2025年，是我在新加坡的一場轉職馬拉松。
從1月中拿到新加坡永久居民（PR）後，我正式開始投履歷。一直到10月，才終於拿到心儀公司的 offer。扣掉過年、出差，還有幾次在求職卡關時短暫出國散心，整個過程大約歷時七、八個月。
回頭翻看自己的紀錄，這段時間我總共投出了146份履歷，拿到7次面試機會，最後收到2個offer。其中我最想去的那家公司，面試流程更長達4個月、4輪面試，直到2025年的最後一個月，我才終於正式報到。
透過這次2025年的經歷，來跟大家聊聊新加坡求職及英文面試準備2.0。
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當面試語言不是母語時，更需要「有策略」
這段求職經歷，讓我對「面試」有了一個新的理解——面試，其實是一場表演，而且是一場需要精心準備的presentation。
在新加坡求職，多數面試都是以英文進行。當語言並非母語時，臨場反應與表達難免會受到影響。因此在這次求職過程中，我嘗試了一個新的方法：把自己的職涯做成一份面試簡報。
每一次面試，我都把它當作一場正式的business pitch，企圖說服公司，我就是那個「對的人」。
這個想法其實也是來自某一次面試。當時一位面試官跟我說了一句很誠實的話：
「到最後，我們其實常常覺得候選人的技能都差不多。最後做決定的，往往是誰讓人印象最深，以及我們是否喜歡這位候選人。」
這句話讓我意識到，面試不單單只是回答問題，更是「如何呈現自己」、「如何成功地把自己銷售出去」。
為什麼要準備面試簡報
在實際操作之後，我發現準備簡報有幾個很明顯的好處。
第一，增加安全感。
當有一套清楚的結構時，就算臨場緊張或忘詞，投影片也能幫助自己找回脈絡。
第二，掌握面試的節奏。
面試官會自然地跟著你的簡報框架走，對話也更聚焦，而不會變成零散的問答，減少問出預期外問題的機會。通常我的簡報整套結束，穿插中間的零星討論，面試都超過半小時以上，幾乎沒有多餘時間讓對方「節外生枝」。如此一來，能精準地把面試官在意的問題都直接解決，也讓他們了解到你對這場面試的重視。
第三，展現自信與氣場。
隨著職涯發展，企業不只是在找能把事情做完的人，也在找能夠和利害關係人（stakeholders）有自信地、侃侃而談的人。簡報能力，其實就是一種重要的職場技能；如何把面試轉換成一場愉快的互動與對談，也代表你是否對自己有足夠的自信。
第四，展現準備與誠意。
簡報內容隨著不同公司稍微客製化，面試官便能很容易感受到你是否真的做過功課。
第五，展現專業能力。
一份好的簡報，其實同時包含了邏輯能力、資訊分析及整理能力、設計美感，以及公開表達能力。而這些能力，正是很多工作真正需要的。一場專業的簡報，等於同時把以上技能直接呈現給公司，傳達給公司一個強而有力的信號：「I am capable」，而不需要等到真正錄取後，像拆盲盒般，揭曉你是否真的是他們要找的人。
實際嘗試下來，透過我的面試簡報，接收到不少正面的回饋。好幾位面試官都提到，他們從沒看過有候選人特地準備投影片。不管有沒有拿到 offer，相信也都已在他們心中留下一個與眾不同的印象。
我的面試簡報六大架構
在多次面試後，以及一些面試他人的經驗，我逐漸把簡報整理成一套固定架構。
1｜簡潔有力的自我介紹
第一頁通常就是回答面試最常見的問題：“Tell me about yourself.”
