First-time job applicants need not despair, however. Help is at hand from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) through the ACCA Hong Kong Job-Hunting Competition.

Ada Leung, head of marketing (Greater China), ACCA, said: 'Those who want to secure a good job have to acquire certain techniques to differentiate themselves from others, and these skills should be developed before the job hunt begins.

'This competition is a chance to perfect these skills.'

The competition was first launched in Shanghai in 2004. It received more than 700 entries in its second year. The success of the competition led to the ACCA launching it in Guangzhou and Beijing last year, and in Hong Kong this year.

'We have had a tremendous response to the mainland competitions and are excited to launch it in Hong Kong,' Ms Leung said. 'It will give students appropriate skills needed to be successful in their job hunt and in the business world.'

The ACCA has worked closely with the seven Hong Kong universities to promote the competition among first- and second-year students from all disciplines.

'The job-hunting techniques required for the competition are universal. That is why we have opened the competition to students of any discipline,' Ms Leung said.

These techniques include resume preparation and the ability to express oneself clearly and concisely. Understanding what makes you different and explaining that to an employer are key to getting the coveted job. Leadership and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work in a team, are also important.

'These are what employers look for when making a decision on whom to hire,' Ms Leung said.

The competition has been designed in such a way that during screening and training, participants will encounter challenges similar to those faced by job hunters.

'For example, in the first round, students will have to answer three challenging questions,' Ms Leung said.

Using an example, students will have to describe the most innovative suggestion they have ever made and how they implemented that. They will have to describe a challenging occasion that required persuasive skills and the ability to organise or motivate people. Students will also have to illustrate their ability to work independently and present the outcome of that situation.

'These are the types of question asked in an actual job interview,' Ms Leung said.

In the second round, participants will take the British Council's Business Language Testing Service (BULATS) English test.

Sixty selected participants will get to prove their proficiency in English and also take the test free of cost sponsored by the British Council. The 30 participants who make it to the next round could really benefit from the competition, according to Ms Leung.

'One of the most exciting parts is the simulated group interviews, which are conducted by human resources managers. It is a great opportunity to get results and valuable feedback,' she said.

Sixteen participants will be selected in the third round and taken through a one-day, tailor-made career planning workshop conducted by experts from a number of sponsoring companies.

'It will be of great benefit to them and will polish their job-search techniques,' Ms Leung said.

Finally, they will be given a task that requires teamwork, dynamic group communication, and leadership and presentation skills. Three individuals will then be chosen as champion, first runner-up and second runner-up, and will get a trophy and a cash prize. The top five will receive a summer internship with the possibility of employment upon graduation.

'If you want to win, you need to fully understand yourself and your strengths and weaknesses.

'You need to know how to persuasively promote yourself. Be clear about how to differentiate yourself so it can be effectively and successfully communicated to others.

'ACCA is expecting hundreds of applications as we know Hong Kong students are very proactive in trying to secure good jobs and are tuned into the job-hunt atmosphere,' Ms Leung said.

Applications

The competition is open to Year 1 and Year 2 students in any discipline from the seven universities - the University of Hong Kong, Chinese University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Polytechnic University, City University, Baptist University and Lingnan University. Application forms need to be submitted to the ACCA's Hong Kong office on or before February 25, 2006. The forms are available on the ACCA Hong Kong website and at the universities' careers centres.

Rounds and deadlines

Round 1 (25/2) - Application submission, 60 students shortlisted.

Round 2 (10/3) - BULATS English test. Top 30 students will proceed to semi-final and all will receive entry certificates.

Round 3 (24/3, 28/3) - Group interview - members participate over two days. The top 16 students are selected for a workshop and the final round. All candidates will receive a certificate of appreciation. This round will be held in front of an audience of students.

Final round (8/4) - Four teams of four will deliver a presentation based on a case study. All candidates will receive a graduation certificate. This round will also be held in front an audience of students.

Awards

Champion trophy, plus $5,000

First runner-up trophy, plus $4,000

Second runner-up trophy, plus $3,000

Internships

The top five winners receive a summer internship with:

Hang Seng Bank - two places

Dragonair - two places

OOCL - one place

Sponsors

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Dragonair, Hang Seng Bank, Hopewell, McDonalds, Michael Page International, MTR Corporation and OOCL. Official media sponsor: SCMP Classified Post

Judges

The panel includes: Andrea Zavadszky, Classified Post; Alice Lau and May Ho, Hang Seng Bank; Sammy Jim and Alik Yeung, MTR Corporation; Roy Tsang, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu; and Jimmy Chung and Frankie Ho, ACCA Hong Kong.

Other judges to be confirmed.