Interview Preparation.

An invitation for an interview shows that, on paper, you are the right person required by the organisation for the vacant position. In fact, it is estimated that 80% of candidates are rejected at the application stage so you are really more than three quarters of the way towards getting the job!

Larger organisations will have interviewers who are often personnel professionals, or who are trained and experienced interviewers, so expect the interview to be very structured to obtain the maximum from you. In smaller firms you are more likely to be interviewed by a partner who may not be a trained interviewer. If you are confronted by a ‘bad’ interviewer you will have to work hard to use the questions as a means of conveying the points you wish to make. It can be a good idea to try to steer the conversation towards the topics you have particular strengths in, highlighting your good points.

There are several different types of interview/questioning techniques: -

• The straightforward chronological interview, where you are asked questions around your CV / Application form.
• Criterion referenced interviews, where you will be asked to give examples of how you meet their criteria e.g., examples of teamwork, negotiating, leadership
• The off-the-wall questions where you might be asked some bizarre questions. This is to see if you can think on the spot and how creative/logical you are.
• The pressurised interview where your views will be challenged (or even ridiculed) and you might feel like you are being goaded into an argument. If this happens to you do not lose your cool, it is to test how you react under extreme pressure and to see if you can hold your own without starting a fight or being reduced to tears.
  

Preparation is essential if you want to do well. Have a look at the checklist:
Stage 1 - Preparation

• Re-read your resume.
• Prepare questions to ask and to be asked.
• Work out clothes to wear.
• Rehearse interview.
• Anticipate the obvious questions during the interview.
• Work out a strategy for dealing with stress.
• Read vacancy details, employer’s literature - what they are and what they want.
• Know where the interview will take place

Stage 2 - First Impressions Count

• Arrive in good time.
• Make a good entrance.
• Body language - handshake, posture, eye contact.
• Smile.

Stage 3 - The Interview

• Be yourself
• Be honest
• Be prepared to talk - but not too much
• Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification
• Illustrate your answers with examples
• Be ready to sell yourself Be interesting

Stage 4 - The Final Stage

• Know when the interview is over - read employer’s body language
• Thank him/her for his/her time
• Learn from the experience - ask for feedback if necessary
  

Questions You May Wish To Ask
The Organisation

• Major current projects
• Future developments

Work

• What you would be doing
• How long for
• Typical projects/timescales
• Variety of work.

Training

• Training offered/possible
• Help with professional qualifications

Colleagues

• Who would you work with?

Location

• Where would you be based?
• How much travel/mobility

Prospects/Salary

• Likely progression
• Where are previous graduates

General Way of Life

• Accommodation, amenities, limits on free time etc
  

Questions You Can Prepare For:-

• Tell us about yourself
• Why did you choose your degree and what have you gained from it?
• What has been your most important achievement in life so far? Why?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Why have you applied for this job?
• What do you have to offer us?
• What are the current issues in this sector of work?
• What experience do you have of working in a team and what role did you play in that team?
• Describe a project you have successfully completed.
• How would your friends describe you?
• Describe a situation you have found difficult. How did you overcome it?
• What questions would you like to ask us?
  

If you would like help with interviews come to the Careers Service to talk to an adviser. We have a video available called, “Why Ask Me That?” which shows you how to do well at interviews. We also have a range of books on interview techniques for you to look at.

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

Reference books - Health & Safety!!!!!!

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

Scared about Telephonic Interview.

How difficult did you find the last time you were on a telephonic interview for a long searched job? Did you make it???

Here is a little wrap up on the Do’s & Don’ts while on a telephonic interview…


1. Do give correct and detailed contact information so your interviewers can easily connect with you.


2. Do ensure that your family is aware that this telephonic conversation is important in your job search


3. Do know about the job and the company you are interviewing forDo practice. Modulate you tone. Check your speed and pronunciations. Take appropriate pauses.


4. Do make sure you are in a place where you can read notes, take notes, and concentrate. ensure that you can hear and are being clearly heard.


5. Do make synopsis to avoid fumbling. This will also make you more confident since you are prepared. Ask thoughtful questions to end the conversation intelligently.


