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Category Archive: Résumé Writing

Oct 31

Interview Basics for Jobseekers

I’ve written previously about the need to prepare for interviews. Many jobseekers throw themselves into the beginning part of the job search – preparing a resume, writing cover letters, searching job sites for potential jobs, and the savvy ones, networking to open doors.

Often when the news comes that you have an interview you are so excited to have made it to the next stage that you forget to adequately prepare. As with many things, preparation is the key to your success and it doesn’t just mean the big things.

I know first-hand from my recruiting days, and from my contacts in the industry I regularly hear that it’s the little things that let jobseekers down badly at interview.

Recently I surveyed a group of recruiters who interview jobseekers every day across a range of sectors, and asked them what were the main mistakes they had observed?

From their responses I have compiled a list of Interview Basics for landing a new job.

  • Dress professionally, irrespective of the role you are applying for – neat and tidy hair, clothes, shoes and don’t forget the finger nails!
  • Don’t be late – arrive at your destination with plenty of time to spare and use the time to go over your resume.
  • Don’t forget to be nice to everyone – especially the receptionist!
  • Greet your interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake.
  • Don’t take your parents, partner or a friend along for moral support.
  • Make eye contact with your interviewer.
  • Watch your body language – sit up straight, unfold your arms and give the interviewer your full attention.
  • Listen carefully to questions and if you don’t understand ask for more information.
  • Turn off your mobile phone!
  • Don’t bring takeaway coffee with you.
  • Don’t bad mouth former employers or co-workers – it makes you look unprofessional.
  • Answer questions using the STAR technique if asked for an example eg, ‘Tell me about a time when …’
  • Don’t ramble – stay on track and answer directly, keeping it concise.
  • Make sure you have prepared a list of questions for the interview – don’t say ‘You already answered my questions’.
  • Know your resume inside out and back to front – questions will come from the resume.
  • Be prepared to provide referees – have their contact information ready so you don’t have to troll through your phone to find their numbers.
  • Take copies of tickets, licenses, qualifications, etc. in case you are asked to provide them.
  • Know what the company does, makes or sells – do your research – it is expected.
  • Don’t be negative – your job search journey may not have been an easy one but you’ve got an interview; don’t blow it by complaining.
  • Be honest – don’t misrepresent yourself – it is simply not worth it if you are found out.
  • Be prepared – you should have rehearsed answers to common interview questions and be ready to express yourself clearly.

If you’ve been guilty of any of these, here’s your chance to correct it before the next interview. If not, don’t forget the basics for each and every interview.

Get these little things right – they will boost your confidence so that you present well.

 
This article is written by Michelle Lopez and is posted on her website- http://www.one2oneresumes.com.au © Michelle Lopez, Owner/Career Consultant
 
Thanks 

Jappreet Sethi

2 comments

Sep 30

9 Biggest Mistakes To Avoid In Your Resume

Here are 9 of the biggest mistakes to avoid In Your resume , not correcting them will instantly make your resume appear antiquated:

The One Page Rule

Don’t spend countless hours trying to squeeze a decade or two of valuable experience onto a single sheet of paper. The worst thing you can do is try to make the font smaller or eliminate space between lines. If you do, your resume is too hard to read.The best way to gain extra space is to decrease the margins. Use 1/2 an inch instead of an inch. The good news is that the one-page resume no longer rules, as today’s hiring manager is more likely to be scrolling down on a screen than flipping to the next page.In fact, for experienced professionals a two-page resume is the most common format. There are obvious exceptions, such as recent graduates and entry-level applicants who can easily fit all of their experience on one page without sacrifice. For seasoned pros, however, even three- and four-page resumes are not uncommon and are acceptable today.Printing double sided will get you two pages for the price of one, and can impress companies who are environmental oriented.

