New grads writing resumes should take note: no selfies or group photos

Reported by You t-r / Taipei

As graduation season approaches, university freshers will soon enter the workforce. How can they stand out among countless resumes to secure good interviews and job opportunities? Zhong Yuxin, president of J&T CONTENTS Co., Ltd., a company specializing in promoting Japanese tourism, says that in additionto using sincere and detailed language in resumes, avoid using candid photos, selfies, or group photos. "Using a graduation photo is the most standard and safest choice."

How can new grads make a lasting impression on recruiters? Avoid including candid photos, selfies, or group photos in your resume, and don’t try to act cute or use phonetic symbols in your personal statement. Once you pass the resume screening, you’ll be contacted by phone. Zhong Yuxin shares that the initial phone call is already part of the interview. "When answering the phone, avoid sounding frivolous. Use 'yes' or 'understood' as responses."

When preparing yourself, be sure to thoroughly understand the role you’re applying for and the company. "Work takes up a significant portion of your life, so you must be clear about what you want to do," says Zhong Yuxin. Freshers might try putting themselves in the interviewer’s shoes and consider what the interviewer would want to know. During the interview, it’s okay to ask about unclear aspects of the company, but avoid asking about benefits such as "Will I have to work late often?" or "Do you offer employee trips?"


▲Graduation season is here. While looking forward to the future, also do your homework. (Photo / DAGI / Illustration)

During interviews, dressing formally in a suit and wearing light makeup are basic requirements. Avoid excessive decoration such as black nail polish or false eyelashes. Maintaining a smile and eye contact is also very important. Zhong Yuxin gives an example: an interviewee without a smile may seem unenthusiastic, and if maintaining direct eye contact feels too intense, you can look at the person’s forehead—it creates the feeling of making eye contact without causing stress.

"If I think someone is good but some conditions don’t match and they can’t be hired, I’ll give them some advice," says Zhong Yuxin. She once encountered an interviewee who lacked confidence and was afraid to take the next step. She advised the person to first try working in different fields. About two years later, when the company had a new vacancy, the interviewee was the first to apply—and was successfully rehired, which was touching.

"Always remember to leave opportunities for yourself. Even if you’re not hired, sending a thank-you email to the interviewer or listening to more feedback can create more opportunities for you," analyzes Zhong Yuxin. Generally, fresh graduates under 25 who have worked in each role for over a year and are still exploring their direction are usually accepted by companies. But those over 30 who frequently switch jobs may be seen as lacking self-awareness and stability—something to keep in mind.

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