SCE Guide to Global Careers 2023

GUIDE TO GLOBAL CAREERS

TheSchoolofContinuingEducation(SCE),HongKongBaptistUniversitystrivestoprovidequalitywhole-person educationtoourfutureleaderstoequipthemtomeetthechangingneedsoftheworkforce.

TheCareersandEmployabilityCentre(CEC),anintegrated,institution-widecentre,hasbeenestablishedonthe twocampusesoftheSCEsinceOctober2019forenhancingstudents’employabilityskillsandcareerreadiness. Wearecommittedtoassistingstudentsinall-roundcareerpreparationanddevelopment.

HOW WE HELP

The Careers and Employability Centre (CEC) at the School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, was established with an aim to enhance the institutional capacity in offering career support to you, and be a guiding companion in your career planning throughout your college years. While career aspirations vary, early preparation in exploring graduate career options and taking the time to build up insights and skills often gives you a distinctive employability edge.

SKILLS LABS AND WORKSHOPS

CEC runs a spectrum of job-hunting skills labs to prepare you for the various stage of your career planning as it progresses, from planning roadmaps, CV writing, to assessment centre workshops. The labs will guide you from the first steps to take and all the way through to managing job offers. The periodical career talks and thematic workshops also enrich your understanding of hiring trends and the development strategies in different sectors.

INTERNSHIP & JOB POSTINGS

Stay-tuned to the weekly job postings list from CEC. From graduate jobs, summer internships to term-time part-time internships, we will keep you updated of the current job market opportunities as well as offer a sneak peek at the vast range of career development options and their respective requirements.

CV CLINIC

Make the skills you have acquired from different work and co-curricular experiences identifiable by recruiters. Translate your positive work attitude and mentality through a piece of paper in order to pass the 6-second initial screening stage.

CAREER ADVISING

Articulate your career vision and development plan with our career advisors. Talk through your ideas and interests to map out the best way forward as well as how to tap into different industries.

ONLINE APTITUDE TESTS

Employers make use of aptitude tests to screen job candidates beyond academic credentials and their performance during interviews. Online practice aptitude tests usually consist of questions related to personality (values, motivations, preferences) and cognitive ability (numeric, logic and verbal reasoning). These are not pass-orfail assessments, and you can use them to familiarise yourself with the question types and test structures before actual assessment invitations start arriving in your inbox.

CAREER PROFILE

Take our different profiling tests to measure your personality traits and interests to find the types of jobs that fit you best. Career inclination tests could help evaluate your career strengths and identify possible development niches that could bring you one step closer to excellence in your future graduate career.

Fostering a Global Mindset

Globally-minded graduates are highly sought-after for opportunities around the world these days. But what does it mean to have a global mindset, and how do you achieve that?

Being able to adapt to and work with people from different cultures in a professional environment is a skill that most people don’t know they need until they are out there in the working world. Whether it is trying to communicate with colleagues from different countries on a collaborative project, handling visiting clients from abroad, or working in a foreign country with an international team, having a global and culturally-aware mindset is key in our interconnected world.

As a graduate, cultivating such a global mindset will be important if you plan on staying relevant wherever your career may take you in the world. Read on to find out more about what this is all about, and how you can start fostering it!

WHAT DOES HAVING A “GLOBAL MINDSET” MEAN?

There are two perspectives on what having a global mindset entails. One is that graduates should aim to possess the skills and qualities needed in order to work in a globalising world, while the other suggests that graduates should focus more on the values and attitudes needed for ethical behaviour (i.e. understanding how societies from different countries influence each other, and becoming a sociallyresponsible global citizen in general). However, a big part of having a global mindset is understanding that people of different cultures bring varying perspectives and practices to the table, and learning how to incorporate or adapt to those

perspectives in a respectful manner. It is about learning how to put aside your preconceptions of another group of people and striving to find common ground and a mutuallybeneficial exchange of ideas instead.

WHAT DEFINES A GLOBALLY-MINDED GRADUATE?

A globally-minded graduate should be able to showcase a few main characteristics that separate them from the rest.

The first characteristic would be the ability to understand that political, cultural, economic, historical, environmental, scientific and technological developments that make up our world are all a product of interaction between cultures over the ages. They should

be able to independently identify and appreciate different viewpoints, as well as respect cultural differences in a discussion.

Other characteristics that define a globally-minded graduate are the ability to:

• Work collaboratively with teams of people from a range of backgrounds and countries

• Communicate skillfully in both speaking and listening

Have a high degree of drive and resilience

• Embrace multiple international perspectives and challenge their own thinking

• Develop new skills and behaviours according to role requirements

• Have a high degree of selfawareness

Negotiate with and influence colleagues/clients across the globe from different cultures

• Form professional global networks

• Be open to accounting for a range of perspectives from around the world

• Be agile in multicultural learning (e.g. ability to adapt to any new culture or environment)

HOW DO YOU CULTIVATE A GLOBAL MINDSET?

The first step is to put yourself outside your comfort zone and search for opportunities to mingle with and befriend people from different ethnicities or cultures.

While English is considered the world’s international business language, it may not, or should not always be the case. Graduates should attempt to become proficient in at least one other language than their own mother tongue and English. Learning a foreign language is, after all, the first step toward having a more in-depth understanding of cultures and people who speak it.

Be on the lookout for opportunities to spend an extended amount of time abroad, whether it be for overseas internships, volunteer work, or even backpacking through a foreign country. The key, though, is to actively ensure that these opportunities give you consistent exposure to the local way of life, or introduce you to a different cultural perspective that you would not have gotten from simply staying in your own country. Lastly, make it a point to stay up to date on international news from all over the world. Subscribe to or follow media outlets or trusted news accounts/feeds from other countries if possible, as those may often offer you a different viewpoint than international news reported by local outlets/accounts.

There is, ultimately, no shortcut to fostering and cultivating a global mindset. You simply have to make a constant, consistent effort to engage with and understand others from different cultural backgrounds. However, the rewards for doing so are definitely worth it! You will find yourself gaining a much greater appreciation for the vastness of ideas and perspectives available here in our world. And through these crosscultural interactions, you may also find new inspiration and purpose that will help you grow, both as a person and as a professional.

“A big part of having a global mindset is understanding that people of different cultures bring varying perspectives and practices to the table, and learning how to incorporate or adapt to those perspectives in a respectful manner.”

What to Consider Before Working Abroad

Are you thinking of working overseas or launching your career abroad? Hold on to your horses, because there are still a few important factors to consider before you take the plunge.

Career opportunities are not just limited to within your homeland. People work abroad for a multitude of reasons. For instance, their field of expertise may not be developed enough or stable enough in their own country, they may be seeking better pay grades, want to learn from foreign experts, or simply looking to travel as they work –you name it.

However, whether you are actively looking for it yourself, or if it comes unexpectedly, the option of working abroad will often put even the most capable candidate in a bind. This can often be a big, lifechanging decision, after all, and is not something to be taken lightly. Here are a few important points you might want to consider before deciding to apply for work abroad:

MAKING THE DECISION

To start off, it might be helpful to ask yourself these questions:

Will my professional value increase in the future?

Will an overseas job placement assist you in nurturing your existing skill set, or provide you with new professional abilities? Will it make you a more desirable or marketable candidate later on in the next step of your career?

Every job experience you take on should add to and improve your CV (and your career history,

by extension). Think carefully about how this stint working abroad will help you develop your skills, improve your outlook on foreign markets, or add to your future employment prospects. It wouldn’t be wise, for example, to uproot yourself and move to a foreign country only to find yourself stuck in a dead-end career track with no potential for future advancement.

What do I know about the host country so far? (language, food, culture, etc.)

Moving abroad for work is very different from going on

a vacation. You’re usually only seeing the good sides of a country on vacation, but actually living there will expose you to its imperfections and challenges on a daily basis. You may be very far out of your comfort zone –meeting new people, getting lost, learning local cultures, navigating an unfamiliar way of life, etc.

This is why it is important to establish your level of familiarity with your desired host country before making a decision to move there. Here are some questions you might want to ask yourself:

• Can I speak/understand the local language?

• How familiar am I with the locals/local culture?

• Is my gut strong enough to handle the local cuisines?

(REMEMBER: you will be eating them daily!)

• Will my financial plan be able to support my accommodation/ lifestyle/living expenses during my stay?

What forms of anti-foreigner bias can I expect to face?

What is the housing situation there like?

• How will I get around? Is public transport reliable, or will I need to invest in a car? Etc.

Will I have access to a community of my own people there, in case I start missing home?

Try to get in touch with peers or communities of your fellow countrymen who have already settled into your host country. Ask them questions about their experiences living there so far, and seek their advice on what to expect.

You may also encounter sources offering tips about relocating, or social media influencers talking about their experiences moving to and living in your target country. While those may be useful references, don’t take the information there at face value. They may be outdated, or not present a complete picture of the truth on the ground.

What is the reputation of the hiring employer?

The hiring employer(s) you are aiming for is also a major factor in this equation. After all, your ability to relocate hinges entirely on them.

As a general rule, it is always safer to accept an overseas opportunity from a globally-recognised company or organisation than a smaller or lesser-known one.

Bigger companies usually have better funding and more welldefined processes for onboarding expatriate workers. From accommodation to relocation allowances to plane tickets, a larger employer may help alleviate most of the financial burden of settling abroad. This isn’t to say, though, that other employers are less legitimate. So long as they can sponsor a legal residence visa for you, that’s also a valid opportunity. However, just be prepared that you will have to shoulder a larger share of the financial cost (and risks) of moving abroad.

It is also important to have a basic understanding of the company’s current financial situation based on the economy and political environment of the country you are going to be in as well. You would want to have a better sense of security about your work (and your safety), especially when you are going to be in a foreign land, in case anything unfortunate is likely to happen in your target country.

CONTINUING YOUR RESEARCH

If you’re still determined to continue with your plan, do consider these technicalities before you settle into the country:

Understanding the company’s culture

Even though you might be working for an overseas branch of a globally-known company, different countries mean that there will also be different rules and norms about the benefit packages they offer – annual leave, allowances, health claims, working hours, etc. Make sure to ask thoroughly about the benefits and what the company will cover on your behalf before signing any final agreement with them.

More importantly, be sure to clarify how long your assignment or position abroad will last. You wouldn’t want your time abroad to be longer or shorter than expected, as this may impact you personally and professionally.

Setting up for everything (credit card, taxes, visa and bank accounts)

Having a credit card to cover your living expenses is pretty much a necessity, but getting one might be more difficult for you in a new country. You might want to get one with an international credit card company before your move and transfer it to your destination country for an easier process.