6. Do also have your resume with you, so that you have all the necessary important information handy.


7. Don't get nervous between conversation breaks. If you've completed a response, but the interviewer hasn't asked his or her next question, don't start to fill in airtime.


8. Don't panic if you have special needs. If you are hearing-impaired, for example, phone interviews are still possible.


9. Don't snuffle, sneeze or cough. If you can't avoid these behaviors, say "excuse me." Don't eat or drink while speaking.


By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

Closing the Interview.

Knowing how to successfully close interview can make the difference between getting the job and being one of the unfortunate individuals who receives a rejection letter in the mail. While much attention is given to the matters of how to write a resume and cover letter as well as what to expect in regards to interview questions, far too many job seekers are unprepared when comes to knowing how to successfully close an interview. Keep in mind that this is perhaps your last opportunity to demonstrate why you are perfect for the job. Successfully closing an interview walks a fine line between being too aggressive and not being aggressive enough.

It's always a good idea to bring along some questions that you can ask the interviewer at the end of the interview. This shows that you have more than just a passing interest in the position and truly want the job. If you have taken the time to do your research on the company, this also demonstrates initiative and increases your chances of being hired.

Once all questions have been asked and answered, it is quite appropriate to ask the interviewer when they anticipate making a hiring decision as well as what the next step in the interviewing or hiring process will be. Make a point to ask the employer for a business card so that you can have readily available contact information for following up with the employer in the days to come. This will also make it much easier for you to mail the all important interview thank-you letter as soon as you return home.

Also don't forget to shake hands with the employer and summarize how your skills and experience, as well as ambition and desire, make you the perfect candidate for the position. If you're really confident and don't mind taking risks, you might ask "So, is there anything stopping you from offering me the job right now?" This ploy should only be used if you feel the interview has gone well, however. Otherwise you might be setting yourself, as well as the interviewer, up for an embarrassing response.

A much milder version of this tactic would be, "Is there anything else I can answer for you to make a hiring decision?" If you really aren't sure how well the interview went and don't want to waste your time waiting for a call that may never come, you could simply ask, "Have I done well enough to advance to the next level of the hiring process?"

This puts all the cards on the table and an employer who appreciates honesty and frankness will reciprocate by letting you know where you stand. If for some reason, you were not the candidate the employer was looking for this may give you a golden opportunity to clear up something that might make you the ideal candidate. Otherwise, at the very least, you won't be spending the next two weeks waiting by the phone and you can begin concentrating on other employment prospects.

In the event that the employer does not offer you a firm commitment and seems to be a bit hesitant about when a firm decision will be made, don't take it as a personal affront. There could be any number of reasons why the employer is reluctant to hire you on the spot-the least of which could be the need to consult with superiors. It's important that even if you are disappointed about not receiving a job offer on the spot that you remain positive, up beat and confident. Finally, take the time to thank the employer for meeting with you. Above all, remember to always be professional no matter what happens.

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

How I blew up my change to bag a great job!

A Truly Smart Job Seeker, before a long awaited interview is intricate about details like formal attire, information about the company and the job he is applying for. But not everyone is so smart! Here are some mind boggling incidences on how some "not-so-smart" Job Seekers blew up their chance to get the job they were trying very very hard for.

You can't misbehave.Hold Your Moods!!

You must be there on time and put your best foot forward! Be graceful and well behaved. Don't keep checking the time in your wrist watch as if you were bored of the process. "One applicant asked the hiring manager to speed things up so he could catch a bus." But the weirdest story came from a hiring manager who said, "One applicant said the company had a black aura and left." Now this kind of an attitude will not get you a job ever!

BE Professional PLEASE.

Your first impression can make or break your chance to get the job- but "not-so-smart" applicants don't understand the concept of formal attire. These ultra-cool candidates arrived at their interviews in T-shirts and jeans, but the worse is to come. One job hopeful arrived at his interview displaying a hairy chest, medallion, strong cologne and a wad of gum in his mouth. And which is worse: the applicant who wore a housecoat and slippers or the one who wore his slippers with a bathing suit and T-shirt?

But even the "so-called-smart" and impeccably dressed candidates can appear very unprofessional. Singing the national anthem, trying to sell the interviewer a car, doing yoga at the interview and showing off your new gadget will have similar effects!

