Unit IV-Applications of Skills

The act of putting something to use. A job calling for the

application of many skills.
• Career Management
Career Management is a life-long process of investing
resources to accomplish your future career goals. It is
a continuing process that allows you to adapt to the
changing demands of our dynamic economy.
Career management is the capability of proactively and
strategically planning and running your career. It is about
improving self-awareness so that a person knows his
preferences, priorities, work values as well as strengths to
have an exact idea of his future goals.

In this fast-changing world, hiring managers are looking for

two things in the employees.

The first is that they can set goals and have the ability to go
after them and succeed. Second, they have the necessary
tactical skills to undertake appropriate action, for instance,
problem-solving, decision making and networking, etc

Components of a career management System

The key components of a career management system are as
follows-

1. Support from top management

2. Periodic assessment of skills and know-how
3. Open enrolment
 4. Full involvement of supervisors and managers in the
process
5. Coordination with activities related to human
resource
6. Using managers from the human resource as
consultants
7. Periodic assessment of programs
8. Onus on success
9. Realistic feedback related to career progress

• Career Management Process

1. Self-awareness

This is the first step in the career management system and

provides self-introspection. What are your interests, what is
essential for you, what are the things you value, what are the
things you like, what are your unique skills etc. are some
questions that need to be answered in this phase for
discovering specific things about yourself.

All these questions are the means to find your values, traits,
interests, and skills so that a person can set his goals for the
future.

2. Career exploration/career development planning

The career development planning or career exploration is a

recurring process that includes the following steps –

• Career values – It is essential to integrate work

values with overall life values to know what is
necessary for you in life. It is the work values that
acts as a guiding force and helps to focus on the
 essential things. An individual who is happy and
satisfied in personal life will quickly achieve better
productivity. Remember, work values keep on
changing at intervals, and it becomes essential to
keep on reassessing them regularly for overall job
success.
• Work preferences – Work preferences play a
significant role in career development planning. It is
a personal choice, and it is quite natural for
two people to have different work preferences in life.
Dig deeper to assess and identify work preferences
and, if necessary, take the help of assessment tools
for your purpose.
• Strengths – Understand your strengths if you are
interested in career exploration/career development
planning. Look for positive qualities like hard-
working, detail-oriented, excellent communication
skills, and also specific traits like good at decision
making, soft skills, etc. to develop your full
potential. The more specific your abilities and
qualities are, the more you will be successful in the
job interviews.
• Weakness – Just like strengths, it is also essential to
identify your weakness if you are interested in career
exploration/career development planning. Hiring
managers pay special attention to the weakness of
the applicants, and often one of the job interview
questions is what do you consider your weakness.
An honest understanding of your weakness will help
you in overcoming them in time so that you are not
embarrassed by it at any moment. Do not be overly
self-critical as this step is designed so that a person
 can call attention to perceived weaknesses and take
matters in hand to eliminate them.

3. Lifelong learning

Technology is reigning supreme in all the spheres of our life.

All the technical devices like tablets, phones, and computers
have become necessary in the workplace and often determine
how we are managing our work life. Adapt to the
ongoing innovations and devices by updating your skills and
know-how regularly.

4. Networking

One of the most critical aspects of career exploration/career

development planning is effective networking. It is an
essential asset that can take your career a step further.
Develop your ability to connect and interact with important
people.

Building a good and strong relationship will have a direct

impact on career opportunities in the future.

• Career Stages Model

A career stage model demonstrates the four stages that
individuals pass through in their careers. The four stages
consist of establishment, advancement, maintenance
and withdrawal. An individual can move through these
four stages at any age depending upon when they begin
their career.
1.Exploration

In this stage, the initial job choices are made and sampled in the
discussion which is related to various courses, part-time work
etc the realities of abilities & motivation are tested in this stage.
2. Establishment

The person finds an appropriate field of work and he is trying

to take the place in that field the change before finalizing a
suitable field.

3.Advancement

In this stage, the person works hard to develop a safe place in

the chosen field of work there are some major shifts in
organizations at this stage

4. Maturity

It is time to hold a strong place in the chosen field of work. It

can be a time of little change or continuation of the already
established direction

5.Withdrawal

At this stage, ability begins to decline and people reach

retirement age people may shift for a part-time job as now they
will play fewer active roles in the organization.

