Difference between Resume, CV and Biodata

In general thinking the meaning of word, Resume,CV and Biodata are same. So nobody care
using of any word when they are applyig for a job. But these three words are different with
different job category. One must aware of using these word to avoid negative impression to the
interviewer. Resume,CV and Biodata are the proverbial foot in the door. Done correctly, it can
give you the opportunity to move beyond.

RESUME:
Resume means "SUMMARY" in which one document background and skillset details for an
employment. A simple resume may not longer than two or three pages of size A4. A good
Resume may contain academic and professional qualifications, professional and voluntary
experiences,achievements,acomplishments etc. Most applicants just highlight the experiences
and the skillsets with project works in the resume. There are generally two types of resume
(i) Reverse chronological resume, the work experience is sorted chronologically on basis of
number of years served in an organization. And
(ii) Functional resume, the main focus is given on the require skill sets for an organization.
Resume is more applicable for middle and senior level job where experiences and skill sets get
more preference than acedemic qualifications.

CV (CURRICULUM VITAE):
CV means "course of life" i.e; the course of one's life. A curriculum vitae is more specifically
focused on academic achievements than resume. CV's are longer than resume as it more
emphasis on completeness of one details. A CV documents career objective,educational and
academic details,technical skilsets,strengths and weaknesses,academic honours and awards
etc. A curriculum vitae should always be accompanied by a cover letter. A CV is preferred
option for fresh graduates, people looking for a career change, and those applying for academic
positions.

BIODATA:
Biodata means "Biographical data" is defined as one's life and work experiences. The main focus
on personal attributes like date of birth, religion, sex, race, nationality, PAN, passport, permanent
and temporary residence, martial status, hobbies, height, weight, hair/skin/eye color, and a photo
etc. One can not expect to predict all future behaviours from Biographical information, but it
helps in individual selection in that it can give an image of most likely future behaviours based
on an individuals prior learning history. Biodata is generally used in south asia like
India,Pakisatan,Bangladesh etc. In India biodata is used for defence jobs,government jobs, or
when applying for research grants etc.

Resume writing tips for Freshers

Some people write their resume as if the purpose of the document was to land them in a job. As a result
they end up with a really long and boring piece that makes them look like desperate job hunters. The
objective of your job hunting is to land you in an interview, and the interview will land you in the job
(hopefully!).
Your resume is generally your first introduction to an employer. It should be written with great care and
consideration. Resume writing is no easy endeavor. Even for an individual who is relatively competent
and involved in numerous written projects and pursuits, writing it can take a considerable amount of
time and effort.
Resume should be written with your career goal in mind. Your resume is your marketing brochure,
showcasing those skills, achievements, and qualifications that relate to the type of position(s) you are
pursuing. It should include specific descriptions that give the reader a solid picture of your
accomplishments and capabilities. Remember, your resume is not a summary of your entire history; it is
a promotional piece that is targeted toward its reader.
Before you start working with job hunting documents
- Research the company you are planning to work for
- Research the position you are planning to apply
- Research yourself...
Purpose of the Resume
From the Employers Perspective:
- The resume is a screening tool to rule out applicants who do not meet the qualifications and skills
required or present themselves professionally in writing.
- Resumes which clearly articulate the candidates qualifications, skills and accomplishments may be
considered further.
- Appearance of the resume and the content are equally important in todays job market.
- The resume is used as a marketing tool to sell your skills and qualifications to potential employers.

From the Candidates Perspective:

- The resume is a creative, personal statement of your education and experiences of your past, as well as
your career direction for the future.
- It should highlight your unique qualifications and skills.
- It should not be a long biography of everything you have ever done; rather it should summarize and
show the relevant accomplishments and skills which match the companys current hiring needs.
- Its summarization about the skills you developed as a result of your education.

Key Word Density:

Keywords are the nouns or short phrases that describe your skills and education that might be used to
find your resume in a keyword search of a resume database. They are the essential knowledge, abilities,
and skills required to do your job. Develop your own list of keywords and place them strategically in
your resume.

Action words:
The words that you use to describe your accomplishments, activities and other categories , they should
convey skills that you have developed through your education process and what you have, to offer an
employer. To do this, you need to use strong action verbs and self-descriptive words.

Things to be considered while writing a resume

The first step to land in your dream job is to create an outstanding resume. With the job market being
tough now a days, it is of utmost importance that you must be able to prepare the best document and
stand out. Here are few things that should be considered while developing your resume.

1) Your resume and its content needs to be professional :

The appearance of the resume should speak greatly about the person writing it, hence it should be
visually appealing. It should mark an impression to the reader, that you are a mature and respectable
individual, who will an asset to their company.

2) Your resume and you should stand out:

There is nothing wrong in using a regular template but finding an uncommon one and making it your
own is always better idea. Play with fonts, boarders, spacing, little color etc to make it visually appealing.
While concentrating on developing a eye catchy design, make sure you include all pertinent information
like educational credentials, achievements, professional development skills etc

3) Check with grammar and spellings.

4) Proof read your document once, twice or thrice:

Having someone else read your documents is another way to catch mistakes

5) Make sure all contact information is on your document:

At the top of document page write down your name as you would like to appear.

write down your home address, phone numbers and email address too.

6) Incorporate borders, shadings and a little color:

Use a solid border around your document.Do keep it mind the look has to be still professional.
Use background shading to draw attention to important areas. Make sure shading is light enough to
print off properly.

7) Remember consistency should be maintained.

8) A good outline
Contact information
Job title you are applying for
Introduction
Objective
Areas of expertise
Educational credentials
Any additional information

9) Immediately after your contact information should be the job title you are applying for.

10) Introduction/Qualification Summary/Career Objective:

This section comes after your job title
This section shouldnt be long

11) Areas of expertise section:

Include Key Skills.
Technical Skills.
Competencies needed to perform the job you are applying for.

12) Educational Credential Section.

13) Accomplishments section.

14) Professional development section:

Workshops, Seminars and Trainings attended

Certifications if any.
Related Courses

15) Include your name on the left and Email id and phone number on the right in the header section if
document gets extended to second page.

16) As you begin to complete your resume, we recommend you to hand it over to other people and
ask them where their eyes go first, second, third and forth? Then ask yourself if these items are what
you want your employer to read about you first. Are these the ones that sell you strongly? Do they
convey your passion?

17) Prepare list of references

Tips to Write an Effective Career Objective Statement

Companys frequently receive so many resumes that they discard most of them without reading them all
the way through. Just many readers put down a book if the story doesnt grab their attention on the
very first page, many employers and supervisors aside resumes that dont stand out from the crowd on
first glance. The career objective statement at the top of your resume can make the difference between
getting an interview and getting nowhere.

The purpose of an objective statement is to let the employer know what position or type of job you are
applying for, and your qualifications for that position. This section should be written in compliance with
what the employer is looking for. It is always present in the beginning of resume immediately after the
contact details of the applicant .It sets the direction of your resume; therefore, the rest of the resume
will need to include information which supports the objective.

Career objective statement should have the following characteristics:

Focused
Specific
Personal
Committed
Action-oriented

List of things to keep in mind while writing a career objective statement:

Keep your career objective statement short three lines at the most
Avoid using a generic objective statement
Who you are ( consider educational qualification and skills)
What you are looking for ( type of work you wish to do )
Goals for your future
What you have to offer the employer ( have a detailed look for keywords contained in the job
advertisement)

Resume Check List

Overall appearance:
Makes an immediately favorable impression
Is inviting to read
Is easy to read
Looks professional

Contact information:
Is clearly presented at the top.
Includes address information; permanent and temporary.
Includes telephone number(s) where you can be reached.

