A Threads post showing a long list of documents requested for a job interview has sparked discussion among Malaysian netizens, with many saying that job applications today feel more complicated than ever.
In the post, the user shared a screenshot of an interview invitation email from a company that required the candidate to bring several documents for verification.
The user jokingly captioned the post: “Applying for a job feels like applying for a loan.”
Long list of documents requested
According to the screenshot, the candidate was invited for an interview and instructed to bring both the original and photocopies of several documents.
These included education certificates, education transcripts, a school leaving certificate, a photocopy of their IC, a driving licence photocopy, the latest three months’ payslips, a resume, and other relevant documents.
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The request quickly caught the attention of netizens, many of whom felt the list was excessive, especially since the candidate had not even attended the interview yet.
Some say it is a red flag
Several netizens said asking for so many documents before the interview could be a red flag.
One commenter wrote that it would make more sense if companies requested such documents after the candidate had passed the interview stage.
Another commenter shared that the most frustrating situation is when companies request multiple documents but never follow up afterward.
Others say payslip requests are common
Despite the criticism, some netizens pointed out that requesting payslips is actually a common practice among HR departments in Malaysia.
One commenter explained that employers may ask for three months’ payslips to verify a candidate’s actual salary and benchmark their salary expectations.
They added that candidates can clarify that they are bound by confidentiality agreements with their current employer or provide only one payslip with sensitive information redacted.
Another netizen shared that some companies are now requesting offer letters from a candidate’s current company, which they felt was excessive.
Others advised job seekers to be careful when sharing sensitive documents and suggested blurring personal information before submitting them.
