1. TMS ASIA PACIFIC
Interview Skills Workshop
Boost Your Overall Hirability
Presented by Inez Chan
23 June 2010
2. ABOUT US
Established in 1994. Today, TMS Asia Pacific is the largest
travel HR consultancy firm in the region. TMS Asia Pacific
has recently opened a training institute – TMS Academy.
Asia’s first specialist recruitment firm
dedicated solely to the travel, tourism
& hospitality sectors.
All members of the worldwide TMS
Asia Pacific team are from a travel,
tourism and/or hospitality
background.
MORE THAN JUST
RECRUITMENT
6. THE WAY FORWARD
• Online (new media, BLOGS, LinkedIn, WIWIH, Twitter,
Facebook, Catererglobal, Myspace, hotel/restaurant websites)
• Search/Recruitment Agencies
• Word of mouth
8. POSITION YOURSELF
• A well written CV – it can mean getting an interview or
being passed over.
• CV needs to be concise; easy to read, ideally 3 pages.
• Up to date with months and years of employment; role,
responsibilities and accomplishments.
• Focus on achievements rather than responsibilities.
• Avoid fancy fonts, templates, colors or borders.
• Use bullet points.
• Include professionally taken pictures of your culinary
creations.
• Don’t forget to SPELL and GRAMMAR Check!
• Highlight your qualifications and skills; i.e. language or
computer skills.
9. A GOOD CV SHOULD
HAVE…
1. Personal Particulars (photo optional)
2. Educational Background &
Professional Qualifications
3. Career Objective
4. Career Summary & Achievements
5. Work Experience (in chronological order)
6. Hobbies (only those relevant to the position applied for)
11. INTERVIEW TIPS
• Employers want to hire as much as you want
the job.
• Show the employer you REALLY want the
job.
• Research and prepare questions.
• Dress your best and Smile - be happy!
• First impression is important, decisions are
made in the first 10 minutes of an interview.
• Arrive on time – or even better early.
• Turn off your mobile phone.
• Be honest with your answers.
12. INTERVIEW
DO’S AND DON’T
1. Be on time. 1. Tell lies.
2. Turn off mobile. 2. Rely on them to do the
3. Pay attention on selling for you.
personal hygiene. 3. Act as though you just
4. Firm handshake & sit want any job.
upright. 4. Smoke or chew gum.
5. Speak clearly & 5. Look at the time.
confidently.
6. Start talking about
6. Research the company & personal issues.
prepare questions.
7. Criticize current or past
employers.
13. INTERVIEW ATTIRE
a) Make sure you have appropriate interview
attire and everything fits correctly.
b) Get your clothes ready the night before.
c) If your clothes are dry clean only, take them
to the cleaners after an interview, so they are
ready for next time.
d) Polish your shoes.
e) Bring a breath mint and use it before you
enter the building.
14. DRESS CODE
MALE
• Solid color, conservative suit
• White long sleeve shirt
• Conservative tie
• Dark socks, professional shoes
• Little or no jewelry
• Neat, professional hairstyle
• Go easy on the aftershave
• Neatly trimmed nails
• Portfolio or briefcase
15. DRESS CODE
FEMALE
• Solid color, conservative suit - the suit skirt
should be long enough so you can sit down
comfortably
• Coordinated blouse & conservative shoes
• Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms
full of bracelets)
• No jewelry is better than cheap jewelry
• Professional hairstyle
• Neutral pantyhose
• Light make-up and perfume
• Neatly manicured clean nails
• Portfolio or briefcase
18. NETWORKING TIPS
• Quality vs. quantity – It’s the quality of your contacts that counts,
not the number. Who are the decision makers? Influencers?
• Be creative – Use new media, social networking sites: Facebook,
Blogs, LinkedIn etc.
• Be Patient - Business relationships take time. Get to know people
not only from a business perspective but from a personal one too.
• Avoid emergency networking - Build relationships BEFORE you
need them.
• Diversity – Get to know people across different industries and social
groups.
• Get introduced – Seek referrals and get yourself personally
introduced. A personal introduction opens doors you otherwise have
no way of entering.
• Introduce others - You get to re-connect with people when you don't
need anything and the favor will be returned in future.
• Make random "hello" calls - When someone comes up in a
conversation or to mind. You don't need to have an agenda or
reason.
20. SELECTING A
RECRUITER
• ..who is a natural Networker.
• ..who has a good reputation/work
ethics.
• ..who is genuinely interested in helping
you build a career.
• ..who understands the client’s needs.
• ..who has a successful track record.
21. SUMMARY
- Boost Your Overall Hirability
Prepare yourself properly; start networking
early, prepare a well written CV highlighting
your skills to the employer.
Interviews – Show the employer you want
the job, do some research and be positive;
employers normally make a decision in the
first 10 minutes.
Work with professionals to develop your
career.
Network!
22. FULL TIME
TMS wishes you all the best in
your endeavour!
Thank you!
Inez.Chan@tmsap.com
Regional Director, Business Development
TMS Asia Pacific