• Basic Career Anchors

Career Anchors are the characteristics of a role, job or
career that individuals are drawn to. They usually align
with an individual’s underlying perception of their talents
and skills, motives and needs and attitudes and values. A
career anchors activity can help individuals discover their
anchors.
 Each of us has specific things that we’re looking for in our
careers. These are the things that we believe will bring us
happiness, fulfilment and the opportunity to succeed.
These factors can be thought of as career anchors. They
are built on our understanding of our own skills and
abilities, our personal motives and life circumstances and
our underlying attitudes and values. We can develop our
understanding of them through a career anchors activity.
By developing a better understanding of what our
underlying career anchors are, we’ll make more informed
and better long-term decisions at key points in our
careers.

• Security
Employees with this career anchor value above all a
predictable environment, one in which tasks and policies
are clearly codified and defined. They identify strongly
with their organization, whatever their level of
responsibility.

• Autonomy
If your key Career Anchor is autonomy/independence,
what you would not give up is the opportunity to define
your own work in your own way. If you are in an
organisation, you want to remain in jobs that allow you
flexibility regarding when and how to work.

• Creativity
A “Career Anchor” is a combination of perceived areas
of competence, motives, and values relating to
 professional work choices. ... Career Anchors – include
talents, motives, values and attitudes which give stability
and direction to a person's career – it is the 'motivator' or
'driver' of that person.
• Functional Competence
A “Career Anchor” is a combination of perceived areas
of competence, motives, and values relating to
professional work choices. ... Career Anchors – include
talents, motives, values and attitudes which give stability
and direction to a person's career – it is the 'motivator' or
'driver' of that person.

• Managerial Competence
General managerial competence – these individuals thrive
off performing in a position of responsibility;
tackling high-level problems, building relationships and
interacting with others; they require strong emotional
intelligence skills in order to succeed.

❖ Factors Affecting Career Choices

Career selection is an important stage in a student’s
life. It influences a number of decisions that he/she
takes based on their career choices. Choice of a
subject, a university, an institution, a company, a job
profile depends on the career one chooses to pursue.
Nowadays it is quite certain to find students confused
or unaware of their career path, even after having
completed their graduation. They seem unsure of the
degrees they hold as it doesn’t give them a clear
vision of what they want to do.
 Choosing Right Career is Important for Students

Career Planning is no more a one-time occurrence that would

end with the decision of the right university or college. It
extends until we get the right job and get a satisfying work
profile.
After completion of schooling, one tends to select a stream
based on their previous best performance. If a student scores 90
percentile in Science he/she wants to become an engineer/
doctor and likewise they go for commerce and every other
subject. In more than 90% of the cases, it turns out to be haste
or a wrong decision. The basis on which we evaluate our career
choice remains unjustified.
Students who face exam anxiety and fail to perform up to their
standard in the classroom tests are left out in the race. They are
treated as a non-performer or a below-average student.
Similarly, there are few who manage to excel just by rote
learning. Some depend on their families to make the right call;
well, some choose to follow the crowd. There is no clarity of
one’s self-interest. This is the first wrong step that can lead
them to the wrong path.
• Make Your Career Choice Wisely
A wrong career choice can also increase the investment cost of
a student in his/her education. Every time when a student’s
career vision oscillates it calls for unnecessary expenditure.
Most of the students invest huge amount of money as well as
time in getting clarity over their career choice. They keep
changing their subjects, even after having done majors in a
particular subject they end up choosing a totally different
profession.

• Find the Best Career for You

What is most important is to have a good and clear career
choice at an early stage so that it allows one to excel and
achieve better in the chosen profession.

• 7 Most Common Factors that Influences Students

Career

1. PARENTS’ DESIRE/PARENTAL PRESSURE:

Choosing a career just to live up to the parents’ expectation is
the most common decision taking by students at an early stage,
which they tend to regret later. Most of the students from
business families are by default expected to choose commerce
and hence B.Com or BBA as their suited career course. Some
who resist submit to the parental pressure leading to an
unsuccessful career graph. Such influences under the garb of
adhering to their guardian’s wish are considered unfruitful for
the students in long run.

2. PEER PERSUASION:
This is the easiest way of getting away from taking self-
decision. Most of the students want to follow the crowd to get
to their destination. ‘Follow your friends’ is the most trending
exercise visible during the selection of a university/college.
Majority choice is considered the best choice. This mindset has
increased the count in the mediocre group where students fail
to succeed in their career and just keep on it with an average
performance.