Nervous breakdown's in the making..

Some degree of anxiety is normal - even beneficial - at an interview, but hiring managers report some candidates take nervousness to the extreme. Applicants fumbled, giggled, babbled, and even did not remember the job they were applying for - but they were the lucky ones. Other, "not-so-smooth" job seekers wet themselves, and one applicant fainted in the reception lobby.

Being acquisitive is fine.but don't look greedy!

Employee benefits are important to you and to every job seeker but asking the benefits in the initial contact is not recommended. "Not-so-smart" job seekers are very impatient to know about salary, time off, vacations - even a raise before they are offered the job. Other, more audacious candidates complained about the working hours, and one even asked, "How soon can I have your office?"

Stop acting Frantic!

YES!! You want the job, but wowing the interviewer with your skills and qualifications is much more effective than outright bribery. Some candidates just went across and offered interviewer gifts, money and far more for a job offer!

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

Be-ware of the common ones!

No way can you foresee each n every question you might be asked in an interview but you can be smart by preparing sturdy, crisp responses to usually asked questions. Nearly all interviewers ask analogous questions to get acquainted with candidate's abilities & experience and evaluate his capability to do justice with the job.

1. Introduce yourself.

This is over and over again the first question in an interview. It's the most complicated one if you're not all set. Keep in mind, the interviewer does not want to hear about your hobbies. Its time for one-minute gist of your years of experience and skills in the context to the job you are looking forward to get. Sell your professional self.

2. Why should we hire you?

Most people answer generally, so you need something substantial to stand out. Give genuine examples that demonstrate you as the best-suited for the position. Highlight your achievements and undertakings that are relevant to get the job.

3. Why do you want this job?

Use this occasion to demonstrate how much you know about the company and, most prominently, how you fit best. Concentrate on challenges in the job and organization to show your comprehensive knowledge. Spot out things you have done in past job to take care of the similar issues.

4. What are your weaknesses?

Answer this question to your benefit. "I would turn my weaknesses into strengths," For example, if my weakness is lack of tolerance I would counter it by saying; I have learned particular measures to make sure I remain composed and considerate." Don't pretend that you do not have a weakness.

5. Why did you quit your previous job?

Never evaluate your previous company, the boss, or colleagues. You should have a fine perceptive of the job you're applying to twist this question. You may say that, you really enjoyed various aspects of your previous job and spotlight on how this new job will give you the chance to contribute meticulously on areas that are essential for the current position.

6. Where would you be five years from today?

Don't get swayed away by your five-year plan. You are expected to speak about goals related to the job. This will reveal that you know the industry, the organization and you are looking forward to grow here.

Remember the interviewer is trying to find if you can play a positive role in the organization!

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

How to Quickly Bypass Long Interview Lines.

Read the employer materials while you wait. If you finish them, read them again. Know the information as if it were your own.

You can only use this technique once during the day (or twice if you have a large gastric capacity), but it is a very effective way to bypass what might otherwise be an hour wait. Ask the recruiter to lunch—your treat. Sitting with you, listening to your background, is all that you ask in return. Many will appreciate the opportunity to get away, even if it is just for thirty minutes. Set up reservations for lunch at a nearby (or, better yet, on-site) sit-down restaurant. Then approach the recruiter from the side of the booth and mention that you have a table for two reserved for lunch. If you are turned down, try it with other recruiters you are interested in until it does work. Usually you will have at least a 25 percent hit rate, so you usually will not have to ask more than three or four different recruiters before you get an acceptance. Then use that time productively by talking rather than eating. You will put the recruiter in a different environment than he or she is experiencing with the rest of the “herd” and will gain a high probability of remembrance based on your willingness to meet their needs first. Try it!

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

Reveal Your Analytical Attitude to Thrive.

Facing an interview is more of a talent than knowledge, which can be acquired. While your knowledge, academics, and other qualifications play a major part in the hiring assessment, the appointment is still very much base on the judgment of the interviewer.

Interviewer decides whether to appoint you not only based on your credentials, but also on whether your persona will be healthy in their organisation. Often the interviewer's go with their gut feelings on who will get the job offer. Try to speak what the interviewer wants to here. Go ahead and analyze the situation yourself before you are sitting in front of him!

