Recruitment Talk II @The Hong Kong

University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

Date: Feb 16, 2005Speaker: Antonio Yu

(Resources Explorer)

Agenda Cover Letter and Resume

Interview

Experience Sharing

Q & A

Cover Letter and Resume

QuestionsWhat is the purpose of resume?What is a good resume? What is a

bad resume?Do we need cover letter?Can we use the same resume and

covering letter for all job hunting?

Purpose of ResumeTo get an interview opportunity

Sample Cover Letter

Contents in Cover LetterYour address / DateThe person you attend toRE:The position, source, dateYour curriculum and other qualificationsProject / Placement experience beforeYour characteristics, activities

participated (Refer to the R & R)

Do’s… Check carefully that you send to the right

person to apply for the right job !!!

Send both soft & hard copies if possible

Check with the company and make sure they receive your information

Be polite in your wordings

Make it short and stick to JD

Do’s…Follow up – Ask for interview…Use PDF format but not PostScript Remember, looking for job is your job

before you are employedSearch in Google.com for more

examples

Dont’s…Don’t mention too much about previous

part-time jobs experience

Don’t make jokes by saying “You can drink a lot with customers”

Don’t make too many English mistakes

Avoid using FAX

Bad ExamplesDear Sir

With regards to the above position, attached is my CV …

Actually there’s nothing “above”

Bad Examples I would be grateful if we could communicate

using email for more detail or even to have a telephone conversation  before we may have an interview in HK if possible.

Isn’t it too complicated?

Make it short. – It would be great if we could arrange a phone interview before I come back to Hong Kong.

Sample in MS Word

Contents in ResumePersonal DetailsContact DetailsEducation & Professional QualificationsWorking/Project experienceCareer InterestSkills and OthersSalary (You may state negotiable)Other Key Achievements

Remember…State appropriate detailsMake sure that the look and feel is

consistence and professional See example

If you can, put your supervisor in the University as your reference

Don’t scan your result slips/certificates into your resume

Resume Template – MS Word

Remember…Don’t put too many “designs” and

“graphics”Make the contact details being seen

easilyOrganize it properlyTailor made covering letter and resume

for each job opportunity

Bad Example

Bad Example

Bad ExampleFirst Impression ~ some problems here

The phone number is in a different color There’s no “Hong Kong University” in Hong

Kong The date format is inconsistent Italic & regular characters mixing together There is some inconsistency in the grammar

Responsible for user requirement study Solve problem System develop’t

Bad ExampleMore problems

The applicants should match the skills with her previous working experience

Though she has written a lot of skills she may know, the employer may not pay any attention to it.

When the employer prints the resume, the border of the table is not printed

Good Example

Good Example

Good ExampleGood resumeSystematic and clearWith all your personal details that

can be seen easilyAppropriate detailsGood FormatGood English

Interview

Things you have to knowPreparationPresentationCommunicationEvaluation CriteriaQuestions to prepareQuestions to ask

Preparation Review the job advert – understand the job

duties and their requirements Know more about the company. Remember

to visit their website! Practice your spoken English and Mandarin. CV in both Traditional & Simplified Chinese. Think about the potential question and

answer. Certificate, project report, etc…

PresentationOutlook e.g formal dressingHand ShakingEye ContactBody LanguageAttitude e.g. pleasant and cheerfulThe way to present yourself –

systematically

Communication Interactive conversation – two way

communicationListen carefully!Never answer in “yes” and “no” only,

elaborate your answerSystematic and well Organized

Evaluation Cultural Fit

Are you open-minded? Are you obedient? Following to the rules set?

Personality Potential to be a contributor or grow in the

company Communication skill Organization skill Your Commitment

Questions to prepare What is your career goal? What you expect from this job? Give me the reason to hire you? How do you view our company? Expected salary? Can you work with the others? How can you solve conflicts? How can you handle pressure? Your strength and weakness

Questions to askWhat’s the future direction of the

company?Would you tell me more about the

culture of the company?What can I do for the company?What is your expectation on me?The career path?How frequent do I need to travel?

Experience SharingMore about ‘IT Industries’.Being +ve towards company politics.Communication skills vs technical skills.Techies vs managersNew technologies.Certification and other academic

qualifications (MBA, MSc. Etc).Travel$$$

Q & A

Thank you for coming!