start your job hunt now!

START YOUR JOB HUNT NOW!

Kong Hoi Yoon

konghy@utar.edu.my

Department of Soft Skills Competency (DSSC)

Andrew Wilfred

andrews@utar.edu.my

Department of Soft Skills Competency (DSSC)

Job Hunting Checklist• Dress Code • Contact • Documents

• Your mindset• Interview Plan

Dress Code - Example

Dress Code – Male

Male• Long-sleeved light

colored shirt• Dark tie• Dark slack• Dark belt• Dark sock• Dark working shoes

Dress Code – Female

Female• White shirt• Dark coat (optional)• Dark skirt or pant• Dark belt (optional)• Dark shoes (high heel)

Contact

‘Always be reachable’

• Mobile phone number • Home telephone number

• Email address• Home address

DocumentCertificates

DocumentTranscript

DocumentTestimonial

DocumentPassport-Size Photo

Full Name:NRIC:

Document

• Chronological Resume• Functional Resume• Combination Resume• Curriculum Vitae• Electronic Resume

Resume

Functional Resume Template

Functional Resume Template

Functional Resume Sample

How you should present your documents?

How you should present your documents?

How you should present your photocopy document set?

What is the most important equipment that you should have?

PART 2

INTERVIEWING SKILLS

AGENDA

Moments of Interview

10 Rules of Successful Interview

Top 10 Most Famous Interview Questions

MOMENTS OF INTERVIEW

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

• Do some research / homework

• Arrive 15 – 20 minutes early • Be prepared when you go to the interview.

- extra copies of your resume, - a notepad - a pen. • Dress for Success!

THE START OF THE INTERVIEW (BEGINNING)

• Inform the secretary/receptionist that you have an interview, whom it is with, and the time of the interview.

• When you meet the interviewer, look straight into his/her eyes, shake hands firmly, introduce yourself, smile, be confident and wait until you are offered a seat.

• Be positive in your communication. - not too bold - not too shy

• Let the interviewer lead the interview

• SMILE….SMILE…. SMILE !!!

• DO NOT: - Smoke before the interview - Yawn during the interview - Eat chew gum during interview - Wear too much of body cologne - Switch on the mobile phone - Wear piercing

THE INTERVIEW (MIDDLE)

• Always face the interviewer with good posture and body language.

• Stay positive with your attitude and your answers.

• Let the interviewer know about the skills, knowledge and experience that make you a qualified candidate.

• Know your resume and portfolio well and be prepared to answer questions about them

• Be thorough with your answers. Never answer with just a “yes” or “no.” Always provide explanations and examples.

• If you don’t understand the question, ask the interviewer to explain.

• Feel free to think for a moment about tough questions.

• Watch for illegal questions, such as information about your age, religion, race, ethnicity or marital status.

• DON’T: - Emphasize your weaknesses.

- Criticize former employers

- Discuss salary or benefits unless the interviewer brings it up first.

THE INTERVIEW (END)

• Ask the job-related questions you prepared for the interview.

• You may be offered the job immediately. In that case, you should ask about specific salary, benefits, and work hours.

• You do not have to give them an immediate answer. Ask for a day to think about it.

• If you are told you will be contacted, ask about how long it will be. Offer to call in a few days to find out the decision. This shows your continued interest.

• Make sure the interviewer knows how best to contact you and that you are available for any additional information that may be needed.

• Thank the person for the interview and their interest in you as a potential employee or student. Shake hands firmly on the way out.

10 RULES OF THUMB OF A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW

• Come Prepared

• Arrive Early

• Dress Smart

• Reply Calmly

• Don’t Shoot Your Ex-Boss

• Focus on the Company’s Interest

• Don’t talk about money too soon

• Ask away

• Don’t act desperate or be apologetic

• Observe proper etiquette

TOP 10 MOST FAMOUS INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF.

• Prepare a two – three minutes presentation.

• Content of the Presentation:

- Name

- Place

- Personal Interest (Hobbies,

Community involvement etc.)

- Work history/experience (if any)

WHY DO YOU WANT TO JOIN THIS COMPANY?

DO NOT ANSWER:

• Oh, because it’s such a cool place to work.

• I like your salary and benefit package.

• My friends are already here, and it makes it easier for us hang out together.

RECOMMENDED ANSWER:

• Facts of the company• It’s working culture• Market performance• How your skills and your experiences will match

their requirements?

WHY ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A NEW JOB?

• If terminated:

- Honest explanation

- Brief (K.I.S.S)

- Positive

• If you left voluntarily:

- I wanted to move my career in new

direction.

- I decided to make a change because I

wanted to keep developing new skills but

was unable to this in my previous company.

WHAT POSITION ARE YOU INTERESTED IN?

For example:

• By using my good communication skills, I can market the product well, as my 2 years experience as a marketing executive in Company X.

• I also believe that I understand the consumer industry well.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESS?

STRENGTHS:

• Good qualities/behavior/traits

• Social skills that you possess.

WEAKNESS:

• Being organized wasn't my strongest point, but I implemented a time management system that really helped my organization skills.

• I used to like to work on one project to it completion before starting on another, but I've learned to work on many projects at the same time, and I think it allows me to be more creative and effective in each one.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT YOUR COMPANY?

• Facts of the company

• It’s working culture

• Market performance

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS?

• Mention two to three achievements

• FOR INSTANCE:

• Relate your achievements with your organizational skills, problem solving skills and critical thinking skills.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF FIVE YEARS FROM NOW?

In five years, I wish to have refined my social skills and customer relation skills.

I intend to be a manager in the customer service department.

After having proven myself as a manager, I hope to help shape the strategic direction of customer service relation.

I could do this in any number of official roles. The important thing is that I will continue contributing my abilities in a challenging and rewarding environment.  

WHAT TASKS DID YOU PERFORM IN YOUR LASTJOB?

• Take the opportunity to mention about any special projects/ community involvement projects and related those experiences with job you are applying

HOW WOULD YOU ESTABLISH GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH NEW COLLEAGUES AND

SUPERVISORS AT THIS COMPANY, IF SELECTED FOR THE JOB?

• Explain the relationship between yourself and previous company manager /supervisor and colleagues.

• Also can explain about your networking skills and your ability to interact with different people at different levels of the office hierarchy.