During an interview, a highly nasty discussion can be on your previous job. why are you leaving your present job? How do you evaluate your present organization? What do you think is an ideal working environment? Don't look panicked when questioned on them. A fine way to deal with the most obvious question on why you are quitting your current job can be made comfortable if twisted to a group reason. Say a reason like, e.g., our department was consolidated or eliminated. This will save you from direct limelight of the issue. Be sure you don't make stories. Act smart and prepare such answers in advance. Knowing the answer will make you comfortable in the uncomfortable situation also!

Have a positive attitude towards your present job. Don't look annoyed while describing your previous organization. It can be a style of judgment that the recruiter is using to check your attitude. In reality you could be absolutely heart broken but hold your emotions. Be practical, the man you are talking to is not your girl friend that you can cry over all that went wrong. Take it all in the positive way.

To describe the best working condition according to you is just to know if you are mean for the organization. Don't say people should be helpful, understanding and reliable. Talk from organization's point of view. Say would be happy to work in a place where people are treated as fairly as possible. This is telling the recruiter how open you are to deal with tough situations. Interviewers need to be won over. They need to be convinced that you will be able to fix their troubles and help their company achieve its goals. One of the finest ways to answer interview questions is to use your career success stories. Career success stories are account of the crucial instant in your career when you conquered important challenges to succeed. These stories will create unforgettable impression of you.

In particular if you are interviewing for a new field or new job, make connection between your exceptional abilities and associated situations in the new field through the success you have achieved in the past..

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

Companies Mislead while Hiring.

Under pressure to recruit and beat competition, employers are bending many rules these days. Companies are now negotiating on basic hiring standards, i.e. misleading candidates on salaries and other areas & making false promises to lure job seekers. “


Companies often seem to be saying — damn the process, just get them on board,” says Ronesh Puri, head, Executive Access, a headhunting firm, adding that scarcity of talent is pushing employers to another level of talent hunting.


At a premier B-school last year, a Mumbai-based business conglomerate hired graduates amid stiff competition promising an exciting job profile and career path. Six months into the job, they quit because promises seemed too unreal and fudged.


A senior executive with a South-based retail chain feels short-changed. While hiring he had been promised a good designation and an impressive job profile, but the company failed to live up to it. “Hiring from a premier B-school has a tag value for companies. As a result, most come and promise the moon”, an IIM alumnus says. “Companies do an oversell — hide the bad things that might put them off and inflate the good things,” says Gita Puri, Director, Personnel Network.


Perhaps salary is where the conning happens the most! CTC is the most abused & deceptive mechanism for companies, as they realise that the young upgrade-brigade has a special weakness for money. So they puff up the CTC with all kinds of things under it to make it look impressive. A Delhi-based company even included EMI on laptops it gave out to its employees as part of the CTC!


Companies are definitely compromising on quality as well. At a Mumbai-based hypermarket, 25-year executives have been made procurement managers and are put in charge of sourcing goods of over Rs. 200 crores. Seasoned executives say it’s a critical function that requires experience and expertise.


Reference checks, detailed interview with key executives before finalising senior appointments, eligibility criteria and screening standards have taken a beating as companies try to get the candidates on board as quickly as possible.


Employers are worried that executives sitting on multiple job offers may jump the gun and hence they are fast-tracking the employment process. Senior level appointments that stretched over three months with many rounds of interviews today are wrapped up within a week or two.


“Doctored resumes have surged. As a result many companies, especially MNCs are now looking at outsourcing reference checks to third parties (it is normally done internally),” says Rajeev Karwal, who recently quit Reliance Retail to turn entrepreneur.


“Reducing threshold of experiences is also happening across the board at all levels”, says K Sudarshan, managing partner, EMA Partners. Functional head positions that typically went to people with ten plus years of experience is also coming down. “This will have its impact,” he says.


It goes without saying that companies know very well that they are overpaying, despite compromising on hiring quality, in these frenzied times. “These are heady days with breathless growth and companies aren’t thinking too much right now,” says Puri. Wait for the wave to die down and sanity to return, stocktaking of rights and wrongs will happen then.

