Worried About Past Interview Issues Affecting New Job Offer in Singapore? Let's Discuss!

Hi All,

My name is Anna, and I am from Kerala. Last April, I received a job opportunity from an MNC for their Mumbai office. The offer came through one of my LinkedIn connections, who introduced me to the hiring manager based in Singapore. I had a Skype interview with the manager from Singapore, and then she invited me for a final interview in Mumbai. It is important to note that HR was not involved throughout this process; all communication was directly with the hiring manager. I had requested travel expenses to attend the interview in Mumbai, but unfortunately, I did not receive a response from her. Given that the journey from Kerala to Mumbai takes 24 hours by train, and due to my father's recent operation, we decided to consider flying. However, at that time, flight charges were exorbitant, and I could not afford to book a flight, resulting in missing the interview.

Subsequently, the hiring manager emailed me inquiring about my absence, to which I explained that I couldn't manage the travel expenses. Unfortunately, I did not receive a reply to that email.

New Job Opportunity in Singapore

Recently, I received an offer from the same company for a position in their Singapore office through a consultancy. The consultant mentioned that they would cover the flight expenses for the interview. I am slightly hesitant about whether they will indeed provide the charges and if my past incident may affect their decision. The hiring managers for this position are different, and this time, HR will be involved in the process.

The current job offered to me is slightly different, but the previous hiring manager still has an opening in her team, which I believe I am well-suited for. I am uncertain whether the HR team will redirect me to the previous hiring manager for that position.

I seek advice on whether my past experience may lead to rejection in this new opportunity.

Thank you in advance, and I wish you all a Happy New Year!

There are two sets of issues in your post: one is what happened in the past, and the other is what could happen in the future. First, let us discuss the past.

The fact that the hiring manager dealt directly with the candidate, keeping HR in the dark, shows the weak recruitment practices of the company. While HR may not be directly involved in the interview process, they should at least be involved for coordination purposes, which did not happen in this case. It appears that the hiring manager dealt directly without the knowledge of her seniors, which is why you did not receive the travel allowance. It's fortunate that you did not attend the interview. Even if you had covered the flight charges yourself, there was no guarantee of employment.

Now looking towards the future, if they approach you, there is nothing wrong with attending the interview. Ensure you are clear about the job description, your Key Result Areas (KRAs), etc. Even if they redirect you to the previous position, as long as they cover flight charges, accommodation, local conveyance, everything is acceptable. Do not fall into the trap of being assured that you should spend first and then claim reimbursement. If they ask you to spend first, firmly reject their offer.

Final Comments

This company appears to be unprofessional. It may be an MNC, but that does not mean it needs to be professional. Many MNCs operating in India are unprofessional. Therefore, instead of allowing them the choice of selection, I recommend you decide whether to choose them or not. To make this decision, conduct market research on the company. Reach out to ex-employees on platforms like LinkedIn and inquire about the company's culture. While one incident does not define a company, remain cautious.

Regards,
Dinesh Divekar

Dear Dinesh, Thank you very much for the detailed advice. I did some research on the company, and it is among the leading companies in their industry. They even have an HR person dedicated solely to expatriate management.

Earlier, when I inquired about the relocation package with the recruitment consultant, he said the company would provide a full relocation package for top management personnel only. Since I am being recruited as a middle management person, I would only be provided with flight charges. I plan to negotiate with them during the interview about this, and if they still do not agree, I will indeed turn down their offer.

As you mentioned, I need to clarify with them whether it is a reimbursement matter. I also need to check with former employees about the company's culture.

Thanks again for the reply!

Regards, Anna