Interview Tips

• The most COMMON mistake is …….You don’t know what to say, when the interviewer asks, “ What do you know about our Company?”.
  
  So PREPARE yourself for the interview by ensuring you have gone through the website of the Company. If not available, read through any written material that you have on the Company, its culture and work ethics and its locations (if local or multinational).
• Go through the detailed job profile to ensure that you could explain your suitability for the role.
• Be completely aware of your job history and have a good explanation for any gaps or quick job changes in your career.
• The first impression you make with your potential employer can make a BIG difference. So dress appropriately for the interview. Jeans/t-shirt is a big NO. If necessary please wear a tie.
• THE MOST COMMON MISTAKE – THAT SETS YOU BACK is arriving late for an interview. The interview is a timing fixed after a confirmation received from you and the interviewer has set aside that particular time to meet you. INCASE YOU ARE EXPECTED TO BE DELAYED OR IF FOR SOME IMPORTANT REASON YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE INTERVIEW AT THE TIME ALLOTTED FOR YOU, PLEASE ENSURE YOU INFORM THE POTENTIAL EMPLOYER/ CONSULTANT IN ADVANCE. THIS SHOWS PROFESSIONALISM.
• A proper planning of your day and travel to the interview venue would ensure you REACH 10-15 MINS EARLIER and therefore NOT LATE.
• Greet the interviewer / interviewers with a firm handshake and smile. The confidence in the smile and handshake could win you an edge over another candidate.
• Pay attention during the interview so that you don’t have to look confused and ask the interviewer to repeat the question.
• Don’t go into long explanations when answering a question…try as much to be TO THE POINT.
• At the end of the interview….wait for the interviewer to end the interview and then THANK him/her with a smile and an extended handshake if necessary.
• Salary/Compensation is normally discussed at the end of the interview. Ensure you do not broach the topic during the interview and let the employer start discussion on your current and expected compensation. Please tone down your expected salary to a reasonable extent as a greedy expectation will ensure you lose out on the position.

CV Tips

Today, an employer has to weed through hundreds of CVs in response to a single job advertisement and so it is so important to include the right information, that would ensure that the hiring manager at first glance would see you are the right candidate for the job. If your CV does not stand out from the rest, there is a chance that you won’t even reach the next stage of the recruitment process, no matter how suitable you are for the role!
So how do you ensure your CV is added to the interview pile and not used as rough paper to scribble notes? Here are a few tips for compiling a good Curriculum Vitae :

• Your CV should ideally cover no more than two pages and never more than three. Aim to ensure the content is clear, structured, concise and relevant.
• If applying by post, your CV and cover letter should be submitted in a suitable quality envelope, clearly addressed, and couriered through a reliable company. If applying by email, time should be taken designing and formatting to ensure your details can be read clearly.
• Tailor-make your CV for a particular vacancy.
• Start with your personal details : Full name, date of birth and contact details including all useable telephone numbers. Avoid unnecessary details such as religious affiliation, parents/sibling/ children’s details etc.
• Educational history and professional qualifications should follow, including name of institutions and dates attended in reverse order – University before school results. Include computer skills and foreign language skills and any other recent training/development that is relevant to the role applied for.
• The most widely accepted style of employment record is the chronological CV. Career history is presented in reverse date order starting with most recent. Achievements and responsibilities are listed against each role. More emphasis/information should be put on the more recent jobs.
• Every listed job must have clear start & end dates (preferably month & year), name of the company, a one or two line brief on the activities of the company, designation at the time of joining & leaving (mention promotions; if any with dates), followed by your duties/responsibilities.
• Leave hobbies and interests to last – keep this section short and to the point. References can simply be ‘Available on Request’. Current salary details should not be included.
• The completed CV needs to be checked carefully for grammatical errors and spelling mistakes – which always leave a poor impression – and to ensure that it makes sense.
• There is no reason to include your reasons for leaving each job on your CV but be prepared to answer these questions at the time of your interview.