My interview experience today left me feeling deeply uncomfortable and even humiliated. Here are the specific incidents that I found unacceptable:
1. Comments on my academic performance
The hiring manager noticed that I had written “above 5 credits” for my SPM results on my resume. She smirked and said, “Not even one A?” She then questioned if I didn’t like studying, although she did acknowledge that my college grades were decent. Such a direct and negative comment about my academic history felt unprofessional and unnecessarily critical. Academic results alone should not define a candidate’s abilities.
2. Criticism of communication tools
She mentioned that their company uses Teams and Telegram instead of WhatsApp and asked if I was familiar with them. I answered honestly that I wasn’t, as my current work communication relies primarily on WhatsApp. She then said I was “outdated” and needed to “learn more.” Although her criticism was discouraging, I downloaded and started exploring these tools after the interview. However, I believe that a hiring manager should provide constructive feedback in a respectful and supportive manner rather than making dismissive and belittling remarks.
3. Questioning my photo
She pointed to the photo on my resume and asked, “When was this taken?” I replied, “About two months ago.” She then gave me a skeptical look and said, “Are you sure? You look thinner, with a sharper face, in this photo.” This unnecessary comment felt personal and inappropriate, shifting the focus away from evaluating my qualifications.
4. Comments about my tattoo
Towards the end of the interview, she noticed a tattoo on my right hand and asked, “Didn’t that hurt? Aren’t you worried about scarring?” I explained that it was a special gift from a close friend, and I saw it as a meaningful keepsake. She simply replied, “Hmm, okay, as an HR…” If the company has policies against visible tattoos, she could have communicated this clearly, perhaps by asking if I would consider covering it up if hired. Instead, her vague and judgmental tone made the situation unnecessarily uncomfortable.
Overall, this interview left me feeling disrespected and belittled. I have never experienced such treatment in an interview before. I sincerely hope your company reviews its interview process to ensure future candidates are treated with professionalism and dignity.