Bengaluru: Zomato’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Deepinder Goyal has shared an update on the company’s extensive search for Chief of Staff candidates. After evaluating over 18,000 applications, the food delivery giant extended job offers to 30 individuals, out of which 18 have already joined Zomato and its sister companies, including Blinkit.
The selected candidates come from diverse backgrounds, including founders of bootstrapped startups, engineers who have restructured entire tech stacks in a short span, operators skilled in scaling businesses, and promising fresh graduates with analytical minds.
Focus on Long-Term Vision and Strategic Growth
Goyal emphasized that the selection process was designed to identify individuals with a long-term mindset—candidates who understand the impact of compounding growth and are committed to building for the future. He highlighted that four of the newly hired professionals are working directly with him, while two have been assigned the role of Chief of Staff.
Addressing the Rs 20 Lakh Payment Controversy
In November 2024, Zomato’s job listing for the Chief of Staff position stirred controversy due to a clause suggesting that candidates needed to pay Rs 20,00,000 upfront for consideration. This led to widespread discussions about fairness in hiring practices. Addressing these concerns, Goyal clarified that none of the selected candidates had to pay anything to secure their roles. He further stated that most applicants who explicitly mentioned the amount were rejected, as the company was looking for individuals focused on career growth rather than financial barriers.
New Hiring Focus: AI-Savvy Candidates
Alongside this announcement, Goyal introduced a new job opening specifically for candidates who integrate artificial intelligence into their workflow. He encouraged applicants to demonstrate their ability to leverage AI as their ‘second brain’. Candidates interested in this role are asked to apply with the subject line: “I have a second brain.”
This move indicates Zomato’s increasing focus on AI-driven decision-making and automation, aligning with the broader industry trend of integrating technology to enhance efficiency and innovation.