我會用幾個關鍵字整理自己的職涯，例如：負責的市場、專長技能、職涯主軸、過去經驗的hightlight，目的是讓面試官能在一分鐘內理解我的背景，確保不會在長篇大論中失焦。
2｜過往工作經歷
接下來，我會用一頁介紹一份工作經歷。內容包含：負責的市場、核心職責、重要成果、代表性專案。
以我個人真實經驗為例，如果是投資相關工作，我也會加入一些數據，例如：投資項目數量、投資回報、管理資產規模（AUM）。適度放一些專案圖片或案例，也能讓內容更具體，更能抓住面試官的眼球。
3｜一個成功的投資案例
在不動產投資產業，幾乎一定會被問：「請介紹一個你做過的投資案。」
因此我會直接準備一頁簡報，包含：投資背景、投資邏輯（Investment rationale）、財務績效、最終 IRR 與 Equity Multiple。讓整個故事完整呈現，也讓面試官相信你是有能力及判斷力的人選。
4｜一個失敗的投資案例
這一頁其實是我最喜歡的部分。很多候選人只會談成功案例，但我反而會分享一次失敗的投資經驗。因為在過往的職涯歷程中，我逐漸發現，失敗雖然讓人感覺不適，但往往比成功更有學習價值。有過失敗的經驗，才會知道如何避免再次採坑，如何控制風險。
這一頁的簡報中，我會說明：當時的判斷背景、遭遇的困境、如何應對、以及最大的learning、下一次如何改善和預防。很多面試官其實對這一段特別有興趣，也常常在這裡展開討論。
5｜為什麼想加入這家公司
這題幾乎是每場面試的必考題。但很多人回答得太制式，例如：「因為你們是很好的公司」、「因為你們是上市企業」。面試官其實很容易判斷，你的動機是否足以讓他們買單。
在這次的面試中，我放了一張我在峇里島該公司某酒店，參加朋友婚禮時笑開懷的照片。
我告訴面試官，酒店這個資產類別，對我來說不只是投資標的，而是一個能夠創造回憶與情感的地方。我希望自己的工作，不只是為資本創造回報，也能參與創造人們的美好時刻。而不只是為了找工作而找工作，或只因為哪個工作給我高薪我就接受offer，然後過幾個月後又陷入重複的循環，開始感到迷失、失去熱情、職業倦怠，又開始重複找工作的循環。
這樣的連結，讓整個故事變得更真實。幾位面試官，相較之前的撲克臉，甚至會在這邊破防，展現出一點點「溫度」。畢竟在他們豐富的工作歷程中，他們肯定很了解「為了一份工作而工作」的掙扎與抉擇，甚至開始與我閒聊，分享一些他們的小故事。
再舉一個在Top-tier幣圈交易所任職的朋友的經驗，她想進入該幣圈交易所的故事是這樣的：
『有一年，爸爸跟我說，我投資了比特幣，等妳再長大一點，我們就可以全家移民去美國啦！一陣子過後，爸爸又說，現在的比特幣資產，只能讓妳自己去美國讀大學了。再過一陣子，爸爸帶著歉意對我說，對不起哪，現在我的投資只能讓妳自己去英國讀書一年了。因為這樣，讓我下定決心了解幣圈的世界，深入研究幣圈的複雜與奧妙，或許有一天可以由我帶著爸爸完成他移民的夢想。』
我相信所有面試官聽到她的故事都會莞爾一笑，不管細節真實，這個故事的起承轉合以及從自身經驗出發，都絕對讓面試官留下深刻的印象。
6｜為什麼我就是那個絕佳人選
最後一頁，我會回答一個核心問題：「為什麼我就是那個絕佳的人選？我能為公司帶來什麼貢獻與價值？」
除了職業所需的幾本技能，公司其實更在意的是候選人的「判斷力」以及「解決問題的能力」。因此在準備這一頁時，我會花時間閱讀公司的各種重大訊息、財報，了解最新的業務動態及財務表現、未來展望和可能潛在的威脅——最重要的是，與自己技能結合的部分，再次自我證明，我對公司的了解，以及我就是那個絕佳的人選。
雖然準備過程相當耗費時間與精力，但在新加坡這個求職高度競爭的地方，每一次獲得難得的面試機會，肯定都要好好把握。現在有了AI的輔助，其實準備起來也相對更有效率。
面試，其實也需要練習，更是一場長時間的累積
在這次的轉職過程中，由於當時的工作相當忙碌，同時還要擠出時間投遞履歷、準備測驗，及練習面試。請假參與面試，也讓我感到精神壓力很大。每一次面試失敗，那種失落跟打擊也是難以言喻，卻也只能打起精神，隔天繼續回到工作崗位。
一回生二回熟，面試其實也需要練習。我的面試簡報從一開始的支支吾吾，到後來可以有自信地用英文，當成自己的 showtime 侃侃而談。背後準備的過程，其實也培養了我日常工作所需的溝通談判技巧，以及簡報能力，無形中相輔相成提升了自己的軟實力。
Companies don’t hire skills. They hire attitude and belief.
