Malaysian professionals report US-based firms avoid marriage and family queries, prioritising technical fit and offering higher pay despite heavier workloads.
QUESTIONS about marriage, children and family responsibilities are often expected during job interviews, but one user said none of these topics came up while interviewing for a multinational corporation (MNC), prompting many professionals to compare their own experiences with international employers.
A Threads user shared their recent recruitment journey after applying for a role at a US-based MNC.
According to the post, the application was submitted at the end of April, followed by two interview rounds on May 1 and May 8, both conducted by interview panels based overseas.
The recruiter called with a verbal offer on May 9 before sending the official offer letter on May 12.
The user said the process was straightforward and focused entirely on professional qualifications rather than personal circumstances.
“They did not ask about my personal life at all, no questions about children, pregnancy or marriage,” the post read.
They also revealed that the salary exceeded expectations, amounting to roughly a 50% increase from their current role, while the company was willing to accommodate a two-month notice period.
The post quickly attracted responses from others who said they had encountered similar interview experiences with multinational employers.
One user commented: “That is precisely how interviews with MNCs are. They focus far more on experience,” recalling that their own interviewer had even asked about hobbies instead of personal matters.
Another user welcomed the poster to the corporate environment, writing: “If you perform well, promotions come quickly. This has happened to me.”
Others shared similar recruitment experiences.
One netizen said interviews at US companies also centred on portfolios and technical assessments rather than rehearsed interview questions, while another recalled receiving a 50% salary increase without being asked about their current salary or family circumstances.
However, some commenters pointed to trade-offs. One user who had worked for a US company said that while salaries were attractive, the workload could be demanding, with employees often expected to take on multiple responsibilities.
Another user, who joined an Australian MNC, described flexible working arrangements and minimal micromanagement but noted that the hiring process was lengthy, taking several months to complete despite the interviews focusing purely on capability.
