TAIPEI: Experience, education and professional skills are key to finding jobs but 89 percent of employers also expect a concise biography covering points not included in the resume, according to a survey by a local employment agency.

The employers responding to the survey by 1111 Human Resources Bank said a job application usually goes through an average of three different internal checks before an interview is scheduled and at least two interviews are needed for applicants to get jobs.

As for other parts of the job application process, the four main qualities expected to be reflected in a biography are experience, past achievements, ambition and character.

In an interview, employers are looking for an ability to get along with others, proper manners, verbal communication skills and the level of interaction with the interviewer.

The survey also found that companies want people to be able to work alone, communicate well with others and react quickly.

Sixty percent of respondents said they give written tests during interviews that mainly focus on professional knowledge, adaptability and linguistic ability.

Wu Rui-ying, the deputy general manager of the online employment agency, cautioned job seekers that applying for jobs is not like winning a lottery.

Sending resumes out randomly will not increase the odds of getting an interview, much less a job. The only way to get hired is to fully understand how companies recruit and the positions they need to fill.

Although survey respondents said experience and professional achievements should be part of an applicant's biography, Wu said a biography should be concise and only address points that were not detailed in the applicant's resume, such as character or special talents or experience.

The biography should also include an analysis of the applicant's strengths and weaknesses and why the applicant is able to handle the job, revealing his or her desire to be hired.

The online hiring firm conducted the survey of human resource centers and managers between July 31 and August 13. A total of 540 responses were collected.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 08/19/2009 page2)