Be aware of the types of taxes that might be implemented on you, so you won’t be facing consequences from the local government later on in your stay. Your visa might also be affected if you neglect your taxes, so be sure to document everything that you have paid or have to pay to keep yourself protected.

Don’t forget to check the type of work visa you are getting, and what privileges or rights it affords you too.

You will also want to research how to set up a bank account in your target country. Survey the local banks’ minimums, fees, timing for transfers and online capabilities. Your hiring employer might have already begun the process of opening a local bank account in order to credit your salary or any other allowances to you, though., So again, check with HR on this before you fly out

Job Searching: The Ultimate Guide

As you step out into the working world as a recent graduate, make sure you know the various job portals and routes available, and explore all your options to get the best chance of finding what you are looking for.

There are a number of paths you can consider when looking for a job as a graduate. While one of the most common methods for applying for jobs is undoubtedly through the internet, there are a variety of other options available, so do not be afraid to make use of them, too.

GO ONLINE

With so many online career portals, you can take your pick, though you should ensure that the ones you join and subscribe to are the ones that suit you best. Company websites and company social media pages are options as well, and on top of showcasing available vacancies firsthand, often offer a peek into their work culture. Some platforms also give insider information about a company’s culture and recruitment process and provide insights into hiring trends while also granting exposure.

Consider:

• Job search portals

Career exploration platforms

• Sector-specific portals

• Company websites and social media pages

• Professional networking platforms

There is no need to be afraid of

approaching your career centre on campus grounds. After all, the contacts and resources they can offer you may be more specific and targeted to your course of study. Be transparent when you speak to your career advisors so they have a better idea of how to help you. If you are facing any challenges in your job hunt, they are the people best suited to guide you.

Consider:

• Use the wide range of contacts and resources you can leverage in your career centre

Make your aspirations and goals clear to your career advisors

• Attend mentoring and networking sessions they organise

CAREER FAIRS

Whether you attend career fairs on campus or in public, go in with a strategy in mind. Bring copies of your resume or portfolio, if you have any. After the event, be sure to establish your connection with your new contacts through email. In the note, include any interesting points of conversation you may have had to help the recruiter remember you out of the many faces they may have met that day. Send your resume across one more time over the email, and add in the links to your online portfolio or LinkedIn profile as well. Do the same if the event is virtual.

Consider:

Find out which employers are going to be there, and prepare some questions you would like to ask them

Bring copies of your résumé to hand out to prospective employers

Email your new contacts after the event

INTERNSHIPS

Work placements and internships can lead to full-time positions, especially if you have proven yourself to be a good fit for the company and get along well with your co-workers.

Consider:

Write to prospective employers even if they are not advertising vacancies

Show your interest in the company

• Indicate you have a solid understanding of their field

Prove that you are what they need

NETWORK

Many young jobseekers and graduates profit from networks, both personal and professional, when looking for their first job. It is not just about what you know – it is about who you know.

Consider:

• Keep in touch with old contacts

Make new contacts

• Avoid burning bridges

Never turn down a chance to network, whether it is in a personal or professional setting

APPLY SPECULATIVELY

Enquiring with a company about available job positions is known as applying speculatively. This method has the potential to show that you have a strong interest in the company, though you will need to indicate your understanding of their field and why you are what they are on the lookout for.

“Some platforms also give insider information about a company’s culture and recruitment process and provide insights into hiring trends while also granting exposure.”

5 Steps to Kick-start Your Career

Job search can be intimidating, especially for final year students and fresh graduates looking for first jobs and internship opportunities. That’s why we’ve compiled a few things to do before you start your career journey!

#1 DISCOVER YOURSELF

Before you start your job search, reflect on your experiences and skills to help you understand your personality, interests, and motivations. This can help you greatly with your career planning process.

My Skills

Think about the skills that you have developed from your academic studies and extracurricular activities. Do you have a flair for languages or numbers? Are you particularly patient, diplomatic, or detailoriented?

Find out about skills that are valued by specific industries, employers, or job roles so that you can better match yourself to their needs.

My beliefs, values, and interests

Will values and beliefs that you hold dear impact your job search? For instance, if environmental issues resonate strongly with you, factor it into your job search when researching prospective employers.

Your interests can also influence your career choice. However, some people may choose to keep their personal interests separate from their working lives.

My preferred work culture

Often overlooked, consider the type of work culture you’d prefer to be part of before deciding on a company. Would you prefer a flexible work environment, or a more structured organisation? Speak to someone who has had experience with the company to find out more about its work culture before applying for the job.

#2 RESEARCH THE MARKET

Understanding the market is vital to your job search. You need to know beyond just the employers that you are interested in. Here are some ideas:

The company

Look up for relevant information through a company’s website, and read up on industry news articles

regarding the company’s market activities. You could even speak to seniors who have had experience with the company, or with employers at career fairs to understand the organisation better.

Market trends

Read up on the latest trends that are changing the industries. For instance, technology and data analytics have been changing the game for many sectors, including commerce, finance and manufacturing. What is a company doing to benefit from the trend, and what will your role be if you join the company?

Global affairs

The global economy is highly interconnected, which means that the country can be easily affected by events that take place half a globe away, such as political transformations, policy changes or natural disasters. It will benefit you to keep an ear out for major news that may impact the industry that you are interested in.

Major players

Keep up with the developments of the major players within the industry, such as their projects and latest decisions, as they can influence the course of the sector. There are plenty of information sources that you can make use of:

• Employer’s company website

Websites of professional bodies/ institutions

• Informational interviews

Presentations, workshops, or oncampus career fairs

#3 EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS

The main idea is to get a job in the field or industry you are aiming for, but for some people, that might not be the case. Don’t worry about starting in a career track that’s not within your plan; people change careers all the time. Take time to develop professional skills and gain more experience before you get to the career you aim for.

Feeling stuck?

Do not get too fixated on looking for the “perfect job”.

• Challenge yourself. Try out new things and believe that you have the drive to achieve what you set your mind to.

Too much advice can sometimes overwhelm. Learn to apply criticalthinking skills when making a decision.

Identify your needs and find practical ways to meet them to plan out a clearer career pathway.

#4 TAKE ACTION

While an internship is great to test the water in a particular industry, remember to be selective in what or where you’re applying for. Carefully consider the skills and experience that you hope to gain from your

internships, and be proactive during the course of your attachments to achieve those skills.

Aside from internships, you can also consider applying for part-time jobs, voluntary works, and shadowing sessions as these can help you obtain work experience and relevant skills. Employers also often look at your co-curricular activities for evidence of soft skills or transferable abilities, so be sure to take an active role in managing club activities.

Remember to network!

Networking can help you gain great information and advice, as well as open doors to opportunities.

Use professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn, and maximise your time at networking events.

Go beyond your first degree connections, and request to connect with second or third degree connections to expand your network.

Keep in touch with colleagues from your past work experiences such as internships, or part-time jobs.

#5 MANAGE CHANGE

As you go through your internship or first job, make sure you periodically take time to reflect on your career direction. Perhaps your career interests may change after gaining experience in a particular field during a two-month internship.

Or perhaps your work placement stint highlighted certain gaps in your skills that you need to fill. In such cases, adjust your action plan to accommodate your responses to these new situations.

Remember, career planning is not a static process! It’s something you need to engage in regularly to ensure that you have control and direction over your career progression.

“Carefully consider the skills and experience that you hope to gain from your internships, and be proactive during the course of your attachments to achieve those skills.”

Figuring Out What You’re Good At

Before leaping into the workforce, think of how you can match your skills and passion to a suitable career in order to achieve the ultimate fulfilment at work.

Although goals may change and you may take some years to ultimately find yourself in your desired role and industry, your first step in job hunting should be on asking yourself what you can or want to bring to the table.

The best time to do this is before graduation. Look at potential jobs and career paths that you may be passionate about rather than as something you have to do just to make a living. After all, if the prospect of getting to work in the morning does not get you moving and your job is not a role you can see yourself persevering in – especially when the going gets tough – it will be especially challenging to succeed in that particular role or industry.

Finding your raison d’être – your reason for being – can help you realise the things you love doing and are good at. By understanding your passions and getting a job that fulfils you as a person, chances are you will find contentment in growing your talent and developing your skills. So, what are some of the factors you need to look at to understand what fulfils you? Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help guide you along as you cross over to the working world.

WHAT ARE YOU GOOD AT?

What are some of your best skill sets and strengths? What are some of your personality traits and technical skills? Would you prefer to specialise in a certain area or is a multi-tasking job preferable instead?

Take your temperament into consideration as well. Figure out if you work better when left alone at your desk or when you are constantly interacting with others. Work out if you are more comfortable working

with strict office hours and in rigid structures, or prefer flexible working hours that need a lot of self-discipline. Understanding yourself will help you work more efficiently. But even before that, it will give you the boost you need to fathom where you should be professionally, and will also get you one step closer to your dream job.

WHAT DO YOU CARE ABOUT?

Where your treasure is, there your heart is also. Make sure your career goals are in line with your morals and values; they will go a long way in ensuring success.

For example, if you care deeply about animal welfare, consider joining a nonprofit organisation to make a difference, or go into veterinary science to specialise in helping animals.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE?

When enjoying some downtime, what do you love doing? Your hobbies can offer some insight into what holds your attention, so pinpoint what you like or dislike to figure out what you can or cannot accept in your career path. Moreover, it is worth developing abilities and skills in the areas that can catch and hold your interest.

WHAT DOES THE WORLD NEED?

Your choices for profession will, in a way, serve your community as well as the world at large, so exploring potential career paths is a way of unwrapping your gifts and finding out how they can help you give back. Despite present dreary economic prospects, think of how you can best use your skills to contribute. While you will have to think about the current economic trends and market forecasts, do not forget to consider how you would like to grow both professionally and personally in the future as well.

FLOURISH AND BLOOM

Because you will be spending up to 50 hours at work each week –around 250 hours a month – it makes more sense to examine each job offer carefully rather than chasing one ideal role, all while keeping the four aforementioned questions in mind.

Additionally, do also think of the following three points when considering your job offers:

• Who would you rather work with?

Before confirming a job offer, think back to the office culture and environment you managed to catch a glimpse of during the recruitment process. For example, more and more companies are moving towards an open concept when it comes to office spaces, so you may have to consider working in that setting and prepare yourself for it.

• How would you take on challenges?

The workplace is often full of challenges, and these challenges can feel amplified for a fresh graduate with little to no work experience.

For example, an introvert can carve out a successful career in marketing or sales with selfawareness and a willingness to work in a team while interacting with numerous clients. However, the individual will also likely have to take some time out every once in a while to recharge and refocus.

• How can you contribute?

