Sources and scope
This page collects workplace experiences, questions and discussions submitted by users. Dates shown are submission dates, not periods of employment. Individual reports do not describe the entire company.
Read the community guidelinesThe position I interviewed for was Graphic/Web Designer.
The company is located at the foot of Xiangshan Mountain. Because the building is on a slope, it is classified as a basement, but it should actually be considered the first floor. The interview was conducted in a conference room. The environment was very clean, and the company asked applicants to fill out some information first.
Before coming, I had read reviews from other applicants. Some described the experience as ordinary, while others found it unpleasant. However, the person who interviewed me did not make me feel any pressure or condescension.
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First, applicants are asked to introduce themselves:
Answer honestly. The interviewer will choose a few questions from your self-introduction to ask about.
Because I mentioned in my self-introduction that I had worked in web design, the interviewer asked whether I knew HTML and CSS. I said yes, and the interviewer mentioned that, among all the people they had interviewed, I was the first designer to say that I knew programming.
After the self-introduction, the interviewer began explaining the job duties. Most of the work involves graphic design, but the position the company was hiring for this time also required knowledge of web programming to manage products and information going online and offline.
Because I mentioned that, in addition to design, I also wanted to explore marketing—I felt that marketing and design complement each other and would make my work better—the interviewer said that if I had the opportunity to join the company and wanted to learn about marketing, they would be happy to let me gain exposure to it. I would just need to tell them, and they would speak with the marketing team at that time.
Regarding salary, they said that if I was confirmed as hired, HR would call to discuss the salary, so compensation would not be discussed on-site.
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Have you seen our products? What do you think is different about them?
Whenever I interview with a company, I look at its website and products in advance, precisely to prepare for questions like this.
I answered: The company’s product packaging is very clean and simple, and I really like it. It is different from 90% of the product packaging on the market.
The interviewer responded that the company focuses on scalp care. Products from other manufacturers might only involve shampooing and conditioning, whereas the company’s products focus on scalp care in addition to cleansing and conditioning.
I continued: I would say that 90% of the packaging on the market likes to use gold lines, serif fonts, and glass-like designs to make products look high-end. However, the company’s products use only simple white and orange designs, which I find very distinctive. I would really like to work for such a different company. After all, I am a designer, and I also hope to be different from others.
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Have you written social media posts? Are the topics assigned by the company? Would you use current events to write posts?
Answer honestly. This question was asked because the interviewer mentioned that the position would require posting some new information on the website.
I answered that I had. I had written Facebook posts, but I decided the topics myself. At my previous company, as long as the posts I wrote matched the products that needed to be promoted during that season or month, that was sufficient.
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What was the biggest problem you encountered at work?
Answer honestly. I answered: Not knowing how to design a draft, because the interviewer was also in a marketing and design-related position and could empathize.
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Practical test
During the practical test, the interviewer explained that the purpose was to assess the applicant’s layout skills, and that a simple design would be sufficient. Applicants needed to explain to the interviewer why they chose that layout and the details of their composition.
None
I interviewed for a marketing planning position. I thought the difficulty was manageable, and the staff were very polite. The systems and benefits were explained very thoroughly. Although I felt that I had prepared very well, I didn’t feel very confident after it ended (tears).
Pros:
1. The questions focused on personal experience and professional direction, with few questions about private matters.
2. The interviewer was very polite and friendly, but the questions were also quite sharp—it wasn’t just going through the motions.
3. The company is on the mountain slope, with a view of Taipei 101.
4. The surroundings are quiet, so it feels like you can concentrate better.
5. The products are very well known (I came across quite a few recommendation articles while browsing job reviews), and apparently employees can purchase them at an employee discount.
6. They provided quite a lot of useful reference information, such as how much you could receive in a raise and how long it might take if your performance is at a normal level.
Cons:
1. After exiting Zhongshan MRT Station Exit 2, you still have to walk for another 10 minutes. If you don’t ride a scooter, it might feel a little tiring (but there are YouBikes available to rent after exiting).
2. The convenience store is at the foot of the mountain, so you have to walk downhill to buy things.
1. They use the employment bank to send interview invitations and won't suddenly call you (everyone probably hates being interrupted out of the blue).
2. The company is at the foot of Elephant Mountain, and you can enjoy a view of Taipei 101 when you feel like it.
3. The interviewer was very friendly and easy to talk to. Our conversation went smoothly, and I wasn't interrupted while speaking.
4. The interviewer first mainly asked me to introduce my thoughts on marketing planning, discuss my work experience, and explain how well I understood the company. The process was smooth, concise, and to the point; the interviewer didn't drag things out.
5. When I asked about relevant policies, benefits, and so on, they answered truthfully and did not give vague responses.
1. The company is about a 10-minute walk from the MRT station, and you have to walk up a small hill to get there. I personally thought it was fine on the day of the interview, though I may need to experience it again in summer.
2. There don't seem to be many places to eat nearby, and the convenience store is at the foot of the hill.
3. The interview is divided into two stages, and personally, I don't like interviews held in multiple rounds. After completing the first-stage interview, you have to wait for notification, and during this period, you don't know what to do. Later, I received an offer from another company and was very conflicted at the time: should I accept it directly, or continue waiting for the notification...