I interviewed for an AML Investigator role in 2024 (role based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) and found the interview experience challenging and discouraging. The interviewer was a male and a female. The interview felt highly rigid and checklist driven, with interviewers following a predefined set of expected answers. When my responses did not align exactly with those expectations, the interaction became noticeably uncomfortable, including visible reactions that made it difficult to continue answering confidently. Several questions felt misaligned with the actual scope of the role, and despite providing clear responses, I was repeatedly challenged on my answers in a way that made me question my own credibility rather than encouraging meaningful discussion. Overall, the tone of the interview felt unapproachable and lacked psychological safety, which made it hard to present myself authentically or engage constructively. While Wise is widely regarded as a strong fintech with an important mission, I believe the interview process would benefit from a more conversational, role-relevant approach that allows candidates to demonstrate experience without feeling interrogated or judged against a rigid answer key.

The process lasted approximately three months until the second stage. The first stage was a CV screening, followed by an online test. After completing the test, there was a longer waiting period — a little over two months — before the first interview. The first interview was conducted with the HR team and was a very positive experience. The recruiter was extremely kind, patient, and respectful throughout the process. Communication was clear, and I received updates and feedback at each stage, which made the experience feel transparent and reassuring. The interview itself was straightforward, with standard questions aimed at getting to know me better and understanding my background and knowledge related to the role. The second stage was conducted with the hiring manager and another team member. During this interview, there was also an online investigation-related test completed live, which I found to be reasonable and aligned with the role. After the test, the interviewers introduced themselves and their work, and I was asked to present myself in more detail. The conversation then moved on to more personal and behavioral questions. Overall, this stage was also very smooth and approachable. In general, I found the process to be well-structured, transparent, and respectful towards candidates. Despite the longer timeline between some stages, the overall experience was positive and reflected a high level of professionalism and care from the company.