Career Advice

Tips on resume writing

• Don’t put all of your experience, do not include irrelevant information
• Personal information: Include your name, address, telephone number and email
• Tailor your resume for each specific application
• Highlight your achievements in each company
• Do not omit any period of employment
• Spell check & grammar mistakes

Preparation for an interview

• Prepare for all possible questions and practice in front of a mirror or with friends
• Dress for the occassion
• Practice your handshake
• List your career goals
• List your strengths and weaknesses
• List your achievements
• List the reasons why you are qualified for the position you applied
• Prepare some of your own questions for the interviewer

10 common questions you may be asked in an interview

• Tell me about yourself
• Why should I hire you?
• Tell us your greatest weakness
• Where you do see yourself in 5 years?
• Why do you want to leave your current job?
• If I asked your friends or colleagues to describe you, what would they say?
• What level of salary are you seeking?
• Share with us how you handle the problem if you came across this (situation)
• Tell me about the worst situation you have ever been in?
• Have you got any questions? 

Tips on interview

• Practice – think about the sequence in which you want to present your job history
• Review your career today, understand your key achievements, skills and weaknesses
• Prepare to talk about reason for making a move and your medium and long term career goal

Before the interview

• Be on time
• Introduce yourself to the receptionist
• Knock the door before you enter the interview room
• Greet the interviewer
• Firm handshake
• Sit up straight
• Try to wear a smile on your face

During the interview

• Be very attentive
• Speak clearly and maintain eye contact
• Do not interrupt the interviewer midway
• Ask for clarification if the question is not clear
• Try to give evidence to back up any answers you give
• Avoid giving one word answers or long rambling answers
• Consider your answer before replying
• Be confident while answering the question

After the interview

• Thank the interviewers
• Collect all of your belongings as you rise and are about to leave
• After getting up, place your chair in its original position
• Following up with a thank you note

How to work with headhunters

• Register with a selected number of recruitment companies
• Work with two to three consultants who has expertise in your market
• Work with Headhunters who cover your sector and job function
• Meet with recruitment consultants. Practice how to answer interview questions and improve the content of your resume
• Stay in touch with recruiters. Provide updated information
• Insist your recruiters to seek for your consent before they present your resume to potential employers
• Work with a company that you / your colleagues / friends have had a good experience

What would you tell your recruiters?

• Education background / Professional qualification
• Current and past employers’ background
• Team structure / Reporting line
• Your role vs. your boss’ / subordinates’
• Your key achievements
• Reason for leaving each job
• Your career goal / career interest
• Salary expectation
• Personality / Work Style
• Areas of Improvement

Common problems you may face as well

• Don’t know what you want to do
• Want to get into a certain industry or company without knowing why
• Unable to differentiate yourself from other applicants
• Unable to demonstrate your previous track record or achievements
• Unable to demonstrate why you are suitable for the position