Using Ancient Fonts

A “font” is the style and shape of the words on your resume. The right fonts are modern and easy to read. The wrong fonts are ancient and difficult to read. The right fonts are Arial and Helvetica. The wrong fonts are Times New Roman and anything else too fancy.If you have your resume in Times New Roman font, like many of us do, change it to Arial. You’ll be amazed at how much cleaner, modern and more professional it looks.

Writing in Paragraphs instead of Bullet Points

Your resume is an outline, not a novel. Use bullet points to highlight your experience and education, with short sentences or phrases.Don’t write in long block paragraphs that tell a story. It makes your resume much harder for a human to “scan” quickly, and is likely to cause your resume to be thrown into the rejected pile.

Using a Street Address

Including a City and State is fine, but there is no reason to include your actual Street Address. The employer isn’t going to be notifying you of an interview by snail mail.Skipping the street address is good for you for two reasons. It helps prevent both identity theft and junk mail. Since many job ads are from companies that choose not to reveal their names, you never know who you’re sending your resume to, so skip the street address and keep yourself protected.

Not Including an Email Address

Yes, you may have emailed your resume to the recruiter, but it’s still important to have your email address on your resume, as well as your phone number.Listing an email is not just a matter of convenience. It says, “Yes, I am part of the modern world, please hire me.”

 Using an Objective instead of a Summary

Objectives are out and Summaries are in. The reason is an Objective tells the employer what you want. A Summary tells the employer who you are and what you can do for them.Your Summary should be about 2 or 3 sentences that state what job you are applying for, and a brief explanation of your career highlights. You should be able to read your summary section out loud in 30 seconds or less.


Ignoring Keywords

Resumes are scanned by computers as often as they are read by humans. The software is designed to scan resumes for the keywords chosen by the employer. If you don’t have the right keywords, your resume never gets selected to be read by a real human.There are two ways to manage keywords. The easy way is to simply include a keyword section (don’t call it that, call it “Core Competency”).The harder but better way of using keywords is to place them throughout your resume in the descriptions of your work and school experience. It’s more natural, and will score better with the actual human recruiter.The secret to knowing the right keywords is that they are usually in the job ad. If you see a list of skills required, a certain educational degree, or specific licenses or other qualifications, those are all keywords. Any unique words could be keywords, but things like “strong work ethic” are never keywords.

Stating Obvious Computer Skills

Don’t list common technology on your resume. We all know how to use Microsoft Word, Windows, Internet Explorer, Twitter and Facebook. We all know how to use an email program. For upper-level applicants, it is already inferred that you possess the entry-level technical skills that were needed to successfully rise through the ranks. Listing them would unnecessarily lend your overall presentation a lower-level feel, which you would obviously want to avoid.

References Available Upon Request

Of course they are. References were more important before the internet became everybody’s reference. Google is always willing to give you a reference, for better or worse. It goes without saying that you are going to provide references if a prospective employer you want to hire you requests them.

 

This post was previously published on Doostang.com ,Founded in 2005 at Harvard, Stanford and MIT, Doostang was created with one goal in mind: to successfully advance ambitious young professionals in their careers. 

Thanks 

Jappreet Sethi

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Sep 02

Job Hunting After Retirement

There are many reasons people look for work after they have retired. Perhaps you are feeling the pinch (there is no doubt the cost of living is rising); maybe your retirement investments have not performed as well as you’d hoped; or maybe you’re plain bored and want to do something more with your time.

Whatever the reason for seeking work, it can be done with the right attitude and approach.

First and foremost you have to have the right mindset. Don’t begin a job search with negative thoughts like ‘I’ll give it a go, but it’s hard for people of my age’ or ‘I’ll apply but I know they will want someone younger’. Job hunting with a negative perspective shows – it comes across in your dealings and immediately puts you in the wrong mode.

As a mature job seeker you have a great deal to offer employers:

  • Worldly wisdom
  • Reliability
  • Genuinely wanting an opportunity
  • Good ‘old fashioned’ work ethic.

