Since we are currently on the topic of job search in class, I thought it would be appropriate for me to share some of the interview tips I picked up in a when I attended a recent Interview Workshop by the NUS Career Centre.
We all know that must we must prepare for an interview such as reading up on the company’s business and background. But did you know that you do not have to go for an interview empty handed? Yes, there are some materials that you could bring into your interview that may come in useful.
The first item would be a portfolio file. This is where you keep your certificates and their photocopies, as well as several copies of your resume. The next item would be a pad of foolscap paper without its cover. On the foolscap paper, write down your skills which are relevant to the job. Beside these skills, list some examples of how you have demonstrated these skills in your past experience. The idea here is for you to think through all your experiences and list them down at your own time, without pressure. In fact, this is also useful because you are preparing answers for questions which they will probably ask.
During your interview, open up the file and place it in front of you. Your resume should be on the left side and the foolscap on the right. The resume is for your easy reference in case you receive any questions about what you wrote inside. On the right side of the file, would be your foolscap pad with your “cheat sheet” on top. Of course, you don’t want to be seen with your face glued to these, but these serve as a very useful backup just in case we get so nervous (which we all do) during the interview that we cannot think properly.
Finally, just relax and keep calm. And ace the interview!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Biodata
I am a final year undergraduate from National University of Singapore (NUS), majoring in Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE). I aspire to join the engineering industry, where I could fully utilize the analytical skills acquired in my engineering studies.
My niche is in systems thinking and optimization. My Final Year Project was about the yard operations in a transshipment container terminal, and the objective was to improve the overall performance of the container terminal. Hence, I had proposed a holistic approach to the problem and sought to devise an allocation method to achieve a better container throughput.
I had 2 internships during my semester term breaks in NUS – the first was with a bank and the second was with a container terminal. These internships not only provided me with valuable working experience, they also gave me an opportunity to apply what I had learnt in school to an industrial setting.
As a believer of “work – life” balance, I also participate actively in co-curriculum activities, especially Kendo (a form of martial arts). In my third year, I was the chairperson of the NUS Kendo Club. Together with my Executive Committee, some of our biggest achievements include improving the running of the club, fostering a stronger team spirit within the club, and successfully hosting an Inter-Varsity competition.
In all, I hope that my university education and my life experiences will be beneficial for my future endeavor as an engineer.
My niche is in systems thinking and optimization. My Final Year Project was about the yard operations in a transshipment container terminal, and the objective was to improve the overall performance of the container terminal. Hence, I had proposed a holistic approach to the problem and sought to devise an allocation method to achieve a better container throughput.
I had 2 internships during my semester term breaks in NUS – the first was with a bank and the second was with a container terminal. These internships not only provided me with valuable working experience, they also gave me an opportunity to apply what I had learnt in school to an industrial setting.
As a believer of “work – life” balance, I also participate actively in co-curriculum activities, especially Kendo (a form of martial arts). In my third year, I was the chairperson of the NUS Kendo Club. Together with my Executive Committee, some of our biggest achievements include improving the running of the club, fostering a stronger team spirit within the club, and successfully hosting an Inter-Varsity competition.
In all, I hope that my university education and my life experiences will be beneficial for my future endeavor as an engineer.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Evaluating Intercultural Behavior
Ever thought that when travelling in another country, once you’ve experienced its culture, you’ve seen it all?
Sometimes? Maybe.
All the time? Not quite.
My girlfriend and I holidayed in Japan last year, and our trip started in Kyoto. It was a self tour, so it involved a lot of interaction with the locals asking for directions. Even though I was the only one who could speak Japanese, it was limited to only a few keywords, such as excuse me, where and how. Thus, how well we interacted with the locals had a big impact on how quickly we could get to our destination.
It is a well know fact that Japanese people are very polite and helpful. Imagine our surprise in Kyoto when a local actually walked us to our destination!
On the other hand, when we were in Tokyo, we were taken off guard when a person actually picked up his pace and sped away from us upon our request for directions.
Of course, not everyone we met in Tokyo reacted in such a manner, but nonetheless, we were quite bemused by disparity in reactions of people who are supposedly from the same culture.
How stereotypical of me.
Sometimes? Maybe.
All the time? Not quite.
My girlfriend and I holidayed in Japan last year, and our trip started in Kyoto. It was a self tour, so it involved a lot of interaction with the locals asking for directions. Even though I was the only one who could speak Japanese, it was limited to only a few keywords, such as excuse me, where and how. Thus, how well we interacted with the locals had a big impact on how quickly we could get to our destination.
It is a well know fact that Japanese people are very polite and helpful. Imagine our surprise in Kyoto when a local actually walked us to our destination!
On the other hand, when we were in Tokyo, we were taken off guard when a person actually picked up his pace and sped away from us upon our request for directions.
Of course, not everyone we met in Tokyo reacted in such a manner, but nonetheless, we were quite bemused by disparity in reactions of people who are supposedly from the same culture.
How stereotypical of me.
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