3. PAST PERFORMANCE:
This is in fact the most unjustified and distorted basis of
analysing one’s performance and interest area. In India, we are
not only churned in an old education system of rote learning
but we believe in the numbers to prove our caliber. This
practice of determining one’s interest field based on one time
exam performance has often led to a wrong career decision.

4. POTENTIAL:
Potential of a student can be legitimate criterion for choosing a
career. Very few are able to identify their potential and choose
their subject of knowledge based on it. A career selected on the
basis of one’s potential has greater prospect of assuring
success.

5. PLACEMENTS:
We wish to choose a profession that can provide for our bright
future. Placement opportunities in a particular university are
thus considered most important factor for the students when
they harp about their career choice. Good placement options are
an important motivation driver for students in their Career
Planning.

6. PERSONALITY DRIVEN:
Most of the people choose their interest field on the basis of
their personality and character. It can be the other way around
also, when a career chooses them based on their personality.
Here personality includes not only the outward presentation of
a student but the perception he/she holds about society. A good
communicator, who has good command on his/her language
skills, is more inclined towards a mass communication stream.
Similarly, a good leader who has the capacity to influence
masses chooses a management field. Personality traits always
help in deciding a good career, for it is easy to hone the skills
we already acquire.
 7. AFFORDABILITY (PAISA):
This is the basic and the most essential criterion for most of
them who set out to make their career. Affordability or Paisa in
lay man’s language determines the purchasing power
of individuals who dares to dream. In India, when Right to
Education aims to ensure education for all, it fails to distribute
the standard quality of education. One, who can afford it, can
only receive the ace quality training, knowledge and plum
opportunities. Most of the students neglect their interest and
choose a career that fits their pocket well.

❖ Career Opportunities in Management

Today, both young aspirants and working professionals are
attracted to management careers, and rightly so. Besides
promising a host of exciting and rewarding career options, a
management career allows you to take over people-centric
roles, gain a respectable position in the workplace, and take
home a hefty annual salary package.
The most rewarding aspect of pursuing a career in
Management is that you acquire transferable skills that apply
to all industrial sectors. Moreover, there are plenty of
management specializations to choose from, including
Marketing Management, Human Resources Management,
Business Management, Finance Management, IT
Management, Retail Management, Hotel Management,
Management Consulting, and International Business
Management, to name a few.
Here are the top seven career options in Management that you
should look out for:
1. MARKETING MANAGER
Marketing Managers play a pivotal role in creating brand
awareness, expanding brand reach, and promoting a
company’s products/services to the target crowd. They largely
determine the look and feel of a brand and how it
communicates with its target audience.
Marketing Managers manage internal teams, plan & design
the company’s marketing/sales campaigns, determine seasonal
promotional offers/discounts, and liaise with the marketing
team to promote the brand’s messages on print, digital, and
social media channels.

2. SALES MANAGER
A Sales Manager is primarily responsible for managing and
supervising a company’s sales team, creating and
accomplishing sales targets, and increase sales by expanding
the brand reach. Apart from designing sales strategies and
campaigns, Sales Managers spend a significant amount of
time building relationships with clients and business partners.
The role requires them to collaborate with product
development and marketing teams to create the right
campaigns to boost customer-brand engagement and drive
sales.
Sales Managers must be well-versed in marketing, business
management, business administration, and customer
relationship management. They should possess exceptional
communication skills, team spirit, and a passion for driving
the company forward.

3. FINANCIAL MANAGER
Financial Managers manage all finance-related matters of a
company. In this capacity, they develop short-term and long-
term financial goals and devise data-centric strategies to
achieve them. They work with Project Managers and
departmental managers to determine the company’s critical
financial decisions, including budget planning, resource
allocation, investment plans, etc.
Financial Managers create detailed financial reports,
implement strategies for budgeting and forecasting,
brainstorm on fund procurement, perform risk assessment,
monitor key metrics, and evaluate the organization’s financial
performance.
Finance Managers must possess an advanced degree in
relevant domains like Mathematics, Economics, Accountancy,
Finance, and Business Studies. Also, they must have excellent
problem-solving, analytical, and technical skills.

4. COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

MANAGER
Computer and Information Systems Managers are in charge of
a company’s technology functions and requirements. They are
also sometimes called IT Managers who work closely with
top executives to determine their computer, and IT needs.
Once the provisions are drafted, Computer and Information
Systems Managers create specific goals and plans to meet the
company’s tech-related (both software and hardware) needs.
Being a highly tech-oriented job role, a Computer and
Information Systems Manager must be fully aware of the
latest technology trends. They must also possess in-depth
knowledge of mathematics, software development, network
security, cybersecurity, Internet operations, etc.

5. PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER

Public Relations Managers focus on building and maintaining
a favorable public image of their client or employer. They
plan, create, and oversee the campaigns and content directed
at enhancing a company’s public image.
Public Relations Managers write press releases, field media
questions, write appropriate speeches for their client for
product launches/media events, prepare articles for corporate
newsletters, prepare media kits, and organize conferences.
They must counter any negative publicity and handle any PR-
related crises.
PR Managers must have a degree in Journalism,
Communications, or Public Relations. They should have
commendable communication, presentation, organizational,
time-management, and leadership skills.

6. HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER

HR Managers direct and manage a company’s human
resources (employees). They are the link between the
company’s top management executives and its staff. Together
with the top executives, HR Managers strategize on recruiting,
interviewing, and retaining employees.
HR Managers perform many other diverse functions such as
boost employee morale and productivity in the workplace,
create talent acquisition plans, monitor employee
performance, evaluate employer-employee relations, craft HR
policies, conducting annual salary surveys, developing
training programs, etc.
In essence, HR Managers are responsible for the smooth
functioning of a company’s human resources. They ensure
that all HR policies and plans adhere to the company
objectives, vision, and goals. HR Managers must have
excellent listening, negotiation, and communication skills.
 • Written Communication

A ‘Written Communication’ means the sending of messages,

orders or instructions in writing through letters, circulars,
manuals, reports, telegrams, office memos, bulletins, etc.

It is a formal method of communication and is less flexible. A

written document preserved properly becomes a permanent
record for future reference.

It can also be used as legal evidence. It is time-consuming,

costly and unsuitable for confidential and emergent
communication.

Written communication, to be effective, should be clear,

complete, concise, correct, and courteous.

ADVANTAGES OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATION:

The advantages of Written Communication are stated
below:
1. It is suitable for long distance communication and repetitive
standing orders.

2. It creates permanent record of evidence. It can be used for

future reference.

3. It gives the receiver sufficient time to think, act and react.

4. It can be used as legal document.

5. It can be sent to many persons at a time.

6. It is suitable for sending statistical data, chart, diagram,
pictures, etc.

7. Order, allocation of work, job distribution, etc. in written

form reduce ambiguity and help in fixation of responsibility.

8. Uniformity in work procedure can be maintained through

written communication.

9. It is easy to send unpleasant or bad news through written

communication.

LIMITATIONS OR DISADVANTAGES OF WRITTEN

COMMUNICATION:
Followings are the limitations or disadvantages of Written
Communication:
1. It is time-consuming. Composing a message in writing
takes much time. Writing letters, typing orders, notices, etc.
and sending to appropriate destination require time. Feedback
process also is not instant.

2. It is expensive not so much due to postal charges but in

terms of so many people spending so much of their time.

• Preparation of Resume

HOW TO WRITE A GOOD RESUME

Your resume must clearly, concisely and strategically present
your qualifications to get a recruiter interested in meeting you.
It should convey your skills, work experience and assets. The
resume is used to describe what you can accomplish
professionally in a manner that also illustrates what you can
do for an employer. Job opportunities can arise unexpectedly.
An updated modern resume is the key to a successful job
search. Here are some do's and don'ts of how to write a good
resume and what to include.

RESUME WRITING DO'S

Keep your resume clear and concise

An employer takes an average of 30 seconds to skim a

resume. You want them to see right away that you are
qualified for the position.
Proofread your resume numerous times

Be sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes. Have

someone else read it over as well. A simple spelling mistake
on a resume can give a negative impression to the employer. It
can even prevent you from getting the job.
Limit your resume to two pages

Place the emphasis of your resume on your most recent

experience. Older jobs and experience that are more than 15
years old should either be cut out or minimized. This way, the
employer can focus on more relevant information.
Tailor your resume to suit the position you are applying
for
Specify work experience or achievements that are related to
the position you are applying to. This can be done by
reviewing the job description or the employer website.
Highlight what you have accomplished