Focus on these things when you begin. If they are at the forefront of your mind, it will come across to employers and help you immensely to sell your worth. Employers want benefits, they want people who will add value, so show them how you offer those benefits and value.

What do you want to do? You will more than likely not want to return to your primary career, so what skills and experience do you possess and how will they apply to an employer?

Relying on advertised roles is a long process and you will encounter problems. Instead be proactive.

  • Look around at places where you see older workers
  • Develop a target list of potential employers
  • Use your networks. Most mature job seekers underestimate the power of networking.

I worked with a man last year who’d retired after a long and successful engineering career. His skills were diverse and had been applied in many different disciplines throughout his career. He enjoyed retirement but was a little bored and ideally wanted to work a couple of days a week to keep him busy and mixing with people. We drew up a list of all of his skills and experience and started brain storming industries and positions where these would be beneficial to employers.

He approached a large retail hardware chain directly with a resume tailored to their needs. His target was a customer service role in the ‘trade’ section – a role where he would help and advise trade clients on various products. His background was ideal and we wrote his resume to highlight this. Long story short, he now works for the retailer on Saturdays and Sundays. He was a great fit because he has his weekdays to spend time with his wife and friends, many of whom have retired, and then on the weekend can share his broad knowledge with customers. He has never been happier.

But the hardware chain didn’t take the bait straight away. Twice he saw fulltime customer service roles advertised and each time, followed up. He reminded them of his availability, and even though he only wanted part-time work, was flexible and willing to do any days or shifts. Eventually persistence paid off and he was given an opportunity.

The company had never had a mature employee before; however he approached them with such a positive attitude, presented them with a resume that met every one of their needs for a customer service staff member, and exuded an energetic, positive manner that they seriously considered him for a role.

It won’t always work, but the point is, this retiree did his homework and presented himself well. You can do it too.

“I promise to keep on living as though I expected to live forever. Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old only by deserting their ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up interest wrinkles the soul.”- Douglas MacArthur

This article is contributed by Michelle Lopez of One2One Resumes.

E: [email protected]

W: www.one2oneresumes.com.au

© Michelle Lopez, Owner/Career Consultant

Thanks
Jappreet Sethi
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Jul 03

20 Ways to Kill Your Job Application!

We spend a great deal of time talking to recruiters, employers and human resource staff every week. I recently sent an email asking some of them what they would list as their top 3 peeves when it came to receiving resumes and short-listing candidates. You should have seen my inbox fill up with responses! Many were repeated, so I thought I would share a list of the top 20.

Straight from the mouths of the people reading your resumes:

  1. Rambling! I wish people would get to the point. I haven’t got time to read a novel.
  2. Resumes that are a straight list of duties. Tell us what you did differently, what you did well.
  3. I want people to tell me how they meet my need. If not, I move on to the next resume. Simple.
  4. People who don’t meet the criteria for the role. If you don’t have the essential skills required, then don’t apply. Essential and desirable criteria are listed for a reason.
  5. Career Objectives. OMG, these are so annoying. I don’t want to know what you want. I want to know what you can do for me!
  6. Incorrect contact details. If an email bounces or the wrong phone number has been given, I won’t search for them, I’ll just move on to the next application.
  7. Poor grammar and spelling mistakes. It amazes me how many people apply for a role where written business communication is a major component of the role and send me a resume riddled with errors. These people usually claim they pay attention to detail as well!
  8. An application addressed to someone else. Its obvious they use the same application for every job and haven’t changed the salutation. These usually hit the shredder.
  9. Clutter. Personally, I can’t stand looking at resumes that are jammed so tight and written using the smallest font to get as much information on the page as possible. They are too hard to read and very unappealing.
  10. A cover letter that repeats, verbatim, what is in the resume. Why bother? You’ve wasted my time and yours.
  11. Long resumes. Resumes longer than 3 pages lose me.
  12. When you call a candidate about a job application and they say something along the lines of “Sorry, what job is this about again?” Keep track of your applications.
  13. Resumes without dates for each position. My first thought is “What are you trying to hide?”
  14. I’m sick of reading that everyone is a team player, has attention to detail and can see the big picture. Really? Prove it.
  15. When I ask about salary expectations and get the “What is this role offering?” question in return. You should have an expectation and be prepared to discuss it.
  16. Candidates who can’t make the time for an interview. I spent close to 20mins on the phone the other day with a woman who couldn’t seem to lock in a time to meet. It interfered with soccer practice, music practice, a monthly ‘girls’ movie night, and of course, her current role. If you’re serious about job hunting – make the time to be available for the interview.
  17. Template driven resumes. One day recently I saw 4 resumes, the exact same format, and in some sections, the exact same wording! Write it yourself or get a reputable writer to do it for you.
  18. Resumes that are not in chronological order. It is too hard to follow resumes that jump all over the place.
  19. Trying to figure out locations of positions. People who have worked internationally or nationally need to include this information – I am not an atlas!
  20. Gaps in employment that haven’t been explained. I know you will have a reason for it, but try telling me, I’m not a psychic.