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

Developing a Career Plan.

With all kinds of career possibilities available, how do you make a decision? Once you know what career path you want to follow, how do you get there? Following are simple rules to follow -

Develop a career plan. Think about what you want to do and find out more about the kind of training, education, and skills you will need to achieve your career goal.

Assess your skills and interests. Think hard about what you enjoy, what you are good at, what kind of personality you are, and the values you hold.

Research occupations. Find out more about the nature of the jobs that interest you, such as education requirement, salary, working conditions, future outlook, and anything else that can help you narrow your focus.

1. Analyze and evaluate your skills and capabilities:-

Whether you’re employed, unemployed, considering a career change, re-entering the job market, or recently graduated, the first step toward reaching your career potential is to objectively analyze and evaluate your skills and capabilities.

Have a coach or a career counselor objectively assess your natural talents, skills and professional strength. Compare your skills and interests with the occupations you’ve selected. The career that matches your skills, interests, and personality the closest may be the career for you.

2. Set career goals:-

Choose your career goal. Once you’ve decided what occupation matched up best with you, then you can begin developing a plan to reach your career goal.

Find our about financial aid to help support you in obtaining your career goal. If you haven’t already done so, begin saving for courses that will help you achieve your career goals. Learn about job hunting tips as you prepare to graduate or move into the job market.

3. Create a high profile resume:-

Create a resume that will sell you. If required, get a professionally written resume. Don’t send out a resume until it is a strong sales tool that represents you.

4. Grab information on Industry Trends and specific companies

5.Develop sophisticated networking capabilities

6.Develop winning interview skills

Even if you are an expert in your profession, you must be able to sell yourself during an interview.

7.Prepare yourself for salary negotiations

Have a strategy for negotiation top money. A coach or career counselor can give you tools for getting the money you want.

8.Use marketing techniques to get a competitive edge:-

You need to implement an effective marketing strategy to increase your visibility and give you an edge.

9.Use an approach that meets your needs:-

Don’t follow guidelines in a book or from a friend if they are not comfortable for you and not representative of who you are. Be authentic in designing a career search and marketing plan that really reflects who you are.

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

My Resolutions to Success....

If your career is losing direction, it's time to make not only personal resolutions, but some professional ones too!

Resolutions are nothing but setting goals for your self, which is anyway the secret to success. But keep in mind not to set unachievable steep goals that are not within reach. Set short-term goals and go for them. On the professional front you could look into some of these resolutions or maybe go for all of them!

Revise your skills. Join workshops to brush up your knowledge and also learn the latest.

Also pick up some foreign language course. It will give you an additional qualification. Or do some specialization course to update your skills..

Clear up junk from your book shelf and study. Don't forget your mail box! This will add clarity and you will be able to prioritize.

Update your resume. Highlight your achievements and qualifications. Don't be modest now!

Meet your friends and find out what's new. Develop contacts and mint all the opportunities for growth.

Read best selling books and news papers for sure! Don't be ignorant!

Start saving money for post retirement days. This will give you a sense of security.

Spend quality time with family and friends on weekends. This will help you rewind from the weeks hard work.

Live a disciplined healthy life. Follow an exercise regime to stay in good health!

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

IS YOUR RÉSUMÉ WORKING FOR YOU?

You know the feeling. You spend hours, or even days, creating a résumé. You pore over every word of your cover letter and agonize over what to say in your email. Then you hit 'send' and wait. And wait. And wait. No one calls. No one writes. You don't know if anyone even saw your résumé. When this happens, it's easy to get dejected and worry that employers are not interested in you. Don't! Remember, they haven't met you. They have only seen your résumé and that may be the problem.

An overwhelming majority of job seekers make basic mistakes with their résumés - mistakes that ensure that they will not get the interviews they deserve. If you feel as though you're sending your résumé into a black hole, try this '10 Step Program' to diagnose problems and get your résumé working for you.

1. Is your résumé the right length?

You may have heard that your résumé should fit on one page. This is nonsense. Recruiters don't care if your résumé is one or two pages long. But they do care whether it is easy to read and gives key information upfront. Your résumé can be one, two, or (occasionally) even three pages. The only rule is that the length should be appropriate for you.

