Over 900 students, fresh graduates and young professionals joined the recent Classified Post Career Forum on April 7 to take advantage of the host of recruitment prospects, career development seminars and networking opportunities on offer.
More than 30 companies were on-site at the InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong to showcase their vacancies and trainee programmes, and share career advice.
Jobseekers attending the twice-yearly event were also audience to career talks by representatives from a variety of industries, from accounting and banking to engineering and retail.
Desmond So, founder and chief consultant at the East-West Institute of Applied Etiquette, gave a persuasive presentation on strategies for making the best first impression. Talking his audience through the meeting and greeting process and getting them to practise with their neighbours, he equipped them with vital skills for impressing employers at the forum.
Representatives from companies participating in the Classified Post Shadow a CEO Programme also made presentations to introduce their programmes to the keen audience.
This year, five top executives will be taking part in the programme: Henry Cheung, CEO of Thales Transport & Security (HK); Richard Mallett, vice president of Thales Critical Information Systems & Cybersecurity, Asia Pacific; Ricky Chan Hoi-ki, general manager and managing director of Johnson Controls; Benjamin Vuchot, region president, Asia north at DFS Group; and Carlo Imò, president of Kering Asia Pacific.
The flagship programme drew over 150 online registrations, with the forum playing host to face-to-face interviews for selected candidates. Finalists were shortlisted after a first round of interviews with consultants from Kelly Services, and 11 winners were selected after a final round of interviews with the participating companies’ HR representatives.
The programme kicks off in late June, when the successful candidates will spend three days with their assigned company head.
Also performing the role of the forum’s resident “CV Doctors”, consultants from Kelly helped almost 100 keen jobseekers give their résumés and interview skills an boost.
Engineering students at the forum were treated to a variety of industry-related exhibitors, seminars and events. A special morning networking session gave young engineers the chance to meet and chat with potential employers, including the Analogue Group of Companies (ATAL Engineering), China State Construction International, BYME Engineering (HK) and Gammon Construction.
The rest of the day featured a number of other engineering-themed events, including a seminar by The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers.
This article appeared in the Classified Post print edition as Launching leaders.
