Amy was a traveler from Japan, Bruce was an American, and Carl came from Tunisia. They were in an airport. Amy asked Bruce that whether the airport had baggage car service. Bruce looked at Amy and made an “OK” sign with his fingers (the thumb and the index finger form a circle and the rest three fingers are left upwards). Amy looked very surprised and disappointed, and she did not go for the baggage car service. Bruce got confused, and he thought that Amy was a strange person. At the same time, Carl passed through them and he saw the “OK” sign made by Bruce. He looked at Bruce with his brow closely knitted, he seemed very angry. Bruce was confused again, and he thought that Carl was crazy and might do something harmful to him, so Bruce walked away quickly. Carl saw Bruce ignore him, he got irritated and thought Bruce was very impolite.
Interpretation:
For Bruce, the “OK” sign means that there is baggage car service in the airport, and it is free.
For Amy, the “OK” sign means “money”, so Amy interprets it as the baggage car service is very expensive.
For Carl, he thinks that Bruce is making a signal to tell Amy that Carl is a mean and shameless thief.
What a mess here! Due to the different understandings of the “OK” sign, Amy, Bruce and Carl did not make an effective communication with each other, and misunderstanding happened. In this case, when Bruce felt that Amy’s behavior was strange after his answer, he should have talked to her to make the thing clear. Similarly, for Carl, he should have realized that there could be some misunderstanding, and he could ask Bruce to clarify it.
From this case, we can see that even a small gesture has different meanings in different cultures. Hence, we can never assume that people with different cultural backgrounds would have the same knowledge regarding to the same thing. During the communication, if we feel some gestures or words that are strange in our own understanding, we may talk to the person to make it clear. Furthermore, since nowadays there are more and more intercultural communications, we need to enlarge our knowledge about different cultures to minimize misunderstandings.
Sep 22, 2009
Sep 13, 2009
Post #4: Personal Statement
I am a person who is responsible and trustworthy.
My parents are the first and most important people who directed me to become such a person. When I was very young, my parents told me that other people would respect you if you were responsible and trustworthy, and they set a good example for me with their own conduct. Not like some other parents that make empty promises just in order to coax and comfort their children, my parents always keep their word to me, they never say something that they cannot do. I believe that this is also one reason that I respect them so much and we have such a good relationship with each other. Moreover, my parents encouraged me to be a responsible person through daily life when I was a kid. For instance, they told me to throw garbage into the trash bin as being a member of society I should responsible for the environment. They also encouraged me to take responsibilities to admit any mistakes I made and to try my best to fix it.
Due to these two characteristics, both the teachers and the classmates trusted me, and I successfully became a squad leader from primary school to high school. I felt very proud that on the reelection campaign of squad leader in the secondary school, I passed by unanimous vote. The experience of being squad leader for 11 years further developed these two characters in me.
As an adult now, being responsible and keeping my word become the cardinal principle of my life.
P.S. Edited
My parents are the first and most important people who directed me to become such a person. When I was very young, my parents told me that other people would respect you if you were responsible and trustworthy, and they set a good example for me with their own conduct. Not like some other parents that make empty promises just in order to coax and comfort their children, my parents always keep their word to me, they never say something that they cannot do. I believe that this is also one reason that I respect them so much and we have such a good relationship with each other. Moreover, my parents encouraged me to be a responsible person through daily life when I was a kid. For instance, they told me to throw garbage into the trash bin as being a member of society I should responsible for the environment. They also encouraged me to take responsibilities to admit any mistakes I made and to try my best to fix it.
Due to these two characteristics, both the teachers and the classmates trusted me, and I successfully became a squad leader from primary school to high school. I felt very proud that on the reelection campaign of squad leader in the secondary school, I passed by unanimous vote. The experience of being squad leader for 11 years further developed these two characters in me.
As an adult now, being responsible and keeping my word become the cardinal principle of my life.
