An Auckland real estate firm is asking students to pay to apply for an unpaid summer internship.
Realforms says by asking students to pay $25 to apply for a summer internship it will filter out those who aren't serious about the internship.
A screenshot of the advert has been shared online which shows the firm offering students experience so they can get ahead of their classmates come graduation and secure a job.
"The best graduates always have internships on their CV and real-life commercial acumen," the advert reads.
"We are looking for a rising star intern who is looking to take advantage and put themselves above the rest."
They warn students should only apply if they are hungry and looking to get ahead in their career.
"Application fee of $25 is applied, this will filter out 97 percent of those who aren't willing to put in the work. We are looking for serious interns only," the post reads.
The screenshot of the advert has garnered a lot of negative comments.
"Unpaid internships should be illegal," one person wrote.
"And people think millennials are entitled when we complain about shit like this," another wrote.
Realforms told Newshub in a statement they use the strategy as a screening mechanism due to the usually high number of applicants.
"Realforms always thinks out of the box and this strategy only attracts the most motivated candidates. At interview the first thing we do is refund the $25 and negotiate a salary."
Newshub.
