of the program say it’s an exciting opportunity for those passionate about consumer technology and want to invest in themselves. It’s indeed a challenge thrown at the very idea of employment and professional growth by Zomato through this role placed before the candidates as a fast-tracked learning experience.
Critics feel that the Rs 20 lakh upfront fee erected a barrier as it prevented candidates from underprivileged backgrounds, making this role exclusively accessible to candidates of significant financial stock. Some see that this indirectly vitiates the accessibility of what otherwise could be a revolutionary endeavor. Further, whether the decision to eliminate financial compensation in the first year is compatible with ethical recruitment has been questioned.
Social media has seen a mixed reaction to the announcement. While some hailed Goyal for his bold vision and commitment to the nurturance of talent, others termed the offer elitist and exclusionary.
The Larger Implication
The restructuring of the Chief of Staff position and other exceptional moves of Goyal challenge traditional notions about growth at work. Through such initiatives, Zomato showcases its philosophy of pushing boundaries and pursuing a culture of innovation.
While unusual, this role does highlight how breaking free from traditional practices can bring in the best minds. Whether this becomes a trend in pan-international corporate India or just an exception, Zomato has created ripples in the professional sector.
As applications roll in, the success of this experiment will reveal whether today’s ambitious professionals are ready to bet on themselves in such an unorthodox manner.
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