P.S. Edited
Sep 7, 2009
Post #3: Job Application Letter
Company's Name: Credit Suisse
Position: APAC Summer Analyst – Investment Banking Department with Credit Suisse, in Singapore
Job Description:
Our ten-week Summer Analyst Program for penultimate year students gives you outstanding exposure to business and the financial services industry.
Whether you’re working alongside a Full-Time Analyst or staffed as the only Analyst on a deal team, our summer program gives you the tools you’ll need to jump start your career in finance and investment banking.
As a summer program participant, you will have the opportunity to work on deals in your group, gaining hands-on experience and working on all aspects of advising and transacting business for our clients. Our smaller class size allows for broader responsibilities hence giving Summer Analysts wider exposure. Summer Analysts are formally reviewed at the mid and end points of the summer, and offers are made on the last day of the program, enabling you to return to school with a full-time position secured.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities may include analyzing companies using financial modeling and valuation techniques, examining the impact of a transaction on a client’s capital structure and analyzing the consequences of a merger or acquisition.
Requirements:
Interested candidates must be a penultimate year student from a Bachelor or Master’s degree program and have a strong interest in building a career in Asia. Credit Suisse is noted for the diversity of its employees but seeks candidates with a common set of abilities – highly motivated, creative individuals who have demonstrated academic achievement and have the ability to work independently while still operating as a member of a team. Strength in verbal and written communication as well as computer literacy is essential. In addition, we look for intelligent, driven and hardworking candidates with consistent leadership skills shown through involvement in school activities. Business mandarin skills are essential for all HK IBD positions.
#4A - 401, KUOK FOUNDATION HOUSE,
21 Kent Ridge Crescent,
Singapore 119280
Ph: +65-90923924
E-mail: u0602666@nus.edu.sg
September 5, 2009
Human Resources Manager, Credit Suisse,
1 Raffles Link, #03-01 South Lobby,
Singapore 039393
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to introduce myself and express my keen interest in doing Internship at Credit Suisse as an APAC Summer Analyst. I came to know about the position through the NUS Career Center website and the job description attracted me immensely. In addition, I strongly believe that I am a good match for this job, and here are the reasons.
I am an honors year student at the National University of Singapore. Being a full scholarship holder from China, I am able to adapt to a new environment very quickly and strive under pressure. Furthermore, I went to the University of British Columbia, Canada last semester under the student exchange program with another scholarship. The experience of studying abroad makes me become a fast learner and forges me to be a highly self-motivated person.
Majoring in Quantitative Finance, I have learnt quite a number of modules which are relevant to the position I am applying for. For example, I learnt Corporate Finance which included a real case study on analyzing Californian Plat Protection’s acquisition of Pinkerton’s. Our project turned out to be very successful, and I had done the major part of the acquisition valuation. Moreover, financial modeling is an essential component of my course curriculum, and the topic of my Honors Project is Pricing Mortgage-backed Securities, though it is not directly do valuations on companies, the basic valuation techniques are similar. Hence, I believe that I have the abilities to meet the job responsibilities. At the same time, being an earnest learner, I am willing to pick up any additional skills during the job.
Moreover, I am a person that can work independently while still operating as a member of a team. My experience in NUS Chinese Debate Team let me have a full understanding of the importance of both the individual’s effort and teamwork. Only adequate self-preparation plus the great efforts and good communications of the whole team can lead us to the success of a debate match. In addition, I have done a lot of group projects in various modules so far, and I can always finish my parts with high quality, and cooperate with the team mates efficiently to achieve good results for the projects.
Last but not least, as mentioned in the resume, I got leadership training as a volunteer in the QQS2007. Also, being an assistant of the vice president in the debate team, I also got the chance to improve my leadership skills in practice.
In conclusion, my skills and qualifications are exactly what are required for this job. The opportunity to be a member of this Summer Analyst Program will be a fulfilling experience and great treasure for me. I would greatly appreciate having the chance to further discuss my skills and qualifications with you and how I could be of service to the company. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
____________
Zheng, Rui
Enclosure: Resume
Position: APAC Summer Analyst – Investment Banking Department with Credit Suisse, in Singapore
Job Description:
Our ten-week Summer Analyst Program for penultimate year students gives you outstanding exposure to business and the financial services industry.
