威鋒數位開發股份有限公司

The interviewer provided a very detailed introduction to the company and the position.

The interview was exhausting.

The company is located in Nangang Software Park. The environment is very nice, but it is extremely quiet, and the office atmosphere feels rather serious. Upon arrival, I first spent about half an hour filling out the company’s standard résumé form. The interview lasted a little over an hour. There were two HR representatives (a manager and a supervisor), and they asked some good questions. They seemed to be HR professionals with a certain level of expertise. The company itself seems decent. Although it is not very large, it has a long history, an extremely high market share in computer fonts, and its main revenue comes from Japan and mainland China, making it very stable. The benefits listed on the job bank also seemed fairly good.

What left me speechless was that this interview resulted from an invitation sent to me by HR; I had not proactively submitted my résumé to apply. Moreover, it was for a sales manager position, not an entry-level role, so HR should have reviewed my résumé before sending the invitation. Yet during the interview, they criticized my previous sales experience for not being in this industry, pointed out that I had never sold computer font products, and said that my experience managing people was not extensive enough and that I did not fully meet the company’s needs. However, all of this was clearly stated on my résumé. Also, there are only two companies in Taiwan that make computer fonts. If you want someone with industry experience, go poach someone from the competitor. Why bother finding me through a job bank and inviting me to an interview, only to criticize me to my face for having irrelevant experience? Besides, I was not applying for a technical position. I have nearly ten years of sales experience, have worked in both B2B and B2C, and also have experience in the software industry. Does never having sold computer fonts mean I am incapable? I was honestly dumbfounded. This is exactly the kind of thinking you would expect from HR personnel who have no understanding of sales. In fact, once HR looked down on my experience and then failed to explain the company’s policies, bonus structure, or benefits at all before the interview ended, I already knew how things stood. HR asked how soon I hoped to receive the result. I readily replied that if they thought I was unsuitable, they could let me know later that day, or the next day or the day after. But they insisted on setting the notification for several days later, saying they still needed to screen candidates. If you already have an established process, why ask me? It was simply ridiculous. In the end, just as expected, I did not pass the first interview.

1. DynaFont is one of the leading companies in Taiwan’s typeface industry.

2. The company says it provides training to cultivate its own talent. Those who are perceptive about and highly enthusiastic about developing a complete typeface family may want to give it a try.

3. The supervisor seems to be very professional.

1. You really have to be highly enthusiastic (extremely enthusiastic).

2. The starting salary is low. Those who live far from the company or need to rent accommodation should consider this carefully. (The company’s explanation is that new hires need training and are not yet able to contribute to the company, so it is essentially like attending classes while receiving pocket money.) Whether you can accept this depends on the individual.

This is DynaFont, and the company feels very large. The benefits system is comprehensive and complies with the Labor Standards Act.

If you are passionate about font design and want to work in a relatively stable environment, this would be a good fit.

Before the interview, you are asked to fill out a résumé form provided by the company. Some sections, such as “contact number for your previous company” and “contact information for a personal guarantor,” involve more private information... Please remember that these are optional; you do not need to fill out everything....

HR will ask in detail about your reasons for leaving previous jobs and the salaries at your last few positions. Those questions are understandable, but they will also ask whether your parents have retired, whether you live at home or rent elsewhere, whether you have any siblings, and other questions of this kind about your personal background.

I have interviewed with many companies, and the HR here asked the most “detailed” questions. I believe whether a job seeker is suitable for and capable of performing a position depends on their abilities and personality, as well as the salary negotiated with the company, rather than the job seeker’s personal financial circumstances. So, are these questions really necessary?