If you are in your element, it is easy to thrive and prosper, so consider your comfort zone too. For instance, if you prefer interacting with others, you can think about pursuing a career in client relations. On the other hand, if you like working alone, you can consider going into media, design or research.

“Take your temperament into consideration as well. Figure out if you work better when left alone at your desk or when you are constantly interacting with others.”

Resilience and YOU

What is resilience and do you have it? More importantly, how can you build it to help you through this time of crisis?

The global economy has taken a massive hit. Some industries are hollowed out, and experts are saying that different countries’ postrecession economies will be vastly different. But job searches wait for no one, and neither do graduation dates. Now, on top of everything else, how can you get over this new reality without dwelling on it so much? With dignity, grace, and most importantly, resilience, of course!

WHAT IS RESILIENCE?

When you ask “What is resilience?”, you might find yourself fed with lines on adaptability or how you react to unplanned events or how quickly you can recover when things do not go as planned.

Except, it is not. Yes, resilience is about being able to adapt to and navigate through unknown circumstances. It is also about the capability to bounce back with minimal stress even when things do not go according to plan. But there is also career resilience. And it is about awareness, a certain ability and agility to change along with the challenges you have to face in order to achieve your goal and the strength to grow and learn from the obstacles you have successfully hurdled.

The good news is that we all have both resilience and career resilience to a certain degree. For example, have you been looking for ways to future-proof your career? Taught yourself how to solve an unknown

problem through personal research? These are all examples of resilience at work.

Resilience is a trait that you can strengthen with practice. Just like how you can improve public speaking skills through mock presentations, you can also improve your resilience by facing tough situations with the right mindset and figuring out how to adapt.

WHY IS RESILIENCE IMPORTANT?

Without sounding overdramatic, resilience can make or break your job search – especially now, with the present environment surrounding job prospects and career progression being so unpredictable.

Challenges will inevitably pop up, like your job search not going the way you want it to, or taking much longer than expected. These factors can weigh you down over time and cause you to question your self-worth as a jobseeker and person. Approach the

process with the right mindset so that the journey continues to be a positive learning experience for you. Resilience is not about irrational positivity or burying your head in the sand. It is about approaching your career planning with a growthoriented mindset. Learn to keep your eye on the bigger picture and do not let temporary setbacks pull you down, be confident enough in your strengths, be honest about your weaknesses and actively approach any task with the intent to learn from it and improve.

Maintaining a resilient mindset is key to a meaningful long-term career journey too! A survey by LinkedIn Learning listed adaptability as one of the skills employers need the most in 2020. And a huge part of staying adaptable and nimble in the marketplace is to actively cultivate a resilient mindset within yourself.

BUILDING UP YOUR RESILIENCE

Developing resilience may now seem more important than ever. But where do you start? You should begin by looking inward and understanding what makes you tick. Here are some suggestions:

• Look back on times in your life when things went well and when they did not. How did you respond to these scenarios? What do they say about how you react in both good times and bad times?

• Be honest with yourself about your weaknesses and fears. Why do they scare you or bother

you? Are you satisfied with how they are? If not, what will you do to try and remedy that?

• Pinpoint strategies or measures that have kept you calm and helped you address unforeseen circumstances in the past. It could be just mapping things out on paper or even turning to spirituality. Just go with what works for you.

• Be kind to yourself. Being confident in your strengths starts with loving yourself more.

• Accept that change is the only constant in life, and learn to embrace it.

• Learn to approach mistakes and rejection positively – see them as learning experiences or opportunities for feedback. Remember this simple truth: Your past setbacks are not an indicator of your future success!

PUTTING RESILIENCE TO WORK

How do you make a resilient mindset work for you in your career planning, especially now that the world is very different from how it once was?

A resilient mindset is not set in its ways. If job applications alone are not working for you, try attending online events to broaden your professional network and search for other avenues. Alternatively, you can

relook your resume and applications and get external feedback on how you might improve them further. Don’t be disappointed if your dream industry is not hiring at the moment: take this time to fall back on your other options, or get ready to gain new skills!

If the industry you want to enter requires certain skills or knowledge you do not currently have, do not throw your hands up in defeat! Take the time to go for courses or read up on those topics. This is also a sure way to ensure your career resilience as well.

Learning how to approach your career journey with a resilient mindset is a key part of staying employable – whether during uncertain times or stable ones. Make it a point to keep practising it every chance you get, and see the difference it makes in terms of how you think about yourself – both as a person and a professional!

What Employers Look Out for When Hiring

Employers are not only looking at your technical skills or education qualifications when assessing your suitability for the job role. They also look at your soft skills to see if you have what it takes to succeed at the company.

Post pandemic, employers have had to take a hard look at how it has affected their businesses, as well as reconsider how they approach work. As a fresh graduate, you need to keep this in mind as you embark on your professional journey — and that includes being prepared to adopt the skills needed to suit today’s working dynamics.

The most notable change is remote working. Once seen as a novel benefit, it has now been elevated to a common practice among businesses. Not only have many staples of the workplace (like meetings and presentations) been pushed completely online, but the flow of work has changed, too. Tasks that would usually be assigned and submitted within the traditional nine-to-five office hours can now be notified through the use of text messaging apps after working hours. With an unforeseeable future about the development of the pandemic, companies are likely to continue experimenting different working arrangement to achieve the best efficiency.

With all this going on, having an agile and nimble mindset is vital in helping you tackle any uncertainties up ahead. Considering the number of businesses that have shifted online (potentially for the long term), being well versed in online mediums, and having digital literacy skills will be a big advantage for you. There are also several additional skills that you should consider picking up:

SKILLS

Think fast on your feet

• Ability to deal with complex issues

Have critical thinking skills

• Open to different cultures, personalities, and experiences — and how these can result in different thought processes and opinions

• Possess emotional intelligence in people management

Global skills

• Have cultural awareness

Understand international businesses

• Equip with new linguistic knowledge, along with a wide range of lexicon and language structure

• Adaptable, ready to re-locate and able to work in overseas environments

Ability to connect and manage work relationships with colleagues with diverse backgrounds

Strong digital skills and knowledge

• Be social media-savvy

• Understand the fundamentals of top trending technologies (e.g. data analytics)

• Know the different types of software and systems

Have basic coding knowledge, programming and development skills

• Understand digital design, management and analysis

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Good relationship-building and teamwork skills

• Ability to communicate ideas well during brainstorming sessions

Ability to collaborate with others

• Good networking skills

• Can communicate effectively with people from all walks of life

WORK VALUES

Strong work ethics

• Willing to work hard and work smart

Strive to seek solutions and ways to work more efficiently

• Have a positive work attitude

• Show initiative in the workplace

Adaptability

• Ability to adapt to the personality and work ethics of others

Accepting new challenges, ideas and improvements to better the workplace

• Avoid complaining at the first sign of change or challenge

Self-motivated

Understand and deliver tasks in a professional manner

• Do not require constant prodding from supervisors

Ability to stick to deadlines

Professionalism

• Produce professional-level work to the best of their ability

Adopt a professional look and image by dressing appropriately according to the company’s dress code

• Treat others with respect and kindness, regardless of any personal issues

Networking on LinkedIn

From showcasing your credentials, making connections and discovering suitable job listings for your skills and interests, LinkedIn is one of the most important starting tools for any working professional who is just about to launch their career.

Although having the right skills and capabilities makes for an effective resume for a job application, who you know is just as vital in securing that dream job. After all, you never know where your next job opportunity will come from! So be sure to invest time in your network and stay connected to them.

CONNECT WITH LIKE-MINDED PROFESSIONALS

When it comes to professional networks, it can be tempting to just connect with every single person you know to bulk up those numbers. But quantity is not everything. Be mindful of who you choose to connect with, and maintain your network properly. In this way, all parties will be able to add value to each other’s professional journey.

Add people who you have worked with

This is one of the best ways to keep in touch with former superiors and colleagues from past jobs and internships. Engaging with them on LinkedIn posts, sending them your congratulations during milestones (which LinkedIn alerts you automatically), or just simply keeping them in the loop about your career opportunities are good ways to start. By being top of mind among

your connections, they might turn to you if they know of an opportunity you might be interested in (and are suited for).

However, do not simply ask for favours when extending your initial invitation to connect. Apart from this being frowned upon, remember that the main focus is to build a genuine network, not using people as a stepping stone to get a job!

Add people who you have met

When attending networking events and career fairs, you can also consider adding the people you meet there to your network. Different professional/ business associations hold plenty of these, so take the chance to attend them when you can. Not only will you be able to find out more about industries you might be interested in, but they also provide a great opportunity to expand your professional network.

If you meet a person of interest at a physical event, be sure to get their

business card and add them to your LinkedIn network as soon as possible. As for virtual events, chances are their LinkedIn profiles are already made available for you to find and add, should you wish to.

Add people who you would like to know

One benefit of adding people from the above groups is that they are already in the industry that you are trying to get into.

From there, their own connections can be made available for you to view, and you can consider adding them too to expand your network. You can add people from your contacts’ connections — from those who you wish to get to know, to those who you think might be a good insider source for job opportunities.

But before you get too trigger-happy, remember that this tier of contacts are strangers to you. So be extra polite when extending an invitation to them!

HOW TO WRITE AN INVITE

With just 300 characters to work with, your invite needs to not only be concise and to the point, but also be interesting enough to keep their attention. So how should you go about it?

01

Describe to them how you know them

Unless you just met them recently, it may be best to assume that they may not remember you. If you worked with them in the past, be sure to indicate when. If you met at an event, then mention the event name and date to them to help jog their memory.

02 Make use of a reference

If you want to add someone via a second hand (or even third) connection, adding a reference in your invite is a good idea. With a mutual connection between you and the person you wish to connect with, your chances of the invitation being accepted should increase. Just make sure to check with your reference that they are fine with it.

03 Stand out from the crowd

In you have just met a recruiter or an employer from a job fair, chances are they are already being swamped with invitations from other interested parties. With that in mind, ensure that your own invitation is able to distinguish itself from others.

You can start with an informative, but concise message by outlining your relevant experiences and skill sets that you may have for the positions they were listing during the event. In addition, adding a personal note about something you spoke to them about might also raise your chances of your invitation being noticed by them.

ANDY Active Now

Dear Andy,

It was a pleasure working with you last year at HS. I still remember being part of the company’s fundraising event with you, and how much fun we had. Whenever you have the time, let us catch up and talk soon! Best, Ken

LISA Active Now

Hi Lisa,

I am a fresh graduate looking to work in architecture. I worked with Ivan Lim during my internship at the Wood Hut and would like to connect with another professional in the field. If it is alright, I would love to talk more about the local industry and the skills I would need to succeed.

