Returning to Indonesia 1998/1999

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Section III: First Contact With Business

Curriculum Vitae Preparation and Interviews

Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) or résumés, cover letters, interviews and thank you notes are crucial tools of the job search. They should not be used haphazardly. Appropriate styles and approaches vary from country to country. In approaching potential Indonesian employers, you will need to ascertain for yourself what techniques are appropriate. Below we highlight things to which you should pay attention when approaching transnational corporations or organizations operating in a North American system.

It is essential to dedicate a good deal of thought and energy to writing your C.V., cover letters and thank you notes, as well as preparing for your interviews. With an attractive C.V. and clearly thought-out answers and ideas for your interviews, you will convey an air of confidence that is appealing to employers.

The CPPO on your campus is likely to have valuable resources for this tactical side of job hunting. With a few exceptions, the techniques they suggest for America will be applicable to you when applying to American companies in Indonesia.

Curriculum Vitae in Indonesia

The C.V. itself is a vital part of the job search. Putting together your C.V. helps to clarify your career objectives, your skills, and the knowledge you gained from past work experience. Your goals should be to convey, as concisely and strikingly as possible, the personal qualities and accomplishments that qualify you for a particular job. Remember that your C.V. is the initial impression that a potential employer has of you. It is worth extra time and energy to make it as favorable a statement as possible.

Since practices concerning cover letters and C.V.s vary for different organizational cultures, you will need to develop an approach appropriate to your situation.

The four basic possibilities are:

• No cover letter or C.V.   Instead, have a friend or relative provide an introduction and obtain an interview for you.
• Introductory letter without C.V.   A flowing prose style introduction which expresses your interest in the organization can be more appropriate than a general list of accomplishments and/or qualifications.
• American-style C.V. and cover letter   This style is succinct and accomplishment-oriented.
• International-style C.V. and cover letter   This style is more conversational than the American C.V.s, with more objectives and descriptive information for each experience.

Know the proper C.V. content and format for Indonesian firms. See the following sample of a typical local Indonesian C.V. Remember that it is acceptable to vary these standards slightly to highlight your particular strengths and your studies in the United States.

• Neatly type and lay out your C.V. in an easily readable fashion, ideally on just one sheet of paper.
• Use phrases instead of full sentences to keep it concise and direct.
• Carefully select wording to emphasize the strongest aspects of your background and accomplishments.
• Assure that all spelling is correct and all categories are properly spaced and indented. There is no excuse for careless mistakes on your C.V.
• State your career objectives in clear, concise terms. Stress what you wish to offer employers rather than what you want from them. Your objectives should also indicate your plans (if any) for practical training.
• Emphasize the practical value of the education and training you received in the United States. Don't assume that potential employers (either expatriate or Indonesian) understand the unique benefits of your American higher education.
• Though standards vary, some employers may require inclusion of personal data (age, height, weight, marital status, children, etc.). If you feel uncomfortable including such data, research whether it is actually necessary.

Once you are back in Indonesia, references from the United States, unless internationally known, are seldom contacted. On the other hand, the name of a well-known figure in Indonesia may add considerable weight to the strength of your C.V.

 

Cover Letter

You should accompany each C.V. with a cover letter that allows you to introduce yourself to prospective employers and briefly outline your interest in a position. Call attention to those aspects of your C.V. you wish to highlight. You might mention your field of study, highest degree, and your future employment plans. Mentioning particular aspects of your international background and/or intercultural understanding that make you a unique candidate for the position can also prove valuable.

Interview

Students are sometimes startled by the interview questions asked by potential employers. To avoid being surprised or offended in an interview, it is worthwhile to study the possible questions and formulate your answers prior to the session.

We strongly recommend doing mock interview sessions. These simulations are available on many United States campuses. These interviews, sometimes videotaped, give you a chance to practice your interviewing techniques in a low-pressure setting. It is especially valuable for foreign students interviewing with North American firms to encounter a direct, hard-hitting style prior to an actual situation when their performance really counts.

Below is a partial list of some difficult interview questions for which international students should be prepared. It would be wise to ask your career advisor for a comprehensive list of typical interview questions used by American and international employers. It might also be helpful to ask someone at your career center for advice on how to answer difficult questions.

Questions that require the individual to speak highly of themselves

• What are your strengths?
• What do you have to offer our company?
• How are you more qualified for this position than other applicants?
• Why should we hire you?

Questions that force the applicant to criticize the company

• If you were hired, how would you change our process for marketing?
• What aspect of our company does not appeal to you?
• What would you do to improve our operations?

Questions that put the candidate on the spot

• Have you ever applied for unemployment compensation?
• Have you ever been arrested?
• What are your main weaknesses?

Personal questions that may seem irrelevant

• What books have you read in the last few months?
• Are you married?
• Where do you live?
• What do you do in your spare time?

Open-ended questions

• If you had complete freedom to succeed in any field, which field would you choose? Why?
• What is the ideal job for you?
• What would you like to be doing five years from now?

In addition to answering questions from the employer, most interviews run more smoothly when the applicant also asks questions. This promotes a conversational atmosphere and reduces the tension of an imbalanced monologue that often occurs in traditional interviews. Questions also suggest that the applicant is truly interested, listening, and processing the information about the employer. Be prepared with several well-focused questions, and wait for natural openings in the conversation to ask them.

We suggest that you try your best to attend every interview session offered to you by the companies where you have applied. There is no substitute for the experience of going through an interview, and the more interviewing experience you have, the better you will be prepared.

Suggestions from AmCham Indonesia members

We asked human resources personnel from American companies in Indonesia to tell us what makes a positive impression of a candidate during an interview, and what creates a negative impression. Their responses included the following observations:

An appealing candidate:

• Arrives at the interview on time, properly dressed.
• Is honest about what he or she knows, and doesn't try to bluff.
• Knows what he or she wants to be.
• Is enthusiastic.
• Projects a confident attitude.
• Gives concise answers.
• Asks the interviewer questions.
• Displays an understanding of the employer's business.

An unappealing candidate:

• Says "I want to work here because you are the biggest company."
• Asks too many questions about benefits in the first interview.
• Tries too hard to sell him/herself, and sounds phony.
• Slouches.
• Exaggerates.
• Is too casual in answering questions.
• Expects a high-ranking job right out of school.
• Expects an unrealistically high salary.
• Gives vague answers.

Thank-you letter

There are benefits to responding to each interview with a brief thank you letter. Regardless of the outcome of the interview, send a letter of appreciation immediately. Such a letter will distinguish you from most other applicants, bring your qualifications to the forefront of the employer's mind once again, and help to enhance your image as a diligent and promising young professional. It is a fine courtesy.