Effective Resume and Cover Letter Strategies for Job Seekers - Insights from Recruitment Talk at HKUST

1. Recruitment Talk II @The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Date: Feb 16, 2005 Speaker: Antonio Yu (Resources Explorer)

2. Agenda • Cover Letter and Resume • Interview • Experience Sharing • Q & A

3. Cover Letter and Resume

4. Questions • What 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?

5. Purpose of Resume • To get an interview opportunity

6. Sample Cover Letter

7. Contents in Cover Letter • Your address / Date • The person you attend to • RE: • The position, source, date • Your curriculum and other qualifications • Project / Placement experience before • Your characteristics, activities participated (Refer to the R & R)

8. 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

9. Do’s… • Follow up – Ask for interview… • Use PDF format but not PostScript • Remember, looking for job is your job before you are employed • Search in Google.com for more examples

10. 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

11. Bad Examples • Dear Sir With regards to the above position, attached is my CV … • Actually there’s nothing “above”

12. 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.

13. Sample in MS Word

14. Contents in Resume • Personal Details • Contact Details • Education & Professional Qualifications • Working/Project experience • Career Interest • Skills and Others • Salary (You may state negotiable) • Other Key Achievements

15. Remember… • State appropriate details • Make 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

16. Remember… • Don’t put too many “designs” and “graphics” • Make the contact details being seen easily • Organize it properly • Tailor made covering letter and resume for each job opportunity

17. Bad Example

18. Bad Example

19. Bad Example • First 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

20. Bad Example • More 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

21. Good Example

22. Good Example

23. Good Example • Good resume • Systematic and clear • With all your personal details that can be seen easily • Appropriate details • Good Format • Good English

24. Interview

25. Things you have to know • Preparation • Presentation • Communication • Evaluation Criteria • Questions to prepare • Questions to ask

26. 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…

27. Presentation • Outlook e.g formal dressing • Hand Shaking • Eye Contact • Body Language • Attitude e.g. pleasant and cheerful • The way to present yourself – systematically

28. Communication • Interactive conversation – two way communication • Listen carefully! • Never answer in “yes” and “no” only, elaborate your answer • Systematic and well Organized

29. 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

30. 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

31. Questions to ask • What’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?

32. Experience Sharing • More about ‘IT Industries’. • Being +ve towards company politics. • Communication skills vs technical skills. • Techies vs managers • New technologies. • Certification and other academic qualifications (MBA, MSc. Etc). • Travel • $$$

33. Q & A

34. Thank you for coming!