Objective:
Includes type and level of position sought
Includes type and size of organization sought
Emphasizes strongest qualifications and skills pertinent to desired job

Organization:
Highlights strongest qualifications or credentials
Use headings to help establish common ground with employer

Content:
Demonstrates ability to do the job and speaks to employers needs
Supports and substantiates objective
Stresses transferable professional skills, accomplishments, and results
contains only that personal data relevant to your objective e.g., language skills, computer skills

Education section includes:

Most recent degree or program in which you are enrolled; date of graduation or anticipated date
List of other degrees or relevant higher education, training certificate programs, licenses, or short
courses
Name and location of university, college, or training institution
Major, minor, and/or area(s) of concentration or interest
Relevant coursework, skills, or knowledge acquired through research or projects
GPA, honors, and awards

Language:
Is expressed in succinct manner
Uses action verbs to begin phrases
Has short action-oriented phrases instead of complete sentences
Is free from grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors
Is in active rather than passive voice

Layout and space utilization:

Is crisp and clean
Separates sections and incorporates enough blank space for easy reading
Centers text with adequate margins

Highlighting and emphasis:

Uses bold type, underlining, different type styles and sizes, to emphasize key words
Does not use highlighting and emphasis too frequently

Printing and production:

Paper is high quality; heavy weight bond
Paper is off-white, ivory, light tan, light gray or other conservative and conventional color
Reproduction is clear, clean and professional
Print is letter quality, never photocopied
Using all the information you have so far, you are close to writing a best resume

TOUGH INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Here on some of the questions/tactics you might expect during a really tough interview as the job
provider struggles with the decision if you are really the right candidate for the job position/role offered.
1.Silence
The silence left by a job provider during the interview process is not an invitation for you to blabber. In
fact, it is a calculated tactic used by many of the sophisticated job providers to make you do precisely
that. Avoid breaking the silence and above all dont lose your cool. Stay casual, relaxed and do maintain
your friendly demeanor.
Wait for the job provider to break the silence. Remember in an interview the nonverbal cues you give
are being observed as closely as your words, tone and diction.
2. Tell Me A Little About Yourself
Stick to those aspects of yourself that specifically relate to the job position at hand. This is not the time
to pretend nor it is the time to reveal personal information that has no bearing to the professional
setting, if done might impede your chances of success.
This is your chance to really sell yourself and expound on all those character traits, accomplishments and
success stories that have a direct bearing on the job position being offered. Reassert why you are there
and your interest in the position and reaffirm why you are uniquely qualified and suitable for the role at
hand.
Substantiate your claims with concrete and positive examples from your past experience that reflect on
your abilities and values. Show that you understand the requirements of the job role being offered and
portray yourself in the best light possible to occupy that role by virtue of your goals, interests, strengths,
skills and past successes.
3. Why Should We Hire You?
This question might come at the later stage of interview, by the time you would have thought you
already expounded on all your virtues or it might be a shocker right at the beginning. Either way dont
be discouraged. Use it effectively explaining, exactly why you believe you are uniquely and beyond any
shade of a doubt qualified for the very specific job role being addressed.
This is where exactly your homework comes into picture and you need to really understand what the job
provider is looking for terms of skills, strengths, values and track record. Align your goals and interests
with the job provider and reiterate that you are confident in meeting their standards and can really
outperform the responsibilities given.
Show confidence, enthusiasm and energy without being boastful. Above all, be sincere. Your sincere and

honest interest in the and faith that you will perform beyond all their expectations will communicate
itself to the job provider better than any canned superlatives.
4. What kind of people do you find it difficult to work with?
Always remember every workplace has its own unique personalities and characters, some less ideal to
work with than others. This is not the time to point fingers or generalize anything.Instead show you are
tolerant, flexible, easygoing and can get along with, practically anyone and can resolve conflicts
professionally as well as productively.
Say you understand everyone has their very own skills, strengths and experiences, that you really enjoy
the challenge of working with new people and can really appreciate the differences.Emphasize that you
are a team player who enjoys interacting with and bouncing ideas off of others and thrives on the
feedback and reinforcement.
5. How would you handle stress?
The job provider needs to hear you realized that stress is an inevitable part of life and have already
mastered the art of recognizing stress and coping with it effectively.Do mention that you take time to
really think through a situation arised before reacting and never allow matters to blow out or lose your
cool.
Give an example of a particularly stressful situation you worked on and how you managed stress
throught your proper planning and time management skills.Show you have real stress-busting habits
which successfully serve you in maintening your stress levels whether they be yoga, running, meditation,
some sport, hobby or activity that shows you are positive well-rounded person.
6. What was your biggest failure?
Be very careful while answering this question , above all dont bring up a failure that has any impact on
the job at hand.You may bring up something relatively insignificant that happened at a very early stage
in your graduate studies and turn it into a story remedial action and great success as it directly impacts
your potential contribution to the present job at hand.
Demonstrate how you dramatically learned and grew from that experience with a clear example.
7. How do you attribute your success?
The job provider probably wants to verify that you really are/gonna be a successful working professional
at this stage by gauging your sincerity when you respond to this question. He/she is also interested in
your value system and character. Mention some of the values you hold most dear to you honesty,
integrity, character, discipline, and mention that you are an energetic, ambitious

doer who has always been very persistent, organized and disciplined in setting and meeting goals.
Dont be arrogant or over-confident while answering this question. Remember to attribute some of your
success to the wonderful people you have been blessed to associate with whether it is a unique
management, principal, teacher, brother, father or group of people.
8. Describe a situation where you faced with a problem and how you dealt with it
This question probes your problem-solving and analytical skills. How well can you think outside the box,
wrap your mind around particular quandary, get the full measure of it and formulate the means and
method to resolve it in an exemplary fashion? You need to show creativity, clarity of thought,
confidence in your analytical and problem-solving skills and willingness to take a risk and create your
own precedent.
9. What is your greatest accomplishment as on today?
Choose a significant success story and make sure you position it in terms of how it positively impacts
your potential for success the new job role at hand. Talk about your relationships with parents /
teachers / professors which have won you an unrivalled track record or about exceeding ambitions goals
through hard work, perseverance, constant follow-up, effective communication and cohesive teamwork.
Clearly explain how you mobilized resources and gained approvals from institutions management and
how you then carried through to successful implementation without losing sight of either the big picture
or the minute details,while effectively negotiating several difficulties on the way.
10. What is your ideal work environment?
Here emphasize your flexibility and your ability to be productive, happy and efficient in any number of
environments.keep in mind this is not the time to demand. Versatility goes a long way in todays
working environment and you need to show that, you can focus on the job at hand and fit in
seamlessly regardless of any extraneous factors be they the physical surroundings, team dynamics or
any activity in the work place.
Indicate examples of how you have managed to excel in the past in suboptimal work environments and
done so quite happily. Convey that you like the challenge of fitting into a new role and can adapt
immediately regardless of the environment.

Stress Management at interviews

The interviewer is buttoned-up, formal and not smiling as warmly as you would have liked. The
interview chair is hard and unwelcoming, your palms and face are sweating profusely, your
normal eloquence has given way to stuttering and stammering and you have begun to tremble
from
head
to
toe.
If you are one of the multitude of jobseekers who begin to hyper-ventilate at the very thought of
interviewing for a new position and to whom the interview is a source of unlimited stress and
trepidation.
This guide aims to help you recognise and understand anxiety and nervousness which may arise
during
interview.This
is
sometimes
referred
to
as
performance
anxiety.
What

is

performance

anxiety?

Many people feel nervous while speaking at the interview or to an interview panel.This is
sometimes
referred
to
as
performance
anxiety.
Performance anxiety, however, is not necessarily harmful; a slightly increased anxiety level can
motivate you to do the work needed so that you are effectively prepared for the event: it can
make you more alert and energised. However, should your anxiety levels and nerves become too
great, difficulties can occur, which may impair your ability to prepare effectively for and perform
during
the
interview.
What

causes

performance

anxiety?

Performance anxiety and nervesness can be caused by many factors which may include:
1.
worrying
about
past
performance
2. Comparing how you will compare with your friends or other
3. A thought of any negative consequences if you dont do as well as you would like
4.
Last
minute
preparation
for
the
interview
5.
Not
rehearsing
and
practising
enough
before
the
interview
6. Not thinking in advance about the kinds of questions the job provider might ask
What

happens

when

you

are

nervous?

When you experience nerves, anxiety or stress about an interview, certain physical reactions
happen automatically.If you recall time when you were interviewed you may have noticed that
you
reacted
in
some
of
the
following
ways:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

your
you
you
you
you

voice
had

experienced
your
had
butterflies
experienced
a

sweaty
shortness
of
heartbeat
or
an
upset
generalised
feeling

trembled
palms
breath
accelerated
stomach
of
fear

Signs

of

performance

anxiety

There are a range of signs indicating you are experiencing performance anxiety and these signs
could begin just before your interview, hours or days before it, or even at the moment you find
out about it. Signs can even persist throughout your interview process.
The signs could include negative thoughts such as I am not going manage it,It going to be a
disaster,I am not good at this. Having thoughts of this kind can distort your perception of the
interview and create a cycle where by the more negatively you think about it, the more stressed
and anxious you become, which in turn can increase your negative thoughts about the interview
and so on.Holding negative thoughts can also have a big impact on your feelings, you may feel
scared about the interview or you may feel irritable but not sure about the reason.At times you
may also experience headaches, change in your appetite or develop sleeping difficulties.
How

to

deal

with

performance

anxiety

The strategies outlined below offer some simple steps that you can take to control your level of
performance anxiety. However, for them to be effective you need to be active in implementing
them
prior
to
and
during
the
interview.
1.

Develop

positive

thinking

and

visualisation

skills

Having negative thoughts is one indicator that you may be experiencing performance anxiety.
Try to become aware if you are having negative thoughts and try to replace them with positive
ones.visualise yourself successfully completing the interview. Imagine yourself coming out of
the interview and moving on to other things in your life beyond the anxiety provoking
experience.
Using this process will help you to keep a sense of perspective about the event and stop things
from spiralling out of control. Focus on the present and what you can do now to deal with the
situation, rather than dwelling on what you should have done or how similar events went in the
past.
2.

