Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Your CV is your first impression towards your firm. You need to be clear, honest, straight
forward and to the point. In many firms CV is sorted and shortlisted by clerical staff. CV is
entered into a predefined database. Marks are assigned to you on the basis of your papers, your
previous qualifications your attempts etc. You need to provide complete detail otherwise your
CV will be ignored or wrongly entered into the firm’s database consequently you may get lower
marks than you deserve.

Do’s
 Keep your CV short ideally for 1 page. Keep it easy to read.
 If you need to say more use another page but ask yourself if the extra detail really adds value.
 Design your CV in Full Block style
(search online for an appropriate CV format)
 Always rewrite your CV and “objective” in line with your purpose of CV i.e. internship.
Don’t use difficult language or long sentences in “Objective Line”. Interviewer tends to read
your objective line and if it is generic and not related to your purpose of CV. Interviewer will
think you are a copycat.
 State your qualification in reverse chronological order i.e. State your qualification in CA on
the top and then state your other qualification one after another (from latest to earlier).
 Must give your attempts and clearly state papers passed and result awaiting papers.
 Don’t skip any information. Most firms process CVs for short listing if you skip or hide any
information your CV may not be processed due to incomplete information.
 If you have a related work experience, state the job title and main responsibilities in two or
three lines. Do not add non related work experience.
 Provide relevant information.
o Provide basic contact detail (mobile number should be functional all the times)
o Provide formal email address avoid using charming.prince@gmail.com etc (also develop
a habit to check your emails regularly).
o Do not provide information regarding your sect, religion, cast, marital status etc. or such
other information because such information is not related to induction in the firm.
 Choose and apply the same font face in whole CV. Do not use too much bigger font.
 Keep it neat & tidy (make sure there are no spelling, grammar or capitalization errors). Use
high quality paper.
 Request others to proof read your CV.
 Put your name and email address on every page (if it consists of more than 1 page).
 Attaching a picture is not necessary.
o However, if you are printing your CV from color printer you may add a formal picture
preferably with white background.
o Never add an informal picture.
o Do not add picture if you are printing in black and white.

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 Don’ts
 Don’t tell a lie, always be honest, honesty is the best policy.
 Don’t Including irrelevant personal information (such as height etc.)
 Don’t add irrelevant or untrue habits (Some habits can get you in trouble i.e. if you include
in CV that you like football, Interviewer can ask you about recent world champion or
runners-up, it is possible that you do not know that)
 If you strongly need to include habits only add relevant and true habits.
 Don’t add your failures or why did you fail.
 Do not use negative tone.
 Don’t use too many special graphical effects.

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 Interview
Now that you are called in for interview, this means that you already fulfill their selection criteria
and have passed their tests. Remember that they already like you now. Firms usually don't
interview everyone. So instead of looking for what you have their focus is on what you don’t
have. They want to make sure that your do not have certain negative traits such as carelessness,
negligence, non-professionalism and childish behavior. Consequently, in the interview, you need
to maintain and improve on the positive image that you have already created.

Do’s

 Prepare
o Gather information from senior students about what type of questions are usually asked
by that specific firm.
o Must read and prepare the papers you recently passed. Interviewer tends to ask questions
from your latest passed papers.
o Carefully review your resume and be prepared to answer the question that may be
originated from your CV such as why you have this hobby, why you want to join this
firm etc.
 Reach in time: Don’t be late. Plan to be a bit early but don’t be too early as well. Visit the
place of interview at least 1 day earlier than the interview to calculate time of travelling etc.
 Appear Good:
o Appear on the interview day clean and tidy.
o Make your shave on the day of interview and if you have a beard get it trimmed a
day before interview.
o Don’t use intense colognes or perfumes (deodorants can be used).
o Always dress formally. If you are overdressed it is not going to harm your reputation
but if you are underdressed it will make you look careless.
o Take proper rest before the day of interview.
 Act calm : Listen carefully to each question before jumping in with a response be alert and
use gestures in your conversation.
 Make eye-contact. Remember to talk to the person (not the top right hand corner of the
room or at their shoes).
 Bring a copy of all relevant documents, so you can refer to them if necessary.
 If you are being interviewed by a panel, ensure that you direct your answer to the person
who asked the question, while still including the other interviewers by making brief eye
contact.
 Don't interrupt the interviewer before they have finished asking you a question
 Never finish their sentences for them.
 Never repeat their question. You can take a silent pause to think answer but don’t repeat
their questions.
 Treat each question individually. Remember that if you mess up some question but properly
answer the remaining they may think to hire you. If, however, you get so caught up in
chastising yourself for making a mistakes, you will continue to make mistakes.
 If possible, ask the interviewer when you should expect further communication for induction.

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 Don’ts

 Don’t sit down until you are asked. Don’t worry about this, the recruiter won’t make you
stand-but if you move quickly to your chair and sit down, you will appear forward.
 Don’t lean on or put your elbows on the desk, maintain a power posture. Sit back in your
chair.
 Don’t place your handbag, mobile, keys etc. on desk. Keeps elegant file folder containing at
least one CV and one copy of your important documents.
 Avoid nervous habits such as nail biting nails, scratch your head, shaking your legs and
clearing your throat so often, drumming your fingers or cracking your knuckles. Don’t have
any loose change in your pocket.
 Don’t inspect or read documents on desk. Don’t touch anything. Try not to listen or respond
to interviewer’s conversation with others.
 Don’t speak ambiguously;
o Don’t use slangs or say “you know” all the times.
o Don’t slip into a speech-making or preaching tone of voice.
o Don’t interpret items on your CV until you are asked. If additional details are
needed, the interview will ask for them.
o Don’t lie about anything.

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