Despite having a strong background in digital advertising and contributing over Rs 4.16 crore in revenue for a previous employer, a digital marketing professional recently faced major roadblocks in securing a reasonably paid corporate job. His recent experience, shared on the subreddit Indian Workplace, reveals how even seasoned experts are sometimes undervalued when trying to re-enter structured employment.
A Seasoned Marketer Finds No Takers
The candidate had earlier co-founded and managed a digital marketing agency with a friend. After a professional disagreement, he moved on, confident that his extensive hands-on experience would help him transition smoothly into a salaried role. Unfortunately, reality proved otherwise. He applied to more than a hundred job openings over two weeks, hoping his vast experience in running PPC campaigns, generating $500,000 worth of digital ad revenue, and accumulating over 400 million impressions would make him a desirable hire. However, most companies overlooked these accomplishments, dismissing them as insignificant simply because they came from freelance and agency work.
Unrealistic Salary Expectations or Underpaid Expertise?
While the job seeker hoped for a monthly salary in the Rs 70,000 range, employers consistently offered him between Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000—figures that grossly undervalue his performance and results. Even after clearing multiple rounds of interviews, he found the discussions would always break down once salary was brought up. Recruiters would either cite budget limitations or imply that someone else with a similar background could be hired at a lower cost.
Community Weighs In
Many users on Reddit chimed in with opinions and advice. One commenter pointed out how difficult it is in India to return to the corporate workforce after spending time freelancing. Employers often compare current expectations to outdated figures from years-old job history, ignoring the financial and skill growth gained during independent work. Others were more critical, suggesting that the applicant’s resume lacked performance metrics like Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) and that impressions alone don’t carry much value unless linked to key performance indicators. A few people encouraged him to reconsider launching another agency, arguing that his entrepreneurial background and expertise could yield more income and autonomy than a salaried role.
A Familiar Struggle for Many Professionals
The post reflects a wider challenge faced by freelancers trying to re-enter the structured corporate world—where their flexible, high-output work is often discounted, and market realities limit fair compensation.