CAREER
GUIDE
The Career Center team is privileged to play a pivotal role in supporting our students’ career planning and employment. Our mission is to bridge between gown and town, between talents and opportunities, and between dreams and reality.
Career planning is part of life planning, and the first step to it is self-understanding. John Dewey puts this succinctly: “to find out what one is fitted to do, and to secure an opportunity to do it, is the key to happiness”. When you find where you fit in and discover happiness, success is in sight. Then comes the million-dollar question, “How do I go about doing this?”. Well, trickily enough, there are no model answers. As we see from the stories students, alumni and industry experts shared in this Career Guide, each person’s development and success takes different forms. Indeed, it is the uncertainty that makes life exciting.
Are you ready to learn to be the captain of your ship?
Career Center is here to partner with you along this invigorating journey.
Cheryl Lee
Head of Career Center Dean of Students’ OfficeCareer Development
Programs
8 Mistakes to Avoid in
an Online Job Interview
Donna Titley
Career Development
Modules
Career Building Course
36
42
45
44
Advanced Search
Kelvin CheungSustainable Excitement
Cat Yim38
34
iBanking
-Bust some myths
Sam Chui
40
Business Etiquette
You Need to Know
Cindy Cheng
30
Building Your
Personal Brand
Laura Cozijnsen32
HKUST Internship
Network (iNet)
20
Non-Local Students
Working in Hong Kong
25
Breaking out from
my comfort zone
Jeff Li22
The Intern
Petr Pokorny26
Business not as usual
Vaishnavi Kaushik
28
10 Things to do before
you start an internship
Alice Cheung
18
Career Mosaic
16
Job Search Ethics
Lannie Lee
Decode MT
Assessment
Anna ChampionOn-Campus
Recruitment Calendar
Career Consultation
We Love Trial
and Error!
Andy NgBe the change
you want to see
in the world
Amy Wong04
14
06
09
10
12
Year 1
So, you’re a freshman – there should still be plenty of time to sit back and have fun, right? Well, doing something worthwhile and having fun are not mutually exclusive.
Know Yourself
Find out about your personal qualities, what you like, what you care about, what you’re good at, what excites you etc. Career Center offers workshops that help you understand your personality types through different psychological assessments like MBTI, STRONG Interest Inventory and Lumina Spark. Make good use of these workshops and get ready to know yourself and what you stand for.
Get Involved
Once you set a foot on campus, you will be presented with a kaleidoscope of extra-curricular activities: interest clubs, student societies, sports teams, enrichment programs etc. Try to strike a balance in what you participate in.
Think Ahead
Use your extra time, winter and summer vacations to give your CV a boost. Find a summer job, get into voluntary work, join an exchange program, or take part in a study tour. Take a leadership role in these activities, and try to brush up your language skills. The Center for Language Education is a great source to advance your language abilities.
What gives you a competitive
edge over others?
How to make the most of your
thousand days at HKUST ?
Year 2-3
The penultimate year of your university life is a strategic time for career planning. Aim to have a career plan, or at least a draft, ready by the end of this year. A career plan is a blueprint for action. It describes your career goal and the steps you plan to take to reach that goal. Talk to our Career Advisor if you need help.
Explore Your Options
Get off the couch and look for ways to identify your career interests and gain some real work experience. Joining the Internship Network (iNet) offered by Career Center is a good choice. What’s more is to attend job fairs, recruitment events, alumni sharing sessions and company visits to know more about different industries.
Get Equipped
Visit Career Center website and sign up for Workshops on CV writing, interview skills, presentation skills, group discussion skills, and mock aptitude test sessions. Soft skills such as business etiquette, personal grooming and work ethics are also part of the package.
Take the Career Building Course (GNED2510, SCIE1100 or SHSS1030), a one-credit general education free elective offered by Career Center, for more structured job search skills training. Plan Ahead
Give yourself an honest assessment of what you have done and what still needs to be done. If all seems too much to handle, you can always make an appointment with one of the Career Advisors. Through professional coaching and discussion, they can help you prioritize and focus on what’s urgent and important.
Year 4
This is it – the fi nal year! Take advantage of this crucial time to lay some groundwork of your future career.Build Your Network
Be creative in your job search. Expand your network through family members, relatives, friends, classmates, ex-colleagues, acquaintances, alumni and other sources. Effective channels include joining a professional organization as a student member and attending events, conferences, competitions and social gatherings. Social media like Facebook and LinkedIn are also effective platforms through which you can build resourceful connections. Don’t be shy. People you meet through university days may become your business partners, customers, supervisors or colleagues.
Get Ready
Early birds always catch the worm. Make yourself available to meet up with employers at recruitment talks and job fairs. Make sure you have at least a set of presentable CV and cover letter on hand, and customize them according to individual jobs. Polish your interview skills by getting real interview experience. Keep abreast of current affairs, the economic situation and industry trends by media. If you would like to go through more structured job search skills training, taking the Career Building Course offered by Career Center will be a good choice.
Look Ahead
No one can predict how good or bad the economic environment will be when you graduate. The time may be hard. Remember, this is only the fi rst phase of your entire career path. You will continue to equip yourself and whatever experience you will have gathered in your fi rst job will not be in vain. If you can’t fi nd a job that you love yet, love the job you can get! A positive attitude makes a world of difference. Take charge of your career development journey and build up your credentials along the way.
ETHICAL
CONSIDERATIONS
DURING THE JOB
SEARCH PROCESS
Networking
Networking can potentially help job searchers receive referrals to future job opportunities. Through talking to industry practitioners, jobseekers can also decide if a particular field is a suitable area to develop their career in. Also, one day when they need nominations in order to be affiliated to certain professional bodies, relationships established in networking could become very important.
To network effectively, jobseekers should capture every opportunity inside and outside of campus and leave a good impression on other networkers. Demonstrating good manners during the interaction is obviously the most important. Ethical networking also requires jobseekers to be proactive, positive, helpful, and keep promises, so they gain trust and add value to the relationships.
Lannie Lee
Part-time Instructor, Career Center
Job
Search
Ethics
Ethics is not something extraordinary or abstract. It can be seen through the way we act and having a set of principles that guides our decisions. Put simply, striving to be ethical is searching for good and right behavior. Throughout the job search process, jobseekers should exercise ethics, that is, display right behavior sincerely.Dealing with Job Offers
Honor your commitment. Before accepting a job offer, think carefully whether the job or position suits your interests and career goals, as well as fi nancial, professional and personal development needs. Once you have accepted an offer, it is unacceptable and even unethical to continue searching for other jobs. You should actually withdraw from and turn down all other interview invitations.