Plan

and

practise

carefully

Planning and practising for your interview carefully can have a number of beneficial effects on
your anxiety levels, including helping you to feel more confident and in control. The more
prepared
you
are
and
the
more
confident
you
are.
When you are rehearsing for your interview, picture yourself as if you are in front of your
interview panel and rehearse out loud. possible, do this in front of some friends who could give
you constructive feedback about your verbal and non-verbal communication, and your timekeeping. If you do not want a friend to watch you, consider making an audio or video tape of
yourself. You can then listen or watch the tape and provide your own feedback. Identify at least
five positive things about your skills, as well as areas for further development.

Preparing well with the most frequently asked questions during an interview may also help to
lower
your
anxiety
levels.
3.

Mapping

out

your

anxieties

You may find it helpful to identify the aspects of the situation which are causing you the greatest
levels of anxiety, in order to plan steps to prevent them from becoming a reality.Imagine the
interview and write down the aspects which cause you to feel particularly anxious, and then
identify something you could do in advance which would help to prevent this from occurring.For
instance, if you are worried that a weakness will be highlighted, plan a positive response to this
in
advance.
4.

Look

after

yourself

Taking care of yourself physically and emotionally will help to control your anxiety levels by
making you feel relaxed and using some of the nervous energy that is produced when you are
under
stress.

Eat
a
well
balanced
diet
Aim
to
have
between
six
to
eight
hours
sleep
Exercise regularly as this uses up nervous energy and relaxes muscles
Make time for fun such as participating in a sport or hobby
Practise
taking
control
of
your
breathing.

On
1.

the
Expect

that

day
you

will

of
feel

some

interview
nerves

or

anxiety

On the day of interview expect that you will have some nervesness or anxiety. This is your
bodys way of preparing itself to cope, so do not try to eliminate your nervesness totally, but aim
to keep them manageable.You may also expect to feel nervous particularly at the begining of the
interview and it is more likely , you may feel shaky or possibly your voice might tremble. If this
happen, change to a slower pace, breathe more deeply and expect that the tremble/shakiness will
go away. People do expect to see some nervesness at the outset. Allow yourself time to settle
into interview and then you can perform to the best of your ability as it continues.
2. Think positively: dont jump to conclusions about job provider reactions
Do not forget to use the positive thinking skills that you have been practising up for the interview
on the day itself too. Tell yourself you can do it and try not to jump to conclusions about how job
provider appear to be reacting to you. Remember some people may look stern or uninterested,
when they are actually just concentrating very hard on what you are saying.
3.

Try

to

relax

yourself

physically

Remember to use the breathing exercise that you have practised. You may also find it useful to
do a relaxation exercise to release muscular tension in places such as the neck and shoulders.
Take some deep breaths, aim to increase the distance between your shoulders and your ears. This
will
help
to
lengthen
your
muscles
and
relieve
tension.
4.

Prepare

strategies

in

case

you

feel

overwhelmed

Do something that will distract you from the frozen state. You could change your posture or
focus your gaze just above peoples eyes for a few seconds which may help you to collect your
thoughts. If you are really stuck you may need to ask for a short amount of time to concentrate
because you have lost your train of thought through nervesness. People are generally supportive
and will think more positively if they see you trying to gain composure.
5.

Reward

yourself

for

job

done

Praise yourself afterwards for a job done no matter how well or badly you think it went, and then
do something which you enjoy as a special treat.

Online Resume & Advantages : Freshers Job Applying Tip

Online

resumes

are

the

new

way

to

apply

for

jobs.

When you are trying to brand yourself online it is a great concept to have an online resume. Not
just for the apparent reason of showcasing your work and putting your name out there for the
world to see, there are lots more excellent reasons you could not have thought about.
What

is

an

online

resume

An online resume is essentially a copy of your resume that has taken on new life online. It is an
internet version of your traditional resume accessed by clicking on an URL. So instead of
emailing your resume to a potential employer, you can send them the link include the link under
your email signature for easy access. Even in online resume you can include many (if not all) of
the same information and traditional elements from your written resume ; the differences appear
when you begin introducing other elements such as media that are only available at their best in
an
online
environment.
Whats

in

it

for

you

Much like a written resume, an online resume can be your first impression with a potential job
provider. An online resume is yet another chance to wow your audience and highlight some of
your better qualities.The idea of any good resume is to get the attention of the viewer in a
positive way. With traditional written resumes this is typically done by styling and arrangement
of on the page; online resumes can take these elements to an entirely new level.Want a Flashdriven gallery with small footnotes? No problem. Want something unique that no one has ever
seen before? It might just be possiblewith latest web coding and design experts

The following reasons are key considerations for you to have a well planned online resume and
why
you
should
possess
your
own
online
resume
today.
1.
Stand
Apart
From
the
Competition:
If you wish to have an online edge nowadays, especially if you are eying for a position that you
extremely prefer, you need to have an online resume. Your online reume provides you a clear
benefit. Not only does it reveal you are up with the times with design and innovation, it also
permits you to display your abilities in an efficient manner.This enables you stand apart form the
competitors.
2.
Increases
your
accessibility:
An online resume is convenient for hiring job providers because it eliminates the need for
tedious downloads and the opening saving of the file. The online resume simply requires one
click, is safe to open and can be accessed from anywhere, on any computer. So youll always be
prepared to share your resume with a potential employer (consider including the URL on your
networking
or
business
cards).
3.
Promote
Your
Most
Crucial
Asset:
Today, a growing number of individuals pay for pricey advertising that creates little if any return
for their efforts and expense.Online resume always helps you to market yourself in a most
favourable light.So you will want to spend a bit and acquire the benefits of this platform and
leverage it to your advantage by advertising everything you do and just how well youre doing in
an
online
profile.
4.
Highlights
your
marketability:
Todays job market is becoming increasingly technology-oriented. In most fields, technical
know-how is not only admirable, its necessary. Whether youre a recent graduate trying to
market yourself as tech-savvy or a more seasoned candidate aiming to prove you havent gotten
lost in this new era, using an online resume will give you a competitive advantage.
5.
Provides
an
interactive
first
impression:
Online resumes provide a holistic view of your skills and experience because you can link them
to past projects youve worked published articles, your professional blog, LinkedIn profile and
more. Traditional resumes require that an employer use email or telephone to get in contact with
you, but online resumes provide an opportunity for them to get to know you before taking that
step.
6.
Gets
exposure
through
your
network:
According to the latest Statistics, 70% of all jobs are found through networking, making it one of
the most effective and reliable ways to find employment. This is mainly because most open
positions go unannounced publicly and are filled through references from current job providers.
Posting your online resume on your social media profile allows you to access your entire
personal network and take advantage of networking opportunities as they arise.
7.

Showcase

Your

Work

Easily:

When you have an online resume, you can display existing work. Utilizing images, current
institution and college/profesor feedback, you can add current tasks you have actually done to
present to visitors of your online resume a running tab of work you have done or doing.
8.
A
Modern
Addition
to
Social
Networks:
You can show you are up with the times when you have an online resume. Not only does just
about everybody have some sort of social networks, people are connecting their online resume to
their social networks as well. You can keep everything in one clear and concise location and you
can
constantly
find
exactly
what
you
are
looking
for.
This isnt a recommendation to ditch your printed resume altogether.In conclusion, an online
resume is a great way to take your job search to new heights. It is important to mention again that
an online resume is by no means a substitute for a traditional resume, and should be treated as a
compliment only. Its also advisable to keep an email version of your resume current and ready
to go.

Top Ten Reasons You Werent Hired

Your Resume was prepared at the best by you or by a professional, you did all the necessary
groundwork before the interview and you thought the interview went extremely smoothly.So
why arent you celebrating an offer letter yet? Here, are the top ten reasons job seekers often fail
to
secure
the
job
of
their
dreams.
1.

Your

Resume

missed

the

mark

Many job seekers make the mistake of using the same generic unfocused Resume to apply for
very different positions in different companies.Your Resume should be tailored to the specific
job position you are targeting and should refelct skills, qualifications and experiences that
directly come to bear on the given job position.If you are targeting a number of different job
positions have different Resume for each job position type so that your resume can be
customized
to
the
unique
requirements
of
each
company.
Find out what skills and qualifications to showcase in each Resume by looking at the job
description, researching the position and compnay and talking to people in the company if
possible,then highlight the skills and expertise that make you a perfect match.
Job providers want to hire people who are focused and specifically interested in their company or
group, so having a generic unfocused Resume with a very vague objective statement and skills
inventory will fail to capture the job providers attention or convince them that you are the best fit
for
the
job.
2.

You

omitted

cover

letter

Every Resume should be accompanied by a cover letter to personalize your Resume which
communicates in a precise, specific manner about your objectives and the specific value you will

bring to the job position. The cover letter should be short and specific and should leave the job
provider in no doubt about your interest in the company and your unique qualifications for the
job position you are targeting. Cover letters, like the Resume, should be tailored to the company
and should communicate in no uncertain terms the suitability of the experiences or qualifications
listed on your Resume to the job position at hand as well as your enthusiasm to work for the
specific company. A Resume sent without a cover letter will lack the personal touch and will
likely
be
lost
in
the
fray.
3.