2. Does your résumé clearly position you as someone who can meet the needs of the employer?

Think of a résumé as an advertisement for a product, only this time the product is you. Just like any other advertisement, positioning is everything. The person who receives your résumé will scan it quickly - perhaps for no more than 20 seconds - to determine whether you can help her company. Your job is to say quickly, clearly and loudly that you can!

Don't just launch into a chronology of your career history. Instead, determine your own positioning by spelling out your message at the start of the résumé and giving the reader your version of events straight away. For this reason, you should use the first 1/3 of your résumé to create a compelling personal profile which highlights your key strengths in an attractive, easy-to-read format.

3. Does your résumé begin with an objective?

Recruiters and hiring managers may not like them because they focus on the needs of the job seeker rather than the needs of the potential employer. Consider this objective statement:

"Seeking a software engineer position with a progressive employer where I can contribute to the development of new technologies and work with bright, committed people."

This may be very honest but it is irrelevant to the reader, who does not care what you want and only cares what you have to offer. Instead of an objective, try using a positioning statement that clearly and concisely explains what you have to offer.

"Senior Software Engineer with 10 years experience developing leading-edge technologies."

Now the reader can immediately see your value to the company. (For even greater impact, tailor this statement for each position so that the reader immediately sees a match between his/her needs and your skills.)

4. Does your résumé contain specifics?

You must place your achievements in context by providing specifics. For example, don't say something vague like "contributed to product design." This tells the employer nothing about your actual contribution. Instead be specific about what you did: "Conducted market analysis for (name of product) to determine design and mechanics. Led changes to original design spec. despite initial developer objections. Received critical acclaim and sold over 4 million units."See how being specific makes a difference? This level of detail shows the reader the contributions you have made in the past (and therefore the contributions you can be expected to make in the future.)

5. Have you outlined achievements as well as responsibilities?

Don't provide a laundry list of responsibilities without showing what results you achieved. Most employers already know what the main responsibilities of your job were. They want to know what makes you different from all the other applicants. An effective résumé summarizes job responsibilities in a few sentences and then provides details of quantifiable achievements.

Focus most of your résumé on the results you accomplished, not the regular duties of your job.

6. Are there any typos?

Your résumé has to be perfect. Proof read it over and over again. When you are sure it's perfect, have other people proof it! If even one word is misspelled the reader will assume that you didn't know how to spell the word (this is bad) or that you didn't care (this is even worse!) Nothing puts the reader off more quickly than misspellings or typos.

7. Is the résumé easy to read?

At least 50% of the impact of your résumé derives from design. A strong résumé design will pull the eye through the document, making it easy to keep reading and will highlight your key strengths clearly. But if your résumé is badly laid out, disorganized or hard to read, it will be discarded before the reader knows how qualified you are. Take time to understand how the page has been laid out and then apply what you've learned to your résumé.

8. Have you listed irrelevant information?

Don't list your hobbies unless they directly support your qualifications for the position. Don't detail your marital status or the number of children you have. Don't mention non-professional affiliations such as political or religious volunteer work unless it directly relates to the position you are applying for. Any personal information runs the risk of turning the reader off. However proud you are of personal achievements, you should not run the risk of alienating someone before you even have your foot in the door.

9. Are you too modest?

Don't be uncomfortable about blowing your own trumpet. Too many people play down their achievements. While you should never exaggerate on a résumé, you should definitely take credit for the things you've accomplished. Some people feel uncomfortable boasting on paper preferring to explain in an interview. But if your résumé doesn't spark interest, you may never get that opportunity, so don't be modest!

10. Have you created an internet-ready version of résumé?

If you have to post your résumé online, or apply to a job via an online system, you will need to convert your résumé to a text-only format. If you don't do this, your résumé will be almost impossible to read because most online systems cannot support the type of formatting used in a résumé (bold, italics, bullet points, lines etc.)

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

Foolish mistakes that Job seekers make in an Interview...

Arriving Late: -

Walking in for the interview even ten minutes after the interview is scheduled for, sends a negative first impression to potential employers. Get detailed directions to the interview site and calculate how long it will take you to get there, so that you can arrive 10 minutes early.