If you have accepted an offer and later realize that the job does not suit you, and meanwhile another offer from an earlier interview comes along, let the current employer know as soon as possible. Do not just quit; instead, thank the employer and ask for their approval to resign. You will leave with a good reputation.
Attending Interviews
Etiquette: Our body talks; a good personal image and following a code of behavior help project confi dence and leave a positive fi rst impression. The way you carry yourself also shows whether you are well mannered, as well as your integrity and fl air, which attract people to pay more attention to you. Professional and appropriate behavior involves appearance, stance, walking speed, manner, as well as attire. Pay attention to grooming too – gentlemen should be clean-shaven and ladies can wear some light makeup.
Timeliness: It is ethical and actually an obligation to show up at the appointment on time, preferably arriving 5 to 15 minutes earlier.
Manner: Be courteous to everyone, including the security, receptionists and HR assistants. Show that you are conscientious and businesslike at the interview. Of course you are to demonstrate your skill set but fi rst and foremost, be polite.
Other candidates: If you were asked to compare yourself with others, for example, by being asked the question “Why should we hire you instead of the other candidates?”, it is unethical to belittle the others. By the same token, do not complain about professors, peers, ex-bosses, or the company you used to work for. You simply need to emphasize your strengths and suitability for the job, and demonstrate your keen interest to join the company. Do not burn your bridges by criticizing others.
Questions for the interviewer: Asking questions that are well thought out will impress the interviewer. Here is an example of a good question: “What are the next steps in the interview process and how may I assist further?”. Do not ask unwise questions or assume that you will be offered the job, such as “What kind of training will you offer?” It is also undesirable to have no questions as this suggests that you are not really interested in the opportunity.
CV Writing
To be ethical and build trustworthiness, jobseekers need to be honest with every single detail on their CVs. Be authentic and genuine – the CV should be one’s original work and not a copy of outside sources. It should also have an organized structure and be error-free. Do not boast, misinterpret or even falsify your academic results and other achievements. If any detail is found by the employer to be deceptive, your employment can be terminated immediately.
Saying “Thank You”: Expressing goodwill is not just courteous, but a necessity. Send your thank you notes within two days to everyone involved.
The effects of ethical job-seeking behavior can be astonishing: a networker may give you a buzz one day to explore the possibility of you joining their business. You stand a higher chance of succeeding in a job interview if you have a positive image and leave a lasting impression. So, for your own benefi t, consider what needs changing. Have the right attitude and demonstrate ethical behavior.
If you have doubts or questions, come talk to the Career Advisors at Career Center!
Government Recruitment Schedule
Government Recruitment
Government recruitment follows a set timeline each year and requires standardized assessment procedures. If you are interested in working for the government, the following calendar can help you plan your job search in the coming year.
• Attend Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) and Basic Law Test (BLT) outside Hong Kong (for those who have not taken it in October)
• AO/EO: Attend Joint Recruitment Exam (JRE) SEP
DEC
• Register for Common Recruitment Exam (CRE) and Basic Law Test (BLT), which would be held in October. Late application will not be accepted.
AUG
• AO/EO: Attend Administrative Officer (AO)/Executive Officer (EO) recruitment talks on campus • AO/EO: Submit applications online
• Attend Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) and Basic Law Test (BLT) • Attend Career Mosaic and meet representatives from different government units • Auxiliary Police (Undergraduates) Scheme (AUS) and Police Mentoring Program (PMP):
Submit applications via Career Center OCT
• AO Summer Internships: Submit applications via Career Center and attend selection interviews NOV Fal l T er m
• AO Summer Internship: Offers announcements • AO (graduate positions): Offers announcements
• Police Mentorship Program (PMP): Inauguration Ceremony
• Register for Common Recruitment Exam (CRE) and Basic Law Test (BLT) which would be held in June. Late application will not be accepted.
• Post-Secondary Student Summer Internship Program (PSSSIP) and Vacation Training Scheme (VTS): submit application via Career Center
• Post-Secondary Student Summer Internship Program (PSSSIP) and Vacation Training Scheme (VTS): submit application via Career Center
• Auxiliary Police (Undergraduates) Scheme (AUS): Offers announcements APR
MAY
• Auxiliary Police (Undergraduates) Scheme (AUS) and Police Mentoring Program (PMP): Attend selection interviews
• Attend Career Mosaic and meet representatives from different government units • Post-Secondary Student Summer Internship Program (PSSSIP) and Vacation Training
Scheme (VTS): submit application via Career Center JAN MAR S p rin g T er m
• Attend Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) and Basic Law Test (BLT) • Post-Secondary Student Summer Internship Program (PSSSIP)
• AO Summer Internship
• Police Mentorship Program (PMP): Job attachment
• Auxiliary Police (Undergraduate) Scheme (AUS): Training at Auxiliary Police Headquarters JUN JUN AUG S um m er T er m
As a bridge between HKUST and employers, the Career Center
brings recruiters from different industries on campus so you can
meet them face to face.
Accounting
Advertising/Marketing/Market Research/Public Relations Aviation/Transport/Logistics
Architecture/Construction/Engineering Consultancy/Quantity Surveying Banking/Finance - Commercial Banks
Banking/Finance - Investment Banks
Banking/Finance - Private Equities/Hedge Funds/Asset Management/Fintech Banking/Finance - Other financial & investment institutions
Beauty/Health Care/Fitness
Biotechnology/Chemicals/Laboratory/Testing Services Catering/Food & Beverage
Charity/NGO/Quasi-government/Professional Bodies Civil Service/Government Design Education/Research/Training Engineering/Technical Services Environmental Science
Fast Moving Consumer Goods
General Business Services/Other Consulting Services HR/Recruitment Services
Hospitality/Hotels/Tourism/Entertainment Information Technology
Insurance
Internet/Digital/e-Commerce
Manufacturing/Machinery/Motor Vehicles/Automation Equipment Management Consulting
Media/Publishing
Medical Services/Pharmaceutical Multi-nature Conglomerates
Property Development/Management Retail/Wholesale/Trading/Import & Export Telecommunication
Utilities/Energy/Power
Fall Term Spring Term
On-Campus Recruitment Schedule – by Industry
On-campus Recruitment
Here is a general and tentative timeline of our on-campus recruitment events for the year. Mark your calendar and register in advance at the Career Center website: http://career.ust.hk “Events & Courses”
Other Resources
Online Job Vacancy Information “HKUST Job Board” on
HKUST Career Center website
Your one-stop shop for all graduate jobs and internships specifi cally targeted at HKUST students. These jobs are posted on the Career Center website:
http://career.ust.hk "Jobs & Internships"
JIJIS
(Joint Institutions Job Information System) All full-time university students can visit JIJIS WEBSITE
to look for full-time, part-time, temporary and summer jobs. First-time users need to register before logging in. For enquiries, please email support@jijis.org.hk.
