Workplace Information
we provide you with thoughtful employment advice and guidance, help more people understand their career goals, and provide relevant job market information.
A concise resume is a basic employment document to help you make the best impression or offer to an employer.
A standard resume is:
- Personal information
- Job objective
- Education background
- Work experience
- Skill
- Project experience
- Honor
- Self-evaluation
- Hobby
- Referer
This resume is your first impression on the employer, bear in mind to read and edit carefully!
💡Notes
- Be Concise and Clear: A resume should be concise and clear, emphasising pivotal details.
- Clear Structure: The resume should have distinct sections, including personal information, educational background, work experience, skills, and hobbies. Each section should be organized chronologically, with the most recent information placed at the beginning.
- Emphasize Achievements: Mention projects or honors from your work experience. This can capture the attention of recruiters.
- Utilize Keywords: use keywords to describe the skills and experiences relevant to the job position you applyied. Maintain consistent font style and formatting.
- Resume Format: A concise one-page resume is the most attention-grabbing, with no more than two pages. Keep one-inch margins and use a 12-point font size.
- Customize: Edit your resume to match the job posting and company requirements for each application. Emphasize relevant skills and experiences. You might need multiple resume versions for different job types.
Lastly, remember to keep your resume updated. By the time, your experiences and skills may changed, so please review and update your resume is crucial tips.
Good luck ~
Preparation in advance leads to a successful interviews:
This page helps you built your confident to answer varius types of common interview questions.
In a job/internship interview, you will almost certainly be asked two types of questions: “Please tell us about yourself”, and a behavioral question such as “Please tell us about your experience working on a team”. To prepare for the answers to these two questions, reflect on your experience and be able to describe:
- What have you done?
- How have your experiences influenced you?
- How has your experience influenced your thinking about career direction?
- Workplace Behavior and Attitudes
Please Introduce Yourself
Prepare an answer that provides the following:
- Some relevant background information about your interest in the field and position
- Your relevant experience
- You will brief employers on what shaped your interest and drive in this job.
Use some or all of your answers to these questions to formulate your response:
- Use some or all of your answers to these questions to formulate your response: How did you become interested in this industry/job function?
- What experiences (courses, internships/jobs, books, etc.) sparked your interest in the field?
- What have you done in this field to pursue/explore this interest or confirm your interest?
- What experiences/accomplishments (activities/leadership, internships/jobs, volunteering) have given you the skills employers are looking for?
- Why are you interested in this position now?
Behavioral
Behavioral questions often start with “Tell me about a time when…” or “Give me an example of a time/experience…” with their team. It is very important to give a specific example rather than generalities.
SARA: situation, action, result, application
Use the “SARA” structure (Situation, Action, Result, Application) to write a story that includes your experience and what you learned from it.
- Situation: What is the situation/problem/conflict you are facing?
- Action: What action did you take?
- Result: Based on the actions you took, what was the result? (be sure to provide details and quantify your results as much as possible)
- Apply: What lessons, skills and/or qualities did you learn through this experience that would help you contribute to the future employer’s team in the position you are interviewing for? Remember, employers want to know if you possess certain transferable skills and qualities that will help you perform at work.
SARA ACTIVITY Read the job description for the position you’re interested in. Identify the required skills and qualities. Provide two specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate each of these skills and qualities, whether from internships, school activities, volunteer work, or personal hobbies Structure your story/answers according to the SARA structure
Discussing the employment gap in an interview
Many people have to stop working for a while during their career. This can happen for a variety of reasons. During a job interview, you may be asked about your employment gap. It’s important to be ready to answer questions like “What have you been doing for the past three years?” The key is to prepare a response that you feel comfortable with, without providing too much information. To successfully address this type of issue, here are a few ways to explain your vacation time:
- In order to care for a sick family member/young child, I decided to take a vacation.
- I was out of work due to health issues which are now resolved.
- If you’ve cared for family members, whether children or adults, think about the skills you’ve developed, such as multitasking, problem-solving, time management, stress management, negotiation, and mediation, particularly in healthcare-related matters. You can also mention how these skills will benefit your new job.
- Be sure to mention any professionally-related activities you did during this time, such as volunteering on projects, serving in professional societies, and taking classes. Describe what you did and the skills you acquired: For example, my volunteer experience during this time was rewarding and allowed me to build my leadership and management skills.The most important aspect of this conversation is to emphasise that you are ready and happy to return to work.
Employers invite you for an interview if they believe you can succeed in their company. During the interview, they assess your interest, readiness, and potential value to their team. Your responses to their questions evaluate your skills, experience, and motivation.
Below, you’ll find advice on how to prepare for the interview, present yourself in the best possible light during the interview, and follow up after the interview.
Before The Interview
- Do some research on the company and industry to show your interest and motivation to the employer. Research on the position, company, and industry.
- Re-read the job description and think about how you can communicate why you are a good fit for the position.
- Visit the organization’s website or social media. (Understand current trends and events that may impact your potential employer.)
- Connect via LinkedIn or other sources for insights about the company.
- Prepare some questions for the interview, and always be ready for varying questions.
- Why are you interested in this position? Evaluate how your past experiences (academic, professional, extracurricular activities, personal experiences) sparked your interest in the role. (Think about why you want to work for this specific organization in this role)
- Why are you the right person for this position? Assess how your work experience, personal qualities, academic achievements and extracurricular activities qualify you for the position. Identify the transferable skills and knowledge you will bring to the position. Get ready to demonstrate your skills by example using the SARA approach (Situation, Action, Result, Application).
The Day Before The Interview Checklist
- Review your dairy, resume, cover letter, job description, and company/ industry summary.
- For interviews, look for the location and the time needed. Prepare extra time to make sure you are not late.
- Prepare appropriate interview attire.
- Note down the names and titles of the interviewers or individuals you’ll be contacting.
- Prepare the following items: resume, reference list, notepad, and pen.
- Get a good night’s sleep.
Interview Day
- Be punctual before the interview starts! Aim to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early.
- Bring supplies from the night before the interview.
- Be considerate and courteous to all employees.
- Put your mobile device on silent.
- Avoid any odors that might distract your employer.
- Always with a positive attitude.
During The Interview
- Listen carefully to the interviewer and make sure you answer the questions the interviewer asked.
- Link your skills, achievements and goals to the needs of the company.
- Provide specific examples where possible using the SARA approach (Situation, Action, Result, Application).
- Focus on the positive aspects of your training and experience. You don’t have to apologize for any apparent lack of experience or background.
- Use clear and direct language. Avoid filler words like “um” or “like.” Say your point of view without rambling.
- Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. If there are multiple interviewers, remember to communicate with all of them.
- Pay attention to your body language. Use your posture to communicate confidence and engagement.
- Observe the people and the office space, and learn about the company’s culture.
- If you don’t have the interviewer’s contact information, ask for a business card so you can send a thank you note.
After The Interview
- Send a thank you note within 24 hours of the interview. Check out sample thank you letters for inspiration.
- Evaluate your performance. Are there any questions that bother you? Consider how you can improve your answers for the next interview.
- Think about what you learned about the position and the employer during the interview. Assess how the position meets your priorities and goals.
- After the first round of interviews, you may be called back for additional rounds of interviews depending on the employer’s process. Check out on what to expect in the second round of interviews to help you prepare.
- If a job offer is offered on the spot (which is not common), you should thank the employer and tell them that you need more time to consider the opportunity. Ask about the company’s timeline and deadlines for responses.
- If you haven’t heard from the employer after their originally indicated hiring timeline, follow up one more time. Call or email an interviewer or Human Resources contact.
- Reiterate your interest in the position and ask about the new hiring timeline.