當公司決定雇用一個人時，他們也無法100%確定你是否能勝任這份工作，他們真正看重的，或許是你的自信及信念，讓他們看見一個值得一起工作的未來。
或許，這也是我這次面試做對的一件事。
分享給大家，祝福大家也在面試中一路過關斬將，最終凱旋而歸。
➤ 關聯閱讀
2025 felt like a marathon in my professional life.
Shortly after receiving my Singapore Permanent Residency in mid-January, I officially began my job search. It was not until October that I finally secured an offer from the company I truly hoped to join. Excluding the Chinese New Year holidays, business trips, and a few short getaways when the process became particularly discouraging, the entire journey lasted roughly seven to eight months.
Looking back at my records, I submitted 146 applications, received 7 interview opportunities, and ultimately secured 2 offers. The company I most wanted to join had an especially lengthy process — four interview rounds over the course of four months. I eventually joined them in the final month of 2025.
Reflecting on this experience, I would like to share what I learned about job hunting in Singapore and preparing for English interviews — what I call my Interview Preparation 2.0.
When the Interview Language Is Not Your Native Tongue
This job search completely reshaped my understanding of interviews. An interview is not merely a question-and-answer session. In many ways, it is a performance — and one that requires careful preparation.
In Singapore, most professional interviews are conducted in English. When the language is not your native tongue, spontaneous responses and nuanced expression can naturally become more challenging. During this job search, I experimented with a new strategy: I turned my entire career into a presentation deck.
For every interview, I treated the conversation as a business pitch — an opportunity to convince the company that I was the right person for the role.
The idea was inspired by a remark from one of my interviewers. He said something surprisingly honest:
“In the end, many candidates have very similar skills. What often determines the final decision is who leaves the strongest impression — and whether we enjoy speaking with that person.”
That sentence made me realise something important. Interviews are not simply about answering questions. They are about how you present yourself — and how effectively you communicate your value.
Why I Started Preparing Interview Presentations
After implementing this approach, I discovered several clear advantages.
1｜It builds confidence.
Having a clear structure reduces anxiety. Even if I momentarily lose my train of thought, the slides help me regain momentum.
2｜It allows you to guide the conversation.
Interviewers naturally follow the narrative of your presentation, which keeps the discussion focused rather than turning into a scattered series of questions. By the time my presentation and the accompanying discussion concluded, the conversation would often have lasted more than thirty minutes — leaving little room for unnecessary digressions.
More importantly, it demonstrates respect for the opportunity. It shows that you have anticipated the questions they care about most.
3｜It demonstrates confidence and presence.
As careers progress, companies are no longer simply looking for individuals who can execute tasks quietly in the background. They are seeking people who can communicate confidently with stakeholders and articulate ideas clearly.
Presentation skills are therefore an essential professional capability.
Turning an interview into a meaningful conversation also reflects how comfortable you are with your own professional narrative.
4｜It shows preparation and sincerity.
When the content is tailored — even slightly — to each company, interviewers can immediately tell that you have done your research.
5｜It showcases professional capability.
A strong presentation simultaneously demonstrates several critical skills:
・Logical thinking
・Information synthesis
・Visual communication
・Public speaking
These are precisely the abilities many roles require. A well-structured presentation sends a powerful signal to employers: “I am capable.” Rather than discovering your abilities only after hiring you, they can see them immediately.
Interestingly, many interviewers commented that they had never seen a candidate prepare slides for an interview before. Whether or not I ultimately received the offer, it certainly helped me stand out.
The Six Sections of My Interview Presentation
After several interviews — and after conducting interviews myself — I gradually refined the presentation into a consistent structure.
1｜A concise personal introduction
The first slide addresses the most common interview question: “Tell me about yourself.”
I summarise my career using a few key points:
・Markets I have covered
・Core skill sets
・Career focus
・Highlights of past experience
The goal is simple: allow the interviewer to understand my background within one minute, without losing focus in lengthy explanations.
2｜Professional experience
Each role is presented on a single slide, including:
・Markets covered
・Core responsibilities
・Key achievements
・Representative projects
For investment roles, I also include quantitative metrics such as:
・Number of investments completed
・Investment performance
・Assets under management (AUM)
Adding visuals or project examples helps make the discussion more concrete and engaging.