General Career Information
Career Center subscribes to the Vault Online Career Library at Career Center website: http://career.ust.hk "Resources". All HKUST students and staff have FREE access to these useful and updated resources for job search, career exploration and industry updates.
Reading materials on career planning, industries, company information, and professional qualifications are available at Career Center (Rm 4001, Academic Building via Lift 4). Do drop by and take a look.
Additional job-hunting resources can be found at the HKUST Library. Additional job-hunting resources can be found at the HKUST Library.
Career Consultation
Ever have questions on your job searching journey? Confused about your road ahead and don’t know where to get help? Come meet with our Career Advisor for a 1-on-1 consultation session. In the 30-minute session, you may ask us any career related questions. From career exploration, CV polishing, interview practice to job offer management, our Career Advisors are happy to provide guidance.
Our consultation sessions are available in the mornings (9:30am – 12:00nn), afternoons (2:30pm – 5:00pm), and evenings (5:30pm – 8:00pm). If you wish to make an appointment, simply go to Career Center’s website and click on “Meet Advisors” and pick the next available slot. Specifi c days of the week are reserved for different student groups:
Undergraduates (UG)
(Except June, July and August)
Monday, Wednesday and Friday sessions are reserved for undergraduates from any programs. Postgraduates (PG)
(Except June, July and August)
Tuesday sessions are reserved for Research Postgraduates (RPGs, i.e. MPhil, PhD); Thursday sessions are reserved for Taught Postgraduates (TPGs. i.e. MSc., MA, MBA). All Students
(For June, July and August)
All consultation sessions are opened to all students from any disciplines. Evening Sessions
Evening consultation sessions (5:30pm - 8:00pm) are opened to all students from any disciplines. Meeting by Walk-In
(February, March, September and October only)
During our peak season (February, March, September and October), our Career Advisors offer “Walk-In” appointments (30 minutes per session), on a fi rst-come-fi rst-served basis. You are welcome to walk in on Tuesday mornings between 9:30am and 11:30am.
It all started from an impulse
It was when I was a Year 3 student at HKUST. Two other Chemistry students and I wanted to try something challenging and different before graduating from university. We sat down and brainstormed what problems existed in society, and discussed what we could do about them. It was quite weird and random. Anyway, we came to the conclusion that the private tutoring industry was rather problematic; we wanted to solve those problems and let students and tutors connect in a better way. We believed we could find ways to create a better ecosystem for the industry. Despite the changes over the past several years, we still hold the same belief and move forward with the same goals and vision. Learning from mistakes and failures
Our company is called Tutor Circle. We are a Hong Kong-based tutoring agency platform which specialises in connecting tutors and students. We aim to provide excellent services and the best quality 1-to-1 tutors to our students to help them overcome academic difficulties, and support parents.
Different from most other companies, we allow failures. Actually, we love failures! When the project first started, the three of us tried to distribute flyers outdoors in order to let people know about our company. The response was extremely bad; few were willing to take our flyers. We could not believe that people were so indifferent! There were even security guards and other people trying to stop our activities. We were so depressed and felt very bad. No one loves being rejected by others, and us neither. Being rejected once is not that bad, but being rejected for so many times is devastating. We wanted to give up distributing flyers at that time but we also thought if we gave up, there would be nothing we could do about it in the future. We tried our best to improve the situation and better the method. After repeated rejections and more experience, we found the way to do it! It seemed that we had overcome the challenge. If we had given up at that time, we would not be where we are today.
ANDY NG
BSc (Chemistry)Co-founder, Tutor Circle
We love trial
and error!
Many people are afraid of making mistakes, thinking that they cannot bear the bad outcomes. In fact, humans are wired to learn from failures and mistakes, not from successes. As Albert Einstein said, “anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new”. If you have never made a mistake or experienced a failure, you have learned nothing. Both my partners and I graduated from the Science School, and we seem to be born to enjoy failures! Experiments are great opportunities to learn and improve. You end up with a lot of new findings and discoveries through conducting experiments. At the same time, you find out problems along the way. The same happens in Tutor Circle. We aren’t afraid of failures or mistakes, and this is what makes us unique, and has probably helped us grow and improve fast.
Forever learning
Most people don’t like trying new things. It can be extremely hard and takes lots of effort to change, or to do or learn something new. The thing is, the world changes every day. If we are not able to learn or improve quick enough in this dynamic world, we will easily fall behind.
One of the biggest challenges for our team is that we need to continuously learn new things. We are Science graduates and are equipped with science knowledge only. What about knowledge and skills other than that related to science like coding, marketing, teaching and leadership? It can be extremely tough and painful to learn new knowledge, and the best way to do it is to enjoy what you learn and make the learning fun! Setting goals is also important. Learning is a life-long journey, and you do not only learn when you start a business; everyone needs to learn. What about you? I hope you are eager to learn. If you do you will find life more meaningful and happier.
Releasing pressure through sports
Joining marathons and exercising are the best ways for me to de-stress. When I was still a student, I experienced pressure from different sources – both studies and non-studies related. I started jogging near home when my elder brother gave me a pair of running shoes he seldom used. I fell in love with running and began to exercise regularly every week. Even when I was on exchange in Munich, Germany I didn’t stop. Later, I started to train for my first half-marathon and then my first full-half-marathon after graduating from HKUST. I cannot live without jogging!
Sports somehow change how I see pressure and problems. Every time I finish a race or exercising, I feel like the problems I’m facing can be solved easily and I think more positively. I can go on with life, feeling more at ease and happy. This year, I will join the 100km Oxfam Trailwalker with my friends to challenge ourselves! I’d say - never stop exercising!
