The job market these days is so erratic that even if you think it was the best interview of your life, you can’t be so sure about it. Neha Chauhan, who graduated six months ago, is one of the victims of the new job world. She confesses morosely of being unaware that it was going to be so hard. “Even interviews are hard to come by and yet when they do, I don’t get through,” says Neha.
Rakhee Dhawan has her own tale of woe. She graduated with a B.A. Degree but finds that it’s not opening any doors for her. She found out that the employers are looking for specific qualifications and her Degree just does not cut it.
It is war out there. There are millions looking for a job and the dejection levels are even higher. India is teeming with talent as well as with population which develops cut-throat competition for every opportunity that arises. However those in the job industry feel that this is just one side of the story. Rajev Jamwal of naukri.com says “no, its not just a war; its an out-an-out battle. Sure there is competition, but with such a booming economy, who says there is lack of opportunities. You see the job market too has evolved along with other fields. So if you want a job, there are plenty of vacancies, but none of it can help you if you don’t have the right approach. You should know the best to be there, because of course, if you don’t know, it doesn’t mean that even others don’t”.
So to say, the right career moves are what we need to reach where we think we should. So, here are our 11 deadly Cosmo pointers to make it easier to get an edge over the teeming competitive hordes.
DEADLY CAREER MOVE No.1
Write a concise Covering Letter
The covering letter should be a one pager neatly typed on good quality white bonded paper. The covering letter gives you the first opportunity to make a great impression on the employer. Just introduce yourself generally and highlight your skills and achievements in the letter. You could make the letter more personal by addressing it to a specific person in the company. You can also take clues from covering letter samples available on the Internet. But whatever you do, make sure the covering letter reads like a letter and not like an essay on your personality. “People find the covering letter as the only place they can interact with the employer. What they forget is that the covering letter is just the first step towards a bigger interactive platform”, says Jamwal.
DEADLY CAREER MOVE No.2
Write a resume that fits perfectly
The Resume or the Curriculum Vitae is generally a two pager and should be typed on bonded white paper. Just like the covering letter, it introduces you to the employer but in this case, with just enough detail. A recent survey conducted by Reed, one of the biggest job consultants in UK revealed that if you modify your resume as per the job requirements, there are greater chance of success. You can search for resume formats on the Internet as well. However, here are some pointers as a rough guide you should keep in mind:-
Ø The first section should ideally consist of your name, address and contact information.
Ø The second section should offer details on your educational background. It should list all the degrees you have earned, starting from the most recent.
Ø Next comes a summary of all your work experience including volunteer work. Here you can and must highlight the specific skills you have gained on account of this.
Ø The fourth Section should outline your interests and your extracurricular activities. It should be an add-on to how this will help you in performing your job in a better manner.
Ø The last part of your resume should give provide names of two Referees for Reference purposes along with their contact information.
DEADLY CAREER MOVE No.3
Dress for success
Shoddy is out and so is Ultra Mod. In a job interview, it is actually about promoting yourself and for that the sales pitch has to be right. Err on the side of conservatism and wear crisp formals like long sleeved shirts and trousers. If you plan to wear a skirt ensure that it is well below your knees. Present a well groomed appearance. Keep your hair away from your face. Long hair should be tied up in a neat bun or a ponytail. Ensure that the shoes that you are wearing are in good condition and properly polished. “Something has to be said about Power Dressing. It really makes you feel more confident,” Says Dharini Patel, HR head of a leading advertising company.
DEADLY CAREER MOVE No.4
Making the right career choice
Sit down and think what kind of a job you want. Choosing the right career is imperative for a satisfying career. One wrong choice made here and you might just end up with something you don’t want even after months of struggle. “Some of my friends were Graphic Artists and they used to tell me how great it is to be in this profession. Fuelled by their words, I joined a course at a prestigious institution. I did not enjoy the course as such but thought things might change after I started working. Now I am stuck in a job which I hate. However after investing so much time, energy and money I cannot think about a change”, says Debandi Kaul, a Graphic Designer by fault.