You want to be able to identify the best examples of where

you demonstrated your skills. These examples should speak to
what you achieved in your role, and should demonstrate what
kind of employee you are. It is best to include this information
in the "Work experience" section of the resume.
Be honest

Lying on your resume is never a good idea. You don't want to

overstate your skills or results as it will mislead the employer.
Have confidence in what you have to offer.
Quantify your achievements

Use firm numbers that the employer will understand and be

impressed by. For example, how many people you supervised,
how many products you sold, by what percentage you
increased sales, etc.
Use simple words and action verbs

The person reading your resume might not always be the

employer. Resumes can be reviewed by recruiters or Human
Resources specialists who may not be familiar with your
specific field. Use simple and plain language, but also
persuasive verbs such as handled, managed, led, developed,
increased, accomplished, leveraged, etc.
Include unpaid work that show off your skills

If you have volunteered with a well-known organization or

worked for an important cause, put it in your resume. You
should include these experiences under the "Work experience"
or the "Volunteer work" section, especially if they are related
to the position you are applying for.
Double check and include your contact information

Your resume should list your name, address, email and phone
number. This information should be placed at the top of the
first page. Also, make sure this information is accurate.
Otherwise, the employer won't be able to contact you.
• Resume Writing Don’ts
Don't use an inappropriate email address

Make sure your email is easy to read, easy to type,

professional and non offensive. In general, your email address
should be based on your name. Exclude any nicknames,
numbers, or special characters.
Don't include unnecessary personal information

It is best to leave out any personal details such as age, weight,

height, marital status, religious preference, political views, or
any other personal attributes that could be controversial. This
will prevent any potential bias. Most importantly, never
include your Social Insurance Number in your resume.
Don't include a picture of yourself

Although in some countries it may be acceptable to include a

photo, it is not the norm in Canada. It can actually lower your
chances of obtaining a position and divert the whole focus of
your resume. You want the employer to focus on your skills
and experience, not what you look like.
Don't use too many bullets

Make your resume easy to read by limiting each resume

section or sub section to 5-7 bullet points. This will make it
easier for the employer to scan your resume and identify your
potential. Each bullet point should be used wisely by keeping
the information relevant and concise.
Don't use personal pronouns

Do not use "I," "my," or "me". Write your resume in the third
person, as if it's being written by someone else.
Don't simply list job responsibilities

Your job duties will be obvious from your job title. Instead,
highlight your achievements by putting a personal spin on
your job duties and providing specific examples.
Don't make general statements
Steer clear from vague statements that don't highlight your
actual contribution. Unclear statements such as, "Responsible
for improving efficiencies and making cost savings", does not
provide any information to an employer. Personalize your
experience!
Don't include reasons for leaving previous jobs

The main purpose of your resume is to promote you, your

skills, experience and achievements. It should be entirely
positive, and therefore should not include reasons for leaving
as it does not add any value to you as a candidate.
Don't include references

An employer only requires references if they are seriously

considering hiring you. Keep references on a separate sheet
and provide them only when they are specifically requested.
Don't include hobbies or interests

It is not recommended to mention hobbies because of the

judgments potential employers can make. However, if your
hobbies relate to the position, you may include them as they
can demonstrate to the employer because you are a good fit.
• Oral Communication
Oral communication implies communication through
mouth. It includes individuals conversing with each
other, be it direct conversation or telephonic
conversation. Speeches, presentations, discussions are all
forms of oral communication.
ADVANTAGES OF ORAL COMMUNICATION •

• There is high level of understanding and transparency in

oral communication as it is interpersonal.
• There is no element of rigidity in oral communication.
There is flexibility for allowing changes in the decisions
previously taken.
• The feedback is spontaneous in case of oral
communication. Thus, decisions can be made quickly
without any delay.
• Oral communication is not only time saving, but it also
saves upon money and efforts.
• Oral communication is best in case of problem
resolution. The conflicts, disputes and many
issues/differences can be put to an end by talking them
over.
• Oral communication is an essential for teamwork and
group energy.

Facing an Interview
People feel stressed as they hear about INTERVIEW. Most of
them focus only on the questions to be answered in the
Interview. But the interview is the test of not only knowledge
but behaviour and honesty too. It does not matter where you
went to school, the number of degrees you may hold, the
experience you have or whom you know. It is important do
the interview successfully. It is vital to approach interviews
in the correct manner and with the right attitude, as that is the
key to success.
These tips will help you to stay calm and focused instead of
being a nervous wreck. Follow these to remain cool and
confident in your interview and so achieve professionalism
and be successful.