So there you have it …. 20 ways in which to kill your application and lose an opportunity. I hope by sharing these, you will be able to avoid some of these pitfalls in your job search.

This article is contributed by Michelle Lopez of One2One Resumes.

E: [email protected]

W: www.one2oneresumes.com.au

© Michelle Lopez, Owner/Career Consultant

Thanks

Jappreet Sethi

2 comments

Jun 25

How To Crack HR Interview – Using STAR Model

Using the STAR method is one of the most effective ways of getting your message across to potential employers whether in your resume or at interview. Applied correctly the STAR method can significantly improve your job search. It works!

The STAR acronym stands for:

  • Situation
  • Task
  • Action
  • Result

Following the STAR technique enables you to give employers a clear, concise and informative response which outlines a situation and the part you played. It tells them how you approached the task and the results of your actions. This gives credibility to your claims.

So how does it work?

Situation: Give an example of a work situation you were involved in with a positive outcome. Briefly outline the situation and your role.

Task: Describe the tasks involved. What were your tasks, duties or responsibilities? What needed to be done? What obstacles had to be overcome?

Action: Describe the action you took to address the situation. What did you do? What steps did you take to complete the task? What was the allocation of resources and/or people involved?

Result: Describe what resulted from your actions. What was the outcome? What were the improvements or benefits? How did the situation end?

An example of a STAR response in an interview works like this:

Question: Can you tell me about a time when you increased sales?

Answer: In my role at ABC Pty Ltd I was hired to drive sales by actively reaching new customers. There was also a major problem with declining sales from existing customers. Many were no longer purchasing from us and of those that were, the frequency and volume had significantly decreased. (Situation/Task)

The first thing I did on commencement was telephone all existing customers including those who hadn’t purchased with us in awhile. I introduced myself as a new member of staff and asked them for feedback on our products and service. I catalogued their feedback into an Excel spreadsheet and identified the key areas of concern. I presented my findings to management who were alarmed to find so many customers dissatisfied with the delivery contractors they were using. (Action)

As a result of this, management negotiated a new delivery contractor who promised to deliver on time. I notified every customer, both in person and in writing, and actively sought their business with an assurance of improved delivery service.

In 6 months I had increased sales in the division by 45% (from 26k to 38k) and am proud to say, managed to get all but 3 customers to buy from us regularly again. (Result)

Can you see how this technique is so effective at actually telling the employer not just what you did, but how you did it and the resulting benefits? Applied to your resume, this technique gives instant credibility to your claims.

Think about using the STAR method for your next interview and why not take a look at your resume again. Could it be improved now you understand the technique?

This article is contributed by Michelle Lopez of One2One Resumes.

