Job applicant walks out of interview after being asked, 'Do you support your parents?' and other personal questions
On Friday (June 6), she shared her experience on Reddit's Ask Singapore forum, detailing what she described as 'the worst interview' she's ever encountered. According to her post, the interview was conducted online by someone who identified herself as the company's 'business advisor.'
'It started off alright,' the jobseeker recalled. 'Then came personal questions asking me to speak and describe my family. I did talk about family, gave some brief details, and the follow-up questions were, 'Are your parents working? Do you need to support your parents financially?''
The jobseeker, applying for an account manager role, said she questioned the importance of those personal questions. 'I asked the interviewer what the relevance was to the job scope. And she said, 'I need to know my team well before hiring,'' the jobseeker said.
'After asking for the relevance and expressing to her that I was uncomfortable in answering, the next question was still family-related and personal. Told her I wasn't interested in the job and left the call.'
At the end of her post, she asked, 'Anyone has similar experiences with such interview questions?' 'You did the right thing! They should not be allowed to ask these types of questions…'
In the discussion thread, many Singaporean Redditors criticised the interviewer's conduct, calling it unprofessional and inappropriate.
One said, 'Definitely not relevant and probably discriminatory. If it's the hiring manager, I think that's a bit of a red flag. If you have options, you should report it to HR and imply that you would complain to MOM.'
Another wrote, 'Lol. These kinds of questions sound like the company sussing out characteristics to discriminate against employees for.'
A third added, 'You did the right thing! They should not be allowed to ask these types of questions; there is a difference between small talk and an invasion of privacy. Anyway, chit-chat is also not very professional. People are hiring for a specific job, not to find a mate. In Europe and in Canada, this type of questioning is not permitted.'
Others also shared their own experiences, saying they too had been asked personal questions in interviews that had nothing to do with the job. Some recalled being questioned about their relationship status, religion, family background, or financial responsibilities.
One wrote, 'Some hiring managers have no brains. Many years ago, I encountered someone who asked about my religion (admin role in the banking industry). I didn't get shortlisted, dodged a bullet.'
Another recounted, 'I had mine ask if I have a BF, and if I will get married. I rejected the job offer as I was not comfortable. I had another question if I'm comfortable dressing up as a manager to meet clients for sales. I retorted rudely, 'What has it got to do with the role?' (not a customer-facing role)? and left immediately.' Interviewers should steer clear of sensitive or discriminatory questions
According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), interviewers should ask only job-related questions and avoid topics that could be seen as sensitive or discriminatory. To ensure fairness, employers are encouraged to adopt clear, objective, and relevant selection criteria when shortlisting and evaluating applicants. See also How to Scale Your E-commerce Company From Zero to $100M
MOM also advises that job application forms should only collect information necessary to assess a candidate's ability to perform the job. This includes qualifications, skills, knowledge, and work experience. Employers should not request details such as age, gender, race, religion, marital status, pregnancy status, number of children, or disabilities, unless there is a valid and job-related reason to do so. If such information is genuinely required, the purpose must be clearly explained to the applicant.
Read also: Wife discovers husband secretly spent S$80k on in-game purchases, plunging family into debt
Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Bus operator working to address drivers' concerns after strike, vows to keep Johor-Singapore services running
SINGAPORE: Cross-border bus operator Causeway Link (CW) is working to address the concerns raised by some of its drivers, following a wage strike on Monday (Jul 21) morning which left thousands of commuters temporarily stranded at Johor's Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex. In a statement on Tuesday (Jul 22), it confirmed that "a number" of its bus drivers went on strike, saying: "We take this matter seriously and recognise the importance of the issues being raised. "We want to reassure the public and our passengers that we are actively engaging with the relevant parties to address the situation and reach a constructive resolution." Malaysian media had reported that around 100 bus drivers went on strike on Monday morning over a pay dispute, affecting thousands of commuters who were making their way to Singapore. News outlet The New Straits Times (NST) said the industrial action was sparked due to a revised pay scheme which saw drivers lose between RM800 (US$189) and RM900 in monthly income, in addition to an increase in the number of daily trips to be taken from four to five. While Malaysian media reported that bus services had returned to normal on Tuesday morning, Causeway Link noted passengers had been affected by the strike. The operator also vowed that bus services between Singapore and Malaysia would continue to operate. "We are doing everything we can to minimise disruptions to our services and ensure that essential routes remain operational," it said. "We deeply regret any inconvenience caused to our passengers and appreciate your understanding during this time." On the concerns raised by the striking drivers, Causeway Link added: "We want to reassure the public and our passengers that we are actively engaging with the relevant parties to address the situation and reach a constructive resolution. "We are committed to maintaining open communication and a respectful working environment for all employees." It also acknowledged the "vital role" of its bus captains in delivering public transport services to the community. "We remain hopeful that through continued dialogue, we can resolve the matter in a manner that is fair and beneficial for everyone involved." Johor Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh told The Malay Mail news outlet on Tuesday that there were "no developments yet" as both sides were still at the discussion stage. Causeway Link had said on Monday that the disruption arose from a 'miscommunication concerning salary calculation matters with a group of drivers' and initially claimed that the concerns had been addressed. SOME COMMUTERS HAD TO WALK ACROSS CAUSEWAY Workers whom local media spoke to on Monday were caught off guard by the sudden long queues due to the strike. A check on the bus company's social media pages had showed no notice or updates regarding the disrupted bus services to Singapore. The situation forced some commuters to walk across the 1km-long Causeway from the BSI complex to Singapore to get to work on time. Members of the public also shared on social media photos and videos of long queues at the complex, while lengthy queues for buses to Singapore had already formed by 6.30am. Handal Indah is the company that runs the Causeway Link bus service between Singapore and Malaysia. According to CW's website, it operates several routes from Singapore to different destinations across Johor, including Johor Bahru, as well as within the state.