Best, Sarah

JANE Active Now

Dear Jane,

It was great speaking with you last week at the recruitment fair. I have always had a keen interest in your company, and I believe that my summer stint at Blackwater has given me some experience in the field. Happy to connect and continue our conversation.

Thank you, Benny

Master The Art of Networking

Networking sessions are great for meeting industry professionals and finding hidden jobs. Make a lasting impression at your next event!

Networking is an effective way of cultivating meaningful relationships with industry professionals who can act as a catalyst for your next job offer. Besides providing opportunities, a wide network can also help you expand your industry knowledge and gain valuable career advice.

If you’re not sure how to go about navigating a networking session, here are some tips to get you started.

BACK TO BASICS

Even though your aim for any networking session is to establish connections and collect business cards, remember that your main purpose of attending the event is to meet new people, so do remain friendly and polite throughout the event

Recruiters and company representatives are there to meet and to get to know you, perhaps even to offer you employment or internship opportunities. So remember, be prepared, be polite and be proactive

• Take the initiative to make conversation with recruiters. Start by introducing yourself, and be sure to include relevant details like your name and subject of study: “I’m Alyssa Chan, currently a first-year Business student.”

• Research sufficiently before launching into an array of questions. Avoid asking questions that can be found

answered on company websites as you’ll appear uninformed and unprepared.

• Listen more and speak less — it is polite to take turns to talk, and you can even learn more about the firm and its hiring process when you keep an ear out.

MAKE SMALL TALK

Never underestimate the importance of small talk — it allows recruiters to know more about your personality and interests, and aids in forming a well-rounded impression of you. There are many ways to start a conversation using small talk — here are some of our favourites:

• Sports: “Did you catch that game last night?” Sports fans, this one’s for you. Even if you both fancy opposing teams, there’s no harm in goodnatured ribbing — just be sure not to take it too far.

• Interests: “In my spare time, I enjoy...”

Volunteering personal information not only builds trust, it prompts others to reciprocate and keeps the conversation going.

• Current affairs: When you talk about recent events, others are likely to express their opinions and this keeps the conversation going.

• School: You can also talk about where you went to university. What was life like on campus? What did you get up to in your student days? This gives listeners some good background information about you.

FOR THE INTROVERTS

For many of us, especially introverts, networking can be an excruciating task. Here are some tips for the shy to lessen the pain of networking.

• Create an agenda: Talking to recruiters with a clear objective helps in guiding the conversation to intended outcomes and minimises the need for small talk.

• Prior research: Know who is attending the event beforehand and shortlist those you’re keen on approaching. Send them an email ahead of the event to introduce yourself and to facilitate the face-to-face meeting. Additionally, you can also browse social media to find relevant information, such as shared interests, to use as conversational topics.

• Get a wingman: Pair up with a friend to seek out recruiters. You can even ask others to introduce you — this also makes it more fun!

• Take a break: While you may want to maximise your time and meet many professionals

at a networking event, don’t overwhelm yourself. Take it slow instead.

• Practice makes perfect: Attend as many networking sessions as possible, and continuously refine and make adjustments to your introduction as well as the things you want to talk about.

On top of it all, have fun! Networking sessions need not be dull. Refrain from getting caught up in repeating the same information over and over again. By genuinely enjoying yourself as you build crucial connections and expand your network, you may inspire others too. So prepare ahead, loosen up, and look forward to meeting likeminded people and exploring your career options.

5 Essential Soft Skills

As a graduate fresh out of university, there is a tendency to focus on sector-specific and academic skills. However, remember that graduate recruiters are looking beyond that: It is the non-academic soft skills – “transferable skills” – that will make you stand out from the rest.

Transferable skills are skills that can be used in every sector, and include communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills. Here are five transferable competencies that most recruiters look for, as well as tips on how you can demonstrate each of them!

TEAMWORK SKILLS

Aside from a few notable exceptions, modern employment largely involves team-based work. Effective teamwork means knowing how to operate smoothly and efficiently with others as a collective group. This will call upon your capacity to communicate well, negotiate and compromise, as well as encourage and inspire your team members. Good teamwork is not only about having similar-minded people working together, but also motivating people with different strengths to work towards a common goal.

It is fine to talk about your personal contributions during a project but make it a point to talk about how the team managed to work together to achieve results as a group. If you have anecdotes about how your team pulled through a particularly difficult undertaking, such as tight deadlines, then all the better!

Stories from your sports clubs, student societies, part-time jobs, or any other experience will make for good accounts.

COMMERCIAL AWARENESS

In essence, commercial awareness is the intersection between two areas of understanding: Familiarity with a company or organisation (i.e. its goals, objectives, products and services) and a grasp of broader industry trends out there in the market.

Recruiters want graduates who can put both of these factors together and figure out how external market forces may influence the organisation, as well as how the organisation can best thrive in the current market situation.

That said, commercial awareness takes time – and plenty of research! – to build. Here are some tips on how you can build up your knowledge on the employers you want to work for as well as the industries they operate in:

The company

Find out:

• What the company does (products made/services provided)

• Its history and defining moments

• Who its clients/customers are

• Who its main competitors are

The industry

Find out:

How the major players in the market are performing

How to speculate intelligently about the future

The past, in order to predict future trends

When speaking with interviewers, use words like, “I noticed some discussions about X trend and did some research on it”. Your initiative will definitely set you apart from other applicants!

PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS

Problem-solving ability may not be a criterion that employers will explicitly state as a job requirement, but it is something that they will expect out of all their applicants.

Someone with problem-solving skills will also generally have superior analytical and logical thought processes, along with the capacity to think outside the box to find solutions to problems they encounter. Recruiters will usually test for problem-solving skills during various stages of the application process, like through psychometric tests.

If you are asked to recount past problem-solving experiences, provide concrete examples to show recruiters how you resolved a situation. Your interviewers will be looking for insights into your thought process, so they will not be able to properly evaluate your ability if you are vague! The STAR Method is a great way to help you keep your responses succinct when you need to showcase your problem-solving skills in your applications:

S – Describe the Situation

T – Describe the Tasks involved

A – What Actions you took

R – What Results you achieved

MANAGING AMBIGUITY

A major part of your responsibilities at work will be making decisions even if you only have uncertain or incomplete information to go by. That is where the ability to manage ambiguity comes in: Recruiters want to see that you are bold enough to take action in uncertain situations, instead of sitting around and waiting for help.

This quality is crucial in fastchanging environments, such as FMCG, where decisions have to be made in a snap even when you do not have all the details. If you can make relatively accurate decisions even without the whole picture and adapt to the changing environment as you go along with your plan, then that is a good example of managing ambiguity.

Draw examples from your studies, CCAs and previous work experiences. Was there an emergency where you had to make a snap judgement? Be flexible during assessment exercises or case studies as well. Always be prepared to modify your plans to accommodate any new information or ideas. Come up with contingency plan Bs, Cs and Ds, too, if you can!

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

No matter how gifted you are, you will never get anything done if you do not know how to get along with your colleagues! That is why recruiters keep an eye out for emotional intelligence, also known as EQ, in graduate applicants. Emotional intelligence is all about your ability to perceive and evaluate other people’s emotions, and to assess and control your own under a variety of circumstances.

If the job you are applying for is a customer-facing role, then good emotional intelligence becomes even more important. Even if your job keeps you away from customers or clients, recruiters need to be assured that they are not hiring someone who does not know how to deal with others or, even worse, is disruptive in the workplace.

For this particular competency, employers will be observing the way you conduct yourself – from the way you introduce yourself to others, to how you cope in social situations. Be prepared to be tested through psychometric tests, role plays and group activities.

“Recruiters want to see that you are bold enough to take action in uncertain situations,instead of sitting around and waiting for help.”

Why Doing an Internship Matters

The job market is competitive, and having just a good degree is no longer sufficient enough to secure you that all-important graduate job offer. This is where having an internship (or two) will benefit you!

Entering the labour market can be a tough learning curve for graduates, and employers need to know whether a candidate is able to deliver. Recruiters will thus be looking out for evidence that a candidate has what it takes to do the job, and past work experience is typically what they’ll rely on to better gauge a candidate’s skills and suitability for the role.

Therefore, internships are the perfect way for students to gain relevant work experience and become more employable in the process. It’s a good idea to plan ahead and apply early, that way you’ll secure the right one for you before slots run out!

Other than attaining valuable work experience, here are 4 reasons why completing internships is incredibly important.

TO ESTABLISH CRITICAL NETWORKING CONNECTIONS

There is no better time to build your professional network than during your internship. As an intern, you will meet with professionals in your chosen career fields, as well as other interns who share similar interests. So make the effort to socialize and put the best version of yourself forward –you’ll be surprised at how much the professional connections you make at the time can benefit you in the long run.

For some, it could be a stepping stone to other opportunities within the same organisation, including the chance of securing a full-time job

after you graduate. In other cases, those connections might lead you down new career pathways you may never have thought of previously! Also, different people have different skills. Hence, getting to know them and working with them can help you understand how to cooperate with different personalities and in various work environments.

TO GAIN RELEVANT SKILLS

With internships, you can accumulate work experiences that help you develop the skills necessary for the workplace, including transferable skills that cannot be learned from books. Here are some examples:

Communication skills - From interacting with colleagues and clients

Organisational and time management skills - From learning to prioritise and manage tasks to meet deadlines

Teamwork - From experience working with team members and supervisors

• Commercial awareness – From being exposed to the reality of working day-to-day in a specific industry

With that said, it’s a good idea to outline your objectives and desired learning outcomes before you begin your internship. You should then reflect on the progress you are

making on those objectives at various points of your internship. This will set your mind straight on what matters and help you make the most of your time there.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOURSELF

Doing an internship is akin to taking your future career on a test drive, in that it allows you to discover whether the field is truly something you wish to pursue in the future. It’s important to note that every industry has its ups and downs, and by working in a realworld environment, you gain an insider’s point-of-view on top of an understanding of the different roles and tasks within the industry. Moreover, an internship will test your capabilities and ultimately encourage you to develop your strengths and face your weaknesses. It can be tough at times, but the benefits you

gain from being pushed out of your comfort zone will help you tremendously in the future when you are presented with a difficult task or situation.

TO GET YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR

An internship is an experiential opportunity that allows you to get your foot in the door of the company and industry you want to work in. You may even be asked to return as a full-time hire after graduation if you perform well!

It is not uncommon for employers to offer exceptional interns permanent employment after they graduate. It saves them the hassle of training and familiarising new hires with the work environment and culture of the organisation. Most importantly, employers are spared the trouble of figuring out whether he or she is a good fit for the company. Some employers

even use internship conversions as their preferred recruitment channel for graduate hires!