E: [email protected]

W: www.one2oneresumes.com.au

© Michelle Lopez, Owner/Career Consultant

Thanks
Jappreet Sethi

1 comment

Jun 13

Will blasting your resume Help or Hurt your job search?

When you first start looking for a job you’re excited … you jump online and blast your resume off to anything that looks remotely interesting. You are thinking about you … “Hmm, that sounds good, I might like to work in that role …”, hit Send and away it goes!

Perhaps you’ve lost your job and suddenly, with no warning, you’re staring down the barrel of financial struggles and stress. You desperately scour job sites and papers and apply for anything. This seems like a great idea – surely the more applications you send, the greater chance you have of getting another job and putting this stress behind you!

Others adopt a first-in, best-dressed theory – job markets are competitive and you believe that getting in quickly will give you an edge over the competition.

I know of candidates who sit at work, miserable in their job, and in reaction to something that has happened in the workplace, spend a few minutes online frantically applying for anything remotely possible.After a resume-blasting session you feel better … “Well that was a good effort” you think, “I’ve put myself in front of plenty of employers. Surely I will get a job from one of these.”

Did you know that, within minutes of a new job being posted on job search sites, employers and recruiters start receiving applications in their inbox? The problem is however, that most of those applications will be from people who don’t meet the criteria.

Job-searching is a numbers game and the more applications you get out there, the more likely you are to find a position. But your applications must be targeted.

Nobody is impressed by the number of applications you submit, nobody will pat your back at the end of a resume-blasting session and say “Well done Johnny, 30 applications sent”.

Employers want substance. Facts. Figures. Results. They’ve got a problem and they want you to solve it. Employers want to know what you’ve done, how you’ve done it well and the value you can offer them. Generic applications don’t address those needs.

Using a one-size-fits-all resume and generic cover letter will not make an impact with employers. You are wasting not only your time, but the employers’ time as well and ultimately lengthening your job search.

Stop and think about recruitment databases for a moment. Records are kept of positions you apply for: have you ever considered that in 3 months from now if you are still looking for work, people will see not only that you’ve been searching for a while but also that you’re a ‘serial applicant’?

Candidates who take the time to tailor their application to the role have far more chance of being considered as a serious applicant.

“But I need a job,” you cry, “I haven’t got time to be selective and tailor my application.” Understandably you need to secure work and have to be proactively applying for roles, but proceeding in a job search with a generic resume and cover letter is ineffective.Take the time now to work on an interview-winning resume and cover letter. You can use these as your base, so that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel each time you apply.

When you see a job of interest read the criteria carefully – do you meet it? If you do then it’s time to customise your application.

  • Start with your resume – make sure your profile and areas of expertise (core competencies/skills) are tailored to the role – does it contain keywords from the advert?
  • How have the company written the qualifications – are yours listed this way in your resume?
  • Look at the order of information in the advert (usually the order of importance for the employer) – does your application cover these points early in the resume?

Sometimes your resume will only require minor editing – perhaps changing the order of achievements to highlight key areas of importance for this role.

  • Treat your cover letter as an opportunity to talk about your ‘fit’ for the position.
  • Tell the employer how you will meet their needs.
  • Discuss other information that might not be contained in your resume but is relevant to the role.
  • Talk about the company: a candidate who has clearly done their research is impressive.
  • Address your letter to a person rather than Dear Sir or Dear Hiring Manager. You can call the receptionist or search online for this information.

Every time you tailor an application save a copy: if you come across a similar role you’ll only need to make minor adjustments.Taking the time to customise your application is well worth the effort. Employers can see that you’ve invested time in the application and you stand out from other applicants. You have the opportunity to highlight points from your past that speak directly to this position.

Don’t be reactive – stop and think about your application and take the time to get it right before pressing Send!

This article is contributed by Michelle Lopez of One2One Resumes.

E: [email protected]

W: www.one2oneresumes.com.au

© Michelle Lopez, Owner/Career Consultant

Thanks
Jappreet Sethi

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Jun 10

What will your body language tell the interviewer?

