Thursday, April 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Handling Multiple Job Offers
Handling Multiple Job Offers
Congrats!!!. It's a great feeling to have more than one job offer. But the worst part is the confusion that it creates in selecting the best one.
Selecting a company to work with is more individualistic in nature and it will probably have great impact,either positive or negative, on your career.
Since it a very crucial decision, you need clarity in thinking. It's best advised to think on paper. Sit down with a plain sheet of paper and decide on the criteria's that are dear to you. Prioritise each of the criteria.
Some of the below listed could be a good canditates for your criteria.
1. Financial Package Offered.
The better the package the better we feel. But there are lot of other factors which should be equally weighed.
2. Growth Oppurtunities.
You should know about organisational structure of the company. Ask whether promotion is based on purely performance? Some software companies ,like govt jobs, still have minimum timeframe for a promotion, for example you should have served in the same position for atleast 18 months to get promoted.
3. Domain Knowledge.
A chance to work and gain knowledge in a domain like Banking, Insurance, Telecom or Supply Chain should be treated as a very good oppurtunity. Hence know on what domain you would be required to work on.
4. Working Hours.
This is highly individualistic. Some people like to slog to grow quickly and some people doesn't want to spoil personal life for anything. It's your call on work-life balance. And most software companies have demanding working hours.
5. Workplace learning.
Most companies have a very good internal learning program structure. A good company should have fixed number of days allocated for on job training. These trainings could be on soft skills, technical certifications, workshops,etc.
6. Travel time to office.
Travel duration is becoming more important due to heavy traffic snarls in all major cities. Four years ago, I used to reach my office, a distance of 4 kms, in 10 to 15 minutes. Today it takes 30 to 35 minutes on peak hour traffic. For this very particular reason, i have cultivated a good habit of starting early to office and coming late to avoid traffic. Travel duration is a pure time waste unless your vehicle is being chaffeured!!
7. Workplace atmosphere.
Software companies have revolutionised the look and feel of indian offices. The atmosphere should be fun filled rather than being dull. You would have already gauged on your visit to the office for the interview.
8. Onsite Oppurtunities.
Some people crave to get settled in a foreign soil for monetray benefits and some like to go on a month or two short term shuttles.And a few people dont want to travel due to variety of personal reaons, eg pregnant wife, sick parents, etc So get to know whether you will get what you desire from the company.
9. Process Orientation.
A CMM certified company is far more process oriented than a company which is not certified. How does this bother you?!. A company without a well defined processes will exert more pressure on its employee's. But this could be also be used to your advantage, a startup company without well defined process boundaries will have overlapping roles and responsibilities, so you will learn more. My first job was with a small start-up banking software company where i captured requirements,wrote code, tested others code, interacted with users and even doubled up as a Websphere administrator. That was a great learning experience.
You could think of many other factors which have not been mentioned above. List them also and prioritise.
A company which satisfies your high priorities might be the best suitable job. But be prudent and take a wise decision.
All the very best.
Congrats!!!. It's a great feeling to have more than one job offer. But the worst part is the confusion that it creates in selecting the best one.
Selecting a company to work with is more individualistic in nature and it will probably have great impact,either positive or negative, on your career.
Since it a very crucial decision, you need clarity in thinking. It's best advised to think on paper. Sit down with a plain sheet of paper and decide on the criteria's that are dear to you. Prioritise each of the criteria.
Some of the below listed could be a good canditates for your criteria.
1. Financial Package Offered.
The better the package the better we feel. But there are lot of other factors which should be equally weighed.
2. Growth Oppurtunities.
You should know about organisational structure of the company. Ask whether promotion is based on purely performance? Some software companies ,like govt jobs, still have minimum timeframe for a promotion, for example you should have served in the same position for atleast 18 months to get promoted.
3. Domain Knowledge.
A chance to work and gain knowledge in a domain like Banking, Insurance, Telecom or Supply Chain should be treated as a very good oppurtunity. Hence know on what domain you would be required to work on.
4. Working Hours.
This is highly individualistic. Some people like to slog to grow quickly and some people doesn't want to spoil personal life for anything. It's your call on work-life balance. And most software companies have demanding working hours.