However, regardless of whether or not your internship results in a full-time offer, just go in with no expectations other than to learn. Keep an open mind and be on the lookout for new opportunities to explore your desired field. You never know where they may lead!

“Doing an internship is akin to taking your future career on a test drive, in that it allows you to discover whether the field is truly something you wish to pursue in the future.”

Choosing The Right Internship

Your coursework internship is a key stepping stone for your future career, so picking the right one matters! Here are some tips on deciding on the right company to complete your internship with.

So you’ve just been planning to start your internship next semester and have to start applying to companies soon. Time to get cracking!

At the final lap of your degree or diploma, most students will typically take up at least one or two internships. You will be spending anywhere from two months up to half a year with an employer, so make the best use of your time there – gain the most out of your experience by discovering the right placement for yourself.

FIND A COMPANY THAT HELPS YOU GROW

Ideally, your internship experience will aid you later on your career path, so it’s important to find one that allows you to pick up and apply skills in your desired area of work. Identify the key skill sets or areas of interest that you wish to focus on, then pick a company that is strong in these areas.

For example, you are a psychology student interested in clinical psychology. Internships at counselling centres or local mental health hospitals will expose you to the relevant skills and experiences. You’ll also get to connect with clinical psychologists that work there!

When you have secured the internship, make a conscious effort to keep improving your skills, build connections and apply active learning throughout your time there.

HERE’S SOME TIPS!

Keep track of your progress and the tasks that you completed so that, by the end, you can see where you are in terms of mastering these skills as well as have a clear list of accomplishments to add to your CV.

SEEK ADVICE FROM YOUR SENIORS

There is no better person to ask than your senior who has walked the path that you’re about to embark on; they are the best people to ask about coursework internship experiences. Not only can they recommend the types of companies suitable for your interests, but they can also offer insights into the firms they interned at.

After all, a former intern’s point of view will definitely help you in terms of knowing what you can expect and what is expected of you!

RESEARCH AND APPLY TO MULTIPLE COMPANIES

The golden rule is to not put all your eggs into one basket. Instead, list out possible companies to apply to increase your chances of getting hired. Read up on relevant employers and organise your shortlist during the initial application process so that you are keeping track of the applications you sent out.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY

There’s nothing like receiving firsthand, behind-the-scene stories from professionals in the industry you are interested in. It does not matter if they are from your personal network or someone you met on LinkedIn, speaking to anyone with a certain level of knowledge or expertise in their fields will be beneficial to you as a student seeking to gain experience through an internship.

ATTEND CAREER FAIRS

Career fairs, be it physical or virtual, are a great way for you to be exposed to a wide range of employers in various industries. There, you will get to talk with as many employers as you wish on internship placements, even as you scout for opportunities.

Before you attend a career fair, make sure you have questions in mind to ask recruiters about their company and internship opportunities, and do not forget to bring copies of your CV to give to them too!

HERE’S SOME TIPS! Remember to keep track of your applications!

You wouldn’t want to be completely clueless when an employer reaches out to you; that’s just embarrassing!

Rejections and employers ghosting you are common when it comes to internship applications. Keep in mind that there are many other students applying at the same time, and firms have limited internship openings. So, don’t beat yourself up if you don’t secure an internship immediately.

If it’s a virtual career fair, oftentimes employers will have a customised link to sign up for a sharing session at a specific time and day. So pay close attention to these details on the organiser’s social media if you wish to participate to ask questions about internships. Don’t forget to keep your CV updated and send soft copies to the employers you meet.

It is never too late to start planning where you wish to do your internship, be it locally or abroad. It could be your best chance to get your foot into a dream company or an area of work you are passionate about – so give it some thought, and then act on it!

“Ideally, your internship experience will aid you later on your career path, so it’s important to find one that allows you to pick up and apply skills in your desired area of work.”

How to Get the Most Out of Your Internship

You’ve done your research, applied for the internship, tried every task they handed to you. You’ve graduated from your internship employer! But this shouldn’t be the end of it, because there are still some steps left for you to take to get the most out of this first professional experience.

The end of your internship is arguably even more important than the beginning of your internship – you want to manage a graceful exit, make the most of what you’ve learnt and the contacts you made, as well as position yourself to land that post-grad gig with the company.

So how do you go about accomplishing all that? Here are four things you can do to ensure you pocket the most out of your internship in the long run, even beyond your last day.

“Before you leave, think about who you would want to stay in touch with – they may be colleagues who have helped you, or might be willing to do so in the future. Ask them if they would like to stay in contact. If they are, you can exchange email addresses or connect via LinkedIn.”

REFLECT ON YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

If you had to summarise your most significant learnings and accomplishments during your internship into a statement, what would that be? This information is crucial for both your selfawareness and future job applications.

Think about your milestones and what you have done throughout your internship. Write them down in detail before your internship ends so you can still check with your co-workers or fellow interns if there is anything that slipped your mind. Here are some pointers to help you:

• What you worked on

• Who you worked with

• Training received Skills learned

Also, aim to make your descriptions as detailed as possible by including names of people, projects, products, cases, or training courses – whichever is applicable – and any relevant numbers, as they will help you to make your achievements and experience quantifiable in the resume. Don’t forget to take note of any feedback or praise received as they earn brownie points for your future job applications.

UPDATE YOUR CV AND LINKEDIN PROFILE

Make things official by updating your CV and LinkedIn profile. Try to do this while everything is still

fresh in your mind so you can accurately transfer your notes.

CONFIRM YOUR INTERNSHIP EMPLOYER AS A REFEREE

Check if your employer is willing to provide a reference for you when you apply to future jobs. You can confirm with your supervisor if you can add them to your CV as a referee along with their contact details. To be safe, you can also ask for a letter of recommendation or if they can leave a recommendation for you on your LinkedIn profile. However, do request in advance as they need to find time to write it.

KEEP IN TOUCH

Before you leave, think about who you would want to stay in touch with – they may be colleagues who have helped you, or might be willing to do so in the future. Ask them if they would like to stay in contact. If they are, you can exchange email addresses or connect via LinkedIn.

You might be busy with jobhunting or school right after your internship, so to make things easier, create an email list of the people you requested to stay in touch with. Make an effort to check in on them from time to time as it shows your sincerity.

Crafting an Outstanding Résumé

If you are hoping to score an interview, then you need to make sure that your résumé is good enough to not only catch the employers’ attention but to impress them as well!

01

Customise each Résumé you send out

When it comes to applying for jobs, it can be tempting to just copy and paste the same old résumé every time you come across a position you are interested in. After all, they will not know the wiser, right? While that might be true, although similarlooking, some job positions may not entail the exact requirements or responsibilities as others.

Be sure to read through each job listing carefully, and customise your resume accordingly to make it as relevant as possible. Describe your past experiences and skills using similar keywords in the postings themselves. Reorganise your skills so that the ones they are looking out for the most will be listed first.

02 Highlight your skillsets and areas of expertise

After looking through the job listing, pick out what skills are required for it, and highlight them in your resume accordingly. For example, if the job focuses on machine learning, then skills like IoT interfacing and data science should be highlighted in your résumé.

This process can involve plenty of thinking and research, and if you are

unsure of what combinations work best for a role, you can reach out to your career coaches, seniors or even your professional network for clarification.

03 Focus on relevant experience

Sometimes, more is not always better. While it can look impressive, there is no need to list down every single internship, part-time job or activity you have taken part in. Instead, prioritise them according to how relevant you think they are to the job positions you are gunning for.

As for those who do not quite make the cut, treat these experiences as ‘good-to-have’ — it is good to show off what else you have been involved in, but only when you have the space to add it.

Remember that the goal here is to keep your résumé as concise as possible, while still having plenty of the relevant skills and experiences the recruiters are looking for.

04 Use numbers to showcase your accomplishments

It is one thing to say that you are good at something, but another to be able to show it off. Converting your accomplishments into quantifiable statistics not only helps to showcase

A QUICK CHECKLIST

Tailor your résumé by including the relevant keywords as mentioned in the job description

Prioritise skills and experiences that are relevant to the applied role

Do your own research, with the given job description as a guide

Keep your résumé to one page, if possible

Make sure your résumé is easy to read — having a standard font size between 11 to 12 is the most ideal

what you have done at a glance, but it is also one of the better ways to get it noticed by potential employers.

For example, rather than listing an accomplishment as “increased sales for the company”, use “increased sales by 15 per cent after implementing a referral incentive programme”. Use action words, and if you are unsure of the exact numbers, using a range or approximation is acceptable too. Look through your past achievements and identify what their key indicators of success would be and list them accordingly.

05 List your strengths and interests strategically

Anyone can list their strengths and what they are good at. What you should aim to do instead is to also leave your recruiters with a snapshot of who you are as a person. Fluent in a few languages? You can add that in — it can come in handy if the company expands into markets that utilise the languages.

There are also other ways to stand out to recruiters too. List down what you are passionate about, or even your hobbies and interests (especially if they feel relevant to the job). They may even come into play as conversation topics during your interview if they happen to share the same interests as you.

KIERA CHAN

Email: kiera.moo@hkbu.edu.hk, Mobile: 1234 5678

Portfolio: http://kieramoo.com, LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kieramoo

EDUCATION

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) | Hong Kong

• Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) | May 2018 to Present

• GPA 3.60/4.00, Expected Second Honour

• Expected Date of Graduation: August 2023

WORK EXPERIENCES

Wangz Digital Solutions | Hong Kong

Data Analytics Intern | May 20 to Sep 20

Analysed data collected from the performance of all 8 departments of the client, successfully proposed solutions for the client to reduce annual expenditure on staffng by 25%

• Developed an internal manpower scheduling system for the team of 100 using Visual Basic Applic on (Excel) to generate a graphical view of the team’s availability and automate the updating process for better allocation of projects and resources

Soaring Heights Ltd | Hong Kong

Finance Intern | Dec 19 to Jan 20

Implemented online tracking tool to monitor billing and invoice which led to 30% improvement for onbilling

Marketed and pitched ideas to client with 2 senior analysts, successfully secured the deal with a proft of 10%

• Conducted User Acceptance Test for 100 end users in 5 offces in Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand received and positive feedback from all users

ACADEMIC PROJECTS & EXTERNAL COMPETITIONS

BikeCLub | Hong Kong

Team Leader | Jan 20 to Apr 20

• Led a team of 5 to work with BikeClub, to analyse their data, provide correlations and insights to improve and optimise their productivity, efficiency and services

Used R language to attain the correlations and regression models, Python to generate Excel, SQL to organise the data provided for a clearer analysis and Visual Basic Application to compile and present the findings in a concise manner

UBA Business Case Challenge | Hong Kong

Student Analyst | Sep 19 to Nov 19

Designed survey questions for the targeted audience, and analysed responses from the 100 respondents to determine the financial literacy of young working professionals between 25 to 35 years old

Presented research findings to a panel of 5 judges by proposing the use of new media and mobile applica ons to enhance the user experience and financial awareness of target audiences

CO-CURRICULAR

Overseas Community Involvement Programme | Chiang Mai, Thailand

Project Director | Dec 19 to Jan 20

Led a team of 25 student volunteers and executed an inaugural 3 weeks overseas community outreach project to enhance the living condi on of over 400 underprivileged children in rural Chiang Mai Secured US$5,000 in sponsorship funds from 5 companies and organisations, through multiple meetings and discussions with company staff

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Proficient in AutoCAD, 3D printing, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, VBA (Excel)

• Proficient in Micro Office, MS Excel (Advance Skills), MS Project

• Fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin (Both spoken & written)

QUICK TIP

Do not rush a résumé at the last minute. Sometimes, application deadlines can change due to the number of responses received for a listing. While first impressions are not always everything, it will be their first source of references they will look to. So do take care in writing up your résumé – recruiters do appreciate candidates who can communicate well!

