what do you want to get out of...
TRANSCRIPT
What do you want to get out of this?
You are spoilt for choice
Dream job
Perception is reality
What is a good story?
How are you telling it?
How to communicate a compelling story to your employer?
How do companies shortlist candidates?
Resume facts
● Employers and candidates do not view résumés
as having the same purpose
● A hiring manager does not screen your résumé
● Résumés are rarely read thoroughly
Resume: Facts
● Employers and candidates do not view résumés as
having the same purpose.
○ Used as a screening device
○ The slightest “error”—skills missing, disorganized content, a
tiny typo—may be cause to miss a shortlist
Resume: Facts ● A hiring manager does not screen your résumé.
○ HR Team typically reviews your résumé in the first round
○ Standard scoring grids cross-referenced against job description
○ Sometimes, an electronic software intercepts your résumé, thus,
increasing the gap between you and the hiring manager!
○ May not understand the résumé totally.
Resume: Formats ● For a university student graduating with Masters the sequence of the resume
should ideally be:
○ Educational details in the descending order. State your highest
qualification first
○ Experience in the descending order. State the latest experience first
○ Extra-curricular, co-curricular
○ Positions of responsibilities
○ Skills: List professional qualification, experience, special characteristics
Multiple ways to tell the same story
Resume: Positioning Same experience can be positioned in ways to suit the
job description
Lets take an example project: “Developed a new
algorithm using advanced fuzzy logic to optimize match-
making efficiency of a dating app”
● Consulting: Recommended improvements in
match-making algorithm by 11% through analysis
of past data and proprietary algorithms
● Sales: Improved match-making algorithm to
increase the revenue potential by 5x
● Analytics: Used advanced statistical modelling to
drive efficiency gain of match-making app by 30%
Sample resume
Resume Do’s and Don’ts Don’t use vague qualitative terms such as “large” or “many,” which leave the reader with questions about specifics.
Don’t waste resume space with frivolous information, such as “Voted mostly likely to succeed in high school.”
Don’t try to differentiate yourself with unconventional format or tactics such as graphics and colored paper, unless you
are applying to arts-related fields.
Don’t include reasons for leaving your jobs, gap in education, salary information, or references on your resume.
Don’t confess in your resume… resume is to sell yourself…
Don’t get caught in the passive voice trap, writing as if things happened to you. “Went to Argentina to represent the
firm . . .”
Don’t try to portray yourself as a jack-of-all-trades in the hope that something will strike the reader’s fancy.
Don’t refer to yourself as a subject (first or third person) in your resume: “I helped prepare correspondence,” or,
“Applicant wrote outreach letters to prospective clients.”
Don’t include e-mail addresses or websites that have the potential to reveal controversial or inappropriate personal
information: Avoid addresses such as [email protected] or [email protected]
Don’t include personal information such as age, race or marital status on your resume.
Don’t use your current work e-mail or phone as contact information. This indicates you are job searching on your
employer’s time, something no prospective employer will view positively. Using University email is acceptable.
Resume Do’s and Don’ts
Do use numbers where appropriate to clearly describe your accomplishments, as in “led a team of nine sales reps.”
Do distinguish the important from the trivial in your background to fit the most relevant and significant elements onto
a single page.
Do stick to a basic, clear format that helps the reader glean information quickly and with minimal effort.
Do make your resume a document that focuses on your accomplishments and skills.
Do discuss your two or three most relevant strengths and illustrate them with experience and achievement
statements.
Do use the active voice with verbs that indicate you’re in charge: “Represented firm at international symposium.”
Do begin each accomplishment statement with an active or action verb: “Handled all client correspondence”
Do present yourself as a professional, with a straightforward e-mail account and Web information that showcases
relevant skills and achievements.
Do be aware that employers are interested in your eligibility to work legally and may ask for documentation. Take the
time to learn about your rights and responsibilities in the workplace.
