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 occasion
  • 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