5. Workplace learning.
Most companies have a very good internal learning program structure. A good company should have fixed number of days allocated for on job training. These trainings could be on soft skills, technical certifications, workshops,etc.
6. Travel time to office.
Travel duration is becoming more important due to heavy traffic snarls in all major cities. Four years ago, I used to reach my office, a distance of 4 kms, in 10 to 15 minutes. Today it takes 30 to 35 minutes on peak hour traffic. For this very particular reason, i have cultivated a good habit of starting early to office and coming late to avoid traffic. Travel duration is a pure time waste unless your vehicle is being chaffeured!!
7. Workplace atmosphere.
Software companies have revolutionised the look and feel of indian offices. The atmosphere should be fun filled rather than being dull. You would have already gauged on your visit to the office for the interview.
8. Onsite Oppurtunities.
Some people crave to get settled in a foreign soil for monetray benefits and some like to go on a month or two short term shuttles.And a few people dont want to travel due to variety of personal reaons, eg pregnant wife, sick parents, etc So get to know whether you will get what you desire from the company.
9. Process Orientation.
A CMM certified company is far more process oriented than a company which is not certified. How does this bother you?!. A company without a well defined processes will exert more pressure on its employee's. But this could be also be used to your advantage, a startup company without well defined process boundaries will have overlapping roles and responsibilities, so you will learn more. My first job was with a small start-up banking software company where i captured requirements,wrote code, tested others code, interacted with users and even doubled up as a Websphere administrator. That was a great learning experience.
You could think of many other factors which have not been mentioned above. List them also and prioritise.
A company which satisfies your high priorities might be the best suitable job. But be prudent and take a wise decision.
All the very best.
Golden Rules for Career Success.
Working as a business consultant all over the world, I have discovered some basic career-related rules that everyone should know - but many don't.
Business is made up of ambiguous victories and nebulous defeats. Claim them all as victories.
Keep track of what you do; someone is sure to ask.
Be comfortable around senior managers, or learn to fake it.
Never bring your boss a problem without some solution. You are getting paid to think, not to whine.
Long hours don't mean anything; results count, not effort.
Write down ideas; they get lost, like good pens.
Always arrive at work 30 minutes before your boss.
Help other people network for jobs. You never know when your turn will come.
Don't take days off sick - unless you are.
Assume no one can/will keep a secret.
Know when you do your best - morning, night, under pressure, relaxed; schedule and prioritize your work accordingly.
Treat everyone who works in the organization with respect and dignity, whether it be the cleaner or the managing director. Don't ever be patronizing.
Never appear stressed in front of a client, a customer or your boss. Take a deep breath and ask yourself: In the course of human events, how important is this?
If you get the entrepreneurial urge, visit someone who has his own business. It may cure you.
Acknowledging someone else's contribution will repay you doubly.
Career planning is an oxymoron. The most exciting opportunities tend to be unplanned.
Always choose to do what you'll remember ten years from now.
The size of your office is not as important as the size of your pay cheque.
Understand what finished work looks like and deliver your work only when it is finished.
The person who spends all of his or her time is not hard-working; he or she is boring.
Know how to write business letters - including thank-you notes as well as proposals.
Never confuse a memo with reality. Most memos from the top are political fantasy.
Eliminate guilt. Don't fiddle expenses, taxes or benefits, and don?t cheat colleagues.
Reorganizations mean that someone will lose his or her job. Get on the committee that will make the recommendations.
Job security does not exist.
Always have an answer to the question, "What would I do if I lost my job tomorrow?"
Go to the company Christmas party.
Don't get drunk at the company Christmas party.
Avoid working at weekends. Work longer during the week if you have to.
The most successful people in business are interesting.
Sometimes you'll be on a winning streak and everything will click; take maximum advantage. When the opposite is true, hold steady and wait it out.
Never in your life say, "It's not my job."
Be loyal to your career, your interests and yourself.
Understand the skills and abilities that set you apart. Use them whenever you have an opportunity.
People remember the end of the project. As they say in boxing, "Always finish stronger than you start."
Business is made up of ambiguous victories and nebulous defeats. Claim them all as victories.
Keep track of what you do; someone is sure to ask.