Poor

follow

up

on

Resume

An average job provider is inundated with Resumess on an ongoing basis and is more likely
than not to add your Resume to the pile, pending possible future follow-up.To ensure your
Resume is acted on and does not get buried with the rest, you MUST follow up in a diligent
manner.
Remember, the purpose of the Resume and cover letter is to get an interview so call each job
provider shortly after you send the resume and cover letter, ensure receipt and arrange for a faceto-face interview.Prepare a very short soft sell for the phone conversation to educate the job
provider as to who you are and why you are uniquely suited to the job position and excite him
to want to meet you in person in an interview situation to talk further details.
4.

Lack

of

preparation

for

the

interview

Many job seekers make it to the interview stage and disappoint the job provider with their
obvious lack of preparation for the meeting scheduled. Poor preparation includes slovenliness in
researching the company, not being up-to-date on industry or that perticular subject related news,
not understanding what the job requirements are and not having answers to common interview
questions.
You must enter the interview armed with the maximum amount of knowledge about the
company, subject and specific job position so, you can then tailor your answers specifically and
position your skills in a manner that demonstrates your unique suitability for the job position and
the
valuable
contributions
you
can
make
to
the
company.
5.

Unprofessional

attire

for

interview

First impressions go a long way and you may be hard-pressed undoing the damage if you send
out a wrong message with your interview attire. Dressing too casually or completely
inappropriately for the interview may communicate a lack of respect for professional norms of
conduct
as
well
as
an
unprofessional
non-conformist
attitude
overall.
Always aim to err on the conservative side in your attire with crisp, clean professional attire and
avoid tight, casual or loud clothes as well as unnecessary accessories and excess make-up for
women.
6.

Unprofessional

behavior

during

interview

The interviewer is screening you during the course of the interview ,for suitability to the job
position at hand and is assessing you in terms of your ability to fulfill the requirements of the job
position and the company culture;any unprofessional conduct will reflect negatively on you and
is
likely
to
immediately
take
you
out
of
the
running.
This includes any behaviour that shows a lack of respect for the interviewer or job provider and
professional norms of conduct such as arriving late, arriving unprepared, aggressive or
unprofessional body language, being unfamiliar with your Resume or Cover letter, treating the
interviewer in a overly familiar manner, talking at length about your personal life and problems
and/or obvious exaggerations or outright lies about your knowledge history.
It is very helpful to read some literature about body language and interview skills if you are
relatively new to the interviewing scene and unfamiliar with the basics.
7.

Lack

of

interest

in

the

company

It is surprising how many jobseekers will make it to the interview stage and then demonstrate a
total ambivalence and lack of interest in the company not to mention an obvious failure to
research it in detail.Employers want to hire people who are keen, enthusiastic and will carry the
company banner with pride; You must show a familiarity with and interest in the company and
ask intelligent, relevant questions, prepared beforehand, that demonstrate you have done your
homework
and
are
very
excited
about
joining
the
team.
Any reluctance you have about joining the company should be kept to yourself at this early stage
of the process; concentrate your efforts during your interview on securing the job position.
8.

Unclear

about

value-added

to

company

If you are not clear about the value you can add to the company, it is less than likely that you will
be able to convince the job provider.Make sure as you sit in the interview seat that you are
intimately aware of the requirements of the position and can directly relate your knowledge
history, aptitudes, qualifications and skills to the requirements of the position.Imagine yourself
already on the job and communicate with the job provider on how you will contribute
significantly in record time and how you excel in performance and their expectations. Make sure
to include every skillset and past success in bringing to bear how you will positively impact the
companys performance.If you already see yourself on the job and can mentally apply your past
successes and skills inventory to achieving your new position expectations you are more likely to
convince
the
job
provider
across
the
table.
9.

Poor

follow

up

after

interview

Many job seekers make the mistake of assuming the ball is outside their court following the
interview stage and fail to follow-up, thereby losing what was a viable job opportunity.At times
job provider is simply waiting for you to follow-up to determine your proactivity, energy level
and interest in the job.Immediately after an interview while the questions and answers are fresh

in your mind write a thank you letter to the job provider which leaves him in no uncertain terms
as to your interest in the institution and your unique suitability for the job position.
Reiterate the qualifications and past successes that are immediately applicable to the position and
emphasize any points that support your case and add gravitas to your application. If you would
like to make up for any important facts that were missed out during the interview process or if
you feel there are specific strengths you want to highlight following what your learned during the
interview,
this
is
your
opportunity.
10.

Poor

reference

checks

Before giving a prospective job provider names for references make sure you are very familiar
with their professional opinion of you and there will be no unpleasant surprises. Many successful
job application has ground to a halt because of unsatisfactory or outright negative feedback from
references
at
or
after
the
job
offer
stage.
Wherever possible, get the references in writing so that you are intimately aware of the feedback
your reference source has on you and there is no margin for error.

Fresher Job Applying Tip : Guide to Use LinkedIn

The world of job hunting is changing dramatically right now, primarily because of social media.
If you havent been paying attention to social media, and particularly to LinkedIn, you have
some catching up to do. You cannot afford to ignore LinkedIn today.No matter if youre a
current student or graduate or a high flying executive, a professionally written LinkedIn profile
can help open up doors to opportunities and networks.With LinkedIn, not only can you create an
online marketing profile but with click of a button you can begin networking.
Many job seekers are confusing the intelligent use of social media with a loss of privacy. This is
a serious mistake.An invisible seeker today is one often viewed by recruiters and potential
employers with some suspicion because it is rare these days and often it is not a good sign.
LinkedIn

the

Preferred

Social

Network

for

Recruiting

When it comes to hiring, 78% of recruiters have hired through a social network, and the leading
network for hiring is LinkedIn by very wide margin.While 92% of recruiters have hired through
LinkedIn, only 24% have hired through Facebook, and 14% have hired through Twitter.
LinkedIn is the most popular site for recruiters by far, as the data below reveals. Of the social
recruiters,
LinkedIn
clearly
dominates
in
key
uses:
96%
94%
93%
92%

of

social
recruiter
use
LinkedIn
use
LinkedIn
to
use
LinkedIn
to
keep
tabs
use
LinkedIn
to
vet

to

search
for
candidates.
contact
candidates.
on
potential
candidates.
candidates
pre-interview.

91%

posted

LinkedIn

Profile

jobs
Tips

on
for

LinkedIn.
Job

Seekers

1)
Put
in
the
Time
to
Make
it
Awesome:
Simply put, the more complete your profile, the better the odds that recruiters will find you in the
first place. So, completeness important from that standpoint. Its also important after a recruiter
has found you and decided to click on your profile: He or she wants to know what your skills are,
where youve worked, and what people think of you. So, dont get lazyfill out every single
section of your profile. The good news? LinkedIn will actually measure the completeness of
your profile as you work and offer suggestions on how to make it stronger.
2)
Choose
a
Great
Photo:
Choose a clear, friendly, and appropriately professional image,a photo can go a long way to
convey passion, energy, charisma, empathy, and other soft skills that are hard to write.
3)
Write
a
Headline
That
Rocks:
Use that space to succinctly showcase your specialty, value proposition, or your so what? The
more specific you can be about what sets you apart from the competition, the better.
4)
Use
Your
Target
Job
Descriptions
to
Your
Advantage:
Take a look at the job descriptions of the positions youre after, and dump them into a word
cloud tool like Wordle. See those words that stand out? Theyre likely what recruiters are
searching for when theyre looking for people like you. Make sure those words and phrases are
sprinkled
throughout
your
summary
and
experience.
5)
Dont
Waste
the
Summary
Space:
Ideally, your summary should be around 35 short paragraphs long, preferably with a bulleted
section in the middle. It should walk the reader through your work passions, key skills and
unique
qualifications.
6)
Be
opportunistic:
Join groups that will let you connect with people who are in your target audience but are not
contacts. Being part of the group gives you permission to reach out to them and invite them to
join
your
network.
7)
Be
redundant:
Know the top five strengths for which you want to be recognized and use them in your profile
repeatedly.This
will
help
the
right
audience
find
you.
8)
Be
ungrateful:
Ask your contacts to endorse you for only your top skills. Having the highest number of
endorsements for your signature strengths will influence those who are looking at your profile.
9)
Be
stingy:
Only give recommendations and endorsements to those whom you genuinely admire. When you

recommend other people, their reputation is seen an extension of your values.