3｜A successful investment case
In real estate investment interviews, one question almost always appears: “Tell us about an investment you worked on.”
I therefore prepare a dedicated slide covering:
・The investment background
・The investment rationale
・Financial performance
・Final IRR and equity multiple
This allows me to present a complete investment story and demonstrate both analytical capability and judgement.
4｜A failed investment case
This is actually my favourite section. Many candidates only talk about success. I deliberately share a failed investment experience. Over time, I have realised that while failure is uncomfortable, it often provides far more valuable lessons than success. Experiencing setbacks teaches you how to recognise risks and avoid repeating mistakes.
In this slide, I explain:
・The context behind the decision
・The challenges encountered
・How we responded
・The key lessons learned
Interestingly, interviewers often become particularly engaged at this point, and the conversation frequently evolves into deeper discussions.
5｜Why I want to join the company
This is another universal interview question. However, many answers are overly generic:
“Because it is a great company.”
“Because it is a listed company.”
Interviewers can easily sense when motivation is superficial.
In one interview, I included a photograph of myself attending a friend’s wedding at one of the company’s hotels in Bali. I explained that to me, hotels are not merely investment assets — they are places where people create memories and meaningful moments. I want my work to contribute not only to financial returns, but also to experiences that bring joy to others. Rather than choosing a job purely for salary or convenience, I wanted to work in an industry that felt personally meaningful.
This personal connection made the story more authentic. Some interviewers, who had maintained very neutral expressions earlier in the conversation, visibly softened. A few even began sharing their own stories.
At the end of the day, most professionals understand the internal conflict of working simply for a job versus working for something that resonates more deeply.
Another example comes from a friend of mine who works at a top-tier cryptocurrency exchange. Her story of why she wanted to join the industry goes something like this:
“One year, my father told me that he had invested in Bitcoin. He said that once I was a little older, we would all be able to move to the United States together. Some time later, he said that his Bitcoin investments would only be enough for me to study in the U.S. on my own. A while after that, he apologetically told me, ‘I’m sorry — it seems my investments can now only afford for you to study in the UK for a year.’ Because of this, I decided that I had to truly understand the world of cryptocurrency. I wanted to explore its complexity and possibilities, and perhaps one day I could help my father fulfil the dream of emigrating.”
I believe any interviewer hearing this story would smile. Whether every detail is entirely factual is almost beside the point — the narrative arc and the personal motivation behind it make the story memorable. It leaves a far stronger impression than a conventional, formulaic answer ever could.
6｜Why I am the right candidate
The final slide addresses one essential question: Why should you hire me?
Beyond technical skills, companies ultimately evaluate a candidate’s judgement and problem-solving ability. To prepare for this slide, I carefully studied the company’s: financial reports, recent strategic developments, industry positioning and potential risks.
I then connected those insights with my own experience, demonstrating both my understanding of the business and the value I could contribute.
Although preparing these presentations required significant time and effort, job markets like Singapore are highly competitive. Every interview opportunity is valuable and deserves thoughtful preparation. Fortunately, tools such as AI now make the research process far more efficient.
Interviews Are a Skill — And They Require Practice
During this transition period, my workload was already demanding. At the same time, I had to allocate additional time to submit applications, prepare assessments, and practise interviews. Taking leave to attend interviews also created considerable pressure. Each rejection was discouraging, yet the next day I still had to return to work and continue the process.
Over time, however, interviews became easier. What began as hesitant explanations gradually evolved into confident conversations. Eventually, delivering my presentation in English felt almost like a personal showtime. The preparation process also strengthened my communication, negotiation, and presentation skills in daily work — quietly improving my professional toolkit.
Companies don’t hire skills. They hire attitude and belief.
When companies hire someone, they can never be completely certain that the candidate will succeed in the role. What they are truly assessing is whether they can envision working with this person in the future. Confidence, clarity, and belief often matter just as much as technical capability.
Perhaps that was the one thing I did right during this interview journey.
I hope these reflections are helpful for anyone currently navigating their own job search. May you approach each interview with preparation, confidence, and a little bit of courage — and ultimately emerge victorious.
➤ Related Reads
- Working Abroad – What Makes You Think You Deserve This Salary and Job?
- Landing a Role in Singapore and Interview Prep 1.0
- How Yoga and Mindfulness Guided My Journey to Singapore?