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Appearing on a concert screen? Lawyer tells us you've waived rights
An IT company CEO has resigned after a viral video showed him embracing an employee at a Coldplay concert. But beyond the headlines, what rights are you giving up when you buy a concert ticket? Daniel Martin speaks with Ong Pei Ching, Partner at TSMP Law.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
$260k raised for vulnerable children, youth and families at charity golf event
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Senior Minister of State for Defence and Sustainability and the Environment Zaqy Mohamad during the tee-off at the BH-AMP Charity Golf and Dinner 2025 at Orchid Country Club on July 22. SINGAPORE - Over $260,000 has been raised to support vulnerable children, youth and families through a charity golf event and dinner on July 22 . The proceeds will support programmes by AMP Singapore , a non-profit organisation that serves the Muslim community, and the Singapore Children's Society . A portion of the funds will also be directed to book prizes for students pursuing communication, media or Malay studies in higher education. The charity event, organised by Malay-language daily Berita Harian and AMP Singapore, brought 96 golfers together at Orchid Country Club , where Senior Minister of State for Defence and Sustainability and the Environment Zaqy Mohamad launched the tee-off. Matching grants are expected to take total contributions from corporate and individual sponsors to $400,000 , surpassing the initial target of $300,000 , said SPH Media , which publishes BH, and AMP Singapore in a joint statement. With donations of $60,000 each , supermarket chain Sheng Siong Group and the Salleh Marican Foundation were the biggest donors at the event. Local bakery chain Bengawan Solo donated $20,000 , while construction firm AGSH Builders , travel agency Karva Travel Group and Maybank Singapore contributed $10,000 each. BH editor Nazry Mokhtar said the event reflects the newspaper's commitment to giving back to the community and standing by fellow Singaporeans during challenging times. He added that when the event was being planned, he was unsure if it would meet its fund-raising target, especially given the current tough economic climate. 'I am glad to say I was proven wrong. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and golfers, we have not only met - but surpassed - our goal,' said Mr Nazry. This is the first time BH has organised a charity golf event. It was held in conjunction with Singapore's 60th anniversary celebrations. AMP Singapore executive director Mohksin Rashid said his organisation's partnership with BH, along with the support of the event's donors, sponsors and golfers, is a reminder that collaboration across different segments of society can create lasting and positive change. Holding the event a day after Racial Harmony Day is deeply symbolic, said Singapore's former president Halimah Yacob , who was the guest of honour at the July 22 dinner . Madam Halimah added: 'This observance is a reminder of the strength we draw from our diversity. And tonight, we take it one step further - by turning harmony into action, and goodwill into tangible support for those who need it most.' Senior Minister of State for Defence and Sustainability and the Environment Zaqy Mohamad (middle, in purple), with Berita Harian editor Nazry Mokhtar (left of Mr Zaqy) and AMP Singapore executive director Mohksin Rashid (right of Mr Zaqy) alongside golfers who took part in the BH-AMP Charity Golf and Dinner 2025 at Orchid Country Club on July 22. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN Mr Zaqy said he was heartened to see how the community has come together to support those who are most vulnerable. 'By uplifting vulnerable families, supporting our children, and empowering youth through education, we are not only meeting today's needs - we are also shaping a brighter future for Singapore,' he said.
