By Lindy Huang
This year there will be 80,000 new university graduates competing with you for that job that pays major money, has first-class benefits, and provides self-actualizing challenges. Ok, maybe some of the new graduates will go to graduate school, and some of them will serve in the military, but most of them are going to enter the job market. Taking into account postgraduate students, and the guys who just got discharged from their military service, the competition is even more severe than you think. But don’t panic! It’s never too late to start. First, have your resume ready, and then, start looking. Resume A resume is the passport to opening hiring doors in all companies. A good resume gives those doors a good shove. Your resume is usually the first impression your employer has of you, and this impression has a lasting impact. The first thing you have to remember is that your employer is as busy as everyone else, so don’t expect him/her to read a life-long autography of yourself starting from your kindergarten experience. The resume must be simple, easy-to-read, and yet professional. The development of an inside perspective begins with lots of research – about yourself and the companies you want to join. When you know what an employer is looking for, you can tell him/her why you should be the one they employ. Interview Generating Techniques 1. Direct Research This is usually the most time-consuming and yet rewarding approach. It involves going to the library and finding reference books on industries and companies you are interested in. There won’t be one cure-all solution; you might have to go through stacks of reports to get the information you want. Remember to stick to the relevant information – company names, personnel contacts, industry briefs, performance reviews, and perhaps some relevant news clippings. Your effort will eventually pay off when a company interviews you. 2. Newspaper The most traditional way for people to look for jobs is through the classified ads in the newspaper. While direct research gives you background information, the classified ads give you a list of open positions. In addition to identifying the particular title you are looking for, try to identify the companies that regularly hire in your field. If the job you are looking for is not being advertised, it does not necessarily mean your company is not looking for you. If a company is in a hiring mode, a position might be available. It won’t hurt to call and ask. 3. Job Fair There is job fair held every year at Taiwan University, usually occurring during a weekend in March. When you attend job fairs, go prepared - take as many resumes as there are exhibiters, as well as a notepad and a pen. More importantly, go with specific objectives in mind. Visit every booth, not just the ones with flashing lights and models; talk to someone in every booth, and ask questions about the company - who they are, and what they are doing; collect business cards from everyone you speak to so that you can follow up with a letter or call for further inquiry; collect company brochures. Lastly, dress for business! 4. Campus Recruitment Presentation Besides the job fair, there are hundreds of company presentations taking place daily in the second semester. This is one of the advantages to studying at Taida; companies actually try to get the best people from our university. As all speakers love to get feedback, don’t forget to ask questions. You will also get more information about the company, and will be able to customize your skills to suit the particular needs of the company. 5. The Electronic Job Hunt There have been many changes to online information. With the internet you can save the trouble of going to the library or running around to get a job. The most useful on-line job search sites I found are www.104.com.tw and careers.yahoo.com.tw. These websites have complete databases and strict regulation on protecting privacy. You can search for company names, job titles, or preferred location, and each listing gives you specific qualifications for the job. It saves a lot of time for both employers and prospective employees. 6. Others Have you ever thought that your professors might have the connections you need? Maybe a call from him/her will be all it takes to get the job. Have you tried the government employment agency or Taida’s career center (http://140.112.163.60)? Maybe it can give you an unexpected opportunity. There are many alternatives in landing a job, so prepare yourself so that you can grab the chance when it’s there. Not as clueless as before, right? Start now, and go get that job you want. It might be difficult in the beginning. Get your mind ready, and be humble. Graduates from Taida have already proven to be brilliant and outstanding. We can rely on the reputation we already have, but also show the real world that we are even better than they think. #Volume 6 Issue 3 a
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The Taida Student Journal has been active since 1995 with an ever-changing roster of student journalists at NTU. Click the above link to read about the authors Archives
May 2024
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