Tips on English Resume Writing
& Interview Skills
Tammy Gau
TT&E Consulting
Presented to Soochow University
06/08/2006
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
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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.
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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
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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.)
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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
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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!
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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