On April 19th, the “Taiwan Next Career Lecture: Build Your Dream Job in 60 Days” organized by the Taiwan Next Foundation was held at Cupertino Community Hall, attracting nearly 200 professionals in the workplace.
The event featured Silicon Valley seasoned professionals and immigration lawyers who provided practical advice and face-to-face consultations through panel discussions, visa law analysis, and roundtable exchanges to help participants grasp key career development strategies and move towards their dream jobs.
Constance Liu, the head of the organizing committee, expressed that this was the second physical career event of the year for Taiwan Next, following the experience in January. They transitioned from a lecture-style approach to a more interactive format, encouraging job seekers to network, share experiences, and motivate each other.
They hope to organize such events quarterly in the future and continuously improve the content based on participant feedback.
During the event, several influential speakers from Silicon Valley shared insights on job seeking and interview strategies. Nancy Chu, a former Meta product manager and current PM leadership coach, emphasized that leadership and communication skills are timeless core competencies in one’s career. She advised breaking the interview process into “content preparation” and “verbal practice” stages, dedicating ample time to practicing to enhance expressiveness and persuasiveness.
Kevin Hsieh, the founder of MiruWork, noted the recent surge in job applications and emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong network beyond relying solely on platforms like LinkedIn. He highlighted integrity, intelligence, and energy as core qualities job seekers should focus on, along with improving professional skills, personal branding, and customizing resumes. Additionally, he pointed out that AI tools are complementary, but the key lies in one’s proficiency, not the tools used.
Thomas Chang, a platform technology director, stressed the importance of recommendations based on work experiences and actual performances. He encouraged young individuals to view each job as an opportunity to build credibility and networks, which could become crucial assets in their careers.
Chia-Ming Chang, a hardware and embedded development director, approached the evaluation of job seekers from an employer’s perspective, emphasizing technical competency, cultural fit, and adaptability to the company. He also highlighted the importance of observing applicants’ frequency of using “I” versus “we” in interviews to gauge their teamwork abilities and self-awareness.
The event also addressed visa issues for international students and foreign job seekers, featuring a special analysis by Jasmine Chen, a managing partner at JASSLAW, LLP and an immigration and entrepreneurship law expert. She warned that many recent visa rejections are linked to past negative records, urging individuals to consult professional lawyers if in doubt. Chen also recommended proactive job searching from November to December the year before H-1B applications in March to secure job offers in time for the visa process.
The lineup of other speakers was diverse, including George Hsieh, a former Apple and Logitech product manager; international HR experts Gloria Lin and Wei-Ting Chao; engineer Jorden Chang with experience in startups and large corporations; community advocate for women and international talents Irene Chung; and professionals Jordan and Adwin from the software engineering field who shared practical workplace and interview tips.
The event included two rounds of “Career Roundtable Exchanges,” allowing participants to choose speakers for one-on-one consultations on resume optimization, interview skills, career transitions, leadership development, and visa challenges, providing personalized advice and substantial support.
Participants warmly praised the event, with many expressing that they gained valuable help and inspiration. Chloe Chen, enrolled in a one-year course and actively job hunting, mentioned it was her third time attending Taiwan Next events. She found the content practical, with rich networking opportunities that contributed significantly to her growth. Particularly, she learned practical details such as “maintaining energy during interviews” during roundtable exchanges to boost her confidence and performance.
Louis, a volunteer, shared that Taiwan Next’s purpose is to offer a platform for overseas Taiwanese to gather, connect, and support each other. The event specifically featured immigration lawyers to explain visa and identity issues, aiding attendees in addressing practical challenges in job seeking and life that are often hard to access in daily life.
He noted that post-COVID-19 and amid changing international dynamics, job challenges today are markedly different from the past, presenting issues where previous experiences might not apply. Events like these that connect professionals and job seekers hold significant meaning. For him, as a volunteer, being able to participate in organizing and collaborating with different individuals is his greatest reward.
Other participants also shared positive feedback, praising the enriching experience and positive atmosphere at the event. Attendees from Taiwan commended the well-organized event, feeling the spirit of sharing and mutual support, expressing gratitude. A first-time participant with six to seven years of work experience shared that after recent resignation, they aimed to transition to a career path that aligns better with their interests. They appreciated the organizer’s dedication and the sincere sharing from the speakers, providing valuable support in exploring new directions.