Get shortlisted by your university before your job search

IN AN EFFORT to attract the best young graduates, employers in Hong Kong are adopting several new tactics. One of the most effective is asking university career centres to shortlist suitable candidates for them.

This can be done either by putting forward resumes for consideration or by informally discussing the merits of applications already submitted. All parties see this as an effective way of reducing the recruitment workload and finding the best match for various positions.

'It helps recruiters to access the right pool of people and works to the advantage of students as well,' said Louisa Li, director of the Careers Education and Placement Centre at the University of Hong Kong.

Companies that use this method must be specific about the job requirements and the qualifications and personal attributes that the candidates need.

The careers centre, in turn, will expect students to be equally clear about what they can offer. In particular, they must demonstrate genuine knowledge of, and interest in, the relevant company if they want to be shortlisted.

'It's an open process with no secrets and no tricks. Students have an opportunity to state their case and improve their chances. More importantly, they can discover their shortcomings and do something about them,' Ms Li said.

She added that this involved the need to become 'career mature'.