Be comfortable around senior managers, or learn to fake it.
Never bring your boss a problem without some solution. You are getting paid to think, not to whine.
Long hours don't mean anything; results count, not effort.
Write down ideas; they get lost, like good pens.
Always arrive at work 30 minutes before your boss.
Help other people network for jobs. You never know when your turn will come.
Don't take days off sick - unless you are.
Assume no one can/will keep a secret.
Know when you do your best - morning, night, under pressure, relaxed; schedule and prioritize your work accordingly.
Treat everyone who works in the organization with respect and dignity, whether it be the cleaner or the managing director. Don't ever be patronizing.
Never appear stressed in front of a client, a customer or your boss. Take a deep breath and ask yourself: In the course of human events, how important is this?
If you get the entrepreneurial urge, visit someone who has his own business. It may cure you.
Acknowledging someone else's contribution will repay you doubly.
Career planning is an oxymoron. The most exciting opportunities tend to be unplanned.
Always choose to do what you'll remember ten years from now.
The size of your office is not as important as the size of your pay cheque.
Understand what finished work looks like and deliver your work only when it is finished.
The person who spends all of his or her time is not hard-working; he or she is boring.
Know how to write business letters - including thank-you notes as well as proposals.
Never confuse a memo with reality. Most memos from the top are political fantasy.
Eliminate guilt. Don't fiddle expenses, taxes or benefits, and don?t cheat colleagues.
Reorganizations mean that someone will lose his or her job. Get on the committee that will make the recommendations.
Job security does not exist.
Always have an answer to the question, "What would I do if I lost my job tomorrow?"
Go to the company Christmas party.
Don't get drunk at the company Christmas party.
Avoid working at weekends. Work longer during the week if you have to.
The most successful people in business are interesting.
Sometimes you'll be on a winning streak and everything will click; take maximum advantage. When the opposite is true, hold steady and wait it out.
Never in your life say, "It's not my job."
Be loyal to your career, your interests and yourself.
Understand the skills and abilities that set you apart. Use them whenever you have an opportunity.
People remember the end of the project. As they say in boxing, "Always finish stronger than you start."
Sunday, September 14, 2008
TOP 10 INTERVIEW MISTAKES
1) ARRIVING LATE
Arriving late creates worse impression and in most cases, you will be rejected. Find the address of the interview location and arrive early. If you can't be on time for the interview, how dependable could you be as an employee? Arrive at least ten minutes before the interview begins.
2) DRESSING INAPPROPRIATELY
You have to promote a good image of yourself. Shabbily dressed candidates create a poor first impression on the minds of the interviewers.Gents Attire: Be clean shaven. Wear neat clean ironed clothes. Dark colour trouser and light colour shirt combination goes well. Tuck in your shirt properly. Don't go with dirty nails. Wear polished shoes. Socks should match trouser colour and belt should match shoes colour. Neither use strong perfumes nor go with bad body odour.
Ladies Attire:
Being over or under dressed does not go well with interviewers. Dress adequately for the occasion. Avoid flashy jewelry, hairstyles or make up. Avoid strong perfumes.
3) ATTENDING CELL PHONE
Switch off your cell phone or put it in silent mode. Never attend your cell phone call during your interview.
4) NOT CARRYING HARD COPY OF YOUR RESUME
Always carry a printed copy of your resume. Don't assume that the employer already has a copy of your resume. Though not carrying a printed resume is not a mistake but it will help to create a impression that you are well organised.
5) ATTITUDE
Management people look for right attitude people. Right attitude means hard working, responsible, willing to learn, organised, good team player, well mannered, etc. Most of the time, candidates from poor and rural backgrounds have these characters in abundance.
6) LACK OF COMMUNICATION
Make good eye contact, smile and communicate to all the interviewers. At the start of the interview, have a firm (not a squeezing) handshake with the interviewers. Spell your name clearly. Hear their names intently. Take the seat only after you are asked to. Maintain eye contact with both the interviewers. Be relaxed and composed. Don't worry, if you are a bit weak in spoken English, you need to practice questions which are expected. One word responses will not help the interviewer to make decisions. Do not sit like a log during your interview. If you appear too nervous they'll think you're not confident enough to do the job.
