Tips on English Resume Writing & Interview Skills

1. Tips on English Resume Writing & Interview Skills

2. Table of Contents • Importance of Resume • English vs. Chinese Resume Writing • Must Haves in Your Resume • Tips on Resume Writing • Sample Resume • About Cover Letters • Interview Methods • Interview Tips • Reference Websites • Summary

3. Importance of Resume • A good resume will be a requirement for a serious job search. • Your resume is your initial marketing brochure. Market yourself. • Your resume is a professional reflection of you as the potential product. • Take time to develop and update your resume as the very best reflection of you.

4. English vs. Chinese Resume Writing • No separate “resume” and “autobiography” • No need for family information • Only basic personal information needed: name, address, contact number and e-mail address • Not legal to ask for age and sex • Prefers simple and clear presentation • Focus on key points and neatness • Will not tolerant any dishonest statements

5. Must Haves in Your Resume • Personal contact information • Objective – specific and simple (Job title/type, industry and/or locations) • Summary – the “10-second self” • Education (major, minor and key courses taken, especially courses relevant to the position) • Experience (position, company, duration, responsibility and specialization) • Activities/credentials (certificates, extracurricular activities, social or professional engagements, etc.)

6. Tips of Resume Writing - 1 • Create your resume online • Be honest – not even “a little white lie” • Not your life history – make it simple and relevant • Descriptive (not actual) job titles • List your most recent items first • List only the most notable items • Use buzzwords (key words, acronyms) • Degree first, college/university second • GPA listed only if over 3.0 • List graduation date • Do your homework – study the company • Tailor resume to individual companies

7. Tips of Resume Writing - 2 • One page only with high quality paper • Use soft, light color paper and print it out • Limit to 2 fonts or two sizes • Times New Roman or other 10- or 12-point font • Computer generated with spell check • Best unfolded for personally delivered ones • Leave working contact information • No need for family information • No need for extra personal information • Have others double check for you • Follow up by phone or notes (especially small companies) • Role play – review it as if you were the boss • Remember – garbage in, garbage out!

8. Sample Resume Jane Doe 123 North Street Hsinchu, Taiwan Cell: 0912345678 Janedoe@edu.net Objective: Human Resources director position of a global company in high tech industry in Taipei area Summary: • Master of Social Work at UT Arlington, Texas, USA • TSMC Human Resource and Employee Relations Director • Extensive executive coaching, business management and global engagement experience • Executive consultant, graduate of Corporate Coach U, NY, USA Education:Master of Social Work, MSSW, May 1979 University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA Graduated with a GPA of 3.6 on a 4.0 scale Bachelor of Sociology, May 1977 National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan Courses taken included: Social Work Theory and Practice, Communication Skills, Counseling Skills Experience:HR Director and Employee Relations Director Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp, Taipei, Taiwan Dec. 1999 to Aug. 2004 • Supported executives as their strategic partners on HR and ER related issues • Responsible for HR/ER related policy making, program design and execution Asia Pacific HR Regional Director Cadence Design Systems, San Jose, CA, USA May 1985 to Aug. 1999 • Supported Asia-Pacific General Manager on HR and operational issues • Responsible for Pan-Asia HR strategies and daily HR operations • Specialized in executive consulting and organizational development Credentials: • Graduate of Corporate Coach U, NY, USA 2002-2003 • Member, SHRM, 1999-2003 • Chairperson of Hsinchu Science Park HR Association, 1992-1994

9. About Cover Letters • Normally read after resume selection • Suggested for middle to high level positions • Critical for limited, targeted campaign • Should be specific, personal and neat • Address to a specific person at a specific company (especially if you take initiative for a job) • It’s about your understanding of the company and how you would fit • State what you can do for the company and why the company can benefit from you • Relevant personal information should go here

10. Interview Methods • Personal and/or group interviews – can last a day • Phone interviews or paper pre-screens • Language tests • Aptitude tests • Professional subject tests • IQ tests • BEI style – Behavior Event Interview • Onion-peeling style – get deeper with high pressure • Funnel style – filter out & zoom in • Chatting style – no focus but they will be listening • Targeting style – open questions on key issues • Observation on characteristics and interpersonal skills

11. Interview Tips • Do homework first, rehearse and role play – gain control • Take paper and pen with you and take notes • Take resume and other related documents/portfolio if any • Proper dressing – neat and professional (turn off cell phone) • Act like a professional – first 10 second impression is critical • Watch out for sweat and ensure you smell fresh • Light makeup for females • Go to restroom beforehand and take a final look • Arrive a little ahead of time and be patient while waiting • Be open, honest, direct, polite and sincere • Be confident, not arrogant – you are interviewing the company, too! • Listen attentively and articulate with sharp response • Clarify and confirm if not clear, do not assume anything • Two way communication – feel free to raise proper questions • Focus on how your past fits company’s current and future needs • Watch body language (both sides) – be aware of little things

12. Reference Websites • 104心理網--http://www.104heart.com.tw/cfdocs/heart/heart.cfm • Cheer Magazine -認識自我工具箱--http://www.cheers.com.tw/feature/tools • http://www.collegegrad.com/resumes (Quickstart Resume Templates) • http://www.collegegrad.com/coverletters • http://www.iqtest.com/test.htm • http://www.helpself.com/iq-test.htm • http://web.tickle.com/take/free-online-career-aptitude-test.jsp • http://www.interview-techniques.com/sample_questions.htm

13. Summary • Do your homework – no pain, no gain • Buzzwords (core competencies) • Clear, neat and precise • Honesty • As concrete and specific as possible • Your competitive advantages • Your differentiations • Tailor your resume each time as needed • Adjust resume style by industry

14. Remember… There is no such thing as a free lunch God helps those who help themselves Your bright future is in your hands Do your best first, and the results will come ※ ※ ※ Do not waste your youth Study hard, play hard and enjoy life