Be optimistic and positive
I am so glad to have gone to the Science School in HKUST. The school and the University gave us lots of support and opportunities to learn and grow. Other units such as Career Center also do their best to help us set goals and plan for our future, which is precious.
I’d like to particularly encourage Science students to stay optimistic and positive, as our career paths may not be as obvious. When I was a student, I also felt lost and had no idea what I could do in the future. Remaining optimistic and positive is important not only when you try to figure out your career but whenever you encounter difficulties in your life. Your path is unique, and highly unpredictable; there are also ups and downs. Yet I am sure that sooner or later you will see a road ahead, and your life will be brighter! Is the glass half empty or half full? The answer depends on your perspective.
Following my heart:
From a head hunting firm to a primary school
After graduation, I worked as a research analyst in Korn Ferry International, a leading leadership and talent consulting firm. Most of my time was spent in front of the computer, doing industry research and candidate searches, writing candidate reports, and making cold calls. I learned a lot about the job market as well as the industries I focused on. However, something seemed to be missing from my life.
Hoping to search for that missing piece, I started to provide free regular tutorial lessons to an underprivileged primary school girl who had lost her mother. I felt fulfilled witnessing the growth of my student. I also found a huge sense of satisfaction that I had never experienced in my job.
I believe that every child is born with great potential. At the same time, our education and circumstances play an extremely important role in shaping who we are. Those of us who can go to university are very fortunate to be the “beneficiaries” of our education system. Yet, many underprivileged students have never imagined themselves being admitted to higher education. I wanted to help them. However, I had a strong tendency to stay where I was because changing would mean uncertainties.
I spent my Christmas holiday that year in a remote small village 8 hours away from Kunming to see the terraces. There was only one primary school in that village. You could see little children with runny noses and dirty clothes chasing each other, bare feet, in the paddy fields. They didn’t have much but they always had a smile on their face. I saw happiness in its simplest form. Coming from a place much more developed, we have way more choices than the children there do, and yet we don’t realize. Often it’s just a matter of whether we have the courage to take the seemingly adventurous path.
AMY WONG
BSc (Global China Studies) Teaching Fellow, Teach4HK
Be the change
you want to see
in the world
I decided to join Teach4HK after the trip. Teach4HK is a growing movement aiming to alleviate the education inequality in Hong Kong. Through the one-year Fellowship Program, young university graduates are recruited to serve in underprivileged schools as full-time teachers.
True Passion: Education
I am now teaching English at a local primary school under Teach4HK’s Fellowship Program. I didn’t know I love kids that much until I started really spending time with them. I enjoy having casual chats with my students and making them happy by doing silly things, like dressing as a mummy at Halloween. I miss my students and desperately want to see them again during holidays. That’s when I realize how much I love my job.
Teaching to me is a journey of exploring the true side of our society. Many of the kids in my school are from grassroots families. Some students from senior grades have never been to Central or Stanley, or don’t even know where they are. In the fellowship program, I have also come across a lot of children who need special guidance and care because they lack parental support. I still vividly remember my feeling when a young girl from Small Group Home (under S.K.H. St. Christopher's Home) told me that she wished to have a mother like me.
The most powerful thing about education is that it creates hope. When we are misunderstood, we can think about how to educate our kids to be understanding. It’s when we are hurt that we teach our kids to express kindness through both actions and words. Not only are we painting the future of our children, but we are also making the world a better place by educating our children to be better persons.
Touching moments: Inspiring the youth
I have a P1 student who is extremely sensitive and shy. She hardly knew A to Z when she first came to my class. Her parents do not know English so she has very little family support. She cried every time she received her dictations and test papers. She once told me that her dad refused to sign her test paper because he was ashamed of her. I told her life is a marathon; It's okay to fail, but the most important thing is to have faith in yourself and have a “can do” mentality. She showed us her efforts by scoring 96 marks in her final English exam. I was literally crying in the staff room after marking her paper.
When I told my students that I was leaving, all of us cried. Their assignment for that day was to say “I love you” to their parents and the people they love. I don't know for how long they will remember me, but I firmly believe that the warmth of human connections they have experienced, and the values and attitudes they have learned will be recalled and passed on someday in the future. This is the power of education.
And yes – I will continue serving underprivileged students on the front line.
If you are unhappy about your status quo, do not accept it as it is. Follow your heart and create the future you desire. You will never regret doing the things you love. Even if you fail, it's still better than regretting not trying at all when you get old.
MT Assessment
ANNA CHAMPION
The email pops up in your inbox from your dream employer, “we are delighted to invite you to an assessment center”. You have two weeks to prepare for the assessment day. What will happen and what can you do to prepare?
Firstly, ensure you have the date in your diary, confirm you will be there and you thank them for the opportunity. Request more information about exactly what will be in the day.
Anna Champion
Decode MT Assessment
Why an assessment day?
Assessment days are designed to ensure that you are given multiple chances to show your skills rather than relying on just one way like the interview (which actually is a very poor indicator of success). If something goes wrong in an exercise you have more opportunity to show that you have good self-awareness.
An assessment center should also increase the speed of decision making because multiple candidates are seen together across exercises rather than having to work with everyone’s complicated scheduling.
What is in an assessment day?
Each one will be different, here are some potentials:
A group exercise
This could be a fun physical activity, a discussion, role play or a business case. All have the focus of assessing your ability to work as a team, your communication skills and also your ability to complete the task. Additionally depending on the activity, they might look at creativity, commercial awareness and problem solving.
An individual case study or business problem
In the age of information, a recruiter wants to see how you can process multiple sources of information, analyse and use your own commercial awareness to come up with a coherent solution. Often the format will be a presentation and time for the assessors to ask additional questions.
Online you will find heaps of resources to practice. The Talent Lighthouse
So what can you do to prepare?
My final words…1. Know the skills you need
Use the job description and other clues to establish what are the key skills you think that they need for success in this role. Then ensure you have some examples to demonstrate these skills
2. Read about the employer
Rather than just focusing on the website look at what has happened in the last year 3. Be yourself
Remember that this is a two way process and it is important that you are true to yourself. If you feel too uncomfortable in the assessment day, think about whether this is the right environment for you. It is better to make this decision now rather than joining and hating every moment of it
Good luck with the preparation and remember the Career Center gives you plenty of opportunities to practice the skills you need.
A test
Often recruiters take the opportunity to test or retest your numerical, verbal or logical reasoning skills. This is done to ensure that the process is fair and to reduce the chances of cheating (ask any recruiter and they will be able to give you at least one example where someone has cheated on these tests).