Don't be aggressive or arrogant in communication. Don't argue. Being confident is one thing, being arrogant is another. Many people make the mistake of appearing too arrogant during an interview, and this only suggests that they will not make good team players. Show the interviewers your skills, without coming across as a bossy know all!
7) NOT ABLE TO ANSWER BASIC QUESTIONS
Prepare answers in advance to some of the most common interview questions. You will feel relaxed and confident, when you answer the basic questions. Interviewer will also feel comfortable to get into the technical section.
8) BEING DISHONEST
A little bit of tweaking or polishing of facts might be Ok but outright lies will land you in trouble.
9) PREMATURELY ASKING ABOUT SALARY AND BENEFITS
The appropriate time to discuss issues of compensation is when a firm offer is on the table. Don't bring up the topic prematurely. Normally this can be delayed till HR interview.
10) LEAVING WITHOUT COURTESY
Ask about follow up. End the interview with a handshake and thank all the interviewers before leaving.
All the above points might be small but completely controllable things which will go a long way in being successful in your interview. And lastly, all these finer things would be worthless, if you are not good in your technical skills.
All the best.
Arriving late creates worse impression and in most cases, you will be rejected. Find the address of the interview location and arrive early. If you can't be on time for the interview, how dependable could you be as an employee? Arrive at least ten minutes before the interview begins.
2) DRESSING INAPPROPRIATELY
You have to promote a good image of yourself. Shabbily dressed candidates create a poor first impression on the minds of the interviewers.Gents Attire: Be clean shaven. Wear neat clean ironed clothes. Dark colour trouser and light colour shirt combination goes well. Tuck in your shirt properly. Don't go with dirty nails. Wear polished shoes. Socks should match trouser colour and belt should match shoes colour. Neither use strong perfumes nor go with bad body odour.
Ladies Attire:
Being over or under dressed does not go well with interviewers. Dress adequately for the occasion. Avoid flashy jewelry, hairstyles or make up. Avoid strong perfumes.
3) ATTENDING CELL PHONE
Switch off your cell phone or put it in silent mode. Never attend your cell phone call during your interview.
4) NOT CARRYING HARD COPY OF YOUR RESUME
Always carry a printed copy of your resume. Don't assume that the employer already has a copy of your resume. Though not carrying a printed resume is not a mistake but it will help to create a impression that you are well organised.
5) ATTITUDE
Management people look for right attitude people. Right attitude means hard working, responsible, willing to learn, organised, good team player, well mannered, etc. Most of the time, candidates from poor and rural backgrounds have these characters in abundance.
6) LACK OF COMMUNICATION
Make good eye contact, smile and communicate to all the interviewers. At the start of the interview, have a firm (not a squeezing) handshake with the interviewers. Spell your name clearly. Hear their names intently. Take the seat only after you are asked to. Maintain eye contact with both the interviewers. Be relaxed and composed. Don't worry, if you are a bit weak in spoken English, you need to practice questions which are expected. One word responses will not help the interviewer to make decisions. Do not sit like a log during your interview. If you appear too nervous they'll think you're not confident enough to do the job.
Don't be aggressive or arrogant in communication. Don't argue. Being confident is one thing, being arrogant is another. Many people make the mistake of appearing too arrogant during an interview, and this only suggests that they will not make good team players. Show the interviewers your skills, without coming across as a bossy know all!
7) NOT ABLE TO ANSWER BASIC QUESTIONS
Prepare answers in advance to some of the most common interview questions. You will feel relaxed and confident, when you answer the basic questions. Interviewer will also feel comfortable to get into the technical section.
8) BEING DISHONEST
A little bit of tweaking or polishing of facts might be Ok but outright lies will land you in trouble.
9) PREMATURELY ASKING ABOUT SALARY AND BENEFITS
The appropriate time to discuss issues of compensation is when a firm offer is on the table. Don't bring up the topic prematurely. Normally this can be delayed till HR interview.
10) LEAVING WITHOUT COURTESY
Ask about follow up. End the interview with a handshake and thank all the interviewers before leaving.