 

How you present at interview is so important. But have you thought about how your body language will either support or kill your chances of securing the job?

Being given an interview is exciting and your preparation starts straight away – what you will wear, how you will get there, researching the company, study your resume and rehearse the interview questions.

Very few candidates actually stop and think about body language.

We all know that first impressions count. When you first meet your interviewer you want to be brimming with confidence: a great big smile, firm handshake and an audible “nice to meet you” whilst looking into the interviewer’s eyes. Imagine if you met an interviewer with a tiny little voice which screams “timid”, a limp handshake and someone who looked at the floor or muttered into their shoulder when they spoke … not a good impression and it wouldn’t fill you with confidence about their ability to interview you fairly.

You’ve worked hard to get to interview stage, so put some real thought and preparation into your body language. There is no better way to prepare than to practise. Stand in front of the mirror and see what you look like. Silly as it seems, it’s a great way of finding out how others see you. Video yourself (enlist the help of a friend if necessary), but you need to watch the way in which you present yourself and your message.

Body language is not just the physical aspects, it is also your voice. How do you project message? Do you have an audible voice? (notice your pitch and tone) Painful as it can be, record yourself and then listen back – a great way of modifying your voice. Sometimes when people concentrate on an answer, as happens in interviews, their voice drops down a few notches. Hearing this in yourself and being aware of it can help you overcome the problem at interview.

When I first started recruiting I was amazed at the number of people I interviewed with poor body language. I could never understand how, after working so hard for an interview, they could blow their chances in this way.

One candidate, a lovely woman with an impressive background and the skills my client sought appeared to be the ‘perfect’ candidate on paper. At interview though, she seemed to shrink into herself. Whenever I asked her about an achievement or situation she had handled she crept back in the chair, went red, cocked her head to the side and lowered her voice when answering. These were her achievements – she should have owned them, been proud of them, expanded on them and confidently spoken about them!

Other people give you gruff one-word answers or direct you back to their resume, “Well, it’s all in there if you look at page 2”. I am sure it is a symptom of nerves for most people, but irrespective of the reason, it doesn’t impress interviewers and most certainly doesn’t present you in the best light.

So, how do you make sure your body language is appropriate for an interview?

Body language don’ts

  • Don’t keep your hands in your pockets.
  • Never cross your arms – it makes you look defensive.
  • Don’t hold your handbag/briefcase or portfolio in your lap – it makes you look like you’re ready to bolt!
  • No slouching – sit up straight and tall.
  • Never look away from the interviewer when answering questions or when they are talking to you – maintain eye contact.
  • Fidgeting such as shaking your leg or tapping your foot or drumming your nails on the desk is annoying and distracting.
  • Staring at the wall or floor – nothing screams disinterest more!
  • Relax to the point of appearing blasé – leaning back in the chair in a relaxed manner more suited to the lounge at home, or resting your head on your hand with an elbow on the chair.
  • Don’t rub your nose every time you make a point – some say it is a sign of deceit.
  • Never lean on the desk and towards your interviewer – it invades their space.

Body language is relatively easy to control. Simply being mindful of it can help enormously.

Have a think about your last interview – do you recognise any of the above points?

Next time you have an interview put your best foot forward, a strong confident voice, loads of eye contact and a professional presentation, to give yourself every chance of being offered the role.

This article is contributed by Michelle Lopez of One2One Resumes.

E: [email protected]

W: www.one2oneresumes.com.au

© Michelle Lopez, Owner/Career Consultant

Thanks

Jappreet Sethi

2 comments

Nov 29

How To Switch Jobs In A Market Slowdown

All things considered, this is not the best of times for switching jobs in India. This country has seen a fair bit of negative fallout of the economic problems in Europe and the US, and most MNCs in India are tightening their belts on recruitment. If you are looking to get a senior-level job in one of the bigger corporates, you will need to rethink the traditional job switching strategies.