Whether you’re working alongside a Full-Time Analyst or staffed as the only Analyst on a deal team, our summer program gives you the tools you’ll need to jump start your career in finance and investment banking.
As a summer program participant, you will have the opportunity to work on deals in your group, gaining hands-on experience and working on all aspects of advising and transacting business for our clients. Our smaller class size allows for broader responsibilities hence giving Summer Analysts wider exposure. Summer Analysts are formally reviewed at the mid and end points of the summer, and offers are made on the last day of the program, enabling you to return to school with a full-time position secured.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities may include analyzing companies using financial modeling and valuation techniques, examining the impact of a transaction on a client’s capital structure and analyzing the consequences of a merger or acquisition.
Requirements:
Interested candidates must be a penultimate year student from a Bachelor or Master’s degree program and have a strong interest in building a career in Asia. Credit Suisse is noted for the diversity of its employees but seeks candidates with a common set of abilities – highly motivated, creative individuals who have demonstrated academic achievement and have the ability to work independently while still operating as a member of a team. Strength in verbal and written communication as well as computer literacy is essential. In addition, we look for intelligent, driven and hardworking candidates with consistent leadership skills shown through involvement in school activities. Business mandarin skills are essential for all HK IBD positions.
#4A - 401, KUOK FOUNDATION HOUSE,
21 Kent Ridge Crescent,
Singapore 119280
Ph: +65-90923924
E-mail: u0602666@nus.edu.sg
September 5, 2009
Human Resources Manager, Credit Suisse,
1 Raffles Link, #03-01 South Lobby,
Singapore 039393
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to introduce myself and express my keen interest in doing Internship at Credit Suisse as an APAC Summer Analyst. I came to know about the position through the NUS Career Center website and the job description attracted me immensely. In addition, I strongly believe that I am a good match for this job, and here are the reasons.
I am an honors year student at the National University of Singapore. Being a full scholarship holder from China, I am able to adapt to a new environment very quickly and strive under pressure. Furthermore, I went to the University of British Columbia, Canada last semester under the student exchange program with another scholarship. The experience of studying abroad makes me become a fast learner and forges me to be a highly self-motivated person.
Majoring in Quantitative Finance, I have learnt quite a number of modules which are relevant to the position I am applying for. For example, I learnt Corporate Finance which included a real case study on analyzing Californian Plat Protection’s acquisition of Pinkerton’s. Our project turned out to be very successful, and I had done the major part of the acquisition valuation. Moreover, financial modeling is an essential component of my course curriculum, and the topic of my Honors Project is Pricing Mortgage-backed Securities, though it is not directly do valuations on companies, the basic valuation techniques are similar. Hence, I believe that I have the abilities to meet the job responsibilities. At the same time, being an earnest learner, I am willing to pick up any additional skills during the job.
Moreover, I am a person that can work independently while still operating as a member of a team. My experience in NUS Chinese Debate Team let me have a full understanding of the importance of both the individual’s effort and teamwork. Only adequate self-preparation plus the great efforts and good communications of the whole team can lead us to the success of a debate match. In addition, I have done a lot of group projects in various modules so far, and I can always finish my parts with high quality, and cooperate with the team mates efficiently to achieve good results for the projects.
Last but not least, as mentioned in the resume, I got leadership training as a volunteer in the QQS2007. Also, being an assistant of the vice president in the debate team, I also got the chance to improve my leadership skills in practice.
In conclusion, my skills and qualifications are exactly what are required for this job. The opportunity to be a member of this Summer Analyst Program will be a fulfilling experience and great treasure for me. I would greatly appreciate having the chance to further discuss my skills and qualifications with you and how I could be of service to the company. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
____________
Zheng, Rui
Enclosure: Resume
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