Friday, April 29, 2011

Career Tip


  • Interview Tip: During the interview, think first, then formulate your response, letting the others know that you understand their message.

  • Compare your starting salary, initial efforts and current results and then ask for a revision in salary confidently if you feel you deserve it.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Interview Tips: What you should not say..


  • Leave the personal compliments for another time
  • No sob stories allowed
  • Definitely no crying during interviews
  • Don’t tell about illnesses or pre-existing conditions, unless required to do so
  • Do not complain about your old job or boss
  • Do not lie
  • Don’t use slang

Career Tip


  • Ensure that no job leaves your hand until you know that you have done your best. Set high personal standards.Get it right the first time.

  • To manage time smartly at your workplace, always clarify before beginning a task. Understand both your roles and those of your colleagues,

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Career tip


  • In a professional gathering, the more relevant you can be, the more likely you are to get connected to people who may be able to help you
  • It takes real commitment to remain actively productive during working hours. Just keep in mind that real productivity pays off, big time.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Career Tip


  • Resume Skills: If you have worked with someone that is well known in your industry, it could be a good idea to mention it on the resume

  • Do not worry about asking for help frequently in your new job. Nobody will think you are incompetent. You learn most by asking questions.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Career Tip


  • To blend in with your office better and to know how things work, notice and learn the rules and norms followed by the people around you.
  • Show your kindness and appreciation who is kind enough to help you out on the first few days of work or while learning a task.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Career Tip


  • Don't generalize about personal qualities or past job titles in your resume. Instead, give specifics about your skills and experience
                           
  • While on an official call, speak clearly and be polite at all times. Your voice and content should be clear to the person on the other end.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Interview Tips


Before your interview find out everything you can about the company (read their annual report which can be obtained by telephoning them). Re-read your application, thinking through your own career and the questions they might ask you. You should try to anticipate the general questions which they will ask and also prepare some questions to ask them.
To do well at the interview you will need to convince the interviewer you are technically qualified to do the job. You will also need to show that you are sufficiently motivated to get the job done well and that you will fit in with the company's organizational structure and the team in which you will work.
You should dress smartly for the interview and should leave home earlier than you need to on the day of the interview - you may be delayed by traffic or for other reasons. Be courteous to all employees of the company. At the interview itself you must be positive about yourself and your abilities - but do not waffle. 
Frequently Asked Questions
All interview questions are designed to find out your ability to fit-in and contribute to the specific workgroup. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions to help you prepare for your interview:

Tell us about yourself?
Tell them in detail how your experience would relate to the position you are being interviewed for. Be as detailed as possible about your family background, educational background and previous job experience.

Why are you interested in this position? 
Tell your employer why you chose to apply for this position. Explain why you are a perfect match for the position and how you will do full justice to the same. Use relevant examples from your family background, educational background and previous job experience.

What do you know about this company? 
You should research the company well before applying to it. You must be prepared to discuss the industry, the company's relative size within that industry and show that you know who the major players and competitors are

What salary are you drawing? 

The question is not difficult to answer – just be honest and give the figure. In all probability, your next employer may base your salary on this amount. However, the problem arises when you feel you are being underpaid in your current organization. You may feel tempted to lie, but do not give in, as checks can be easily made and you may be disqualified. In case you are getting additional perks, incentives or commissions, do not forget to mention them, as they are important while negotiating salary.

Identify What you have to offer? 

Your education, training and experience—what you have done, know how to do and can do.

Remember all the skills, abilities and talents you possess that will make you an excellent employee.

Career Tip


  • Choosing a career is a big decision. A decision that should involve more than thumbing through a book or a newspaper and picking a job.

  • Be the first one to ask for more assignments once you have accomplished all the tasks given to you. This shows that you are pro-active.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Career Tip


  • You are not expected to know everything in the first few weeks of your new job. Take time to ask questions, observe and learn everything.
  • Be sure you want to make a career presentation. Be excited about what you do and where your career is going. Most of all, be yourself!

Friday, April 8, 2011

How to introduce oneself?


  • Emphasize only on the vital characteristics of your personality.
  • Don't spend a long time explaining things that have already mentioned in your resume.
  • Your introduction should highlight your achievements but in a very crisp way.
  • Don't speak about your strengths or weaknesses unless asked.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Interview Tips


An interview is your best chance to present your capabilities, stand out from the other candidates who are competing for the same position and grab the opportunity.
Always remember that - First impressions are last impressions! So, make sure that it's a lasting one. Look confident and behave professionally, as you might be observed from the minute you step into the interview premises till you step out. Dress conservatively, be well-groomed and presentable. Be polite and courteous to everyone you meet.

