For decades, employers have been speaking out about their worries over the declining respect, manners, and etiquette shown by young job seekers. This trend highlights bigger challenges in the job market, especially in finding candidates who can be counted on to show up and work professionally.
The absence of these basic traits not only complicates individual hiring processes but also reflects broader shifts in attitudes toward work and professionalism.
One such voice is that of Diyana Mazlan, a business owner who went viral on TikTok for her candid account of job seekers failing to show up for scheduled interviews without prior notice.
Unreliable attendance and lack of communication
Her video has sparked a broader conversation about the professionalism of the younger generation in the job market.
“Why do kids nowadays, most of them, when an interview is arranged, they silently don’t come and fail to inform us early?”
She described her frustration with candidates who fail to attend interviews, leaving employers in the lurch. Diyana recounted her own experience of rushing to the office for a 10:30 AM interview, only for the candidate not to show up.
“I don’t want candidates to be kept waiting,” she explained, noting that in her day, candidates were expected to wait one to two hours for an interview.
“Why do kids these days not show up for interviews, and then they don’t even inform us? You make the company wait and don’t answer calls.”
Just let us know and apologise
Diyana, who runs the ‘Barang Dapur Basah’ business, expressed that she doesn’t mind if candidates cannot attend the interview, provided they notify her in advance.
“Just let me know if you can’t come today and apologise—no problem. But 50 to 70 percent don’t show up for the interview and don’t inform us,” she lamented.
She pointed out that this issue isn’t unique to her business.
“Most employers, companies, and HR departments face this problem. Can I know why?” she asked.
Diyana highlighted a paradox: while it’s commonly believed that finding a job is hard, employers are also struggling to find committed employees.
‘Not even an apology’
Diyana’s video, which has garnered over 70,000 views, resonated with many, leading others to share their own experiences. The comment section of her post became a platform for employers to air their grievances.
One user commented on the lax attitude of young candidates, noting, “Mostly they already know there’s an interview tomorrow, sleep late, and find it hard to wake up in the morning. When they come to the interview, they give the excuse of waking up late, no guilt at all, not even an apology.”
Another shared a more extreme example, “There was this intern who gave an even better excuse. He said his mom had a stroke just to quit the internship. But his mom was perfectly healthy.”
The frustration of employers was further illustrated by a comment highlighting a lack of respect and professionalism from one candidate: “My experience interviewing the new generation, there’s this one who often comes late and WhatsApps ‘Babe, I’ll be a bit late.’ They call me ‘babe.’ My blood boiled.”
Watch the clip here:
