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Three important phases of an interview

An interview's about two parties, you and the prospective employer. But
the unfortunate part is that it's highly tilted in favour of the latter as
jobs are few and the demand high. So, create the best impression if
given a chance.
Monday, May 25, 2009 12:40:33 PM

Getting an interview brings on two emotions. The first is excitement, especially if you will be interviewing for a
position you really want. The second is fear; especially if the stakes are high and you really need the job.

An interview is about two parties, you and the prospective employer, getting together to see if there is a match.
The process is skewed in the employer's favor, particularly now because job supply is low and demand is high. So,
it's important that you use the interview as your chance to stand out and make the best impression possible.

In order to ace an interview, you have put yourself in the shoes of the employer. By understanding their thinking,
and the three phases of the interview, you can do well.

Below are the three important phases of an interview:

Phase I: The Invitation.

If an employer thinks you can do the job, you will be brought in for an interview. Many clients say to me that they
hope a perspective employer believes they can do the job. They already do, or you would not have received the
invitation to interview with them.

To get to Phase I, make sure your resume matches the bullets in the job description as closely as possible.
Employers are looking for a match of skills and abilities. If you have too few qualifications on your resume, you will
be seen as being under-qualified. Too many, and you will be seen as overqualified or all over the place. Close
matches have the best chance of being brought in.

Phase II: The Meeting.

During the interview, it's all about having your personality shine though. Jobs are won and lost based on
personality. The employer is thinking the following: Do I like you? Are you normal? Will you get along with
everyone else? Can you get up to speed quickly? And, will you make me look good?

Phase II is your time to show your passion, what makes you unique, to handle objections, convey how committed
you are to the job, and how you will make your boss look like a star. Don't overdo it. Quiet confidence will set an
employer at ease; arrogance will cost you the job.

Phase III: The Follow-Up.

After an employer interviews several people, the choice in many situations comes down to two candidates. Both
can do the job well, and both are very well liked. At this point, it becomes, "Who is the best match?"

If you are hoping that an employer will see why you are the perfect candidate on their own, you have already lost
the position. You have to lead them there from the start.

For example, if you are switching industries, tell the interviewer why the industries are similar. If you are going after
a different job title, show how your background has prepared you for that role. If you were unable to get this across
during Phase II, contact the employer and see if they will have another conversation with you before they make
their decision. If never hurts to ask and they might just say yes.

The interview is simply your opportunity to make sure you come across as the best candidate for the job. If you can
get through these three phases effectively, the job you want can be yours.

Deborah Brown-Volkman
Author, Career Coach & President of ‘Surpass your dreams’
Guide to resume preparation

A resume is an essential element in the job seeking process and it assists


the candidates in getting interview calls. It is pre-dominantly a sketch
of the candidate’s employment and educational past.
A resume is an essential element in the job seeking process. It is pre-dominantly a sketch of the candidate’s
employment and educational past. It acts as a marketing tool for the candidate and is a reflection of his past
professional history. A good resume will definitely ensure that the candidate receives not just more, but relevant
interview calls.

The ABC of a resume is Accuracy, Brevity and Clarity.

• It should be accurate in terms of position targeted and the information provided.


• It should be short, crisp and concise (1-2 pages). A long resume fails to attract the recruiters.
• It should also clearly convey the past achievements and future goals of the job seekers.

Depending on the years of experience of the candidate, resumes can be classified as: junior level, middle level and
senior level resumes. For freshers, the important information to be provided is personal details, educational history,
internship and trainings attended and extra-curricular achievements. The vital information in a resume for middle
level and senior level is projects executed, job history with duration, company name and designation held and
importantly achievements within each organization. Another functional classification of resumes is - functional and
chronological resume. (To read more, click Functional Resume versus Chronological Resume)
Get noticed. Make your resume distinct by using:
• Appropriate font style (e.g. Verdana, Arial and Times New Roman), font size (between 9 to 11) and font
color (black).
• Appealing border and minimal shading (only soft greys).
• Simple and easy to understand words.
• Bulleted points instead of lengthy paragraphs.

The candidate must ensure that his resume matches the requirements of the position applied for. It should be more
focused on current and relevant achievements rather than past glories (for example in case of sales professionals
even at junior level, it is more important to give details of sales target achieved as compared to laurels won in
college). It is important to check and re-check the information provided in the resume as one mistake can reduce
the chances of selection for interview.

What should you avoid in a resume?


• Providing inaccurate and false data should certainly be avoided. Do not mention anything that is not
supported by certificates and papers.
• Mentioning your career interests rather than focusing on what you have achieved and what you can
contribute to the organisation.
• Mentioning a list of responsibilities held, without any indication of how you fulfilled those responsiblities.

Treat your resume as a brand building tool and use it appropriately to maximize your chances of getting your
dream job and a successful career.
(You can view some sample resumes on our "Resume Services" section )
Vasundhra Singh
Common interview questions

You cannot guess the questions that an interviewer may ask. But, you can
prepare for the interview by getting ready to answer some common
questions that every interviewer asks a potential employee.
Facing an interview is one of the most interesting and challenging aspects of a job search. In about half an hour’s
time, you have to tell everything about yourself - your key skills, strengths, experience and how you can be useful
to the organization. Apart from job related questions, you may also need to answer many generic questions about
yourself on the personal front. Your ability to answer these questions within the available time will help the
employer assess your employability and suitability to the organization. So, you should be able to well utilize the
available time to talk about your skills and strengths without confusing the interviewer with inappropriate
responses. The best way to approach these questions is to prepare for them in advance so that you can answer
confidently, without taking up too much time. Some of the generic questions that you may face in an interview are
listed below:

• Tell me about yourself: Be prepared with information on your education, accomplishments, work
experience etc. Make sure to tell them about your background and how you have worked towards
fulfilling your aspirations. But, do not go overboard, and try to keep your answer limited to about two to
three minutes.
• What do you know about our organization?: Do some research on the company background. Make
sure that you know about their products, services and important people in the organization. Your answer
to this question will show that you are interested in the job and have done your homework well.
• What are your key strengths?: Do some research around the profile you are being interviewed for.
List the skills and key strengths required to perform the job efficiently and then identify how your strong
points map to the required job skills. Talk about at least three points that you think are the most
important.
• What are your weaknesses?: Do not talk about more than one or two weak points. Instead, talk about
them in a manner that they look like positives. For example, tell them that you are an impatient
person when it comes to winding up work, so when you see a person not being able to complete work on
time, you decide to complete it yourself.
• Why do you want to leave your current organization?: This is a tricky question and the answer will
give your employer a lot of information about your personality and attitude towards work. The employers
generally ask this question to understand if you are a reliable person or a perpetual job-hopper. Answer it
by talking about the new challenges, learning and the opportunities that you see for yourself in the new
organization. Do not talk negative about your current organization. It raises suspicion in the minds of the
employers about your reliability.

A small window of interview with the employer can get you an edge over the others. Prepare yourself thoroughly
and do not forget to wear your smile and attitude to make an everlasting impression.
5 Factors that affect your negotiation power
Negotiating salary can make even the seasoned experts go weak in the
knees. But, it is not difficult as it sounds. It is basically about setting
the correct expectations through research and facts.
Thursday, January 22, 2009 4:20:46 PM

While deciding to accept a job offer, you must make sure that you get what you deserve in terms of salary.
Recruiters will always try to give you a lower salary than what you should get and if you are not prepared to
negotiate, you will regret it later. At the same time, if you do not quote a reasonable salary, you may just lose the
opportunity. So, to ensure that what you quote is reasonable and you get what you deserve, you have to put in
some research to find out what the correct amount to ask will be. Here are a few things that you should take into
account when negotiating:

• Personal factors: These are the factors that are specific to you and your potential contribution to the
company. These include your educational background, your work experience, strengths and
achievements. Figure out what each of these qualities are worth in the market and use it as a part of the
other factors to come up with the right salary to ask.

• Industry factors: Different industries have different salary parameters. Take into consideration the latest
happenings in the industry you are planning to join. Figure out the salaries earned by people with similar
backgrounds in the industry, how the recession has affected the industry, the general employment picture
of the industry etc. This helps in making your expected salary more specific and accurate as per the
industry.

• Company factors: Take into consideration the kind of salaries that your potential employer pays to its
employees. You can speak to some of the current employees or do an internet research to figure that
out. Also try to find out how the company has been faring recently and what the profitability conditions
are. This helps in making your demand more company specific and you also get an idea of the salary that
you can expect to get.

• Regional factors: Different regions have different lifestyles, cost of living etc. As such, pay scales also
differ in different regions. Find the kind of salaries drawn by people with similar backgrounds in the region
the company is located.

• General business factors: Business climate tends to be different at different points of time. For
example, the economy is facing a meltdown today and as such, expecting to get an astronomical hike on
your current salary will be useless. Take into consideration the general business factors such as how the
economy is faring, how much business is the economy getting etc to decide upon a safe salary range
that you can expect to get.

Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are several other factors such as the hiring manager, the urgency of
the position, the availability of candidates etc that affect the salary you get. Do a thorough research and use all
these factors to come up with a reasonable desirable salary. Better still, find out a range that you would be
comfortable with and quote it. Get your facts right and nothing can stop you from getting what you deserve.
Managing an overloaded team

The recent cost cutting phenomenon has resulted in lesser resources for
every job. Are you a team manager whose team is overloaded too?
Read on how to manage such stressed teams.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 12:11:02 PM

With the market becoming tighter, team managers are being asked to do the same kind of work with lesser
resources. A lot of team leaders are facing trouble adjusting to these changes. The employees, whose workload
has suddenly increased are not only under pressure to perform but are also scared of losing their jobs. In such a
situation, as a team manager, you have a vital role to play in ensuring that the performance of the remaining
members is not affected due to stress and they perform even better than before. These tips will come in handy
when trying to deal with downsizing of your team.

• Listen: A lot of team members tend to feel lost between all this stress and pressure. Listen to what they
have to say. At this time, it is important to be there for your team and lend an ear to their problems. Listen
to their grievances and provide solutions, if possible. Your being there can provide a different kind of
assurance to the team members that will lead to a reduction in stress and improved performance.

• Plan: Difficult times call for stringent actions. Plan your work well. Analyse the skills and capacity of each
team member and assign them work on the basis of that. Find out if there are any idle resources
available in other teams and see if you can take their assistance. A well strategised plan can help you get
your work done in a more effective manner, benefiting both the company and your team.

• Support: Support your team members with their daily work. Most of the team mangers just distribute
work amongst team members and expect them to complete the work on time. This approach may not
work at this time. You may have to jump into the grind, taking up a part of the work, troubleshooting
issues and answering technical queries. This not only improves work quality but also motivates team
members and helps them perform better.

• Motivate: It is natural for the team members to feel de-motivated at this time. If not curbed right now, this
may create huge performance issues. As a team leader, it is your responsibility to motivate them and
help them re-focus. Understand their feelings, show them the bigger picture and try to assure them of
their jobs, if possible.
4 Steps for defending yourself at work

In today's stressful work place, it's very important that you conduct
yourself well at work. It's equally important that you are also treated
well by your colleagues. But if you are snapped at by someone, take
steps to stop that.
Monday, May 11, 2009 10:22:38 AM

In today's workplace, handling stressed co-workers who snap is important. They are overworked and so are you.
But, behavior that feels inappropriate, is inappropriate, and must be addressed quickly.

In today's stressful workplace, there's an expectation that you perform perfectly all of the time. Company numbers
have to exceed last quarter's numbers. Market share has to increase. Work has to be completed faster. Plus,
technology advances means that you are reachable 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is no rest for the
weary.

All of this stress can have an effect on you and the people you work with. As a result, from time to time, co-workers
may snap at you. They do not mean it. Pressure has got the better of them at that moment.

Understanding why co-workers snap is important. They are overworked and so are you. But, behavior that feels
inappropriate, is inappropriate, and must be addressed quickly.

So what do you say to a co-worker who says something that does not feel right to you? Defend yourself. Here are
4 tips how:

• Address inappropriate behavior

Don't let co-workers get away with treating you badly even if it's unintentional. A bad behavior not addressed once,
can become a new uncomfortable pattern going forward. It's ok to let someone know that what they just said was
hurtful, wrong, or out of place. Let your co-worker know that what was said was wrong. Let them know you are not
happy with their behavior.

The best time to address an inappropriate behavior is at that moment if you can. And, if you are unable to speak
up in the moment, this is ok. Not everyone has the perfect words to say all the time, especially if what was said to
you was hurtful. If you need time to assess a situation or think before you speak, then take the time you need.
There is no time limit on your ability to have a conversation with someone at your job.

• Convey what you want going forward

Many people are afraid to have a conversation with someone who upsets them because they view it as a
confrontation. Confrontation means there is a winner and a loser. This is not what you are aiming for. You want
win-win. Both sides were heard and a resolution was made that makes both sides happy.

Your goal is not to create hard feelings or to blame. You want to convey what you believe is wrong and let your co-
worker know what you want going forward. Do you want them to stop interrupting you in meetings? Then, say so.
Do you want them to stop talking credit for your work? Then, say so. Whatever it is, it's ok for you to say it.

• Thank your co-worker for their willingness to work this out with you

Thank your co-worker for taking the time to have the conversation with you. Speaking to you means they value you
and respect your feelings. (Yes, it's ok to have feelings at work.) Appreciation goes a long way, and helps creates
the foundation for the new working relationship that has been formed.
Thank you's also provide closure. They mean that both sides are ready to put the issue behind them.

• Move on

Sometimes an issue will be resolved and sometimes it won't. Maybe a co-worker doesn't believe they have done
anything wrong or does not want to see your side. Maybe they aren't interested in what is important to you. This
happens. Whether you were able to resolve the situation or not doesn't matter. You spoke up, so good for you.
Once you've given it your best shot, move on. Holding on to past issues will affect your future performance.

Trust that most issues will be resolved if you address them. The issues that don't go away are the ones that you
don't talk about. Move on, while congratulating yourself for the courage it took to defend you.

Deborah Brown-Volkman
Author, Career Coach & President of Surpass Your Dreams
Are you changing jobs frequently?

Today, things have changed immensely in the corporate sector and


opportunities for career growth have opened up like never before.
Moreover you are spoilt for choices with lucrative offers to move jobs.
Monday, May 18, 2009 5:18:30 PM

Till about a decade ago, job-hopping was not a very popular thing. People spent their entire career life working
for the same company and happily retired from there. But that's history! Today, things have changed
immensely and job opportunities have opened up like never before. You are spoilt for choices with lucrative offers,
great career options and other perks - things that keep enticing you to frequent job shifts. Experts opine that
switching jobs is perfectly fine as long as it’s done sensibly and with justifiable reasons. The Bureau of Labour
reports that people in their 20s change jobs every 18 months, and Career Journal reports that 75 percent of all
workers are job hunting.

Stability is a rare word as companies, under pressure to keep up with the roller-coaster economies, indulge in
layoffs, downsizing, re-organisation, etc. without prior notice. So obviously as old paths to stability no longer work,
the employees have to be cautious too and be on the look out for new openings. Actually speaking, staying in a
job forever is today's recipe for career suicide.

But wait, there is a word of caution too! Some scoff at the job-hopper word with a sneer. So, if you shift just for the
heck of it for frivolous reasons, it serves no purpose; rather harms your prospects. Recruiters also might
have reservations about hiring someone who has a frequent job-switching history; essentially because the
company wants to hire someone, who will stay and grow with them. This is more so as they invest good money
on training and inducting employees. Also, mindless job switches tell the prospective employers about your lack of
stability. They might brand you a flake who can't stick to a job. Also, they tend to think whether you have been
sacked previously or not. So, if you change job and move to another company, do it for acceptable reasons like:

• Better opportunity with more responsibilities


• Higher designation with clearly defined roles
• Good salary hike
• Excitement and the desire to learn new things
• Relocation to a better city/ country

Whatever be the reasons, be honest in stating that in your interview. Frequent changing can act as a silver
bullet if you are passionate about your career. Switching jobs for more serious engagements in your career
could be a smart move. But first understand what motivates you? At the beginning of your career, it is almost
impossible to find the job of your liking without trying out a few options. But after a steady growth, you can think of
staying at a place for sometime. Here are some ways how frequent job changes can add stability in your life:

• Build your skill sets: See that your learning curve is not straight. The faster you build your skills, the
faster you can move out with better jobs.

• Making the most of in-between times: If you want to try something else after a long stint at a particular
job, hopping can make the transition easy.

• Building your network: By shifting continuously, you can build a strong network of people: the key to
securing a job, whenever you need. Keep the contacts and don’t burn your bridges.
Bring in more stability by getting good at choosing jobs for yourself. Remember, stability is when you have a life
where you can do what you love, during your life and not at the end of it!

Rajashree B Mustafi
How to get what you want in your career

You've a goal to reach but don't know how to go about it, you want a
change but unanswered questions prod you down. Do you try to solve
your problems alone? Rather, swallow your pride and reach out as it
can make a difference.
Friday, May 22, 2009 4:09:13 PM

Is there a goal you are trying to reach, but do not know how to make it happen? Is there a transition you would like
to complete, but are unsure of the pathway to get there? Is there a change you want to make, but unanswered
questions are getting in your way?

Well, you are not alone.

As human beings, in most instances, we are loners. We prefer to do things our way, ourselves. As a result, we
handle most of our career difficulties alone. Maybe it’s because we are embarrassed or believe we are weak.
Usually we tackle tough situations without asking for help until we realize that going it alone is unproductive. Then,
we request assistance.

But, why does it have to take this long? You can reach your career goals quicker if you'd like. How? By swallowing
your pride. (Yes, this is a good thing.)

So, how can swallowing your pride help you get what you want in your career? Here are a few ways:

• It will give you strength:

Once you are not afraid to be vulnerable, and let people know that you require assistance, your true self can
emerge. You can be you, and this is empowering. You can let people in and they can let you in too. (You will bond
and form a connection.) It takes courage to say "I need help." You have the strength, I know you do.

• It will give you focus:

Once you know what you don’t want, you can concentrate on what you do want. Ask yourself "What result do I
really want?" and "How can I get there?" Don’t worry about why it won’t turn out the way you want. Focus on why it
will.

• It will give you purpose:

Once you are focused, write down what you want. Look at it everyday. This will inspire you and give you a reason
to jump out of bed everyday. Purpose is what most people crave. We are empty and we want something to fill us
up. It’s not the coffee, cigarettes, or piece of pie that will make you feel better. Internal drive is what’s missing.

• It will get you into action:

Once the truth is out that you need help, you do not have to hide it anymore. You can concentrate on tackling the
problem at hand. You can put a plan together. You can start making phone calls and sending e-mail requesting
what you need to solve your career dilemma. You can address what is not working in your career.

• It will help you reach your goal:


Once you start moving forward, the results will appear. Consistent action over time (with others) is how we reach
our goals. Yes, reaching your goals alone may be safer, but an endeavor that will take more time and effort in the
long run. There are people out there who want to help you succeed. All you have to do is ask.

So what do you say? You only have one life to live so it might as well be a life you love.

Deborah Brown-Volkman
Author, Career Coach & President of Surpass Your Dreams

10 Quick tips for writing your resignation letter

A resignation letter is a formal announcement that you are leaving the


organization. It is the last communication that you are making and
hence you should be extremely careful to do it right. Here's what to
keep in mind.
Thursday, May 21, 2009 5:30:22 PM

Resignation letter is a professional document for informing the employers regarding the termination of a
job. It clearly states the reasons for the decision. It is important to write an appropriate letter so as to convey the
information correctly. Also, it is necessary to mark it to the right people.

Let's give you the 10 essentials for the your resignation letter.

• Refer to the company's termination guidelines before you start writing your letter.
• Keep the letter short and precise and it should convey the message politely as well as positively.
• Select your words carefully as they can be easily misinterpreted.
• You should keep the tone of the letter professional and should not use disrespectful and emotional
language.
• It should be addressed to your supervisor and the HR head.
• The first paragraph should convey the reasons for this decision and the last day of working.
• It is advisable to give your employer a required time to fill your position. You can offer to look for a
replacement and to train him.
• The second paragraph must focus on the learning that you have gathered during your stay at the
organisation. The third one should focus on thanking the employees for giving you an opportunity to
work.
• Do not forget to include the date of leaving.
• End with a salutation followed by your signature and name.
• Avoid discussing your letter with your peer workers and do not seek their advice in this regard and
most importantly do not spread ill-word prior to quitting.

A carefully crafted letter can help to cement your employer's good opinion of you - afterall, its a small world and
you never know when you may bump into each other. You should make an attempt to depart on a good note.
Slowdown and blogging
In the midst of an economic slowdown, the blogging world is buzzing with
action. But more bloggers don’t mean more revenues. It is an endemic
weakness.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 4:08:57 PM

At a time when economic activity is slowing down, the blogging world is buzzing with action. It would seem that
with more time at their disposal and the cost of creating and writing a blog minimal, people are turning to
this new medium to express themselves. But Matt Mullenweg, founder of WordPress, the most widely used
open platform for blogging, says more bloggers don’t mean more revenues. ”In advertising we are seeing an
endemic weakness. Even when traffic might be up 30 percent, ad revenues are flat. That sort of mirrors what’s
going on in the market”, says Matt.

According to Matt, blogging began to grow when the dot-com bubble burst in the year 2000. Momentous
happenings like the 9/11 attacks in 2001, the global financial meltdown in 2008, and closer home, the Mumbai
attacks - have led to more people getting on the broad-band to share their reactions. But these spikes in interest
are event-related and are not sustained says Nirav Sanghavi, Founder & CEO, blogadda.com. ”There are lots of
new blogs in the whole community. After the Mumbai terror attacks there was a surge because people had opinion.
But 30-40 percent die-off because an event inspired them to do something,” he says.

The number of bloggers in India is growing gradually and the activity is not limited to the English speaking
population. Of late, people have been blogging in Hindi and other regional languages. But what is limiting the pace
of growth is poor internet penetration. ”It’ll be a little while before it takes center stage. A lot of it depends on the
Indian government’s policy and there is none… We need to have it in place now for it to have an impact in 5-10
years down the line,” says Om Malik, Founder, GigaOm Media Inc.

Mullenwerg, Malik and many users and designers of social media came together for the first ever WordPress
Camp in India, which was held in Delhi recently.

Rahul Sharma

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