FAQ on Career Development

The following are useful pieces of advice on career development and job hunting contributed by IT employers, professional interviewers and our alumni. Thanks are particularly given to Vincent Kwan, Kenneth Lau, Vivian Kwan, Chiyung Lam and Albert Kwong for their contribution and time. (Note: You are welcome to share with our fresh graduates your experience and advice by emailing me.)

• How should I prepare for an interview?
  
  Get a good understanding of the company that you applied for. For example, for a minimum, one should get an overview of the business / industry activities, company information including locations, number of staff and profile, goals and visions.
  
  One should further learn about the recent happenings to the company and the industry and business. Such information can be obtained through media or people who are in the industry. Try to talk to people who are in the industry, as these people have the experience and can share with you how the real situation is.

  Some interviewers like to ask questions on your final year project or your software engineering course project. You should organize how to present the technical details (e.g., database design, user interfaces and system architecture) as well as your technical accomplishment before the interview. I have received comments from companies that some HKUST applicants are not well prepared as compared with other applicants when they attend interviews in February or March. Please check with your final year project team mates to clarify the details so that you have a good overall picture of your final year project.
  
  In addition, have the necessary documents such as original and copies of official certificates and transcripts ready, resume being kept up-to-date and equip yourself with some passport-sized photos as well as some stationery as companies may require you to fill in forms or proceed on for tests.
  
  Stay calm and have enough rest to feel good for the interview. Arrive about 10-15 minutes earlier for an interview and never be late.
  

• What questions should I ask in an interview?
  
  Towards the end of an interview, interviewees are often checked whether they have any question to ask. You should ask questions that show your enthusiasm towards joining the company. For example, ask some questions about the company's future plan and development. Do not ask factual questions which can be found easily in publications or company homepage. This gives the interviewer a bad impression that you are not well prepared and are not interested in this job.
• Should I dress well even for an aptitude test?
  
  There is varying opinion in this. For me, I believe that one should be professional in any stages of the selection process. Proper attire can create good impression and this may help you in gaining further opportunities.
  
• What are the common tricks in an interview?
  
  Be attentive and patience to whatever challenges that the interviewers present to you. If possible, try to get to know who your interviewers are so that you know who your target audiences are. It is common to have an interview whereby interviewers ask questions to get to know more about the candidate. Try to create an impression within a short period of time by structuring your answers in an easy to understand manner. Hence, preparation for common interview questions is essential. Common questions include introducing yourself, reasons of why you are suitable for the post. Such questions may be answered in English, Cantonese, Mandarin or other languages depending on the requirement of the interviewers.
  
  Companies like to recruit employees with broad exposure and enthusiasm in information technology. For example, they might give priority to applicants who participated activities beyond their course studies. Examples are UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities), President Cup, various contests, developing some interesting mobile apps or participating into open source projects as an amateur.

  In addition, there can be written tests including IQ test, psychological test, essay-writing test, numerical test, test specific to the industry (such as computer code writing on the spot).
  

• What is the life of an accountant?
  
  There are various fields one can develop their career in accounting, including audit, tax, corporate finance, forensic. Attention to details, cautious, interest and commitment to the profession are some of the qualities being looked for in an accountant profession. Accountants usually work long hours, especially during peak season such as month-end or year-end closing.
  
• What is the life of an IT developer?
  
  Depending on what level of IT developer one is in, the level of skills and qualifications vary. In general, one needs to get an understanding of what is the deliverables for the project, pay attention to the time schedule and meet them accordingly. Good interpersonal skills as well as professional project management skills are something being looked for.
  
• What are the job opportunities in mainland?
  
  As China entered into the World Trade Organization and with the implementation of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), there are ample job opportunities for Hong Kong students in the Mainland.
  
  To be able to seize the opportunity, the minimum requirement would be proficiency in Mandarin. It would be an added advantage if one can write simplified Chinese if the job involves correspondences with parties in China.
  
• When do large enterprises start their recruiting processes?
  
  It depends on different companies. There are usually career talks and seminars held by large enterprises on a yearly basis or whenever there is an urgent need to do recruiting. Such enterprises usually advertise such upcoming event via university notice board and via media such as their company webpage. Hence it would help to be on the look out for information by paying attention to your surroundings.
  
  Some companies do selective recruiting process by approaching professors in university. Consult your professors in university for information.
  
• What attentions should I pay to when conducting a phone interview?
  
  In general, it is not a good idea to conduct a phone interview using mobile phones. If you really need to do so, please make sure that (i) you are in a quiet place, (ii) the reception quality is good, and (iii) your phone has enough battery. If you receive an interview call on your mobile phone, you may politely ask the interviewers if you can call back using a wired phone.
  