10)
Be
a
groupie:
Dont limit the number of groups you join. Join groups related to your area of expertise, industry,
alumni, passions, social causes, and other aspects of your identity. This gives you access to more
people who matter to your brand. Plus, when others look at your profile, they can learn about
your brand by looking at your groups. Always select groups that are highly active and have a lot
of
members.
11)
Be
promiscuous:
Ignore LinkedIns advice to only accept connection requests from people you know. That helps
sell Premium, but it doesnt help you get found. LinkedIns search algorithm favors those who
are in your network. That means when people are looking for what you have to offer, the results
of their searches are displayed with 1st level connections first, then 2nd level connections and so
on.
12)
Be
frugal:
If you want to reach out to someone and you cant reach them any other way, sign up for
Premium by the month. Then, do all the outreach you need to do to connect with those superexclusive contacts. Mission accomplished? Cancel your Premium subscription.
13)
Be
a
bean
counter:
Get at least 500 connections. In addition to widening your target audience, the magic 500+ in
your profile has a psychological impact on those who view your profile.
14)
Request
One
LinkedIn
Recommendation
a
Month:
When someone says, You did a great job on that project! ask him or her to take a snapshot of
that success by writing a recommendation on LinkedIn. And dont be afraid to specify what
youd
like
the
recommender
to
focus
on.
15)
Be
a
procrastinator:
Dont reach out to contacts until you are thrilled with your profile. When you reach out the
others, they will likely view your profile before deciding if they want to connect with you.

Non Verbal Communication Tips for Freshers at Job

Interviews

There is more to it than meets the ear !!!!

A good preparation for a job interview is half the battle, but your performance during the interview is
obviously critical to increase your chances of success.Scientific research shows that our communication
is primarily determined by nonverbal communication, What we say and how we say it is important, but
our body language is possibly even more important.
Actions Speak Louder than Words.
Which form of communication do you think is more powerful verbal or non-verbal? Of course what
you say is more important an interview, but many people are just not aware how important the way
they
say
something.
Non-verbal communication may be described in many ways, such as your behavior, your manners, your
attitude, your etiquette, etc. However you say it, having the right non-verbal communication is key to
having
a
successful
job
interview.
Your resume and cover letter represent the facts about you.You will be judged objectively based on your
skill set, education qualifications and experience.Your interview will give the job provider a feeling about
you. You will be judged more subjectively based on your manners, looks, behavior, attitudes,
personality,
fit
in
the
company.
Of course, interviews claim to be unbiased and many professionals try to be objective in these
meetings.However, humans are humans and the process of judging another human will always involve a
certain
degree
of
subjectivity.
Below are some tips on how to give the right non-verbal communication to a job provider to help you
land
in
the
job
position
at
hand.
1) Dressing etiquette - If you dont know how to dress for an interview, assume you didnt do your
homework properly. Job providers mind, has a certain look and behavior. You need to know that
look
and
behavior
in
advance
and
add
something
bit
more
to
it.
Dress a little more formally than the average person in that position for the interview. This way, you will
not
be
too
overdressed,
or
too
underdressed
for
the
job.
2) The Smile - Meeting your job provider for the first time is going to leave him with a very strong and
immediate feeling about you. From the very first glance and handshake, your job provider will be sizing
you up. Keep in mind that even though they are professionals as well, they may also be feeling a bit of
nervousness and anxiety, its natural for humans. Put them at ease !!!!
Take it upon yourself to make them feel comfortable. The most important thing you can do during this
first contact is to offer big, warm, sincere smile, and let them know that you are relaxed and excited to
meet
such
interesting
people.

3) Your Introduction - Address the job provider formally with title and last name when you first meet.
They will probably invite you to call them by their first name. If they do, then do it. At the same time
offer them an easy to remember nickname to call you. This is key,if you dont have a familiar sounding
name, or they cant pronounce it, then how can they easily remember you? Give them something easy
to
remember.
4) The perfect Handshake - Remember, this one is going to give one of the most powerful and lasting
impressions of you. If you are meeting a woman, then you should wait for the woman to offer her hand.
The handshake should be palm to palm (not a fingertip handshake), and the grip should not be too firm,
but not too weak. Squeeze the persons hand to show you are confident and solid.
Hold the grip for 2-3 seconds and look them in the eyes with a smile that shows you sincere and happy
to meet them and is interested in who they are and what they are doing at the company. Do this well
and
the
rest
is
easy.
5) Taking a Seat - Dont sit until invited to do so. Observe how you are asked to sit. If there is a desk or
table, are you asked to sit across the desk from the job provider or next to the desk? Where you sit in
relation to the job provider and desk says a lot about your roles in that particular job position.
A more conservative, traditional job provider who wants to show his position or power will sit behind a
desk
and
will
have
you
sit
in
front
of
the
desk.
A more equal relationship, partner, or modern job provider will sit with you, next to you, or have you sit
beside the desk. The key here is to adjust your attitude and behavior to the job providers behavior. If
the job provider is more traditional, then use more titles, deference, use sir or mam, and be a very
attentive listener. If the interviewer is more modern and equal in behavior, then show that you can be
more relaxed, more cheerful and humorous, more friendly and outgoing. Be casual and most important
be
yourself
in
limits.
6) Respect the personal space - Respect the personal space of the job provider. You dont need to
convince them him/her by leaning as close as possible against him or her. Make sure you are not sitting
or standing closer than 1 meter and not more than meters away from your job provider.
7) Your Belongings - Put your things next to you on the floor. Have writing instruments and notebook
appropriate to the position. All of these things are a part of your image and presentation and must be
chosen
carefully.
Someone who wants to present himself as a professional manner should be taking notes on a neat and
plain notepad. Present yourself !!! A presentation requires some performance. Play the part and act the
part.

8) Gesturing - Ensure a balance between subtle movements and a stiff posture. Try not to continuously
wave your arms and hands throughout the job interview. This may be perceived as disturbing. The same
applies
to
someone
who
is
not
moving
at
all.
Mirroring is a natural way of moving which lets you gain the trust of your job provider. By imitating the
movement of your recruiter in a subtle and natural manner (crossing legs, arms on the table, and hand
under the head) you will indicate that you agree with the job provider.
This

way

you

can

make

subconscious

connection.

Be aware of repetitive behaviors that can draw too much attention, such as hair twirling, scratching,
touching your face too much, playing with your ear, etc. These behaviors can show under-confidence.
9) Eye Contact - According the latest research , those who held more eye contact with the job providers
were judged to be more sincere, trustworthy, professional, interested, and confident .They were the
ones who were to get the jobs .The point to learn from this study is to look them in the eye.
10) Job provider Stands - When the job provider stands up, that means the interview is over. Thank
them for the opportunity come in and discuss the job. When offered a handshake, hold for just a second
longer and give them a strong and sincere closing sentence to remember you by such as, Thank you so
much for your time today. Youve got a great organization here and I would sure love to be a part of it
Leave them with a sense of your commitment and character, and leave them with a smile.
11) Thank You Letter - A few days after the interview, make sure to send your job provider a letter
expressing your enthusiasm and positive impressions of the institution. Also include a summary of why
you would be perfect for the job. Bring up any details or points that you felt went particularly well at the
interview.
An email or a fax is acceptable; however, it should be kept short. Invite a call back and make certain you
are
available
when
they
do
call.
If you dont get the job, then keep your chin up and get ready to start the process again. If you didnt get
the job, then it probably wasnt a good fit anyway. But, if all works well, congratulations, and welcome
to the company.

Job Search Readiness Quiz : Know your chances of getting a

job
Are you ready to handle a job search effectively and successfully? Do you have the
knowledge, skills, experience and attitude it takes? Take this Job search readiness quiz by

answering the following questions to find out where you stand.

1. Are you aware of your skills, interests and abilities
2. Are you aware of what motivates you to excel in that perticular job/position
3. Are you aware of your values
4. Are you of what you are looking for in a workplace
5. Are you comfortable researching and exploring different job openings/positions
6. Are you comfortable requesting and participating in informational interviews to gain
perspective knowledge about different job positions, institutions and job providers
7. Are you comfortable that the job you are looking for best suits your values, skills, needs and
interests
8. Are you comfortable identifying and researching company/job provider in your target
9. Are you comfortable finding out the names of the professionals in your target company that
you should be contacting or referring
10. Are Your Resume and Cover Letter prepared bearing in mind the specific needs of the job
provider and role you are targeting and are customized for that role
11. Do your Resume and Cover Letter contain action verbs, keywords and the qualifications and
skills that are of particular interest to the individual role and company you are targeting
12. Do your resume has a clear Objective statement which is customized for the role you are
targeting
13. Are you sure your resume and cover letter have been thoroughly checked for grammatical
mistakes and typos and you are confident they are professional, effective and powerful.
14. Have you assigned a certain number of hours a day specifically to the job search and are
ready to pursue it in a diligent and disciplined manner
15. Are you keeping detailed records of every aspect of your job search including all contacts
made via phone, mail, email, all interviews, all CVs and cover letters sent etc.
16. Do you understand what professional networking is all about and the importance of it.
17. Are you comfortable networking and have a strategy to aggressively expand on your existing
network to get in touch with prospective job providers