DEADLY CAREER MOVE No.5
Start Networking
Networking is the new mantra to hum if you are a job seeker. Your working friends might be the best source of information for upcoming vacancies. Talk to them and ask them to keep you in the know if their organization is recruiting. You can also talk to other people such as your former co-workers, relatives and professors to get first and information. You can ask for their advice and use it effectively. Says Piya Tandon, “I always land lucrative jobs. People ask me what my secret is and I tell them it all boils down to contacts. I move in the right circles and cultivate friendships with the right people and the dividends just follow”.
DEADLY CAREER MOVE No.6
Brush up your communication skills
An Interview is basically a sales pitch and gives you a chance to impress the Interviewer with good communication skills. You will have to take the hard road and practice incessantly the questions which you anticipate will be asked during the Interview. However your answers should not appear to be too rehearsed. Says, Rashi Deewan, “I am a really vivacious person and whenever I go for an Interview I end up having a conversation with the Interviewer. A lot of the time it has yielded positive results.” However every body is different and you will have to work towards evolving your style.
DEADLY CAREER MOVE No.7
Take it nice and slow
Everybody is vying for the top job. However you have to nix your unrealistic expectations in the bud. There are only a few of those top jobs and there are thousands to compete with, especially those from elite institutions armed with loads of work experience eyeing the same deal. Realistically give a ditch to that dream job and mega salary deal and start with something small and then work your way up. Reshma Shah wanted to work as an Air Hostess but got turned down by several Airlines. She then adopted an alternate approach and opted for a ticketing job with a national airline. After a year she applied again and was snapped up by an International Airlines. She says, “The main thing that appealed to them was that I could work under pressure as ticketing is pretty high pressure and working as an Air Hostess entails a lot of pressure too. Furthermore I had worked in the same field earlier and that helped”.
DEADLY CAREER MOVE No.8
Homework and hardwork
Plenty of hard work is required when looking for a job. Read all the material in relation to the field and company you are applying to. Your reading material may include Journals, Trade Magazines and Newspapers. If you are well informed and knowledgeable, you will definitely get an edge over those applying for the same position.
DEADLY CAREER MOVE No.9
The Interview run
This is a must. A few days prior to the Interview, look up where the place is and find out how long it takes you to reach there. Jangled with nerves on the day of the Interview you might just end up being late if you don’t have prior knowledge about the venue. Sheetal Satija, a gold medalist mechanical engineer from DCE lost on her dream job for getting stuck in traffic at the eleventh hour. She says, “I had no idea Gurgaon was so complicated. It took me more than an hour to reach Gurgaon and then I took another half an hour to locate the venue. Needless to say, when I reached late the HR lady looked at me as if I had come uninformed. Of course I knew I had lost the chance”.
DEADLY CAREER MOVE No.10
A must read
If you are looking for a job then the book “What Colour Is Your Parachute?” by Richard N Bolles recommended by several experts is a must read. It is full of innovative tips.
DEADLY CAREER MOVE No.11
Learn Interview Etiquettes
Based on their recent survey, Reed has released a new list of Interview Etiquettes that would ensure your proper behaviour to leave that lasting impression. Here is the Do’s and Don’ts list complied to let you know what to do and what not to do:
THE DO’S
1) Arrive at least 15 minutes before the Interview.
2) Prepare for the Interview.
3) Be polite to the receptionist and greet her properly.
4) You might be interviewed by a panel so do not forget to bring extra copies of your Resume.
5) Shake hands firmly. A clammy handshake is an absolute disappointment.
6) Be careful about your body language. Look alert energetic and interested.
7) Make eye contact with the Interviewer.
8) Switch off your cell phone or pager.
9) Ask intelligent questions about the company, so that it shows that you have done your research.
10) Do note down the details of the Interview so that you can keep record.
THE DONT’S
1) Don’t use slang during the Interview.
2) Don’t get in to controversial topics.
3) Don’t think that because you have a Resume crammed with work experience and great Degrees, you won’t have to sell yourself to the Interviewer.
4) Saying anything negative about your former work colleagues, friends, teachers can be detrimental to your own chances.
5) Do not be overtly aggressive, it just sends the wrong message.
6) If you are being interviewed by the panel don’t focus on only one person but keep making eye contact with all of them.
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