All the above points might be small but completely controllable things which will go a long way in being successful in your interview. And lastly, all these finer things would be worthless, if you are not good in your technical skills.
All the best.
Telephonic Interview - Important facts
Telephonic interview is becoming more popular nowadays. Thanks to the communication technology that helped people to get connected beyond the geographical barriers. Telephonic interview is conducted mainly in the following circumstances.
When the employer wishes to shortlist the candidates before the next round of interview, especially when the number of applicants is high.
When the candidate is applying for an overseas job.
When the communication skill of the candidate, not the other personality traits, is important for the job.
n most of the telephonic interviews, the interviewer might not have met the candidates before, or he/she will be talking to them for the first time. As such, the telephonic interview becomes a crucial testing environment for the candidates. More effort is required to express their feelings and ideas through telephonic conversation than a face-to-face communication. There are more chances that a candidate is rejected even if he/she is perfectly fit for the job.
Here are a few guidelines that help those candidates avoid the unexpected letdowns in a telephonic interview.
Have good presence of mind. Remember that you are not in front of the interviewer. Any slight disorientation might make the person at the other end confused. Be attentive to what the interviewer is asking and think twice before speaking out.
Maintain an average speed. Good communication skill does not demand a super fluency. Even if you are a slow speaker, you can communicate effectively. Effective communication rather means elocution and appropriate use of words and concise ideas. Never be too lengthy or too short in your answers. AVOID MONO-SYLLABLE ANSWERS.
Keep a copy of your resume that you have sent to the employer in front of you while attending the telephonic interview. If possible, get a copy of other details such as the information about the company, job responsibilities, etc. Keep all these information handy as soon as you get the intimation from the company on your telephonic interview.
When you address the interviewer, use his/her first name or use Mr. before the last name.
If you are talking to a foreigner, be slow and clear. If you don't understand his/her accent, express your concern and ask him/her to slow down a little. This would be a better idea than misinterpreting the speaker because of his difficult tongue.
Make sure that you conclude the conversation appropriately. Before disconnecting your phone, always confirm from the other side that the interview is over.
Don't lose your heart at any point during the interview even if you are not satisfied with your presentation. Remember that the interviewer is not able to judge your weaknesses other than the speech expression, and so be confident to proceed further. It is possible to regain the lost confidence by improving in the later part.
Do a review after every interview. Note down the important pluses and minuses of your communication. If possible, discuss your experience with your friends or seniors to get a second opinion from them.
Ready to crack your next round of interview? Best of Luck!
When the employer wishes to shortlist the candidates before the next round of interview, especially when the number of applicants is high.
When the candidate is applying for an overseas job.
When the communication skill of the candidate, not the other personality traits, is important for the job.
n most of the telephonic interviews, the interviewer might not have met the candidates before, or he/she will be talking to them for the first time. As such, the telephonic interview becomes a crucial testing environment for the candidates. More effort is required to express their feelings and ideas through telephonic conversation than a face-to-face communication. There are more chances that a candidate is rejected even if he/she is perfectly fit for the job.
Here are a few guidelines that help those candidates avoid the unexpected letdowns in a telephonic interview.
Have good presence of mind. Remember that you are not in front of the interviewer. Any slight disorientation might make the person at the other end confused. Be attentive to what the interviewer is asking and think twice before speaking out.
Maintain an average speed. Good communication skill does not demand a super fluency. Even if you are a slow speaker, you can communicate effectively. Effective communication rather means elocution and appropriate use of words and concise ideas. Never be too lengthy or too short in your answers. AVOID MONO-SYLLABLE ANSWERS.
Keep a copy of your resume that you have sent to the employer in front of you while attending the telephonic interview. If possible, get a copy of other details such as the information about the company, job responsibilities, etc. Keep all these information handy as soon as you get the intimation from the company on your telephonic interview.
When you address the interviewer, use his/her first name or use Mr. before the last name.
If you are talking to a foreigner, be slow and clear. If you don't understand his/her accent, express your concern and ask him/her to slow down a little. This would be a better idea than misinterpreting the speaker because of his difficult tongue.
Make sure that you conclude the conversation appropriately. Before disconnecting your phone, always confirm from the other side that the interview is over.
