The company is located in the Shin Kong Life Tower at Taipei Main Station, making it convenient to get there.

The office has just moved in, and the desks, chairs, and overall environment feel very new. (When you first walk in, there is still a newly renovated smell.)

I applied for the position of Online Marketing Planner, and the interview experience was probably not particularly good. First, they emailed me asking me to complete a very detailed résumé form. I could reluctantly accept it as information they wanted filled out in advance to save time, but the form asked for so much detail that I felt uncomfortable. (For example: previous work experience, years of experience, salary, etc.) Perhaps I was just being too sensitive about this part.

Before arriving, I was not informed in advance that there would be a written test. On the day of the interview, I was asked to complete:

2 sheets of company interview questions (The general content asked about my observations of the company, how long I expected to work there, and other questions that should have been discussed during the interview.)

1 sheet of logic test questions

1 sheet of keyword copywriting test questions

1 sheet of terminology explanations and estimated media-effectiveness calculations

Halfway through, I was interrupted and asked to listen to HR explain some of the company’s policies:

1. Before starting employment, there are three days of pre-employment training. This does not count as formal employment; meals and NT$500 per day for transportation expenses are provided.

2. After the three days, formal employment begins, along with a three-month probationary period. The salary is NT$25,000 per month. (HR mentioned that those with relevant experience would receive a salary negotiated with the supervisor.)

3. Seniority and perfect-attendance records begin accumulating during the three-month probationary period. Successfully meeting the requirements within three months qualifies the employee for a raise. (The requirement is a relevant keyword certification.)

They also gave a general explanation of the company’s philosophy and related points to note. After being hired, employees would generally be required to rotate through every department and learn all the basic tasks.

I then continued writing the test. Once again, halfway through, I was asked to go to another meeting room for an individual interview.

The résumé used during the interview was the form the company had sent beforehand and required me to complete.

As soon as we met, the interviewer said that we had the same zodiac sign, so they understood very well what people like me were thinking. They came across as extremely self-centered.

They then asked some general personality-related questions (including explanations of the strengths and weaknesses listed on my résumé), as well as how I would handle situations encountered at work and how I would solve problems in response to customer needs. The first interview ended…

Second interview

I briefly introduced my previous work situation and responsibilities. They asked what value I could bring by joining the company and requested my salary range from my previous job. After directly asking about the conditions during the first three months of probation, I was told that my relevant abilities did not match the position I had applied for, and that the compensation I expected was at a managerial level within the company. In addition, because I could not provide value to the company immediately upon joining, the compensation I had written as my expected salary was not applicable.

I therefore ended the interview immediately.

Final result: I received a thank-you letter.