Preparation
  • Know your resume like the back of your hand.
  • Remember that you are representing yourself and no one but you yourself will have to prove your skills and capabilities for the position. If you lack anything, then express your willingness and capability to learn it fast.
  • Be very clear about your short and long term career goals. Make sure you are able to communicate them clearly to your interviewer.
  • Do a background check on the company and read about the company's history, products and services; go through the company website, if any.
  • Be prepared for the standard questions. Your answers should be precise and to-the-point, so that the interviewer is engaged in the conversation the entire time.
  • A sense of humor always helps.
Professionalism
  • Always be on time. Arrive at least ten to fifteen minutes early for the interview.
  • Make sure cell phones and pagers are turned off. Do not chew gum.
  • Address your interviewer as Sir / Ma'm and not their first names, unless specified.
  • Smile at your interviewer and always make eye contact.
  • Speak clearly. Be courteous and respectful.
  • Don't fidget. Sit up straight and avoid slouching.
  • Express interest in the position and the company. It's always seen as a positive sign by the interviewer.
  • Avoid negativity. Speak about your strong points i.e. your skills, experience and willingness to learn new things.
Communication
  • Answer questions precisely. Avoid giving monosyllable answers like "yes", "no" or "maybe".
  • It's ok to ask the interviewer to clarify / repeat a question.
  • Always speak positively about former employers and experiences.
  • Relate your previous work experience to the questions being asked to you. Narrating your accomplishments will show your abilities and experience.
  • Save questions about salary, benefits, vacation, sick leave, etc. for discussion after you have received an offer.
  • Most importantly - Be honest. The interviewer pays attention to everything you say and takes your word for it.
Ending the interview

Thank the interviewer for his time and let him know that you will look forward to hearing from them soon. Call us to give feedback on how the interview went. We will be receiving feedback from you as well as the interviewer; therefore we will be able to discuss the same with you.

Resume Tips


  • Customize Your Resume for each Job Opening
    If you are not customizing your resume to each job opening, you are missing the perfect opportunity to ensure that your resume will land in the hands of the right recruiter.
    It is vital that in today's job market that every resume include similar keywords that appear in targeted job descriptions, increasing the chances that a candidate will be found highly compatible with an open position.
    Make sure that these keywords reference specific job requirements: mention specific skill sets, software and technology competencies, previous employers, and relevant credentials.

  • Prioritize InformationPrioritize content so that your most important and relevant experience is listed first, with key accomplishments listed at the top. Candidates often mistakenly list important data in the lower sections of their job descriptions. As you compile statements for your resume, prioritize them by importance, noteworthiness and relevance to the job.
  • Include a concise headline: Include a concise headline about yourself and the type of position you seek near the top of your resume that is matched to your targeted position and goes beyond generic phrases such as "seeking challenging job in a fun yet hard-working environment." Recruiters look at many resumes every day and yours needs to stand out in a professional, no-nonsense way that shows you have taken the time and interest to pursue a specific opening.
  • Keep it Simple
    Use a simple resume format for all of your online submissions. When designing the format, make sure to keep the design simple, with ample white space and no images or pictures. Use a basic 12-point font to ensure readability; common fonts like Arial, Courier, and Times New Roman are usually a good choice.
    Double-check that there are no errors when you are required to manually re-enter data from your resume into automated online systems. Avoid bold, italics and underlined words.

  • Avoid Time Gaps
    Make sure if you have time gaps in employment, you address them in your resume. Time gaps are often flagged as a concern by recruiters and technology.
    Candidates are better off explaining employment gaps: taking on independent consulting or freelancing positions, taking time off to have a child, or taking a "family sabbatical" alongside the relevant dates. If a candidate took classes or went back to studies, list the appropriate information in the education section.

  • Go Social
    Employers are increasingly looking in many different online places for talent, including Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, and other social networking sites. Make sure when you are in the market for a new job you use all of your online profiles to help position yourself as an ideal job candidate.
    Networking can be surprisingly fruitful on these types of sites, so whenever appropriate, make reference to previous employers, job titles, dates of employment and responsibilities. Let your connections know you are looking for a new job so you can get a jump on new opportunities. And always make sure there is nothing on your public profiles that you wouldn't want a potential employer to come across.

Resume Tips


  • Customize your resume for each Job Opening
  • Prioritize Information
  • Include a concise headline
  • Keep it Simple
  • Avoid Time Gaps
  • Go Social


    Monday, April 4, 2011

    Career Tip


    • Don't use the statement - " I have not done this before" as an excuse. Ask intelligent questions. Take up the challenge and surpass it.

    • Career objective is very important to your resume. Your career objective should contain both a long term goal and a short term goal  

    Career choice

    Look at educational requirements, the job description, the job outlook, earnings, and opportunities for advancement.