Name as header

Centralise, enlarge and bold your name so that it is the first thing recruiters see.

Additional links

If you have an online portfolio or a LinkedIn profile, you can put them here

Overseas experience

If you have any, make your application stand out by adding them into your résumé. These can include exchange programmes, or internships.

Keep it concise

Use verbs to highlight your skills and competencies. Keep it informative and relevant, but to the point as well.

Be results-oriented

Whenever possible, use objective/quantifiable ways to describe your results. The AAA framework (Action + Amplification = Achievement) is one method you can apply here.

Highlight your co-curricular activities

Academics are not the only thing recruiters look out for.

They also note those who are well-rounded and actively participate in co-curricular activities. Pick out the most impressive ones, like those that provided you invaluable experience or where you have contributed significantly.

Technical expertise

List down the specific programmes you are proficient in and highlight those that you have advanced skills in.

Writing Winning Cover Letters

When submitting your résumé, include a cover letter to elevate your application and land that coveted interview.

Acover letter is one of the first things that hiring managers see when you apply for a job. It is a means for you to introduce yourself to your prospective employer, so carefully list your relevant skills and experiences to convince hiring managers to grant you the interview. You can either attach it as a separate document to your résumé, or write it in the body of an email.

WHERE DO I BEGIN?

Before you start writing one, you should be clear of the following things: the nature of the industry, who the prospective employer is, and what they’re looking for to fill the role. Sufficient research showcases your enthusiasm for the job and reassures prospective employers of your commitment to the role, should you be hired. Having relevant background information will also help you customise your cover letter, and leave a lasting impression with recruiters.

You should also aim to highlight the most striking qualities and experiences in your cover letter, and personalise it for each application. Show how they can be applied to the role to benefit the company and weave your personality into the writing to sound approachable, yet professional.

Here’s a list of questions to guide you through your research:

What kind of company is it?

• What type of services does the employer offer?

• Who are its competitors/ partners?

How would the role on offer fit within the organisation?

• What skills are required for the role?

And last, but not least: What difference can you make to the company?

CUSTOMISE IT!

Numerous cover letter templates are available online at just a click of the mouse. Refrain from copying those templates wholesale – recruiters are quick to toss out applications that fail to stand out.

Distinguish your application by injecting a little creativity into it and tailoring your cover letter to the tone and outlook of the firm. A letter written for the creative industry should undoubtedly sound different from one written for a more serious corporate sector, say the finance sector, for example. Put in the effort to take note of the little details in your application and you’ll have a better chance of securing the interview.

22 May 2023

Ms. Margaret Chan Director of Human Resource

Wide Net Media & Broadcasting Limited

Dear Ms Chan,

I’m writing to apply for the position of Social Media Writer for the Breakfast Club website and magazine, as advertised on your Instagram account on 28 April 2023. I believe that my work experience as Part-Time Copywriter for Fabulous Advertising prepares me for the aforementioned role.

During my time as student secretary for the Youth Development Council, I was in charge of handling the Council’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts, which had a combined follower base of 1,890 users. In my part-time role for Fabulous Advertising, I worked on many different promotions for print publications, which included several media campaigns including the Captain Airline promo which coincided with the launch of the airline’s regional members lounge.

When I saw the job posting on your Instagram account, I knew that I could offer my skills and experience to your company. My drive to continuously improve both my digital and traditional marketing skills makes me a strong candidate for this position.

I have included my résumé so you can learn more about my education background and my work experience. Please feel free to call me on my mobile at xxxx-xxxx if you would like to discuss this career opportunity with me at any time.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Larry Wong

01

Address the hiring manager by name

• Find out the name and designation by checking the company website or their LinkedIn profile.

02 Position

Applied for

• Be specific and clear with what job position you want.

State where you found out about the job vacancy.

03 Education and work experience

Briefly explain how your education background and any work experience make you suitable for the job.

04 Skills and personality traits

• Explain briefly how these experiences and qualifications have helped in developing the skills or personality traits required to perform the job being advertised.

05 Interview request

• Lead the hiring manager to your résumé and make a formal request for an interview.

• Don’t forget to include your contact details, should they wish to get in touch with you.

06 Manners maketh man

• Maintain the polite tone of your message by thanking the hiring manager in advance for his or her time.

07 Sign off professionally

• End the letter with your name printed at the bottom and a signature if you are preparing a hard copy application.

How to Write Professional Emails

When contacting recruiters, you should always use effective, simple and natural language to come off as mature and graceful. Follow this guide to use the email medium with elegance.

USE AN APPROPRIATE EMAIL ADDRESS

If you do not have a professionalsounding email address hosted on a credible domain, it is time to create a new account. The new email address will need to contain your initials, either your surname or full name, and be refrained from references to your favourite memes, cartoons, or games.

WRITE A CLEAR SUBJECT LINE

A good subject line states the purpose of the email with the recipient in mind. An ideal subject line will be “Application for (Role) –(Your Name)”. Make sure you do not have typos in the subject line as that will make a very bad first impression!

ADDRESS YOUR EMAIL TO THE RIGHT PERSON

You can find out online who you should address the email to. Otherwise just stating “Dear Sir/ Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern” is completely professional as well.

KEEP YOUR MESSAGE BRIEF AND PROFESSIONAL

Your email should be succinct. Avoid smileys, emojis and exclamation marks in your emails to recruiters and prospective managers, even though you may be excited about applying for your dream job. Keep the note brief, respectful and professional. Be sure to avoid using acronyms like “btw” and “FYI” as well.

CHECK FOR ERRORS

Do not just rely on autocorrect to spot your typos! Always reread your email draft for grammatical mistakes. Also, read it out loud while thinking from the recipient’s point of view.

MANAGE YOUR EMAIL ATTACHMENTS EFFECTIVELY

Remember to enclose your attachments, whether they are your cover letter, resume, or other documents requested for! When it comes to sending out a few large attachments, you can place them in a zip folder, or create links for downloads.

FOLLOW UP PROMPTLY

Besides replying to emails from prospective employers swiftly, you should send them a follow-up note if you have not heard from them within the stated period in which you are expecting a reply. Similarly, you do not want to miss out on an interview opportunity or potential job offer just because you forgot to check your inbox!

CRAFT AN EFFECTIVE SIGNATURE

Lastly, your email signature should contain a link to your LinkedIn profile or online portfolio as well as your mobile number, especially for the first email to any professional contact.

EXAMPLE OF A GOOD EMAIL

To: wchan@axbank.com

From: david.sum11@gmail.com

Subject: Application for the graduate management programme – David Sum

Dear Mr Chan,

I am interested in the graduate management programme at AX Bank, as advertised on LinkedIn. I have a 6-month internship experience at MNF Company, and related experience at FeynM Company. My attached resume and cover letter outline my qualifications for the role. Thank you very much for your consideration. I hope to hear from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

David

+852 1234-5678

LinkedIn: @david_sum

EXAMPLE OF A POORLY WRITTEN EMAIL

To: wchan@axbank.com

From: hellodavid@gmail.com

Subject: Applying for the graduate management programme

Dear Mr Chan,

I want to apply for the graduate management programme at AX Bank, as advertised on LinkedIn. I think I am one of the best candidates for this position, as I have internship and other related experiences. My resume and cover letter are attached and show that I am qualified. Thank you, and I hope to hear from you sometime.

Yours sincerely, David

Four Types of Job Interviews

ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEWS

Otherwise known as personal or face-to-face interviews, this involves your interviewer asking a series of questions to evaluate your suitability for the job. Although present circumstances mean that one-onone interview sessions usually take place virtually, it is still common.

Some companies prefer using several rounds of one-on-one interviews for different department heads to meet with the potential candidate before deciding on his or her fate with the company.

Interview tips

• Show your interviewer that you are interested in the job by asking relevant questions. Some simple ones include asking about the role’s day-to-day tasks, the work culture, or the role’s career path.

• You should also talk about how the job role matches your aspirations, career plans and relevant interests. Enthusiasm is key.

• Demonstrate specific examples of the skills required for the role you are applying for and discuss relevant transferable skills you obtained from any school or work experience.

Also note that body language is just as important as verbal communication. Maintain a decent level of eye contact throughout the interview, sit upright to exude confidence and remember to smile.

VIDEO INTERVIEWS

The most common interview type in the new normal, video interviews are conducted by almost all employers. However, due to the potential technical pitfalls and how different they may be depending on the platform used by each employer, they tend to intimidate graduate job seekers.

Video interviews may take place “live” (e.g. through Zoom) or pre-recorded (e.g. video submissions).

Interview tips

Practice makes perfect. Start by getting used to appearing onscreen. Switch on your computer’s webcam and record yourself as though you are running through a practice interview. Set the scene by dressing smartly and making sure the area where you will be carrying out the interview looks like a professional workplace.

• If you are using a Wi-Fi connection, make sure you have good signal strength so that the video conference does not drop midway through your interview. A good way to check this is to stream a video over YouTube.

• Lastly, if you are taking the call on a laptop, remember to plug it in to a power source – you may be online longer than you think.

PANEL INTERVIEWS

Panel interviews typically involve anywhere from three to eight interviewers – usually three for graduate interviews. They will likely consist of a mix of HR personnel, business managers and some departmental specialists.

Do not be lulled into a false sense of security if these interviews are held over video. They tend to be more rigorous and meticulous than individual interviews as you will be juggling questions from multiple sources. Although this may sound intimidating, there is no need to fret. The interviewers are out to find out the same thing as at any other interview: Whether you are a good fit for the company!