18. Are you proactive about professionally approaching people who can aid you in your job
search.
19. Are you comfortable sourcing and responding to advertised vacancies in job portals,
newspapers, trade magazines, institution websites, alumni bulletin boards etc.
20. Are you comfortable approaching company directly through a direct mail campaign ( for start
up and mid sized companies)
21. Are you always aware of the unique skills, experience and abilities you have to offer a
particular position and can package these appropriately.
22. Are you familiar with standard interview questions and are comfortable in any interview
situation.
23. Are you ready to turn any unexpected turn in an interview to your benefit by emphasizing the
positive in your career and credentials and track record and highlighting why you are uniquely
qualified for the particular position.
24. Are you prepared to highlight you major achievements and how they could translate to future
success in your target position.
25. Do you understand the importance of diligently following up on any interview or referral
with a thank-you note.
26. Do you understand the importance of staying on the radar screen of your network through
regular calls, mail, emails, visits
27. Do you understand the importance of being persistent in the job search and do not get
discouraged by any negative responses you receive.
28. Are you comfortable attending phone interviews.
29. Are you comfortable using the phone to prospect for referrals and jobs
30. Are you negotiating an offered package to a level that is agreeable to you.
If you found yourself answering No more than Yes to the above questions, chances are
your job search techniques need some brushing up and refining.
Remember a successful job search begins with a through self-assessment and is followed by
research, a thorough understanding of the job market and a well-planned, comprehensive,
multi-faceted job-search strategy that includes diligent follow-up.

JOB Interview Donts / Pitfalls

Congratulations !!!!, after many months of searching and several dead ends, you have finally been called
in for a job interview.
An interview is a discussion between you and a job provider to find out if you are a right fit. So its your
chance to make a good impressionDo keep in mind your actions, words and attitude often influence
the way job provider think about you..However, there are certain rules you should follow in interviews.
Job Interview Donts / Pitfalls
1. Dont be late at the interview.
2. Dont swear or use slang words.
3. Dont over or under dress or dress inappropriately for the position. First impressions do count and you
want to be dressed to show that you fit into the desired role.
4. Limit your application of colognes and perfumes. Invading aromas can arouse allergies. Being the
candidate that gave the interviewer a headache isnt going to do anything in your favor.
5. Dont forget to take with you extra copies of your resume as well as a notebook and pen with which
you can take notes if needed.
6. Dont forget to shake the hand of the Interviewer firmly a limp or sweaty handshake will not be
looked on favorably
7. Dont chew gum or smell like smoke.
8. Dont go to extremes with your posture; dont slouch, and dont sit rigidly on the edge of your chair.
9. Dont act distracted. Look the Interviewer straight in the eye and give him your full and undivided
attention.
10. Dont allow your cell phone to sound during the interview. (If it does, apologize quickly and ignore
it.) Dont take a cell phone call. Dont look at a text message.
11. Dont assume that a female interviewer is Mrs. or Miss. Address her as Ms. unless told
otherwise. (If she has a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree or medical degree, use Dr. *lastname+ just as
you would with a male interviewer. Marital status of anyone, male or female, is irrelevant to the
purpose of the interview.
12. Dont let your body language send the wrong messages. Be aware of the non verbal cues you are
sending out! Sit upright and straight in the chair facing the employer and smile. Lean forward
occasionally to express interest. Avoid crossing your arms or legs in front of you (suggests

defensiveness), slouching in the chair (suggests sloppiness and lack of energy), leaning too far back (may
be interpreted as being overly familiar and disrespectful), talking to the floor (lack of confidence)
13. Dont refer to the Interviewer by his first name unless he specifically asks you to do so.
14. Dont talk about your weaknesses or failings or apologize for lack of education, experience, training
etc. Everyone has weaknesses; the Interview is the time to showcase your enthusiasm and strengths.
15. Dont make negative comments about previous job providers or college you attended. This is never
acceptable and particularly works against you in the Interview.
16. Dont make excuses. Take responsibility for your decisions and your actions.
17. Dont falsify application materials or answers to interview questions.
18. Dont treat the interview casually, as if you are just shopping around or doing the interview for
practice. This is an insult to interviewer and to the organization.
19. Dont act tired or jaded. Job providers are invariably looking for someone to energize, inspire and
uplift the team. Try to act enthusiastic and full of energy and motivation.
20. Dont give the impression you are interested in that perticular company because of salary or
geographic location; dont ask about salary and benefits issues until the subject is brought up by your
job provider.
21. Dont act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment.
22. Dont act unfocused and uncertain about what you want.
23. Dont lie. Answer briefly, truthfully and concisely.
24. Dont interrupt.
25. Dont make the job provider guess what type of work you are interested in; it is not the job
providerss job to act as a career advisor to you.
26. Avoid giving yes or no answers. Support your answers with examples and be as factual and concise
as you can.
27. A job search can be hard work and involve frustrations; dont exhibit frustrations or a negative
attitude in an interview.

28. Dont talk about your personal life. You have not been hired yet so keep it professional.
29. Dont discuss controversial topics such as religion, politics and gender relations.
30. Dont drop names of influential friends and acquaintances unless you are passing a message or
someone has referred you. very careful and professional when you mention names of clients and make
sure you are never giving out confidential information.
31. Dont ask about holidays, perks, hours or compensation until youve actually been made a serious
offer.
32. Dont act overly confident or superior. Ultimately, unless you are applying to the very senior level
positions, the job provider looking for someone who is manageable and will fit into the team.
33. Dont argue with the interviewer, no matter what. Remember to keep things positive
34. If you have more than one person interviewing you at once, make sure you briefly address both
people with your gaze (without looking like a tennis spectator) and return your attention to the person
who has asked you a question.
35. Stand up and smile even if you are on a phone interview. Standing increases your level of alertness
and allows you to become more engaged in the conversation. Say Goodbye Gracefully After a few wellthought-out questions and answers with your job provider, its almost over, but dont lose your cool just
yet. Make sure your goodbye handshake is just as confident now as it was going in.

Freshers Job Interview Questions

Following are some of the common interview questions asked by employeer to a fresher
attending an interview.
1. Tell me about yourself?
2. What are your strengths?
3. What are your weaknesses?
4. What are your hobbies?
5. Why do you want this job?
6. Whats your ideal company?

7. What attracted you to this company? Why do you want to work at our company?
8. Why should we hire you?
9. Give a brief about your education, your place and family background?
10. What is the difference between confidence and over confidence?
11. What is the difference between hard work and smart work?
12. How do you feel about working nights and weekends?
13. What can you do for us that other candidates cant?
14. What do you know about our company?
15. Are you willing to relocate?
16. Can you work under pressure?
17. What makes you angry?
18. Give me an example of your creativity?
19. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?
20. Explain how would be an asset to this organization?
21. Are not you overqualified for this position?
22. Would you lie for the company?
23. If you won $10 million lottery, would you still work?
24. What was the toughest decision you ever had to make?
25. On a scale of one to ten, rate me as an interviewer?
26. How much salary do you expect?
27. Tell us something about your project?
28. What are real time practical applications of this project?
29. Do you have any questions for me?

30. What are your goals in the future?

31. Tell us about your goals- both short term and long term?
32. Do you have any blind spots?
33. Where do you see yourself five years from now?
34. Describe your management style?
35. Are you a Team Player?
36. What motivates you to do good job?
37. Who has inspired you in your life and why?
38. What was the toughest decision you ever had to make?
39. How do you define success and how do you measure up to your own definition?
40. Tell me something about our company.
41. How much salary do you expect?
42. What changes would you make if you came on board?
43. What would you say to your boss if he is crazy about an idea, but you think it stinks?
44. How could you have improved your career progress?
45. How do you feel about reporting to a younger person?
46. Looking back, what would you do differently in your life?
47. Did you face any difficulty in finding this place?
48. Why does this role interest you? Or why have you applied for this job?
49. Are you an Introvert or Extrovert?
50. Are you willing to change your project/profile when required?
51. What skills do you want to develop to succeed in this role?
52. Are you planning to go for further studies?

53. What newspaper/magazine/book do you read?

54. Tell me something about yourself that is not written in your resume?
55. Do you know anyone who works with this company?
56. Do you have any other offer at hand?
57. What is your greatest achievement?
58. What was your biggest mistake?
59. Are you speaking to some other companies? Or how is your job search going on?
60. Which companies are you talking to?
61. Why havent you got a job yet?
62. Are you ambitious?
63. How do you feel about doing repetitive work?
64. Are there any kinds of people you cannot work with?
65. If you face a problem with your own performance, what would you do?
66. In a catastrophic situation like fire what you will do?
67. What will you do if you are offered a job with a salary higher than we offer?
68. Dont you think, you are overqualified for this position?
69. How long can you commit to work with us?
70. If you have never lead in the past, how would you do it in this role?
71. What do you prefer working with figures, or with words?
72. Have you ever worked under pressure? Give example.
73. If you think a work should be done in a particular way while the other person thinks that it
should be done the other way, what would you do to resolve the conflict?
74. If you face a problem with your own performance, what would you do?

