Part One: Profile
Chen Xi, a 2024 Master’s student in Telecommunications Engineering at the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence in Education, CCNU. During his graduate studies, he served as Deputy Director of the Office of the CCNU Graduate Student Union. His honors include the National Scholarship for Graduate Students, the Full Scholarship from the Joint Institute, and Outstanding Graduate Student.
Employer: Kingsoft Office (Wuhan) Co., Ltd.
Part Two：Interview
Q1: When applying for jobs, how did you filter industries and positions to avoid blindly mass-applying?
Chen Xi: My job search was primarily focused on internet companies, so my advice below is tailored to this sector. If you are targeting state-owned enterprises (SOEs), they usually do not limit the number of applications, so mass-applying is acceptable.
The internet industry spans various sub-sectors, including e-commerce, productivity tools, and social media. If you are unsure of your preferred direction, I recommend shortlisting two or three trending industries as backups. These sectors typically have high demand and abundant online information, which can help you quickly assess your fit.
When selecting specific roles, carefully read the job descriptions on the target company’s official website. If you meet over 70% of the requirements, it is worth applying. Keep in mind that internet companies often limit the number of applications per candidate. Avoid blind mass-applying—it wastes time and can easily erode your confidence due to frequent rejections.
Q2: What are the most common resume mistakes junior students make, and do you have any tips?
Chen Xi: The biggest mistake is writing a "running account." Many students use phrases like "Responsible for..." or "Handled...", which merely repeats the job description rather than showcasing personal growth and achievements. Interviewers want to know: Why did you do this? What exactly did you do? What were the final results?
I recommend keeping your resume to one page and using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your internship or project experiences. Additionally, you must be fully familiar with every detail on your resume. Polishing is fine, but avoid exaggeration. Make sure to conduct multiple mock interviews beforehand to ensure you can confidently handle in-depth follow-up questions.
Q3: What projects, internships, or skill-building efforts during your time at university helped your job search the most?
Chen Xi: In the AI era, I strongly encourage everyone to actively use and embrace AI. Don’t just stop at simple conversations with tools like Doubao or Qwen, and don’t spend excessive time watching courses on the underlying principles of large language models. A more effective approach is to use AI to solve practical problems and produce tangible, visual outcomes.
In my past experiences, many tasks involved AI applications. While these tasks weren't overly complex, demonstrating a combination of a computer science academic background and practical AI experience during interviews often catches the interviewer's eye. At the very least, it shows that you are trying out new technologies and remain curious about the world.
Q4: Many students feel lost and anxious about job hunting. How did you plan your pace and adjust your mindset during the fall/spring recruitment seasons?
Chen Xi: The fall and spring recruitment cycles in the internet industry are fast-paced and start early. I suggest having your resume ready by May and applying to small and medium-sized companies first for interview practice. Major tech companies usually launch their summer internship programs in June—make sure to seize this opportunity. Based on the 2026 recruitment cycle, the conversion rate for summer interns at top tech firms is quite high.
Fall recruitment typically kicks off between July and August. Apply early and maintain a steady mindset. Job hunting is not a quick-feedback process: you might submit a batch of applications in July, but not receive interview invites until September. During this waiting period, keep your resume fresh in your mind, exchange job market information with peers, and try mock interviews. This will not only help you identify blind spots but also make you realize that "everyone is in the same boat," thereby reducing feelings of isolation and anxiety.
Part Three：Message to Junior Students
Chen Xi: Campus recruitment isn't about finding a "perfect" job; it’s about finding an entry point that allows you to grow rapidly and kickstart your career. Don't let a single rejection define your worth. Maintain your curiosity to explore and your resilience to solve problems, and you will eventually find the place where you truly belong.