Interview tips

• Maintain direct eye contact with the interviewers. If your interview is taking place in-person, answer them while making eye contact. If it is over video, talk to the camera instead of the video feed onscreen.

Address the interviewers by name when speaking to them. If your interview is taking place face-toface, one little trick is to get their name cards at the beginning of the session, and then arrange them in front of you according to the interviewers’ sitting arrangement.

Stay calm if one of the interviewers looks bored. Given their different backgrounds, not every member on the panel may be interested in your response to a question asked.

• You will sometimes be asked the same question twice by mistake. Do not second-guess yourself, and always keep to the same version of your story.

PHONE INTERVIEWS

A phone interview is often used as a screening exercise where employers check some basic information prior to a face-to-face or virtual interview. It is also used to sieve through suitable candidates early in the recruitment process.

The relative anonymity of a phone interview may allow you to speak to your interviewer without the stress of travelling to an unfamiliar place in professional attire, but avoid letting your guard down.

Interview tips

• Much of the impact you make will come through your voice, so sounding attentive and enthusiastic is important.

Take note of the keywords of the questions asked for reference when responding to your interviewer.

Do not be distracted by your surroundings or lose track of what you want to say next. Avoid filler words such as “umm” and “uh-huh” or constant requests to repeat the questions.

• Have your resume and completed application form next to you in case you need to refer to them during the phone interview.

• Choose a conducive, quiet environment for the phone appointment to prevent background noise from ruining your session.

Your Guide to Interview Questions

Getting a job interview is half the battle won. The other half involves making your case for the role and winning the prospective employer over during the face-to-face session.

While we’ve all read about the off-the-wall questions that big companies like Google, Facebook, or Apple ask their applicants, most companies tend to stick to less radical questions. Most of the questions asked during interviews revolve around your personality, aspirations, skills, and your familiarity with the industry – and will fall into one of the following categories:

BEHAVIOURAL QUESTIONS

These typically revolve around your previous experiences, where you’re asked to describe how you’ve responded to a particular situation. It seeks to understand your values and thought processes. Interviewers are likely to complement behavioural questions with other types of questions as well, such as situational questions, so be ready to tackle follow-up questions.

Example: An interviewer who wants to gauge your behaviour during stressful situations could ask you to describe your actions when faced with pressure – they may use the information to forecast your future performance.

Tip: Many graduates either find themselves answering too briefly or elaborating too much when it comes to these questions. A good way to help you avoid either pitfall is the STAR method:

Situation: Start by describing the general situation.

Task: Followed by the specific tasks that you need to solve.

Action: Then, explain in detail the actions that you took to solve the problem.

Result: Finally, describe the results that you’ve achieved, and quantify them whenever possible.

“Go back to your books and research before going for the interview. Accuracy is everything, so take time to reacquaint yourself with the theories and concepts that are relevant to the company and the industry.”

COMPETENCE QUESTIONS

These help employers assess your range of competencies and your level of aptitude for soft and transferable skills. Employers can be quite detailed and systematic in their grill. Example: An employer looking to hire a secretary might want someone with exceptional organisational skills, and will ask a series of questions designed to test his or her experience and understanding of the skills involved.

Tips:

• Research the company’s selection criteria to find out about the kind of skills that you should focus on. You can usually find these from the company’s recruitment pages or the job description.

• Draw up a list of how you have utilised these skills in previous experiences. You’ll need to provide concrete examples in order to be convincing.

• Go beyond your work experience: voluntary work, part-time jobs, and co-curricular activities are great avenues to mine for examples.

SITUATIONAL QUESTIONS

These are similar to behavioural questions as they let employers evaluate how you’d respond under specific circumstances. Many employers like to use these as followup questions to get a clearer idea of how you think and function, and can be quite challenging. There isn’t a right or wrong answer as interviewers are more interested in your thought process and how you’d react when pushed to your limits.

Example: Employers will pose questions about hypothetical situations and what-if problems.

Tips:

• Provide an example of a similar event that you’ve encountered before.

• If there are no actual examples to draw from, then focus on rationalising your steps. Tell interviewers why you’d opt for a specific method.

• If you’re stumped, don’t panic Be honest and admit to the interviewers that you’re not sure how you would solve the situation, and attempt an answer after taking some time to think it through.

• Alternatively, ask for advice –this shows that you’re willing to take the initiative or seek advice from others when necessary.

SKILLS-BASED/ TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

These are designed to test the hard skills required for a position, and are usually reserved for specialised positions.

Example: Programmers will have to go through coding or logical reasoning tests, while engineers may be asked to apply relevant theories or concepts to real-life problems.

Tips: Go back to your books and research before going for the interview. Accuracy is everything, so take time to reacquaint yourself with the theories and concepts that are relevant to the company and the industry.

Also, think about how you would explain these concepts to people who are unfamiliar with the topic, and practise as many times as possible.

INDUSTRY-BASED QUESTIONS

These test your commercial awareness, and will require you to have knowledge of the latest happenings in the sector or industry that you’re applying to. Aside from testing your knowledge of the industry, many interviewers also treat these questions as an estimate of your enthusiasm for the line of work.

Example: You may be asked about the latest trends, regulation and policy changes, recent projects and corporate mergers between influential entities, and so on.

Tips: Get into the habit of reading widely and deeply about the global marketplace and your specialised field – at least a few months before. Be sure to know which companies are making headlines and how they are affecting the rest of the players in the market.

Don’t just confine yourself to business news. The global market is impacted by incidents like political changes and natural disasters. It’ll be a plus point if you can link them to how it may affect the company.

Dealing with Live Video Interviews

Live video interviews over Zoom or other conferencing apps have become the new normal. Learn how to handle them with ease!

It goes without saying that the coronavirus outbreak has changed many of the ways we interact with other people. And one of the major changes is an increase in interviews over live video conferencing as recruiters have to practise social distancing, too.

A regular interview is already nerve-wrecking enough to a graduate jobseeker, doing it over video call is a whole other level. Do not fret for here are some handy tips on how to tackle these “new normal” interviews with ease.

PREPARING FOR YOUR LIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW

Going into a live video interview is not just as easy as signing in, turning on your webcam and talking. You will want to do a bit of prep work beforehand to ensure you set the right tone. Here are some pointers:

• Spend some time before the interview familiarising yourself with the platform your interview will be conducted on – whether it is Zoom, Google Hangouts, Microsoft Teams, or any other video conferencing platform the recruiter prefers.

Conduct research on the company you are interviewing with. Interviewers will know if you have not done your homework and are reading stuff online even over the call – it is very obvious. They can even hear you Googling questions!

• Get comfortable talking formally in front of the camera. Turn your webcam on and try rehearsing some of your possible responses to interview questions. Do not forget to pay attention to how you come

across on camera, too. If you can, run through some practice video interviews with friends or career coaches.

Dress like how you would for an inperson interview, and that includes the parts of you that are off-camera. Dressing right will help get you into the right headspace, and you also will not be left embarrassed if you have to move around for an unexpected reason.

• Your interviewer would have agreed on a time slot with you for the interview. So block out a quiet spot in your house or room for that time in advance. You do not want roommates or family members walking in or messing around in the background while you are on the call.

• When picking a spot for your interview, try and find somewhere reasonably quiet and well-lit, with a tidy background free of clutter. You will want to project a professional image, so make sure you do not have anything too personal or inappropriate lurking around behind you.

HOW TO NAIL YOUR LIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW

Once the big day comes, it is time for you to shine. Here are some tips on how to present yourself effectively over that live video call:

Before you even get down to your interview, check your WiFi, webcam and microphone. An easy way to check how strong or spotty your Wi-Fi connection is for a video call is to stream a HD YouTube video. Observe how the video loads – does it play smoothly, or does it keep buffering?

• Start off by greeting your interviewer as you would in real life. Just because you are talking online does not mean that you can drop social niceties.

• Your inverviewers may try to get to know you before jumping into the interview. They may make small talk or ask how you have been doing.

When talking, try to speak slightly slower than usual and put extra effort into choosing the right words to get your points across. The biggest difference in a live video interview and a real-life one is that non-verbal communication does not translate as easily. So remember that your words are all you have to rely on.

If the call glitches, freezes, or lags, do not panic. Keep calm, wait for the call quality to be restored, explain that the call glitched up for a bit and check with your interviewer if they heard everything you said before.

• Try your best to look at the camera rather than the video feed on screen. Even though this feels rather awkward, one of the best things you can do in a video interview is to maintain eye contact.

Most importantly, just like you would do with an in-person interview, do not forget to follow up with your interviewer afterwards, whether with a thankyou email or by connecting over LinkedIn.

SOME TOUGH QUESTIONS TO LOOK OUT FOR

Just because your interview is not physical does not mean that you are excused from tricky questions. In fact, you will be getting the exact same questions you would get inperson.

Some more timely examples of these questions may include:

• How do you think our business has been affected by the global economic situation since early 2022?

• Which of your achievements or experiences best demonstrate your key strengths?

What have this pandemic and ensuing recession taught you about yourself?

• What steps have you been taking to stay informed and relevant amidst all the uncertainties this year?

• How do you see your career developing over the next few years?

Some of these questions may seem like real head-scratchers, but it is not about getting the “right” answer. Remember that recruiters just want to get a better sense of who you are and how you approach difficult situations that you may not fully understand.

Take time to do your research beforehand on how the recruiter’s industry may have been affected. Make sure you put in the extra effort during the interview to talk through your thought process to explain how you might have derived your conclusions.

And last but not least, remember to come prepared with questions of your own. This is the perfect time to hear recruiters’ insights into where they see things going during this time, and how their companies have responded to the pandemic. It might also give you some fresh talking points if you have other interviews lined up.

Surviving Assessment Centres

Breeze through assessment centres through these tips and tricks.

You have been thrust into a room with a group of strangers, asked to play games and then observed to see whether you get put through to the next round or eliminated. The situation is ripe with uncertainty and your nerves are getting to you.

The above is a common occurrence at assessment centres, and when pressure levels are off the roof, graduates may make the mistake of treating the experience like a competition against fellow candidates.

Do not fall into that trap! It is important to remember that you are being assessed against the employers’ criteria, not each other, and it is important for you to show how well you can work in a team.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Although assessment centres are used to test for specific skills and aptitudes required for the individual role on offer, most of them typically contain similar elements and exercises.

You can expect to be involved in a combination of the following in most assessment centres:

Group work exercises

• Presentations

Aptitude and psychometric tests

• In-tray/e-tray exercises

Case studies linked to the job function

Recruiters will assess you for a number of things, including how you demonstrate core skills and competencies such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving. The group setting also makes it much easier to assess how well you work with others, how you influence and persuade, and how others respond to you.