75. How would you classify your style of management?

76. What qualities would you like in your would be boss?
77. How would you describe your work style?
78. What motivates you at work?
79. What are your ambitions?
80. Have you ever made a mistake? How did you rectify it?
81. Would you like to work in a team or on your own?
82. Has your career developed as you had liked?
83. What would you do if your team ceased to perform?
84. Would you take up this job if we offered it to you?
85. What according to you is a BPO?
86. Why do companies outsource their work?
87. What is voice based BPO?
88. What is a call centre?
89. What attracts you towards a BPO?
90. How do you rate your communication skills?
91. If you were hiring for this position, what qualities would you look for?
92. How would you describe yourself as a person?
93. Are you patient, give an example to show this?
94. What will you do when a customer is abusive / irritated?
95. Sell a product
96. Are you planning to go for further studies?
97. If well qualified, why do you want to work in a call centre?

98. How to impress your customer?

99. What does customer service mean to you?
100. What do you expect from us, as an employer?
101. Tell us about your qualities that affect this job?
102. Tell me something about your parents?
103. If you want to change anything in your life, what will you change?
104. How has your experience prepared you for your career?
105. Describe the ideal job?
106. What contributions could you make in this organization that would help you to stand out
from other applicants?
107. What sort of criteria are you using to decide the organization you will work for?
108. What made you choose this major?
109. Have your university and major met your expectations?
110. What made you choose this college?
111. List 2-3 of your greatest achievements since youve been in college and why?
112. Which subjects have you enjoyed studying the most and why?
113. Which subjects did you dislike and why?
114. How would a professor who knows you well describe you? One who does not know you
well?
115. Given the chance, how would you alter your education?
116. What sort of serious problems have you experienced, and how have you handled them?
117. Would you be willing to take a drug test?
118. Do you drink alcohol socially?
119. If you had your whole life to live over, what would you do differently and why?

120. Which is more important to you, your salary or your job?

121. What have you found to be the biggest source of motivation in your life?
122. What sorts of things cause you stress, and how do you deal with them?
123. What is your definition of success?
124. What qualities should a successful supervisor possess in regard to job requirements and
those who report to him/her?
125. What kind of work environment you like the best?
126. In what areas do you need to improve your skills?
127. Do you consider yourself successful?
128. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?
129. What is your philosophy towards work?
130. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?
131. Tell me about a suggestion you have made?
132. Tell me about your dream job?
133. Why do you think you would do well at this job?
134. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?
135. What would your Professor say your strongest point is?
136. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?
137. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience?
138. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others?
139. What position do you prefer on a team working on a project?
140. Tell your Life Experience?
141. What are your outside interests?
142. Can you tell us about a challenging situation at education you have encountered so far?

How did you tackle it?

143. Give us an instance when you failed in spite of your best efforts?
144. How would you evaluate your analytical skills?
145. Tell us about what you consider as your weak area- things you find difficult to manage?
146. Is there anything that would make us want to hire you, apart from what we have already
asked you?
147. What are you looking to gain from this organization?
148. What for you are the most important factors of an employees responsibility towards the
organization?
149. What are the essential qualities that make a good team player?
150. What do you consider as a reasonable starting salary with us?
151. Tell me about something you did or failed to do that you now feel a little ashamed of?
152. What are your career options right now?
153. What good books have you read lately?
154. Who has inspired you in your life and why?
155. Have you ever considered starting your own business?
156. Tell me something negative youve heard about our company?
157. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?
158. What would you say is the most important thing you have learnt in your college?
159. Just leave this resume. Tell us something personally about yourself?
160. In all these days what did you learn related to software?
161. Any extracurricular activities?
162. What do you know about this companys services?
163. Express your view about our company web site?

164. Tell me something about your past life?

165. Where is your Put-Up?
166. Do You Have any Health Problem?
167. Why is employee training important to an organization?
168. What is more important to you money or position?
169. Why companies always ask for experience candidates even at entry level and what do you
think that how a fresher can get experience without having a job?
170. What industry besides this one are you looking into?
171. If I asked the people who know you well to describe you, what three words would they use?
172. If I asked the people who know you for one reason why I shouldnt hire you what would
they say?
173. Why do you feel that this company will be a career for you rather than a job?
174. Describe how your favourite course has contributed your career interests?
175. Since you have been at college, what is it that you are proudest of?
176. If you could change a decision you made while at college what would you change and why?
177. Describe your ideal company, location and job?
178. What are some things you would like to avoid in a job? Why?
179. Who or what in your life would you say influenced you most with regard to your career
objectives?
180. The person in this position needs to be innovative and proactive. Can you describe some
things you have done to demonstrate these qualities?
181. Is there anything else that we should know about you that would impact our decision?
182. Please give me your definition of [the position for which you are being interviewed.
183. What is the meaning of your name?
184. Why software inspite of you being an Electrical engineering graduate?

185. Do you know about bond? Are you ready for 3 years bond?
186. What is IT according to you?
187. Are you ready to work in any kind of profile?
188. What was your role in your academic project?
189. Do you have any offer letter? If not then why?
190. If I didnt select you then what will you do?
191. Which is your most memorable moment?
192. What were the differences you noticed between your school and college life?
193. Do you feel the need for formal education to be successful in life?
194. How soon can you join us?
195. What is the difference between honesty and integrity?
196. What is the difference between hearing and listening?
197. What you have achieved besides your academics?
198. Are you willing to work in any office of the company across the country?
199. Which is your favorite book? What is the book you are reading at present?
200. Why did you choose this branch? (eg. Engineering, IT, Medicine, Management, HR,
Finance, Marketing, Economics, Law, Science, Geology

Group Discussion Tips for Freshers

What is Group Discussion?
Group Discussion is a methodology or in a simple language you may call it an interview process
or a group activity. It is used as one of the best tools to select the prospective candidates in a
comparative perspective. GD may be used by an interviewer at an organization, colleges or even
at different types of management competitions.

A GD is a methodology used by an organization to gauge whether the candidate has certain

personality traits and/or skills that desires in its members. In this methodology, the group of
candidates is given a topic or a situation, given a few minutes to think about the same, and then
asked to discuss the topic among themselves for 1520 minutes. Now a days most of the
companies conducting Group Discussions mainly to filter the candidates based on their
communication and interpersonal skills.
Today, group discussion (GD) is a very important round in any selection process, campus
recruitment or for any graduate/post graduate degree. In the job arena, various companies utilize
this selection tool in different ways, like some conduct GD after the written test and before the
interview, others may conduct it even before the written test. Whatever, be the pattern, the reason
is the same. It is used as a tool to gauge whether the candidate has certain personality traits or
skills that the company or the institution desires in its members.

Types of Group Discussion

Topic based group discussions:
In topic based group discussions, the group members are given a topic to discuss. A topic is
typically in the form of a statement (sometimes, the statement may not be complete. for example,
the topic could be worded The biggest problem faced by our country is). By the end of
the discussion, the group should strive to arrive at a consensus on the issue that is covered by the
topic.
Case based group discussion:
In case studies, a short description of a situation (called a case) is given to all the participants.
The case will typically be a problem situation that requires a solution. The participants have to
study the case, analyze the problem and then discuss various situations to the problem.
Article based group discussions:
Article based GD cover wide range of areas, like current affairs, politics, economics, technology
etc.The participants are given 45 minutes to read the article and are then asked to hold
a regular group discussion of around 1015 minutes on the article.
knowledge based topics:
Knowledge based topics require of you some topical knowledge. An example is India should
withdraw from WTO Here unless you know something about the WTO, what other countries
have done, what Indias view are on the matter etc., you will not be able to speak effectively .
Knowledge based topics mostly cover current economic issues as well as current non economic
issues.
Some of the personality traits the GD is trying to gauge may include:
Communication skills
Interpersonal Skills
Leadership Skills

Motivational Skills
Team Building Skills
Analytical /Logical Skills
Reasoning ability
Different Thinking
Initiative
Assertiveness
Flexibility
Creativity
Ability to think on ones feet
Different techniques to initiate a GD and make a good first impressions are:
Quotes
Definition
Question
Shock statement
Facts, figures and statistics
Short story
General statement
Its now time to crack the Group Discussion (Preparation Tips):
Group discussions are an important part of the selection process. You have passed the
intelligence test, with GD, your oratory and communication skills along with your problem
solving skills will be tested.
1) Adequate matter/ Subject matter is essential :
You should have subject knowledge and be well aware of the latest happenings around you, not
just in India but around the world as well. To be in a better position, make sure that you have
indepth
knowledge on the subject. Subject knowledge is a prerequisite while you are preparing for a
group discussion because you will then have the power to steer the conversation to whichever
direction you want to. If you can memorize some relevant data, it will be an added advantage.
2) Make Sure you Read Widely :
Being an avid reader will help you in group discussions. Last minute preparations strictly a no
no, while you are preparing for group discussions. You should read over a period of time.
Reading not only adds to your knowledge database, but enhances your vocabulary skills as well.
Plus reading over a period of time, helps in your understanding of a particular subject/ topic
better.
3) Choose Magazines that are Rich in Content :
Always opt for magazines that are content rich and not just full of advertisements. Often
magazines have columns which are promoting a particular institute etc. Avoid such magazines,
do some research and buy the best that will be beneficial for you in long run.