Don't lose your heart at any point during the interview even if you are not satisfied with your presentation. Remember that the interviewer is not able to judge your weaknesses other than the speech expression, and so be confident to proceed further. It is possible to regain the lost confidence by improving in the later part.
Do a review after every interview. Note down the important pluses and minuses of your communication. If possible, discuss your experience with your friends or seniors to get a second opinion from them.
Ready to crack your next round of interview? Best of Luck!
Salary Negotiation Tips
After you are through with 2 or more rounds of technical interview, you would be called for a HR round.Most of us feel nervous and ill-equipped to deal with salary negotiations. Here you have to be street smart.
HR Manager's sole objective is to absorb you at the lowest possible package. Your main objective should be to negotiate for the best possible package. Negotiation is an art but with proper prior planning before meeting the HR Manager, you would definetely be able to bargain for a good package.
First understand and know what the market is currently paying for your experience and qualifications. If you do not know what the market is paying, you may be underselling or over pricing yourself.
Most important factor for a better deal would be on how well you did in the technical rounds. The better the feedback from technical interviewers, the more the HR manager will be willing to give in to your demands. So clearly know on how well you did in the technical rounds. In today's market, it's becoming difficult to get good quality resources. Hence most interviewer's are willing to take resources on board, even if they are not completely satisfied with the performance of the resource. So be sure to unbiasedly judge whether you just made it or you did exceptionally well.
Its always good to have 3 prices, i call them as jockpot package, a good package and the least acceptable package. In current market situations, the least accepatable package should be 20% of your current CTC(Cost To Company), a good package can be between 25% to 30% and a jockpot package can be anything above 30% of your current CTC. Write down the financial figures for the 3 packages on small sheet of paper. There are 2 things to bear in mind, it's not a good idea to hop jobs for hikes less than 20% and exploiting vulnerable employer for huge hikes might affect your long term career path.
During the interview with the staffing manager, don't be the first one to talk about financial package. Wait for him to make the first move. Delay talking about money as much as possible. If he still insists that you make the first move, a good rule of thumb is to make your opening bid between 5% to 10% above your jackpot package. Your opening bid should depend on how well you did in the technical interview, current market price ranges and the demand for your job profile.
If things don't go well and the package offered is below your least acceptable package, clearly inform the HR manager about the same in a polite manner and wind up the interview. Thank him for his time before leaving.
Lastly, many candidates accept offer letter even when they are not satisfied with the offer and clearly know that they will not be joining the company. Please avoid accepting the offer beacause the HR Manager will be stupidly patting himself for acquiring you at the lowest package and the Technical Manager will be counting on you to get on board.
All the best!
HR Manager's sole objective is to absorb you at the lowest possible package. Your main objective should be to negotiate for the best possible package. Negotiation is an art but with proper prior planning before meeting the HR Manager, you would definetely be able to bargain for a good package.
First understand and know what the market is currently paying for your experience and qualifications. If you do not know what the market is paying, you may be underselling or over pricing yourself.
Most important factor for a better deal would be on how well you did in the technical rounds. The better the feedback from technical interviewers, the more the HR manager will be willing to give in to your demands. So clearly know on how well you did in the technical rounds. In today's market, it's becoming difficult to get good quality resources. Hence most interviewer's are willing to take resources on board, even if they are not completely satisfied with the performance of the resource. So be sure to unbiasedly judge whether you just made it or you did exceptionally well.
Its always good to have 3 prices, i call them as jockpot package, a good package and the least acceptable package. In current market situations, the least accepatable package should be 20% of your current CTC(Cost To Company), a good package can be between 25% to 30% and a jockpot package can be anything above 30% of your current CTC. Write down the financial figures for the 3 packages on small sheet of paper. There are 2 things to bear in mind, it's not a good idea to hop jobs for hikes less than 20% and exploiting vulnerable employer for huge hikes might affect your long term career path.
During the interview with the staffing manager, don't be the first one to talk about financial package. Wait for him to make the first move. Delay talking about money as much as possible. If he still insists that you make the first move, a good rule of thumb is to make your opening bid between 5% to 10% above your jackpot package. Your opening bid should depend on how well you did in the technical interview, current market price ranges and the demand for your job profile.