Research the Company

• Do some homework, e.g. Find out about the company’s
vision, goal, strategy, products, finances, departments,
competitive advantages, competitors, the work culture
and the management from the website.
• You can find ways to show that you know your stuff
during the interview. You can say something like, “I’ve
read all about your mission and I think being committed
to educating the world for free is an amazing goal.”
• Show that you know what the position entails, too. If you
know the qualities the interviewers are looking for, then
it’ll be easier to sell yourself and to show that you
possess them.
Be thorough with your CV
• You should be familiar with whatever is mentioned in
the CV. Read it thoroughly so that you’re not stumped by
any question regarding your past employment and
education.
• Come up with answers to common resume questions.
Prepare to answer common questions.
• Though each interview is different, there are some
common interview questions and if you’re prepared for
them, half the battle is won. You’ll be less tongue-tied
and appear more confident if you’re ready with the
response. It’s good to have some answers prepared so
 you don’t look unprepared or caught off guard. Here are
some questions you should be prepared to answer:
• “What are your biggest strengths?” Pick strength or
strengths that illustrate your capabilities.
• Make a list of your main strengths and the things you are
currently working on towards your professional growth,
with examples of each.
• “Why do you want to work at this company?” Instead,
point out several things you like about the company and
be as detailed as possible; also make it clear why you
think you would be able to contribute to their team.
• Also, be prepared to talk about your weaknesses and how
you are trying to overcome them.
Prepare to ask at least two questions.
1 At the end of most interviews, your potential employers
will ask you if you have any questions you want to ask
them. You should prepare at least a handful of questions
and pick the ones that are the most relevant to ask; this
shows that you’ve done your research and are excited
about the position.
2 Asking what your daily work life on the job would look
like,
3 Asking about other ways you can get involved at the
company in addition to the job description. For example, if
you’re applying for a teaching job at the high school, you
can ask if you can be involved in extracurricular activities
too.
Prepare to explain why you’d be a good fit for the
company.
• Another thing you need to get ready to say is why you’d
be a great fit for the company. Check out what the
 employees at the company are like and what the
company values the most when it comes to the position
you’re seeking; use buzzwords to show why you possess
those qualities and why you’d be a perfect fit for the job
you’re interviewing for. Here are some things you can
say:
• “I know that strong communication skills are essential
for this position, and I would be a great fit for it because
of my years of management, training, and hiring
experience. I’ve communicated with employees,
customers, and managers for years and have learned how
to give positive feedback as well as how to respectfully
discuss room for improvement.”
• “I’m excited about all of the teamwork that the position
requires. I’ve successfully worked in teams and have
collaborated with my team members, and I would be
eager to bring that experience to this company.”
Practice answering these questions in different ways.
• Have a friend read out your list of questions, or do it
alone in front of a mirror. Answer them without reading
from your paper, although glancing down at first is fine.
Do this several times, trying to word your answers in
different ways each time. The more you practice, the
more natural you'll sound when the interviewer asks a
similar, but not identical, question.
Be prepared to talk about any career changes you may
have had.
• Be prepared to summarize your previous work
experiences, and to explain how they contributed to skills
and knowledge that applies to the job you're trying to get.
ON THE DAY OF INTERVIEW
Good Timekeeping is Essential
• Travelling to the interview can be stressful, especially if
you’ve to commute a long distance. Try Arrive at least
10 minutes early. Showing up a little bit early to the
interview shows that you’re punctual and that you really
care about your job. Remember, arriving late for
whatever reasons is totally inexcusable. Plus, if you rush
in there just before it’s time to begin, you won’t have
time to decompress and get into a relaxed state of mind.
Dress professionally
• The way you dress makes a statement about yourself.
Avoid bright colours and loud jewellery. Regardless of
the job that you are applying for, it is a good idea to wear
a neat and clean suit, even in a casual business
environment. you have to start off by dressing
professionally to make a good impression in front of
formally-dressed interviewers. Here are few tips.
o Make sure to groom yourself well and to pay

attention to your hygiene, too. If you don’t put time

and effort into your appearance, it will show.
o Try on your outfit at least a few days before to make