Inappropriate Appearance: -
Improper clothes and grooming can jeopardize an interview. Casual clothes are definitely out. Your objective should be to dress smartly and not overtly. Remember, nails should be cut, hair well groomed and shoes polished. These may seem like little things but they count for a lot in any interview.

Poor Communication Skills: -

A candidate who has bad grammar, talks too much, or does not listen is a red flag. Being too open during the interview is a killer too. You should be candid, but don’t pile the interviewer with all of your personal problems. Think before you speak!!

Poor Performance or Preparation: -

Yes, there are job seekers who don’t prepare for the interview or even know what job they are interviewing for. Lack of eye contact, extreme gestures or movements, and other physical ticks can really turn off employers.

Negative Attitude Display: -

Hiring managers are turned off by unenthusiastic, bored or arrogant behavior. Using profanity, acting cocky, or putting down a previous boss will quickly turn off an interviewer.

Lying in the Resume or During Interview: -

Do you have to told that dishonesty is a no-no? For example, do not falsely claim to have earned degrees or certificates and do not cover up a possible criminal record. Also, just in case you weren’t sure, stealing from a prospective employer is also frowned upon in an interview.

Failing to Confirm Interest: -

After the employer has finished explaining the details of the organization and the job description, it is your responsibility to reaffirm your interest and ask what the next step is.

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

What keeps employees happy at work?

With attrition rates soaring high, the million dollar question for HR managers today is… ‘What keeps people happy at the workplace?’ According to a research, the most crucial factor for winning goodwill from employees is good communication and a healthy relationship with colleagues and seniors. This sounds easy, but recent studies have suggested that this is actually the most difficult thing to get right. A research suggested that 73% of British workers believe good relationships with colleagues to be the key reason they enjoyed their jobs, while only 48% cited financial reward.

Research experts say: “Business should not ignore the value of good relationships at work. Simple ways to boost happiness include treating staff fairly, ensuring communication is good, and fostering a positive atmosphere.”

The research highlighted that small businesses have the happiest employees. 86% of employees, who work for organisations with employees between 20 and 100 in number, feel happier as compared to 78% of employees who work in organisations with a workforce more than 1,000.

Research analysts were not surprised at these results. They explained, “In small businesses there is an informal, personal atmosphere that you don't get in large organisations. Individual problems and office politics tend to get ironed out early, as there's a lot to be said for face-to-face contact and working things out.”

A recent 'sickness survey' of absence due to ill health found that the average number of days small businesses lost due to absence per employee was 1.8 days, as compared to an average of 8.4 days for businesses of all sizes.

Ensuring happiness and contentment of individuals in a workplace may be a tougher task for larger organisations, but most importantly an HR manager can put strategies in place to raise awareness of the importance of employee satisfaction. A good pay package doesn’t necessarily guarantee happy employees. Try these to get closer to satisfying employees:

1. Involvement of the top management more than just the annual or bi-annual meet.
2. Investment in training programmes’ for employees.
3. Empowering staff with authority after they prove themselves, and defining their responsibilities clearly.
4. Having a customer service staff for guiding employees in day to day issues.

If organisations think a little more deeply about what employees really want and what will make them happier, they would reap its rewards sooner than later.

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

Is hiring women all that much more profitable than men?

Company experts feel that it is so. In fact, with many successful businesses, the female-male employee ratio is as now as much 30-70, with numbers only increasing.

Behavioural researches concluded that the fair sex was better in socializing and interacting effectively with people. Women were found to have more commitment in their careers, and were focused on developing and maintaining a long-term career.

With this find coupled together with the 2008 expectation of attrition rates increasing dramatically, it is no wonder that companies are now hiring more female employees.

One company commented that women were more ‘transparent’ and trustworthy and as a result established confidence in clients.

Is hiring women all that much more profitable than men? Growth-oriented company experts say it is a fact that just cannot be ignored.

IT companies have begun to cash in on the largely untapped female-employee benefits. They are now hiring and training many new female employees.

Experts add that although there are many benefits to hiring women, no ‘one size fits all’.

As for corporate trends and changes, gone are the days when being a woman attempting a career was yet another hurdle to cross.

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)