• Other important issues:
  
  Don't just send out mass email letter. Do research on the company. If possible, find out if you know someone who have worked there. Understand their culture, core competencies and products will give you a very big advantage. Write down the list of companies that you have applied for a position. The background about the companies will give you the background to ask some meaningful questions, especially at the most critical time. Write your resume with meticulicous attention and passion. Treate it as the most important document you have ever written. If you consider yourself presentable, attach a password photo with your resume.
  
  It may be good to conduct some mock interviews with others, even with your fellow students. The mock interview will go over points you make in your resume. Do ask your potential employers questions, ask them politely. And do not stop after you have found out the salary, fringe benefits, and vacation time. Do ask them what activities do the staff do together. Show them you are a team-person. Show them you have good IQ and EQ.
  
  If you are seriously planning to develop a career in China, learn Putonghua. If you demonstrate your interest and commitment you may land on a job that may give you more growth potential in China than getting a in-between-jobs job. If your academic work is slightly inferior than others. Make sure you have some points to sell (but avoid hard sell). Most employers are concerned with the individuals ability, but at the same time, group communication and teamplay. A good communicator, both verbal and written, is just as important of a success element as a good technican. Double check what you have written in your Web site and what are the related links. If you do receive a phone call, treat it with care. Make sure you understand who you are talking to. Write their email and phone number down. More recap some of their questions after the phone interview--you may find it useful later on. Return an thank you email or letter. Recap one or two important points. Be confident and vigilent. Do not give up. Be ready to accept that a good job is hard to find.

  The candidate should send in their application as soon as possible instead of waiting until the dead line. Also the application letter should be tailored towards the company instead of using the "templates". Hand in the letter to language center for spelling and grammar check. Visit the career center more often and talk to the counselors. Talk to people you know who work in the company/industry. Research on the web. Practice your English and perhaps have some mock-interview to help build confidence.

  When writing resume, be honest in the IT skills. Maybe classify the skills as proficient, self studied, elementary etc if you really want to write as much as possible. During interview, calm down and be honest on what you know and accept what you don't know. Remember that you are new to the industry. Don't feel shame if you don't know some topics. Show what you will do to improve your knowledge in that areas. You have to present why you are enthusiastic and interested in this position whenever possible.

• Six questions to ask during your interview that can make an employer wants to hire you (extracted from a blog by Kelly Gregorio at blog.brazencareerist.com)

  It is common advice among job seekers: when you are interviewing, you need to interview the employer right back. After all, you are the one who is potentially going to fill this position, so you need to know if it is going to be a good fit, right?

  Except that while salary ranges, benefits and schedule flexibility are important details you deserve answers to, hiring managers do not appreciate questions like these until at least your second interview (or maybe even after they have made you an offer).

  When a potential employer asks if you have any questions, they do not want inquiries about parking validation; they want to see if you are prepared, educated and inquisitive.

  Here are six questions to ask at the end of your interview that will help you master the twisted tango of getting hired:

  1. If I were to start tomorrow, what would be the top priority on my to-do list?
  The answer to this question will give you more insight into the current state of the position, while the question shows that you are invested and interested in learning how you can start things off with a bang. The added bonus lies in the Jedi mind trick: now you’ve already got your interviewer picturing you as the position holder.

  2. What would you say are the top two personality traits someone needs to do this job well?
  The answer to this will be very telling. "Creative" and "intuitive" can be translated to mean you will be on your own, while "patient" and "collaborative" could mean the opposite. Not only will this question allow you to feel out whether you are going to be a good fit; it will also get your interviewer to look past the paper resume and see you as an individual.

  3. What improvements or changes do you hope the new candidate will bring to this position?
  This answer can shed light on what might have made the last person lose (or leave) the job, and it also tips you off on the path to success. Asking this shows an employer you are eager to be the best candidate to ever fill this position.

  4. I know this company prides itself on X and Y, so what would you say is the most important aspect of your culture?
  This type of question is sure to impress, as it shows that you have done your research on the company and gives you a chance to gain insight into what values are held to the highest ideal.

  5. Do you like working here?
  This question might take interviewers back a bit, but their answer will be telling. A good sign is a confident smile and an enthusiastic "yes" paired with an explanation as to why. If they shift in their seat, look away, cough and start with "Well..." consider it a red flag. Regardless of their answer, employers appreciate getting a chance to reflect on their own opinions, and this turns the interview process into more of a conversation.

  6. Is there anything that stands out to you that makes you think I might not be the right fit for this job?
  Yes, asking this question can be scary, but it can also be beneficial. Not only does it give you a chance to redeem any hesitations the employer might have about you; it also demonstrates that you can take constructive criticism and are eager to improve — valuable qualities in any candidate.

• Useful links
  
  HKUST Career Center
  Joint Institution Job Information System (JIJIS)
  Resumes & Interviews