sure that it’s flattering and that there are no

problems with it.
Facing an interview
• Introduce yourself with confidence - “Self-introduction?”
Prepare your Introduction & Key points. The
introductory speech is your two minute opportunity to
enlighten the interviewer about yourself and what you
 have to offer. When you walk into the room, stand tall,
make eye contact, put a smile on your face, and give
your interviewers a firm, confident handshake when you
introduce yourself. Walk with confidence and avoid
fidgeting or looking around the room; remember that you
only have one chance to make a first impression, and you
want it to count.
• Smile, be natural and speak with confidence.
• Even if you don’t feel confident, act as one emanating
confidence. Your body language should be accurate and
you should be making a positive impact during the
interview.
• Sit straight on the chair and look into the eyes of the
interviewer. Remember, you’ve nothing to lose and go
with that mind-set. This causes less palpable stress.
• Be articulate when you answer the questions - Speak as
clearly and confidently as you can and make eye contact
when you share your thoughts and ideas. Try to avoid
saying “like” or “um” too much and focus on getting
your points across, even if that means pausing to think.
The most important thing is that you deliver your words
with confidence and sound like you really mean what
you say.
• Practising saying what you have to say aloud can help
you gain the confidence to be articulate during your
interview. That said, you should make sure your words
sound natural, not rehearsed.
• Identify Achievements - Employers want to know how
hiring you will make their organisation better and
contribute to their overall success. (Assuming you did
your homework as suggested in point 1 you can offer
examples of innovations, process improvements or
revenue saving ideas that may be of interest).
• Engage in a Dialogue - Remember, a conversation is a
two-way exchange. Be curious and ask lots of questions
to get a good understanding of how the company,
department and management operate. Ask about the job
responsibilities and company culture, e.g. Employee
Recognition Programmes, opportunities for Personal and
Professional development, current and future challenges
of the position, etc.
• Be Open and Honest - When responding to the
employer's questions, tell the truth! If you made a
mistake, say it in a positive way, accept responsibility for
it, and explain how you have benefited from the
experience & what you have learnt. Do not pretend to be
something that you are not, it will not work!
• Avoid sharing overly personal information. - Though
you may feel like your interviewers really like you and
that they’re getting buddy buddy with you, you should
avoid mentioning anything overly personal about
yourself. Don’t talk about your significant other, your
kids, or your personal problems at home; this shows that
you’re not focused on the job and that you’re
unprofessional. Of course, if you see that your
interviewer has a big poster of your favourite sports team
in his office, you can mention the connection in passing
if it comes up, but don’t get much more personal than
that.
• Make sure to thank your interviewers in person.
• When the interview is over, show that you’re grateful for
the fact that your interviewers took the time to meet with
you and to get a chance to talk to you about your skills
and qualifications. As you leave the room, shake your
interviewer’s hand again and make sure to look her in the
eye and give her a sincere smile and a real thank you;
 this shows that you’re considerate and that you’re really
grateful for the opportunity.
• Just say something simple like, “Thank you so much for
taking the time to meet with me. This has been a
wonderful opportunity and I really appreciate it.”
• As the conversation wraps up, you can also ask about a
time frame and next steps. They should tell you when
they’ll get back to you and what the next steps would be.
• Lastly, it goes without saying, be relaxed and
don’t worry too much. The job interview is for both
parties, ie. Both for you and the employer to decide on
the respective suitabilities; so go with an open mind and
try to be calm.

KNOW WHAT NOT TO DO

There are a few things you should avoid at all costs when you
go into an interview. Many people don’t know that a few
innocent comments can actually cause a big red flag to go up
for the interviewer. Choose your words carefully and make
sure you give an impression of being a respectful, hard worker
who is truly excited about the position. Here are some things
you should avoid:
• Don’t ask about the perks of the job before you’ve been
given an offer. This will make it look like you’re more
interested in vacation days than in working.
• Don’t talk about how you’ve applied to a million jobs
without being asked for an interview. Make it look like
you really want this specific position.
• Don’t say something that shows how little you know
about the company or how little research you’ve done.
Make sure your potential employers see that you really
care about the company.
• Don’t bad mouth your current job or employer - Even if
your boss is a rude, petty, inconsiderate, condescending
jerk and your job is unsatisfactory and you feel
completely unfulfilled there, you should say something
like, “I’ve gained a lot of great experiences at my current
position, but I’m ready for a new challenge.” If you say
horrible things about your job or your boss, then your
potential future employers will think that you may turn
around and say the same about them in the future.