If an employer likes your resume and decides to meet you in person you might have to pass various selection tests before getting the job. This section highlights such tests and things you should do to improve your chances of passing them.

 

There is no need to consult questions from previous years. Do not try to guess what interviewers like to hear and then prepare model answers for standard questions. This approach is not likely to work.
Instead, discuss with interviewers the reasons for which they should hire you. Get the interviewers interested in hiring you by:

• Being natural
  
  
• Being interesting
  
  
• Being specific
  
  
• Presenting the interviewers with reasons to hire you

If you need help:

• Check out the careers library
  
  
• Attend workshops on selection interviews
  
  
• Approach counsellors for mock interviews
  
  
• Practice interviews with alumni
  
  
• Review your performance at a postmortem with a counsellor after actual interviews
  

WRITTEN CHINESE TESTS

At such tests, remember to:

• Use correct sentence structure
  
  
• Use correct idioms and expressions
  
  
• Use a writing style appropriate to the situation
  
  
• Be fluent and elegant
  
  
• Observe this Code of Honour

If you need help:

• Check out the careers library
  
  
• Send a short essay to a counsellor for feedback
  
  
• Enquire at the help desk
  

GROUP DISCUSSIONS

At group discussions remember to:

• Speak up and contribute ideas
  
  
• Listen and draw in quiet members
  
  
• Take a structured approach in defining objectives and planning solutions
  
  
• Present your views with sound arguments supported by facts
  
  
• Create discussion, draw conclusions, or summarize views through consultation

If you need help:

• Check out the careers library for guidelines
  
  
• Organize a group discussion and invite a counsellor to attend and give feedback
  
  
• Practice on your own
  
  
• Ask a counsellor for feedback Again
  
  
• Enquire at the help desk
  

IN-TRAY EXERCISES

During such exercises remember to:

• Work efficiently within a very tight time limit
  
  
• Deduce what the key issues are from the quagmire of material
  
  
• Set priorities when allocating resources or drawing up action plans
  
  
• Be sensitive to staff, commercial, political and moral issues when suggesting solutions
  
  
• Anticipate problems
  
  
• Explore issues
  
  
• Suggest options
  
  
• Make one clear and comprehensive recommendation
  
  
• Justify the recommendation with reasons

If you need help:

• Check out the careers library
  
  
• Do practice in-trays
  
  
• Submit work to a counsellor for feedback
  
  
• Enquire at the help desk

PAPER SCREENING

Get yourself screened in for interviews with a well-written resume and covering letter by:

• Being analytical about what the employer needs
  
  
• Being logical in your account of how you might meet those needs
  
  
• Substantiating your statements with evidence
  
  
• Ensuring that your written work is error free
  
  
• Being specific in your resume about past responsibilities & results achieved
  
  
• Avoiding the use of general motherhood statements or cliches

If you need help:

• Learn basic skills through resources available at:
  • Careers and Placement, CEDARS website
  • HKU Library
  • University Bookstore
  • Placement Help Desk (4/F Meng Wah Complex)
    
    
• Attend workshops on written applications
  
  
• Draft your application
  
  
• Ask for application review service at Placement Help Desk (4/F Meng Wah Complex)
  

When you are required to give a presentation as part of the selection process:

• Be professional
  
  
• Be interesting
  
  
• Be persuasive
  
  
• Be original, and Illustrate messages with graphics

If you need help:

• Check out the careers library
  
  
• Deliver a mock presentation to a counsellor and assess your performance
  
  
• Practice with friends
  
  
• Be assessed by a counsellor again
  
  
• Be well-prepared before presenting to recruiters
  
  
• Enquire at the help desk
  

WRITTEN ENGLISH TESTS

At such tests, remember to:

• Be grammatically correct in sentence structure, use of words and expressions
  
  
• Be concise
  
  
• Be specific to-the-point
  
  
• Observe this Code of Honour

If you need help:

• Check out the careers library
  
  
• Send a short essay to a counsellor for feedback
  
  
• Enquire at the help desk
  

REASONING TESTS

• Study the design concepts and dynamics of reasoning tests
  
  
• Find out the techniques for handling such tests
  
  
• Be conversant with the formats of various types of reasoning tests
  
  
• Take more practice tests to acquire experience and speed
  
  
• Observe this Code of Honour

If you need help:

• Check out the careers library
  
  
• Attend practice sessions
  
  
• Enquire at the help desk
  

OTHER TESTS

Web Sites:

Employers may use their own unique tests. Here are some examples:

• HKSAR Common Recruitment Examination Sample Questions
  
  
• Boston Consulting Group Case Interview
  
  
• McKinsey & Company Case Interviews
  
  
• Bain & Company Interview
  
  
• Question and Tips on Case Studies from Mercer Management

Books:

The following materials are available in the Careers and Placement, CEDARS's Library and the Main Library:"

• The Wharton MBA case interiew study guide Volume II
  (Call no.: 650.14 W55 v.2)
  
  
• Vault guide to the case interview
  (Call no.: 658.46023 A82)