Move Beyond Job Portals

To begin with, move beyond job portals like Naukri.com and Monster.com. In the current scenario, these platforms may not offer you what you are looking for. While they do serve their purpose at certain job levels, they may not be of great help to those seeking high-level placements. In times when good jobs are hard to come by, all you will find on these portals is the jobs that are not being filled because they are less than lucrative.

Remember that the HR departments of most MNCs have their own trusted recruitment routes and networks, and turning to job portals is usually their last option. Even when the occasional senior management job pops up there, your chances of your application getting short-listed are pretty slim. The queue is simply too long.

How To Get Through To Real Decision Makers

If you are looking for a senior management job today, your only real hope is to get face-time with senior decision makers within such companies. If you attempt to do this via the company’s HR department, the odds are heavily stacked against you. As already mentioned, the HR department of this company would already be in contact with the most suitable candidates in their database. You, as a stranger to this database, are therefore a wild card at best.

How do you manage to meet the senior decision makers and bypass the HR route? Tap into your own industry contacts and start working upwards till you get an email ID, a mobile number or a direct line. Remember not to shoot straight for the top. There is no point in talking to the CEO, since he or she will probably not be aware of the company’s managerial needs. Also, CEOs are unlikely to entertain unsolicited calls or emails, which would usually be fielded by their PAs. What you need is a direct line to the head of the department you are aiming to join.

Upgrade Your Resume to Reflect Your Achievements

Sit down with your existing resume and mercilessly edit out everything that looks like window dressing. Forget about your hobbies and club memberships. Never mind your personal objectives or ‘mission statement’. In a job recession, the only things that matter are your abilities to beef up a company’s bottom line.

Succinctly state how your skills can help make a difference to the department in terms of increased sales and greater visibility. Mention your past successes in some detail. Do not forget to include credible references. If you find yourself stumped, using a good resume writing service may be a good option.

Make A Strong Case In Your Covering Letter

Once your resume has been amended, compose a brief, winning covering email, attach your updated CV and send it to your designated ‘mark.’ If you have a phone number, follow up with a call later in the day. Explain that you are eager for a personal meeting to discuss your potential worth to the company. This direct and forthright approach is very likely to get you noticed. It emphasizes the fact that you have courage and conviction, and that you know what it takes to get something done.

Follow Up Strategically

Sending your resume is the start of the game, not the end – the action starts now. Make sure you follow up periodically. Find out if someone else knows the decision maker and get a reference call to him or her. It is all about making your case stronger than that of other possible applicants. However, temper your follow-ups with prudence – you do not want to seem desperate, either.

Networking In Conferences Works

The other way is to increase networking opportunities so that you can bump into senior executives at conferences, seminars and panel discussions. It would work best if your are actively participating in the event, since you could strike strategic conversations. In the course of such conversations, it becomes easy to infer that you would be interested in working for the organization. Often, companies sponsor executives for such events. However, my advice would be to not shy away from investing in an entry ticket. It pays off in the long run.

Jappreet Sethi

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2011 Jappreet Sethi

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Nov 10

Indispensible Email Skills For Job Seekers And Employees

If you are about to apply for a job via email, the quality of your emailed covering letter to the potential employer is extremely important. After all, you are marketing yourself. This means that the employer’s HR department will first judge your capabilities by how you introduce and portray yourself. If clothes make the man (or woman), then his or her words make the aspiring employee.

In many cases today, emails have degenerated to offensively abbreviated messages. Job seekers seem to assume that the quality of their emails is not as important as their actual work. The point is that the Human Resources departments of the most prestigious companies today will ignore badly worded emails containing chat-like abbreviations, spelling errors and grammatical bloopers. They are looking for serious, properly educated, well-spoken employees who take pride in their communication skills and will be assets to the company.

