The International Relations and Accreditation Office at the College of Management held the second English Corner session of the semester on November 20, inviting IBMBA alumna Svetlana Boldina as the guest speaker. Originally from Russia, Svetlana has lived in Taiwan for 13 years and brings extensive experience in market development and cross-cultural communication. In her talk, she provided students with practical guidance on preparing résumés, handling English interviews, and conducting salary negotiations.

Svetlana began by outlining five key criteria commonly used in recruitment: hard skills, soft skills, job fit, motivation, and values. She encouraged students to analyze job descriptions carefully and tailor their application materials accordingly. Drawing from her professional background, she also highlighted common pitfalls that often reduce a candidate’s competitiveness.

【Highlighting Achievements Through Clear and Quantifiable Evidence】

A major focus of the workshop was the effective presentation of achievements. Svetlana emphasized that students should use clear, concise language and quantify accomplishments whenever possible. Participants were asked to identify five personal achievements and practice rewriting them in measurable terms, such as improving workflow efficiency or contributing to cost reduction.

【Strengthening Interview Responses】

When discussing frequently asked interview questions, such as self-introduction, weaknesses, and motivation, Svetlana advised students to remain truthful yet strategic. She noted that weaknesses should not contradict the essential skills required for the role. For motivation-related questions, she encouraged students to explain how their background aligns with the company’s mission and how they expect to contribute.

【Hands-On Practice in Résumé Adjustment and Salary Negotiation】

Students worked collaboratively to refine their achievements based on a provided job description, and several groups presented their revised statements. The session also covered the fundamentals of salary negotiation, including the importance of understanding one’s BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement). Through role-playing exercises, students practiced real-life negotiation scenarios and received practical feedback.

【Conclusion: Enhancing Students’ Global Career Competitiveness】

The workshop helped students gain a clearer understanding of employer expectations and provided them with concrete tools for international career preparation. From achievement-based résumé writing to interview strategy and negotiation mindset, Svetlana offered professional insights that will support students as they pursue opportunities in an increasingly global job market.

Please refer to the English Corner activity schedule for this semester: https://reurl.cc/dqXQNz

(Written by Master of Business Administration Hsin-Ni Chang, Department of Financial Management Yu-Shan Huang / Edited by College of Management Media Team)