4) Be Aware of Topics that are Repeated :

Often, there are topics which reappear with minute changes and minor variations. Be aware of
such topics well in advance so you have ample time to prepare for the same. For example the
issues of terrorism, gender inequality, poverty, Ayodhya conflict, liberalization and privatization,
reservations in educational institutions etc often appear as GD topics. Make sure you know these
topics well and can come up with some unique, insightful points along with dates, stating facts.
5) Work on your Communication Skills :
You should be well versed in your communication skills. You should have a good vocabulary
and a decent command over English. Much before your actual group discussion, rehearse well.
You can sit with a group of friends and choose a topic and indulge in friendly banter. Not only
will this increase your knowledge, you will be a better speaker by the time it is time for your GD.
Dos of a Group Discussion
Be Yourself
You should try to be as natural as possible. Do not try & be someone you are not.
Speak Out
Make the best of this opportunity, the evaluator wants to hear you speak. A GD is a chance to be
more vocal.
Think before you speak
Take time to organize your thoughts. Think of what you are going to say.
Seek clarification
If you are not clear and you have doubts regarding the subject, ask for clarification before the
GD begins.
Be confident before you speak
Dont start speaking until you have clearly understood and analyzed the subject.
Begin smartly
Work out various strategies to help you make an entry, initiate the discussion or agree with
someone elses point and then move onto express your views.
Adding valuable thoughts
Opening the discussion is not the only way of gaining attention and recognition. If you do not
give valuable insights during the discussion, all your efforts of initiating the discussion will be in
vain.
Good body language
Your body language says a lot about you your gestures and mannerisms are more likely to
reflect your attitude than what you say.

Usage of effective language

Language skills are important only to the effect as to how you get your points across clearly and
fluently.
Maintain your tone while communicating
Be assertive not dominating; try to maintain a balanced tone in your discussion and analysis.
Be Patience
Dont lose your cool if anyone says anything you object to. The key is to stay objective: Dont
take the discussion personally.
Be polite
Try to avoid using extreme phrases like: `I strongly object or `I disagree. Instead try phrases
like: `I would like to share my views on or `One difference between your point and mine
or I beg to differ with you
Motivating others to speak
This will demonstrate your leadership skills. You may motivate the other team members to speak
but you need to identify the right time to do that. Also, dont keep repeating the same thing as
you may lose your time to speak and this may show too much of leadership. Be receptive to
others opinions and do not be abrasive or aggressive.
Be the first and also the Last to Speak
Initiating a GD is an advantage. Closing it too also adds brownie points. If you can grab the
opportunity to close the discussion, then you should summarize it. If the group has not reached a
conclusion try concluding it.

Fresher Job Interview Tips

Smile it could make all the difference!!!
Your task at an interview is to demonstrate that youre the best person for the job. Here are our top tips
for interview success
you need to gather facts about the job, and sell yourself to your potential employer. The interviewers
task, on the other hand, to decide if you are the right person for the job, looking carefully at your skill,
qualifications and attitude.
The bottom line is that theres only one person who can demonstrate that youre the best candidate for
the job: you.

Preparation for the Interview

Be Prepared !!!!
The key to a successful interview is preparation. Prepare well, and youre likely to feel less stressed and
come across as more confident on the day.
The following tips will help:
* Take two copies of your CV
* Take original copies of your qualification certificates.
* Written testimonials from from your senior faculty
* Read over the job posting again as a reminder of the position and its requirements. Review your CV
and application form to remember what youve written.
* Make sure you know where and when the interview is, and plan your journey to arrive 10 minutes
early.
* Find out as much as you can about the company offering the job.
* You should look at the company website if they have one.Ask the personnel official when scheduled
about what format the interview will follow and the number of interviewers.
* Prepare answers for questions that may be asked.
* The night before the interview, spend some time with a friend or family member, telling them why you
would be the best the position. Use superlatives galore.
How To Dress For An Interview:
* In an interview your attire plays a supporting role. Your conduct, your interpersonal skills and your
ability to articulate intelligent and well thought out responses to questions are the most important
elements.
* Smell Good
* Appropriate attire supports your image as a person who takes the interview process seriously and
understands the nature the industry in which you are trying to become employed.
* Your attire should be noticed as being appropriate and well-fitting, but it should not take center stage.
If you are primarily remembered for your interview attire, this is probably because you made an error in

judgment!
* Dressing nicely and appropriately is a compliment to the person you meet, so if in doubt, err on the
side of dressing better than you might need to.
* Even if you are aware that employees of an organization dress casually on the job, dress up for the
interview unless you are specifically told otherwise by the employer.
Stages of The Interview
1. Introductory stage
The interviewer will establish rapport and create a relaxed, though businesslike, atmosphere. This is
where the interviewer gets the very important first impression of you.
2. Review of your background and interests
This usually takes the form of what, why, where, and when types of questions. Focus on what
you are like, and what you have accomplished, your academic background, and your goals. One of the
interviewers objectives is to see if your qualifications match your declared work interests. Give concise
but thorough responses to questions.
3. Matching begins
Assuming you have the necessary qualifications, the interviewer will begin the process of determining
whether the companys opening(s) match your qualifications and skills.
4. Conclusion
In this stage, the interviewer explains what the next steps are in the hiring process. Be sure you
understand them. Promptly provide any additional information requested. There should be ample
opportunity for you at this point to ask any questions you have. Remember, the interviewer does not
negotiate salary, benefits, etc. Dont even mention them in the interview.
At the Interview
Instant judgments will be made about your appearance, so dress smartly and arrive in plenty of time.
Remember to relax!!! Take a deep breath, remind yourself of your career success to date and
appreciate the fact that you are a talented individual. Most of all : be yourself !!!
The following may sound obvious, but could make all the difference at your next interview:
Greet the interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake.
Eye Contact Do not just assume you have good eye contact. Ask. Watch. Then practice. Ask others if
you ever lack proper
eye contact.

Posture posture sends out a signal of your confidence and power potential. Stand tall, walk tall, and
most of all, sit tall.
Gestures contrary to popular belief, gestures should be very limited during the interview small and
meaningful
Openness and warmth open-lipped smiling, open hands with palms visible, unbuttoning coat upon
being seated
Nervousness pinching skin, jiggling pocket contents, running tongue along front of teeth, clearing
throat, hands touching the face or covering part of the face, pulling at skin or ear, running fingers
through hair, wringing hands, biting on pens or other objects, twiddling thumbs, biting fingernails,
tongue clicking should be strictly avoided.
Listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying, and try to understand whats behind their question.
Then try to frame your answer in response.
Technology Bring appropriate samples of your technology skills graphics design, presentation
software, word processing, etc. Let the interviewer know you have them, and do not offer to show them
unless asked to do so. Flash drives make it possible to bring a lot of material with you in digital form in a
case no larger than a pack of gum.
Dont be negative - you may have already have had some negative experiences, but dont focus on
them. Focus on the positive ones, or talk about what you have learned from the negative ones.
Be professional and focused, yet friendly and personable; your attitude and demeanor matter as
much as your response.
Be brief but thorough in your responses. Strike a balance between avoiding simple yes or no
answers, but not waffling on.
Dont make things up you are likely to be asked to give practical examples of what you have stated on
your application form.
If you dont understand a question, ask the interviewer to explain.
Explain how your qualifications and skills relate to the position and the companys specific needs.
Make sure you have the opportunity to ask questions of your own. You are interviewing them as well,
and trying to find out if their company is the place for you.

Thank the interviewer at the end.

Interview Questions to Ask the Employer
* How would you describe the responsibilities of the position?
* How would you describe a typical week/day in this position?
* Is this a new position?
* How many people work on the project i am going to be assigned
* How often are team meetings held?
* What are the prospects for growth and advancement?
* What do you like about working here?
* If I am extended a job offer, how soon would you like me to start?
* Are there any other questions I can answer for you?
* How is my performance evaluated?
After the Interview
* After an interview, its always a good idea to send a letter or email thanking an interviewer for letting
you discusses your experiences. Send it out immediately after your interview to stay fresh in the
interviewers mind .you may even score bonus points for excellent follow-up skills.
* If you have time during the interview, collect business cards from those you interview with. That way,
youll have contact information to easily follow up. If that isnt feasible, check on LinkedIn for the correct
spelling of the names, job titles, and for the contact information for your interviewers, if its listed.
* Proofread your follow up letters before you send them. A typo or grammatical error can knock you out
of contention.
* If theres something you had wished youd shared during the interview, do it now. Mention anything
you wished you had said, but didnt, during the interview.
* Spend some time thinking about how you can improve your job interview technique.