WARNING DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME, WORST INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE EVER!
Interview at Singapore, Nexus@One North
I would strongly advise potential candidates to reconsider investing their time in this interview process.
From the outset, it appeared that there was no genuine intention to evaluate my candidacy. The interview felt perfunctory, possibly conducted to satisfy internal hiring requirements/ MOM regulation loopholes rather than to assess suitability for the role. I had to take time off work to attend, which made the overall experience particularly disappointing.
Rather than a constructive discussion, the session resembled an interrogation, with a focus on overly complex and, at times, irrelevant technical questioning that did not align with the job scope and frequent interruptions.
Key Concerns (Red Flags):
1. Lack of coordination upon arrival
The interviewer was expected to receive candidates at the lobby (stated in email from HR to contact interviewer) but did not respond to calls or messages. I had to independently navigate the building gantry system and locate the office. Interviewer did not acknowledge missing the calls or messages and apology was not extended to the candidate.
2. Unprofessional reception
Upon reaching the office, I rang the doorbell multiple times and waited several minutes while staffs passed by without acknowledgment. I ultimately had to seek assistance to gain entry.
3. Poor preparation by interviewer
The interviewer appeared unprepared, unaware that a room had been reserved by HR and without any supporting materials, including a copy of my resume on hand.
4. Misaligned and unrealistic technical expectations
The interview included highly demanding technical questions that were not clearly relevant to the role. For example, I was asked to perform a tolerance stack-up analysis on the spot for a complex assembly (30+ components) without any drawings or reference materials. Additional questions extended into advanced material science, fluid mechanics, and physics topics, unit conversions, with an emphasis on recalling formulas rather than demonstrating practical engineering understanding.
5. Unprofessional conduct during the interview
Interviewer would not allow candidate to finish a single sentence. I was interrupted while answering questions, often with unrelated follow-ups. To make things worst interviewer was playing mind games, negative body language was displayed regardless of the accuracy of my responses, which created an uncomfortable and discouraging environment. The conclusion of the interview was abrupt, and basic courtesy such as being guided out was not extended.
6. Workplace observations
I observed a lack of diversity within the office environment, all but one was of a single demographic. While I cannot fully assess the broader organizational practices, the situation raised concerns regarding inclusivity and workplace culture.
7. Lack of role related discussion
The interviewer focused primarily on identifying knowledge gaps rather than assessing overall fit or experience. There was no effort to explain the job scope, and relevant discussion about the role only occurred after I initiated it.
It was overall a very unpleasant and disrespectful experience, there was total disregard in the candidate's time and it was really unfair that anyone has to go thru this for them to get around whatever they were trying to get around.