Business skills
Ideally at an assessment center we want candidates to be doing activities that are most like the activities you would do in the job, therefore the use of prioritisation/to do list activities used to be very popular. Role plays also may come into the picture, giving you scenarios that you might encounter in the role. If written communication is also vital, you may even be asked to write a letter of advice or prepare a proposal.
The interview
The interview is also often seen in the assessment center, this is where they double check all the skills that they have measured in other exercises, establish whether you fit into the culture of the organisation and also most importantly give you the opportunity to ask them questions.
Think about the skills that you will need to be successful in the organisation, and come up with as many examples as you can to give evidence that you have the ability to use these skills. Some organisations may ask you to do more technical interviews, such as mathematical challenges. You will likely know if this is the part of the process before you get there and this is an area to definitely focus on in preparation.
The less obvious assessments
Candidates often forget that whilst they are in the building where they are being assessed that the assessments might continue even outside of the obvious. Candidates may be observed when they are eating lunch with business reps, on tours of the building or the way in which they interact with others. We genuinely have not offered someone who has aced all parts of the assessment center but is rude to the receptionist or we overheard them bad mouthing another candidate in the lift.
You may also be asked to review your own performance and where you feel you did well or could have improved. Employers want to hire people who are self aware and able to take feedback well.
CAREER
MOSAIC
Career Mosaic is a biannual campus-wide career fair organized by the Career Center, in October and March. More than 500 companies and organizations have participated every year. Career Mosaic offers a highly effective platform for employers to reach out to HKUST students on recruiting them for internship and graduate employment opportunities.
Benefi ts to students
Identify graduate and internship opportunities in their areas of interest Meet with employers from different industries
Submit applications directly to the employers at the event Obtain interviews from some employers on the spot Benefi ts to employers
Reach out to your potential talent pool to fulfi ll your talent needs
Build your brand on campus and increase awareness in the student community Meet with talents and perform selection on the spot to save recruiting costs
“I can’t believe the number of companies have joined. It’s HUGE! There are so many jobs and internship opportunities provided. Some jobs are not searchable on the internet and exclusive to HKUST students!”
“From Concourse to Atrium, I like how Career Mosaic has extended to this scale. It creates a lot more options for students.”
“The booklet is well designed, and even the students who cannot participate at the event can still look up valuable information there.”
“Apart from the recruiters, advisors from Career Center are very helpful in offering great tips and advices which helped me prepare to meet the employers out there!”
“Career Mosaic brought in great opportunities and very useful r
ecruitment information from the employment market.”
Student Feedback
“It was an incredible experience! The employers are very enthusiastic about their roles which I gained a huge deal of insight into my future. Thank you Career Center!”
employment market.” employment market.”
You are about to start an internship. A new experience awaits you. You are excited as you are looking forward to this new exposure. In the meantime, you are uncertain, as you are not sure how this experience will be. The purpose of this article is to get you well prepared for your internship. Hopefully, you can manage your uncertainties to your advantage.
Despite being relatively short-term, an internship is a valuable experience for both you and the organization. For you, it provides real-life experience in the workplace and a good opportunity to start building your professional network. For the organization, it provides human resources as well as builds employer brand.
To capitalize on this valuable opportunity, you may consider the following before you kick-start your internship:
Acquire up-to-date i
nformation
about the organizat
ion
Study the organization. Learn about its strateg ies, organizational structure, the team/department that you are about to join, if you know which; and any latest related market news. This can help you familiarize yourself with t
he organization and more easily manage what you are go
ing to encounter.
1
Check to see who among your
friends/colleagues have interned
with or is working or has worked
in this organization
If there are, ask for their experience/advice. Their insights may help you learn more about the organization. They may also be able to offer you some good tips for navigating in the organization.
3
Get to know the who’s who of
this organization
Working with your team members is more effective and efficient if you already have a bit of knowledge about them. You may consider searching them in social media networks.
2
My insig
hts:
My insig
hts:
...
10
Things...
to do before you
start an internship
ALICE CHEUNG
Keep an open mind
Stay open and curious. Sometimes, things do not happen as expected. Keeping an open mind can definitely help you to embrace the changes and uncertainties. Staying curious helps to broaden your learning repertoire. These can make your internship experience rich and colorful.
Internship experience is valuable and it is up to you to make the best out of this opportunity. The effort you put in will pay off, in the form of the learning on the internship. Be good and do good.
Prepare for different
scenarios
In today’s dynamic environment, change is the only constant. Preparedness can help to ease the stress and shock as a result of all these changes. Come up with different “what-if” scenarios and consider how you would react to them. For example, what if you have questions but nobody was around to help you? What if you have not been given more interesting tasks to perform? What if your designated supervisor is away on vacation and you have no one to consult? It is worthwhile to prepare for different scenarios, at least psychologically, through pondering how you may respond.
9
10
5
Check out the organization
practices
Get to know the organization practices such as dress code, working hours, etc. You should check the dress code of the organization so that you can prepare your work wear accordingly. Knowing the working hours can help you to align your schedule with theirs.
Schedule your route to
and from the workplace
Work out your route to and from the workplace and plan your schedule accordingly. Rehearsals help. In this way, you manage your time better and this in turn contributes to the building of your professional image.
7
with theirs. with theirs.
Set your body clock in
line with the working
hours of the organization
Align your body clock with the working hours of the organization so as to allow yourself to be more effective in dealing with the new challenges ahead. You may consider adjusting your wake up time, morning routines and rest time to cope with this new pattern.
Clarify your expect
ations/
set your goals
Smart goal setting is one of the critical success factors for your internship. Refresh your mind. Know why you take up this internship and set smart goals for the coming weeks/months.
6
8
Send a note to the contact
person of the organization
This is to inform the organization that you are ready and looking forward to the internship, and enables you to find out if there is anything you need to be aware of before the internship commences. This helps build your image as a responsible professional and demonstrate your eagerness to join the team.Learning Through Internships
The importance of internship programs simply cannot be ignored or taken lightly. In the competitive job market we face today, good jobs are scarce and only quality candidates will be chosen. As you go through your years of studies, you MUST NOT OVERLOOK the participation in INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS because this empowers you to get ready for your future career with an impressive cover letter, a strong CV and all the necessary soft skills that make you stand out from others.