“Though assessment centres may seem artificial, your goal is to show what you would really be like if you got a place in the company.”

HOW TO BEHAVE

Though assessment centres may seem artificial, your goal is to show what you would really be like if you got a place in the company. Here are some tips on how you can be your best self on the spot!

Be professional

Arrive on time and look the part. Be friendly but polite. The assessment centre is partly a social exercise, so do participate in both formal and informal discussions during projects, lunch or tea breaks.

While you should be prepared to initiate conversations, remember that although it is fine to make small talk with assessors, avoid being overfamiliar.

Get your hands dirty

Do not stand back and turn your nose up. Group exercises are designed to see how well you work with others, so make sure you take part.

Be enthusiastic and make an effort, whatever the task. Besides, concentrating on the task at hand will help you forget your nerves.

Do not lose concentration

It is going to be a long and tiring day, so try to make sure you have a good night’s sleep beforehand as you will need to stay alert and engaged.

On top of that, even if you are assured that the informal food and drinks do not play any part in the selection process, you should be careful not to gorge yourself.

Be yourself

Instead of feeling the need to act a part, just be the most positive version of yourself. Try to relax and behave naturally.

You might even find it possible to enjoy yourself despite the inevitable nerves, and a smile is more likely to make a good impression than a face frozen in fear!

SOCIAL ETIQUETTE

More often than not, the trickiest part of assessment centres is not even the exercises, but the composure that you must maintain throughout the entire day – in both formal and informal settings.

That said, how should you carry yourself during social intervals, such as the buffet lunch or tea and coffee breaks?

Many applicants have little experience socialising in a professional context, and this can be a source of stress for them. But there is no need to fret! Here is how you should conduct yourself during the social bits of an assessment centre.

Introduce yourself with confidence

When you want to start a conversation with a recruiter, be pleasant in the way you approach them – a polite smile and a handshake is the standard introduction practice.

You can then get the ball rolling by giving your name and some relevant background information, much like your subject of study.

Ask recruiters questions

Avoid approaching recruiters during social breaks with personal questions. Play safe instead, and ask industryrelated questions to demonstrate your earnestness and determination.

General questions about recruiters’ career backgrounds and time with the company are good conversation starters as well.

Strike a balance between eating and socialising

Do not forgo eating just because you are nervous or want to take the opportunity to network! You still have a long day ahead of you, and an empty stomach might jeopardise your subsequent performance.

If you feel like you need some time to eat or compose yourself before the next assessment session begins, do not be worried about having to move away, but do so politely! A simple “excuse me” will usually be more than sufficient to free yourself.

HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS GOING WELL?

You know you are on track when…

• You have achieved a mix of taking charge and taking a back seat

At the end of the day, you realise you have actually managed to enjoy yourself

Things are not going so well if...

• You did not meet anyone – fellow candidates and assessors – whose company you enjoyed

You walk away feeling suspicious, judged and anxious

BONUS TIPS

Presenting at assessment centres

Speaking in front of a mixed group of candidates and assessors is no easy feat, so give yourself the best chance by following these tips:

• Make sure you have a structure for your presentation

• Practise, practise and practise!

• Use visual aids to guide your audience

• Start only when you are ready!

Tackling Assessment Case Studies

It is time to make your case and impress assessors during a case study session!

WHAT?

Case study exercises can be used for both individuals and groups. During the exercise, you will usually be given some information about a work-related scenario and asked to imagine that you are part of a group of experts giving advice to a client or superior on the basis of the evidence.

This will probably be carried out over a period of a few hours, and you will likely have to make a presentation to the assessors at the end. You may also be drip-fed additional information to assess at specific intervals throughout the allocated time.

WHEN?

Case studies are particularly popular in assessment centres for graduate jobs in banking, financial services, accountancy and management consulting. However, they can also be part of assessments for other business sectors and industries.

It is also important to note that they are typically based on real-life business developments.

HOW TO APPROACH THEM?

You need to be clear about what you are being asked to do. Start by reading through the information pack and assessing which parts of the information are relevant.

Understand the problem, your role and your objectives inside out. Do not be afraid to ask for more information or clarification about something from your assessors if you are unsure.

If you are working in a group, you can divide the tasks. For instance, you can nominate someone to assess any new information passed to the group during the course of the exercise. You will also need someone to manage the time taken for each task, so ensure that your group has a timekeeper.

Do not dominate discussions, but do contribute to them – you should articulate what you are thinking so your assessors can see how you approach problems.

Remember to allocate time to prepare for your final presentation, and be realistic about how much you can fit into it.

Lastly, do not lose sight of your objectives! Your final presentation should be relevant, clear and concise, and should also include a summary of your conclusions and recommendations.

WHAT ASSESSORS LOOK FOR IN CASE STUDIES

Analytical skills

• Problem-solving skills

• Time management Teamwork

• Commercial awareness

Presentation abilities

“Talk to any relevant industry contacts or mentors you have to learn more about any new developments. You can also bounce various scenarios off them to see if your recommendations are sound”

WHAT ASSESSORS LOOK FOR IN CASE STUDIES

The following example is based off a genuine case study used by a multinational investment bank. It should give you some idea of what to expect:

THE SCENARIO

A large publisher of magazines and books is looking to make a significant acquisition. It has identified a target company and approached a number of investment banks for their views on the merits of a potential deal and a target price. Based on these presentations, the publisher will decide whether to proceed with a bid and, if so, select one bank to act as their advisor.

THE TASK

Your team is one of the investment banks bidding to win the mandate. You need to analyse the figures provided to review the marketplace, your potential client – the publisher – and the target company. You must also prepare a five-minute presentation giving your recommendations.

NOTE

You may either be provided with a wealth of raw data alongside the scenario, or you and your group may have to dig up all the necessary information by yourselves somehow. Either way, you will need to crystallise all this information into a workable action plan that you can present to your assessors.

CAN I PRACTISE FOR THESE?

Yes, you absolutely can!

Here are some ways you can prepare for case studies:

Find out about the kind of business decisions the company you are applying to have to make, or has made, recently

• You will need a bird’seye view of the current economic environment.

Scour the business pages of newspapers or magazines to get a feel for current business activity

• Practise your mental arithmetic, as you may have to demonstrate your quantitative abilities without a calculator

• Talk to any relevant industry contacts or mentors you have to learn more about any new developments. You can also bounce various scenarios off them to see if your recommendations are sound There is often more than one way to solve a problem. Get into the habit of brainstorming multiple approaches instead of sticking to a single textbook solution

• Check in with the career centre. They may run workshops or relevant presentations on case studies. Join any practice sessions they host until you become familiar with the format

Keep in mind that though part of the aim of case studies is to help assessors see how you cope with the unfamiliar, research will still boost your confidence and help you tackle issues in a more informed way.

Managing Job Offers

There is proper etiquette to handling job offers, no matter whether you are accepting or rejecting them. We answer common questions to help you out of some sticky situations.

Q: I HAVE BEEN OFFERED JOB A, BUT I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR ABOUT JOB B. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

A: Honesty is the best policy here. Contact Employer A and explain that while you are very pleased to have been offered the job, you are still waiting to hear from other organisations and would appreciate a little more time before you can make your decision about the offer. There is no need to name Employer B.

Be upfront about your internal struggles about this decision; chances are the employer will be able to relate to your dilemma. Either way, if you are a strong candidate, it stands to reason that other employers would be interested in you – Employer A should not hold this against you.

Q: HELP! I HAVE BEEN PUT “ON HOLD”! WHAT DO I DO NOW?

A: In cases where an employer happens to have an unusually large number of attractive candidates, it may be tough for them to decide on the best candidate for the position. This is where being “put on hold” comes in – recruiters need time to decide and to get their bosses’ input on the matter.

If you find yourself put “on hold”, there are two things you should do:

• Keep in touch with the recruiter to let them know you are still interested even as you wait for their response

• Keep applying for other jobs and attending interviews. It is dangerous to assume that you will be the lucky one to get the job – you may miss the cut

Still, here is a small consolation if an employer puts you “on hold” – it is because they think that you are an incredibly desirable candidate, and are not keen on letting you slip away.

Remember that you could be held in breach of contract if you accept a job in writing but then decide to turn it down. So under no circumstances should you sign the contract with Employer A just as a “safety net”!

Q: SHOULD I NEGOTIATE THE BEST POSSIBLE SALARY?

A: The reality of landing most graduate jobs is that you will be given a set salary with very little choice in the matter. Also, note that negotiating your starting pay as a fresh graduate will require a lot of diplomacy.

Make sure what you ask for is both reasonable and justifiable. Approach your network of contacts for advice, and find out about the range of salaries on offer from your prospective employer.

Moreover, be prepared to explain why you should be placed at the upper end of the pay bracket instead of what you have been initially offered. Also, think about what you are prepared to accept.

Q: IT IS GREAT THAT I HAVE GOTTEN THE OFFER, BUT I DO NOT THINK I WANT THIS PARTICULAR JOB ANYMORE. WHAT DO I DO?

A: The key is to not burn any bridges. You may need to call on that company in the future – whether as a client, a networking contact, or even for future career opportunities. Be sure to inform recruiters as soon as you have come to a decision. Whenever possible, call up your recruiters, or even better, drop by the company in person and let them know face-to-face. This shows your sincerity and your appreciation for the time that the company has blocked out to consider and assess you.

ACCEPTING A JOB OFFER

Job offers should be made in writing. Even if you are told verbally that you have been offered the job, you should also expect to receive the offer in writing. This will typically be in the form of an offer letter, followed by a formal employment contract.

Before you sign on the dotted line, though, do proper checks to make sure you are happy and that everything is as you expect. Keep an eye out for:

• Job title

• Salary and benefits (including travelling allowance and medical insurance)

• Additional incentive compensation

Employee education

Remuneration is often more than just a paycheque. There may be other benefits such as bonuses, flexible working hours, commissions, pension plans, life policies, or generous annual leave entitlements. Be sure to consider the whole package before you decide whether or not to bring the matter up.

Additionally, be upfront and honest about your reasons for turning down the offer. Maybe you feel that you are just not a good fit for the company culture, or you realised after the interview that this job is not quite what you were expecting – let the company know.

If you are a strong candidate, recruiters may even discuss ways to restructure the job role to match your expectations or offer you a different position altogether.

• Probation period

The notice period (the length of time between resigning and your last day of work)

• Hours of work per day or week

• Paid annual leave and sick leave entitlements

Holiday, sick pay entitlements and insurance

• The starting date

If something does not seem right, make sure you contact the employer immediately to clear up any misunderstandings. The employer should send over a revised offer in writing if any changes are agreed upon.

However, if everything is good to go and you are sure you want the job, then go ahead and put your acceptance down in writing!