Archive · 7 Jan 2026
Zomato Evaluates 17,000 Candidates for Chief of Staff
Zomato's CEO, Deepinder Goyal, wanted to hire a Chief of Staff.
He asked people to pay Rs 20 lakh to apply.
Many people were upset, but 17,000 still applied.
Goyal said he wanted to find people who care more about learning than money.
Over a year later, Zomato is still looking at these applicants.
They have hired two people for the Chief of Staff role and 18 others for different jobs.
Goyal said this was not just for attention but to find the right people.
Zomato received 17,000 applications for the Chief of Staff role after asking candidates to pay Rs 20 lakh upfront.
Deepinder Goyal defended the move, stating it was to identify candidates focused on learning and impact.
The announcement sparked widespread criticism and backlash on social media.
Zomato has hired two Chiefs of Staff and 18 others in high-impact roles from this applicant pool.
Goyal revealed the idea had been in his mind for nearly five years and was not a publicity stunt.
- Who
- Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal
- What
- Evaluating 17,000 applicants for Chief of Staff role
- When
- Over a year after the initial announcement in November 2024
- Where
- India
- Why
- To identify candidates focused on learning and impact over money
- Company
- Zomato
- CEO
- Deepinder Goyal
- Role
- Chief of Staff
- Applicants
- 17,000
- Application Fee
- Rs 20 lakh
- Hires
- 2 Chiefs of Staff, 18 in other roles
- Announcement Date
- November 2024
- Podcast Interview
- Raj Shamani's podcast