A single, unusual item on a job applicant’s resume, “olive oil,” has somehow triggered a massive, multi-day meme war and debate across X. This whole bizarre saga kicked off after a hiring manager in the banking sector decided that this particular interest was grounds for immediate rejection, and they just couldn’t keep that opinion to themselves.
The recruiter, posting under the handle @90daysliquidity, shared their shock and disapproval on X. They were absolutely put off by the detail, emphasizing that people applying for banking roles need to be “normal, well adjusted.”
“I reviewed a resume that listed ‘olive oil’ as an interest,” the recruiter wrote. “That is not an interest. It’s been hours, and I cannot stop thinking about it. There will not be an interview.”
Olive oil is an interesting interest!
Talk about a harsh gatekeeper! I mean, I get that corporate banking is serious business, but tossing an application over a cooking oil? That seems incredibly rigid. It’s a ridiculous reason to reject someone, especially if they’re otherwise qualified. I’ve seen people get jobs through random chance, and someone come without the proper equipment.
Naturally, the internet did not take this slight against the noble cooking fat lying down. Olive oil enthusiasts and general foodies quickly flooded the replies to correct the record and point out just how wrong the banking recruiter was.
Some users highlighted that far from being a random grocery item, olive oil is a complex, specialized product. User @fhinkel pointed out the legitimacy of the interest, noting, “There are olive oil Sommeliers and professional olive oil judges. And some people are experts in growing olives for olive oil. Seems legit!”
Another user, @cremieuxrecueil, summed up the collective defense beautifully, declaring, “Olive oil is a refined, exquisite interest.” While some people debated whether interests belong on a resume at all, the majority of X users decided to skip the serious discussion and jump straight to the jokes.
This reversal really highlights the absurdity of judging someone’s competence based on whether their hobbies are considered “normal” by a banking standard. Someone passionate about cold-pressed versus cold-extracted oils is clearly detail-oriented and dedicated.
The memes even crossed over into other famous internet jokes, like the “Nutella tricks” meme, and featured imagined, embarrassing interview scenarios. User @John_Attridge joked, “Just applied for a position in a bank but accidentally uploaded the cv I used for a job in the olive oil industry. Hopefully they won’t notice.”
The best part is that even if the candidate didn’t get the interview, they achieved a sort of viral immortality. As user @EffMktHype quipped, “There won’t be a second interview, but at least they’ll know the difference between cold-pressed and cold-extracted olive oil.”
It’s crazy to think that something as harmless as an appreciation for a culinary staple could derail a banking career. I’m thinking the recruiter might want to spend less time worrying about applicants’ interests and more time learning the difference between extra virgin and standard grade.
Published: Feb 2, 2026 10:16 am