Do use your current home address, a personal e-mail, and telephone with a professional outgoing message. Be sure
that prospective employers can easily reach you; check your messages regularly.
Do customize your resume by looking at the website and your research from networking sessions
What about the cover letter?
Searching for jobs in Singapore
● Proactive reach out: You need to meet recruiters,
alumni, reach out to connections to seek opportunities.
● Referrals - most successful job applications work on
referrals.
Using LinkedIn Effectively
● Build your complete profile
● Connect with alumni
● Join groups
● Follow organisations you are
interested in
● Connect with recruitment
consultants & HR managers
● Search for jobs
Interview prep
- Use forums like Glassdoor/Quora to understand what to expect
- Reach out to alumni/friends in the company
- 20 questions you must prepare for interview
- Sector/Company specific read-up: trends, news
- Dress smartly for interview
- Turn interview into a conversation (vs interrogation)
- Prepare good questions for the interviewer (focus on job, culture,
interviewer experience, etc)
Most Common Questions Personal Questions
1. Run me through your resume… / Tell us something about yourself
2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
3. Can you give me examples:
Conflict in a team and how you addressed it?
Effective problem solving skills
Overcame a setback
Shows initiative
4. Where do you see yourself five years from now? / What are your future plans?
5. What has been your biggest professional achievement/disappointment so far?
6. Are you a team player? What are you like working in a team? Are you an
effective team player?
7. What your classmates/previous co-workers say about you?
8. Can you run me through the projects/courses you have studied at your Masters
level?
9. Can you describe your hobbies/interests? What do you like to do in your free
time?
10. Tell us something about your family.
Most Common Questions Job/Company/Industry Specific Questions
1. What do you know about our organisation? Why do you want to work with us?
2. What interests/excites you most about this job/position?
3. Do you have any previous experience in a similar field/workstream/position?
4. Are you willing to relocate if necessary? / Are you willing to travel?
5. How do you handle stressful situations? Can you give me an example of how you have successfully worked
under pressure?
6. Who are our main competitors?
7. Which is the biggest threat to our company/industry? Who do you think would be a prospective disrupter for
our industry?
8. How do you think you will work with constant change in a workplace? Are you flexible/adaptable (example
required)?
9. What are your salary expectations?
10. Do you have any questions for us?
Most Common Questions Questions to ask your employer?
1. Job itself - Can you describe a typical work day at your firm? Key goals/typical
skill sets, job specifications?
2. What department/subsidiary will the position be in? Reporting manager?
3. Career path - What is the career path/progression for this position? What is the
scope for development?
4. Challenges and opportunities? What challenges do you see for someone working
in this position? Trainings? Travel?
Tackling Questions on Difficult Topics Questions to ask your employer?
Tackling some difficult questions:
1. Employment gaps
2. Educational gaps
3. Unusual career moves
4. Frequent job changes
Do not ask:
● How much does the job pay?
● Do not compare salaries from other organisations
which your friends may have received.
Do’s/Don’ts: During & after the interview
During:
● Smile and make an eye contact.
● Be alert and answer warmly.
● Use positive phrases and words instead too much negative. Avoid works/phrases such as “I
do not like/prefer,” “I am not sure...” etc.
● Do not clam up and give one word answers. An interview is a conversation, where your
responses can determine the next question.
● Do not blame, bad-mouth or complain about anything or anyone, least of all your ex-
employer, colleagues or even the public services... no one wants a cribster.
● Do not put yourself down or use self deprecating words before the interviewer. If you do
not think highly of yourself, no one else will.
Do’s/Don’ts: During & after the interview
After:
● Always send a note/email to the interviewer, thanking them for their time. Use
this email to express your excitement and eagerness for the job.
● Do not haunt the interviewer endlessly. A polite question is acceptable...
continuous calls and emails are considered impolite.
● Respond promptly to further interviews. Remember, you need to make yourself
available and sound eager for the opportunity.
Thank you.