HKUST Internship Network (iNet)
iNet is an integrated internship platform which provides a host of internship programs across HK, Mainland China and many foreign countries. The following are highlights of the programs:
Program Name Location Duration
HKUST
Internship
Network
(iNet)
On-campus Internship Program HKUST campus Part-time or full timeDuration: varies
HKETO in Mainland Internship Program Various cities in Mainland China Winter/Summer5-6 weeks
ASEAN Internship for University Students of
Hong Kong Scheme ASEAN countries Winter/Summer4-12 weeks
The Cross-Cultural Internship Program Work & Travel USA Program
6-12 weeks Summer USA
The Intern Group International Internship Program The Bloom of Youth Global Internship Program
6-24 weeks Year round, depending on
program Australia/ Colombia/ UK/Spain and some European countries
Scheme on Corporate Summer Internship on the Mainland and Overseas
6-16 weeks Summer Singapore/ Malaysia/ Indonesia/ Thailand/ Vietnam/UK/Sweden/ Japan, etc. Pilot Apprenticeship Program for
Private Wealth Management HK 4-12 weeksSummer
Pilot Program to Enhance Talent Training
for the Insurance Sector HK 4-12 weeksSummer
Maritime and Aviation Internship Scheme HK 4 -12 weeksSummer HeadStart@HKUST Program HK, Mainland China& overseas 6-12 weeksSummer
Myriads of other Mainland summer internship programs 6 weeks Summer (depending on respective programs) Various cities in
Mainland China Scheme on Corporate Summer Internship on the
Mainland and Overseas Various cities in Mainland China 6-16 weeksSummer Government Summer Jobs, PSSSIP refers (offers
1,000+ jobs in different government departments;
only for students who are HK permanent residents) HK 6-12 weeks
Y-Society Internship Program (Finance-related internships) Beijing 6 weeks Summer
Fintech Career Accelerator Scheme HK 4-12 weeks
Shanghai Future Leaders Internship Program (SHFLIP) Shanghai 6-8 weeks Summer
Lo ca l Int er ns hi p s M ainl an d In te rn shi p s O ve rs ea s Int er ns hi p s
Local internships listed above are usually paid whereas the majority of Mainland and overseas internships are unpaid. Despite the fi nancial implication of taking up an unpaid internship in the Mainland or overseas, the programs promise you wider exposure to different cultures, local customs, work practices, and foreign languages, which may help develop your resilience while living in an alien city/country, as compared to a local internship. Therefore do not focus merely on whether you get paid or not when deliberating on your internship.
Jeff was an engineer for four years before he became a consultant. Hear him share how he stepped out from his comfort zone into new territories.
Leaving the safe cocoon
Deciding to change my career after four years of corporate life wasn’t a difficult decision. The move wasn’t because of having been fed up or the typical “bad boss” experience; in fact I had some of the most exciting experiences during that time. During those four years, I had the opportunities to take part in managing a HKD 400 million chemical plant project, involve in business-wide digital transformations, work in different locations, from cities like Nanjing to rural areas in Inner Mongolia, as well as meet amazing people with whom I’m still in touch now. It was during one of my weekly trips to Xi’an. I realized that if I stayed with this company, while I would be happy with the stability and career progression, I would get comfortable. I knew I needed to make a change before I became too settled in my comfort zone – a change that would enable me to throw myself into the world of uncertainties, and continue to exploit my potential and push my limits. I then began my search for the next steps.
Making that first step
Researching options for the career move took me some time, because I didn’t want to move to a similar company; otherwise I could have just stayed. I wanted to try something new, and at the same time would allow me to leverage my China experience, as well as develop my passion for engaging with people and overcoming exciting challenges. Therefore I tried to look for something in the field of management consulting. But it was difficult: management consulting opportunities that would embrace the engineering aspect of my experience wasn’t at all common.
After months of research, I began to understand what the industry was like, companies in the sector, and typical profiles of practitioners from LinkedIn, but I still couldn’t find an opportunity that clicked. Until one day, a recruiter approached me for a consultant position for a company that had a vision that was nothing but a perfect match with my very own aspiration. Through a couple rounds of interviews, I met colleagues with similar backgrounds and amazing experience, and I knew I wanted to start my next job with them. In hindsight, I find the following ways of thinking particularly important in job search and career development:
Always be open to changes:
Although I was trained as a chemical engineer, I take on every opportunity available, which helps me explore possibilities and expand my knowledge. In my career change, I have gone from chemical plant operation to plant design safety analysis, from managing the schedule and budget of a chemical plant development
JEFF LI
BEng (Chemical Engineering) Senior Consultant, Advisian
Breaking out
to developing management tool for a portfolio of gas refilling stations, from managing procurement contract administration to digital transformation of a maintenance management system. In fact, relevant skills developed on my previous job and the ability to adapt and pick up new skills quickly are essential in management consulting.
Always be curious to the things around you:
The opportunities I mentioned above were not handed to me on a plate, except my first assignment working as an operator in a chemical plant at Inner Mongolia. I landed on all others because of my curiosity. One of the advantages of being a fresh graduate is that I was free to ask questions and be a bit “nosy” about the different aspects of the business without offending my colleagues. Of course, the questions had to be genuine and well thought out; they are not meant to challenge or judge but to enable learning and appreciate. Always be true to yourself:
One of the challenges that I had when pursuing a career change was staying true to my goal. We are used to seeking advice from people whom we love and trust, which is important when making decisions; yet the more is not necessarily the better. There was a point when more consultation not only wouldn’t help but would also confuse. I needed to make a decision myself and act on it. There can also be temptations. For example, after I had tendered my resignation the company I was with offered me a very attractive position to work closely with the top management. I struggled for a moment, but soon I realized it was not a better version of the job that I needed, but the opportunity to challenge myself in a completely new environment.
Navigating challenges gracefully
Career changes are of course challenging; there are obvious trade-offs. For example, you lose job stability, likely promotions, established work relationships, and even a glamorous job title.
For me, although with my experience I could qualify for a Senior Consultant position, the only opening available at the time was for a Consultant position. I still went for it because while it is common to look for progression in career changes, my focus was on the opportunity to join a new sector. I also believed that I could prove myself at work and eventually earn the title I deserve. And I was right – I was recognized with a generous pay rise and a promotion in just over a year’s time.
