It is already September. Autumn is around the corner, soon the leaves will be falling and with that comes another job-hunting season. There are thousands of students endlessly writing resumes and self-introduction letters in the hope of getting a better job. They are doing their utmost to write them up so as to give the best possible account of themselves.

The UOS Times may be all the help you will need in preparing for those all important job interviews. We know it is not easy to read the endless information on the best ways to write your resumes and self-introduction letters, and so on, so our magazine has summarized some essential points. We hope this will help The UOS students as they prepare to enter the job market.

RESUME

Style

Recruiting officers often have to read thousands of applications a day. So between the myriads of competitors you must find a way to make your documents stand out. For example, one applicant framed her self-introduction letter as though she was the topic of a newspaper article. She included a newspaper headline followed by a story about herself.

This letter would surely have attracted the recruiter’s attention. Have you ever thought about decorating your application with all sorts of colors? This approach could be a little risky but, on the other hand, it could give the employer a good impression of your creativity. So why not give it a try?

Small details

Even if you have a splendid career and academic record, if you make mistakes with your words you will be the first in line to drop out.
Another thing is that in a resume you should use not full sentences but simple phrases and words. Punctuation ought to be used precisely, and also be careful with your grammar.

Write down explicit reasons for any temporary absences from school or breaks in employment. Regarding formal schooling, make reference to what sort of subjects you took in addition to your major subject. Remember not to use jargon, because you can not be sure if the reader will be able to understand the technical background of your area of study or work experience.

A BIOGRAPHICAL INTRODUCTION

Personal background.

Most people say that they had a good childhood, and also studied very hard when they were a student. But just saying these things is so cliched. Help the interviewer imagine what you are talking about. Tell them about some instances from your life. For example: ¡°When I was young we had a big family so had to take care of my sisters and brothers I used to pack a lunch basket for them every day.¡± ¡°I was good at athletics, and at sports festivals I always came first in footraces.¡± These specific examples can help people get an idea of your life experience. It is especially important to give the reader a special impression from your self-introduction paper.

Good and bad aspects of your personality.

Describe strong points that are related to the sphere of work you are applying for. That way you can emphasize you are the right person for the position. Then you can comment on your weak point. Realistically describe how you can make up for your defects. This could get you good marks. But becareful not to refer to major personality flaws. Why dig your own grave?


INTERVIEW

Why do we conduct interviews?

Understanding this point can make it easier for us to succeed an interview. The interview plays a key role in evaluating an applicant’s integrity, cooperative spirit, talents, and so on. Because it is a face-to-face evaluation, interviewers can ask questions directly to understand the applicant better, compared to evaluating them through letters and documents. what is the best way to get closer to success in an interview?

Attitude and posture

First impressions are made within 6 seconds. So from the beginning, the applicant’s attitude toward the interviewer is important. Don’t sit down until they offer you a seat. And if the interviewer is foreigner, they may offer you a handshake so you should be ready for that. You should always be cheerful and bright with your expression. One thing to keep in mind is to behave in a dignified, confident manner. Making an equivocal reply and leaving your answers vague is the worst thing in an interview.

Aspirations and ambition

Having as much ambition as possible is good. Recruiters look for the most competent, outstanding applicant. So if your goals are big they might think you will work hard to achieve your aims. You might think an applicant saying ¡°I would like to be running a big enterprise like this in future.¡± would make the interviewers laugh, but on the other hand, it could give the impression of you as someone who is starting small but has sturdy determination and a lot of courage.

What you say

Don’t lie under any circumstances. Lying can only help you escape a difficult situation for a while, but eventually it will be to your disadvantage and won’t be good for a successful interview. You do not need to speak fluently, just be sincere and honest. It is better to come across as an ordinary person and as to impress the interviewer with your honesty.

Final caution

Cite some concrete examples. Even a small incident can show them how you solve problems in your experience. It could add great interest and immediacy to the interview. Another thing to remember is not to come across as arrogant. Group interviews in particular are intended to see if applicants can cooperate with and get along with others, so asserting your own opinion too strongly will count against you.


Some possible questions you might be asked

1. Do you know what the price of our company’s stocks was yesterday?
2. What was the most impressive thing in the news today?
3. What would you do first if you were the head of this company?
4. What would you do if the world were going to end tomorrow?
5. Which style are you - a traditional teashop or a luxurious cafe?
6. Tell us your impression or opinion of a movie that you have seen recently.
7. What would you do with 10,000,000 dollars if you won it on the spot?
8. What kind of question would you ask if you are a recruiter?
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