If things don't go well and the package offered is below your least acceptable package, clearly inform the HR manager about the same in a polite manner and wind up the interview. Thank him for his time before leaving.
Lastly, many candidates accept offer letter even when they are not satisfied with the offer and clearly know that they will not be joining the company. Please avoid accepting the offer beacause the HR Manager will be stupidly patting himself for acquiring you at the lowest package and the Technical Manager will be counting on you to get on board.
All the best!
Resume Preparation - A Checklist
Resume Preparation - A Checklist
Everyone who has applied for a job or who intends to do so knows the value of a good resume. The dictionary definition of resume is summary. But a good resume is more than just a summary of your education and work. Essentially it should also reflect your potential in terms of skills and talents that you may have acquired over a span of time.
A good resume consists of the following parts:
A heading comprising of your full name, address, phone number(s), email, and if you have one, URL.
The objective is a brief statement of the kind of work that you are seeking. You should write the objective in a manner that is compliant with the objectives of the firm you are applying to. This will help the firm identify with your skill set. Make sure that you enlist all the skills you possess.
Your educational qualifications must be given in the order of the most recent qualification being written first. The University/College/School names must be written along with the specialization you have pursued, the duration in which you did the course and the percentage of marks obtained.
If you are a fresher, you may not have any work experience to write about unless you have done some freelance work or internships. In the latter case, you should write the name of your employer, the duration of work, nature of work, project(s) undertaken and skills acquired as part of the work.
Honours and Awards must be given special importance because they highlight your potential. Remember that a good firm hires you more for what you are capable of than for what you have already achieved.
In most cases you do not give any references on your resume, but you may have to place them on request. Make sure that you get the referee permission to put them on your resume. You should include the name, job title, company name and address and phone number with extension of the referee.
Checklist:
Make sure that there are no grammatical, spelling and proof-reading mistakes in the resume.
The resume should look neat and professional.
The content of the resume must support the career objective.
It should be brief and easy to read.
Unless your experience is extensive, the resume should fit within two pages.
The most relevant and impressive qualifications should be visible.
Use white A4 size papers to print the resume, and print only on one side.
Use font size 10 to 14 with standard typefaces like Times, Arial, Helvetica and Courier.
Do not roll or fold the resume.
Avoid italics, underlines and shadows.
Use boldface and capital letters for section headings.
Everyone who has applied for a job or who intends to do so knows the value of a good resume. The dictionary definition of resume is summary. But a good resume is more than just a summary of your education and work. Essentially it should also reflect your potential in terms of skills and talents that you may have acquired over a span of time.
A good resume consists of the following parts:
A heading comprising of your full name, address, phone number(s), email, and if you have one, URL.
The objective is a brief statement of the kind of work that you are seeking. You should write the objective in a manner that is compliant with the objectives of the firm you are applying to. This will help the firm identify with your skill set. Make sure that you enlist all the skills you possess.
Your educational qualifications must be given in the order of the most recent qualification being written first. The University/College/School names must be written along with the specialization you have pursued, the duration in which you did the course and the percentage of marks obtained.
If you are a fresher, you may not have any work experience to write about unless you have done some freelance work or internships. In the latter case, you should write the name of your employer, the duration of work, nature of work, project(s) undertaken and skills acquired as part of the work.
Honours and Awards must be given special importance because they highlight your potential. Remember that a good firm hires you more for what you are capable of than for what you have already achieved.
In most cases you do not give any references on your resume, but you may have to place them on request. Make sure that you get the referee permission to put them on your resume. You should include the name, job title, company name and address and phone number with extension of the referee.
Checklist:
Make sure that there are no grammatical, spelling and proof-reading mistakes in the resume.
The resume should look neat and professional.
The content of the resume must support the career objective.
It should be brief and easy to read.
Unless your experience is extensive, the resume should fit within two pages.
The most relevant and impressive qualifications should be visible.
Use white A4 size papers to print the resume, and print only on one side.
Use font size 10 to 14 with standard typefaces like Times, Arial, Helvetica and Courier.
Do not roll or fold the resume.
Avoid italics, underlines and shadows.
Use boldface and capital letters for section headings.
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