Also, we are easily distracted by norms and others’ expectations, which could actually be irrelevant and unimportant to our career development. More precisely, we are prone to making decisions based on what most people value, such as salary, prospects and status, as these are usually immediately recognized by others and attract applause. In the long run though, we are the ones who have to bear the consequences of our decisions. If we do not identify our own passions or address our own needs, life would become difficult when these expectations change over time. It is not easy to deal with expectations especially when they are from our family and friends; yet it is something that we need to learn if we want to take the ownership of our career and life.
Leveraging your strengths to create something new and better
There are quite a few skills and qualities I acquired on my previous job that are transferrable to my current position. The main ones are the patience to listen to others, adopting different communication methods to suit the audience, and “grit”.
Listen patiently
Listening is not so you can speak sooner, but to understand and appreciate a person or a situation better. It is very easy for us to switch off when we think the other person has nothing new to offer. However, on many occasions I actually discovered something new or of value to the projects that I was working on from people who seemed boring and had nothing to offer at first.
Vary your communication styles
Choosing the best communication style is something that I’ve picked up when engaging with people from all walks of life, from internal senior management to frontline workers, and it is a great skill to have as a management consultant. One of my first projects here was to advise a client on its submarine optic fiber cable landing project. I had to liaise with construction supervisors, designers and government officials. The most effective ways of communicating with different people can differ dramatically; it’s obvious you wouldn’t talk to a senior management in the same way you talk to a construction worker, and vice versa. Finding the best ways takes time, but as I’ve just mentioned, by listening patiently you will soon learn the most suitable way to communicate with them.
Be courageous and determined
Listening and communication skills are essential in consulting work especially when we try to uncover information through interactions with clients and stakeholders. And I’d say grit is a necessary personal quality when we go through changes or tough times in life or at work.
There was a lot for me to learn when I first moved from corporate to consulting. In corporate settings, the timeframe for projects is usually much longer and you specialize in those areas. In consulting, often you have very little prior knowledge of the projects you are working on, as well as much shorter time to complete them. For example, in one of my consulting projects, I was expected to gain deep domain knowledge of the construction industry, from construction work sequence to procurement methods, in just four weeks’ time.
The most exciting project in my career so far is the project that I’m currently working on. It is an industry-wide strategy development project in which we help the client benchmark the local industry performance against that of other countries and develop a performance improvement strategy roadmap for the industry. I started from scratch, and within a limited period of time, engaged with local and overseas stakeholders along the supply chain, and conducted extensive data analysis to reach our findings. I am really excited because the end product will help shape the entire industry. The thought of making a positive impact on the community is what gets me up early in the morning for work and helps me get through the late nights.
Trying things out and expecting obstacles
I would like to have tried out different internships when I was in university to get a taste of what the world of work might be like. I didn’t see the importance of internships at the time and I was fully engaged in other activities and programs. The internship did not have to be directly related to my degree; it just needed to be in a field that interested me. I would definitely have taken such an opportunity. After all, our university life prepares us for a future of change rather than a particular job. The choice of career is always in our hands, and our job is to explore more options and make informed decisions.
Things could go wrong even when you have planned carefully. As Robert Burns puts in his poem “To a Mouse”, “The best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley”. I am often reminded that plans are obsolete the moment they are made; execution requires adaptation, especially in the ever-changing world we live in today. So, don’t be afraid if your best laid plan doesn’t go well, be brave and adapt and change accordingly. Just make sure that you are still on the path to reaching your goal.
JEFF LI
BEng (Chemical Engineering) Senior Consultant, Advisian
Breaking out from my comfort zone
N
on-
l
ocal
s
working in Hong Kong
Any plan to take up employment in Hong Kong during and after your study?Commencing May 2008, the Hong Kong Immigration Department has relaxed the immigration policy such that non-local students may be allowed to take up curriculum or study-related internships as well as part-time on-campus employment during term time, and to take up employment during summer months. Eligible students will receive a “No-Objection Letter (NOL)” issued by the Immigration Department together with the student visas/entry permits.
More details about these employment-related regulations are available at the websites of the Hong Kong Immigration Department and Career Center of Dean of Students' Offi ce at HKUST. You should get yourself familiarized with relevant rules and regulations stipulated in these two websites and clear the legalities before starting your employment. In case of doubt, please contact Career Center.
Non-compliance may result in deportation.
Students' Offi ce at HKUST
deportation.
the Hong Kong Immigration Department and Career Center of Dean of
N
on-
l
ocal
Fascination
I did not know how vast the banking industry was before I came to Hong Kong. I come originally from Czech Republic, which is a rather small country in Central Europe, where banking is not a very large industry. Upon coming to Hong Kong I was overwhelmed. I saw many friends and classmates interested in banking and they inspired me to seek more information about the industry. I was sure it offers positions for all students, no matter which major they are in. These include positions that involve quantitative analyses, like trading and quants, to more people-oriented positions such as human resources or relationship managers.
PETR POKORNY
BSc (Chemistry)Winter Student Apprentice, HSBC
PETR POKORNY
BSc (Chemistry)Winter Student Apprentice, HSBC
Preparation
Preparation is key when you apply for internships. First of all, it is important to have a CV in the correct format, highlighting accomplishments you are proud of and credentials that would catch attention of the readers. Bear in mind that your audience may look at your CV only for a few seconds. Therefore it is important to prepare a CV that would capture their attention instantly. To prepare for interviews, you may want to focus mainly on three types ofquestions:
1. Behavioural questions which companies use to understand your people and social skills in possible workplace situations
2. Personal questions – details about you, your future plans and your motivations
3. Technical questions that are highly relevant to the position you are applying to.
During your interviews with HR, questions are predominantly behavioural and personal. With department managers, technical questions seem to be more important. For me I had one phone interview with HR and another face-to-face one with a line manager.
Qualifications
No matter which major you are from, I believe the skills you learn in university are general problem solving skills, as well as logical and analytical thinking, which can be applied in a host of situations. In my opinion, even if my major were more banking related, the actual job is always very different than what I learn in school. Therefore, expect to encounter new methodologies and concepts, and be eager to learn whatever is required. Apart from technical skills, soft skills are very important, like the ability to communicate your concerns with the manager or network with other co-workers.
