* The interview was conducted in Nov 2003

Education

Bachelor of Social Sciences (Major in Politics and Economics), HKU, 2001
Wah Yan College (Kowloon), 1998

Current Employment

Executive Trainee, Hong Kong Trade Development Council

How many jobs did you apply for in your last year of studies?

I applied for three jobs. Other than the position as Executive Trainee with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, I also applied to Cathay Pacific Airway Ltd and the DBS Bank for the Management trainee positions.

Why did you apply for so few jobs when most of your peers applied for many more? You must have a lot of confidence in yourself otherwise you probably would want to make sure that you have "back-ups".

I adopted a "targeted" approach in my job search and applied only for jobs which I think were suitable to me. As I started my job search quite early, I managed to secure a permanent job six months before I graduate.

What was the selection process that you went through for your current post as Executive Trainee at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council?

I went through altogether five "rounds". Among them, there were three written tests: the Chinese and English written tests and a reasoning test that tests both your verbal and numerical reasoning ability. In addition, there were two interviews: a one-to-one interview and a panel-interview.

How did you prepare for the selection exercises?

Topics for the Chinese and English written tests were mainly current affairs and social issues. I did not do much to prepare for them because I do not believe in cramming for such tests. Without paying attention to social and political issues, one cannot develop in-depth and meaningful analysis, I reckon.

For the reasoning test, I did not rely on such things as GMAT practice exercises. I thought I should rely only on my true abilities. And I did just that.

As for the interviews, I must say thank you to the Careers and Placement, CEDARS for arranging for me to talk to two alumni, who were serving officers in the TDC. I found out from them the areas that were covered at their interviews and I think this prepared me well psychologically.

Did you try to prepare for model answers to questions for the interview? If so, did you just simply recite the answers you prepared?

I personally think that it would be very unnatural if we just recite what we prepared during interviews. For this reason, I did not make any attempt to guess the questions and memorize the answers. I think this would not bring positive results. Rather, I thought through issues relating to my background, experience and career plan. I also consider what I can do as a member of the TDC given the market situation at the time.

Why do you think TDC hired you?

One requirement of an Executive Trainee is excellent language skills and good international exposure since the main business of TDC is promotion of international trade. Executive Trainees have to face external parties.

I speak fluent English, Cantonese and Putonghua. I also know French and won a territory-wide French essay competition in secondary school, for which I was awarded a three weeks' study tour to France. I was an exchange student to Canada and I was an intern at the UN in New York. I believe my personality fits the corporate culture of the TDC. I am sociable and am able to handle clients well. I am forthcoming when meeting clients. I always remind myself to be very careful and cautious so as not to embarrass TDC especially with the media.

Are there any special things in your university life that might have contributed to the successes of your job search, e.g. your academic result?

I was an exchange student to UBC. I lived in the University Hall for one year and was a member of the English Debating Team. They might have helped.

You have had a few postings since you joined TDC. The first one was a 10-month posting at the External Relations Department. I understand that you organized 8 conferences during this 10-month period. Even though the conferences were considered small-scale by TDC standard and that you were supervised by more experienced staff, it is still quite an achievement. What was your second posting?

I was with the Overseas Promotion Department in my second posting. My responsibility was to lead commercial delegations overseas to study marketing opportunities for Hong Kong businesses or to attend exhibitions.

How long was your second posting?

Ten months.

How many delegations did you lead during these ten months?

Two delegations in total. The first one was the "toy mission" to Shanghai and Beijing and the second one was a group of consumer-goods traders and manufacturers delegation to Moscow.

Did you lead the delegations alone by yourself?

I went alone with a delegation of about 30 people to Moscow.

What is your current posting?

My current posting is with the Exhibitions Department which I joined six months ago. I am responsible for organizing seminars and related activities. Projects of this year include the Jewelry Exhibition and the Food Expo.

One special feature about TDC is that it has many out-stations or offshore offices. One day, if you were posted to an offshore office, what do you hope to do there?

If I were posted to work in an offshore office, I hope I will be able to help TDC gather market information and find new trading opportunities for Hong Kong's exporters. I would also like to serve as a contact point for the network of Hong Kong Business Associations around the world. This will facilitate the trade promotion work of our headquarters in Hong Kong.

Can you give me an example?

For example, in France, there are a few major automobile manufacturers like Renault and Peugeot. While we cannot sell them heavy industrial parts, we might be able to provide accessories such as tyre rings, steering wheel covers, etc. As an overseas contact, TDC can obtain market information and identify market niche for Hong Kong exporters of these products.

So, can we say that if TDC finds business opportunities for Hong Kong companies, this will help create employment and wealth for Hong Kong?

Sure.

I also know that you are learning Italian. Why do you do this?

Well, I am interested in Italian because I play the violin and enjoy operas. Furthermore, course fees are sponsored by TDC.

What about other courses and training?

During the past two years, I attended 7-8 workshops. Some of them are full-day programmes while others are half-day workshops. Workshops covered presentation skill, negotiation skill, teamwork, etiquette, language (Putonghua, Chinese and English writing) and outward-bound leadership training.

Lastly, what advice do you have for students?

I would say not to be afraid of failures and hardships. Although they may feel nervous in the presence of so much uncertainty, I would like to encourage them to be brave and take up new challenges. It is only then that they will make their dream come true.