Here are some pointers on effective email writing to help you get that lucrative corporate job:

  • State your business clearly in the subject line. For example: ‘Application for the position of _______’, ‘Response to your advertisement for __________’, etc. In direct email inquiries to you, the company’s HR department will have used a relevant subject line. Simply hit ‘reply’ while answering – do not change the subject line.
  • Be brief and to the point – Do not bore the HR operative with long introductions. Get to the point. State your name and experience, and express interest in working for the company. End with your complete contact details.
  • Include your CV and scans of experience certificates and additional qualifications. When it comes to your CV, remember that in most cases, the company’s HR operative is not interested in your future career aspirations.
  • Run a spell check and grammar check before sending.  Most email platforms feature these today. If yours does not, write your email in Word first and run a spell and grammar check. Then copy it into your email window.
  • Maintain the right tone.  Be businesslike and straightforward. Do not use superfluous words or language. Also, ensure that you use technical or business jargon sparingly. While you do need to impress the HR operative at this stage, you do NOT want to exasperate or intimidate him or her.

Nor do these email guidelines apply only to job applicants. In the rapidly globalizing India of today, your language and diction matter in EVERY email, be it an internal mailer or a response to a client. It is simply not good enough anymore to merely be a black belt in spoken English.

Most lines of business communication today begin with an email. The quality of language employed in our written electronic communications can therefore be a make-or-break point in many business situations. Remember that every email you send is, in more ways than one, an ambassador of the company you represent – and also your character certificate, personality profile and visiting card.

Jappreet Sethi

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Aug 20

Tips on Writing A Killer Résumé

I thought it appropriate to pen down some good résumé writing tips that show you how to write a résumé that gets results. The idea is to make your résumé more attractive to present or future employers. Many employees end up feeling that their current employers cannot offer them what they are looking for and proceed to scan the market. Having a dynamic résumé on the Internet is a definite advantage.

Here are some time-tested résumé writing tips. They will guide you in how to enumerate your personal details clearly, succinctly and in the correct order:

  • State your full name, phone number, temporary and permanent address, and e-mail address
  • State you educational qualifications, along with appropriate dates for each completed school, college and post-graduate course
  • State you actual work experience, which should include internships, extracurricular activities, and significant volunteer work
  • State your skills intelligently. Do not mention skills that have no bearing on the job for which you are applying and give relevant details for those that do
  • State any academic and professional recognitions and awards conferred on you

Long, rambling résumés are no longer in favour and the single-page format gets the best results with employers. The accent is on short, pithy accounts of a prospective employee’s career to date. The details can appear either in chronological or functional format. In the chronological format, you start with your earliest job and work up to the latest you have held. In the functional format, you group your qualifications and experience under appropriate headings.

Your résumé should not mention your personal hobbies, unless these have direct bearing on your chosen career path. Details of your extra-curricular activities should profile:

  • Any additional skills you have that increase your profile and on-the-job value
  • Any experience and qualifications you have gained in a job-relevant area that you excel in

Today’s employers give preference to candidates who have a wide range of professional experience. If you have any experience certificates, mention these in your résumé and include copies of these as separate attachments. If you have held temporary jobs that are in keeping with the job you are applying for, mention these briefly. Having ‘temped’ gives you an extra edge in interviews. It proves that you have had exposure to different work cultures.

Employers also value any evidence of higher social awareness in prospective employees. If you have had a chance to work for a charitable organization, mention the fact in your résumé. This value-adds to by it enormously. Mention details of all charitable work you have done. If you have feedback and commendation letters in this context, include those too as separate attachments.

Your résumé must not only have all the relevant information – it also needs to look attractive. It is often not possible to format online résumés for better appearance. However, in an actual face-to-face interview with a prospective employer, the candidate with a properly composed, well-presented résumé has a clear advantage.

Get a person experienced in page layouts to format your résumé if you lack the necessary skills. Then have it printed out on good quality paper, fold it neatly and enclose it in a right-sized envelope that bear you name and the position for which you are applying.

 

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2011 Jappreet Sethi

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