Expectations
Since HSBC, where I had my winter apprenticeship, is a very international company, there would naturally be cultural differences on the team. On my floor I met people from the UK, France, the USA, India, South Korea, Mainland China, and of course Hong Kong. Corporate culture generally helps unite the employees and also helps them overcome cultural differences. Having said that, you are expected to make your own effort as well. Personally, I did not encounter any conflicts; I took the differences as opportunities to learn about other cultures and work styles. I strongly encourage other interns to do the same - rather than being worried about what the colleagues might be like, take the interactions as opportunities to broaden your horizons, especially if you aim at higher executive positions in the future, which will almost definitely involve managing an international team.
Exploration
For those who are still at university, make sure you know what you want. Are you interested in working with numbers or people? Discover what you are good at and passionate about. Identify individual steps of the path leading to that job you are interested in, and tackle the obstacles one by one.
Divide and conquer
Also, try not to focus on one opportunity only. Make sure you get to know more employers, and conduct “due diligence” very carefully and accurately. There are a lot of opportunities in the market, and many people do not even know those opportunities exist. If you know someone who has worked in an organization you are interested in – a family, friend or classmate – make sure you get as much information as you can from them.
Who are management consultants anyway?
Consultants, at their core, help clients understand and solve problems. They do this in three ways: 1. structuring problems through a rational
approach and extracting data-backed insights; 2. designing solutions based on these insights to
achieve goals for clients; and finally;
3. working with clients to implement these solutions and track their effectiveness.
Who is this job for?
Consulting is an exciting job choice for those who love solving complex problems and have a passion for analytical work.
At the same time, there are two things to keep in mind. First, for most people, consulting is not the final destination but a stepping stone to other careers such as startups, other corporates, or institutional investors. It helps if you have taken some time to reflect on what you are hoping to learn through your time as a consultant and where you hope this journey takes you. This will help you make the most of this opportunity and give you a sense of direction in an otherwise overwhelming and chaotic setting!
Second, life as a management consultant is demanding in terms of long working hours and travel time. You might find that making time for exercise, other relationships/activities and even eating meals can become a task to achieve. Would be good to make peace with this truth if you want to pursue this option!
VAISHNAVI KAUSHIK
BBA (Marketing, minor Entrepreneurship) Manager – AlphaSights
Business not
as usual
What is success for you, Vaishnavi?
I believe how one sees success depends very much on who they are and what they are hoping to accomplish. In order to feel “successful”, I would say the foremost step is coming up with a definition of success that you resonate with! For me, the days I feel successful in my work usually result from a lot of hard work, caring deeply about what I am doing, and being authentic and true to myself in every choice that I make. Put simply, if you are leaving a situation in a better condition than you first found it, you are probably on the right path!
How can I find my passion?
Recently, I read an interesting perspective on passion:
“Instead of looking for a magic bullet, that there is one thing you must be meant to do even though you don’t know what it is yet, it can be more productive to perceive interests flexibly, as potentially endless. A growth mindset, rather than a fixed sense that there’s one interest you should pursue single-mindedly, improves the chances of finding your passion—and having the will to master it.” (Paul O’Keefe, Yale-NUS college psychologist)
It is more fun and fulfilling to develop your passions (yes there can be multiple!) through experiences, experimentation and hard work as opposed to waiting for passions to come to us!
What is it like being a female manager?
As a female manager, I have had the opportunity to add a different perspective to an otherwise all male team and challenge the existing systems with fresh ideas. But adding a new voice can be achieved by anyone regardless of gender as long as you practice courage and creativity. Impact is a daily and ongoing journey - there won’t be just one day when you wake up and finally have an “impact.” Showing up each day, daring to dream of a better world and working hard to become the example that you wish to see, is what will create impact over time. I can proudly say that as a team we have been able to achieve our most productive quarter ever and I am excited for all that is to come!
How has your time in HKUST impacted you?
HKUST served as the perfect environment for me to make some very close friends! All our experiences and banter in university have helped to build a strong foundation for our friendships and we are each other’s support system. Sometimes I cannot imagine making it through the week without these amazing people.
I’d like to end with my favorite quote: “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”
Vaishnavi Kaushik is a manager at AlphaSights, a global leader in knowledge search, connecting professionals with knowledge, ultimately helping clients with problem-solving, decision-making and strategy development. Find out what this management consultant thinks about career, success, passion and life at large.
Handshakes
Common mistakes: limp, ‘fingers shake’, bone-crushing, sweaty hands, no handshakes
Handshake is often the first contact you have with people in a business environment. It is a gesture of mutual trust. It can make or break your chance of making a deal or a positive impression.
You shake hands when you are meeting someone for the first time, meeting someone again, bidding farewell and upon closing a deal.
Steps
1. Be proactive; extend your right hand straight out in front of your body.
2. Grip the other person’s hand with your thumb resting to the side and with slight firmness. 3. As you shake hands, smile and look into the
eyes of the other person. Do not glance over or down. Introduce yourself and greet the person by name at the same time.
4. Release the hand after 3 or less shakes (or until the person releases his/her hand).
Other TIPS : If you have sweaty hands, always
keep a handkerchief or tissue with you to keep your hands fresh and dry.
Navigating complexities in the workplace
takes more than hard work and technical
skills. It is important to know what
behavior is in general accepted and
expected. Here are a few tips on business
etiquette that might help.
Business Etiquette
You Need to Know
CINDY CHENG
Self-Introductions
Common mistakes: “Hi, I am John. I am 18 years old and I live in Sheung Shui.” This is for kindergarten interviews!
What to say when introducing yourself
1. Greetings (Good morning/ afternoon/ evening, name of the person if known)
2. I am (your first and last name)
3. I am (who you are, e.g., a 3rd year student of …, a graduate of …)
4. It’s a pleasure to meet you.
BONUS : mention something you know about this
person or the company. E.g., “I have read an article about you and …”; “Thank you for offering me an opportunity to meet with you.”
Politeness
When walking out of a lift or through a door and someone else is doing the same, it is important that you allow the other person to go first by using an open palm gesture, and saying “after you”. If you are entering a room or getting out of a lift with others, open the door and hold it, and be the last to enter the room or get out of the lift. In situations where your host is the one holding the door and asking you to walk in first, simply say, “thank you” and walk in.
When you need to walk with another person along a path, and if space allows, you should always walk in the same pace as his/ hers, and by his /her side.
Email address
The worst examples: loveyouforever@gmail.com,
starwar2001@gmail.com, etc
Save these email addresses for your personal use and create another one for business. Keep the email address simple and neutral. For example, if your name is Larry Chan, you could use
larrychan_0314@gmail.com (say, your birthday is 14th of March).
