Career advice

Practical guides for a Hong Kong career

Curated writing from operators, recruiters, and HR leaders — written for people building real careers in HK.

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16 Common interview mistakes to avoid

So you’ve landed an interview for your dream job. Now what? Don’t just wing it! Be prepared. Here are 16 common interview mistakes to avoid: Dressing inappropriately. While there are some places where the dress code is casual, don’t assume you can show up in jeans and a t-shirt. A suit is really the only acceptable attire for a job interview. Even if the interviewer’s dress code is relaxed, wearing a suit will show that you are serious about the job.

How to Get Promoted

Practical Career Advice From Top Employers

Navigating a successful professional path is extremely challenging. When it comes to overall career goals, most people tend to look upwards to positions in senior level management with higher salaries and greater responsibilities for guidance and inspiration. While there isn’t always a sure-fire path to success, many prominent business leaders, CEOs, and other senior executives, past and present, have been open and vocal about what they believe is the best career advice out there for those looking to climb the corporate ladder to greater heights.

Job Search in Hong Kong

Prepare your stories before the interview

Hiring managers want to hear your story. They know past behaviour predicts future performance, so they ask for specific examples of times when you navigated office politics or delivered measurable results. The technique is called a behavioural job interview, and you know it is coming when you hear the prompt: “Tell me about a time when you … ” The next phrase can be almost anything: assumed a leadership role, saved your company money, disagreed with a boss, juggled multiple tasks or overcame an obstacle.

Job Search in Hong Kong

Getting your résumé right

Hong Kong is known for its fast-paced working culture, where things need to be done quickly. As a result, employers here spend less time reading CVs than the global average……

Career Coaching & Guidance

The bonus question: What are you waiting for?

Most of us are back at work after the holidays, and we have a few solid weeks ahead before the Lunar New Year. Many of you will have given thought over the break to a potential job move in 2015, but will also be considering your upcoming year-end bonuses, due to be paid any time between February and April. So, how actively should you be searching now? What if the perfect opportunity presents itself, forcing you to consider walking away from a hard-earned bonus?

Career Coaching & Guidance

Boost your social media profile to stand out

In a recent online poll, Hays found that 48 per cent of Hongkongers update their CV frequently, but only 25 per cent…

Career Coaching & Guidance

Why all the hoops?

Anyone who has applied for a job over the past few years will have noticed an increase in the number of interviews they have to attend. The general consensus from a number of surveys is that the average length of the interview process has risen from 13 days in 2009 to 23 days in 2013.

Career Coaching & Guidance

How to fit right in

While your technical skills and experience are important in getting a foot in the door when looking for a new job, it…

Advice Columnist

To be a Professional Planning and Development Surveyors

The Planning and Development Division is one of the six divisions of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS). It now numbers about 62 professional members known as “Professional Planning and Development Surveyors” (or P&D Surveyors) who serve in both the private and public sectors in Hong Kong.

Advice Columnist

How to Become an Engineer

Employment Opportunities As Engineers work on almost every aspect in our daily lives, both the Government and Private Sector employ Engineers. Private Sector includes manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, consultants, developers and all kinds of Engineering companies. The public utilities companies like electricity, telecommunications and gas, the public transportation companies and universities / technical institutes are also the major employers of Engineers. Qualities of a Professional Engineer

Career Coaching & Guidance

IT needs soft skills

Data analytics seems to be the talk of the town. Whether it’s helping identify business opportunities or protecting companies from cyber attacks, demand for IT professionals with these skills is set to continue. But to succeed in this highly competitive field you’ll, need more than just technical skills. You’ll also need the human touch.

Career Coaching & Guidance

Talk up your salary

Jobseekers with Cantonese, English and Mandarin language skills are at a distinct advantage in the growing Hong Kong economy.