RESUME

Resume is a French word meaning

"summary". A resume is ideally a summary of one's education, skills and employment when applying for a new job. A resume does not list out all details of a profile, but only some specific skills customized to the target job profile. It thus, is usually 1 or at the max 2 pages long. A resume is usually written in the third person to give it an objective and formal tone. .

Structure of Resume:
A good resume would start with a

Brief Profile of the candidate,

Summary of Qualifications, followed by Industry Expertise and then Professional

Experience in reverse chronological order.

Focus is on the most recent experiences (with responsibilities and accomplishments), and previous experiences are only presented as a summary.

Education details and/or Professional Affiliations and/or Voluntary

Initiatives

C.V. CURRICULUM VITAE

Curriculum Vitae is a Latin word meaning "course

of life". It is more detailed than a resume, generally 2 to 3 pages, or even longer as per the requirement. A C.V. lists out every skill, all the jobs and positions held, degrees, professional affiliations the applicant has acquired, and in chronological order. A C.V. is used to highlight the general talent of the candidate rather than specific skills for a specific position.

Bio Data
Bio Data is the short form for Biographical

Data and is an archaic terminology for Resume or C.V. In a bio data, the focus is on personal particulars like date of birth, gender, religion, race, nationality, residence, marital status, and the like. A chronological listing of education and experience comes after that.

Resume / CV / Bio data

A resume would be ideally suited when

experience people apply for specific positions A C.V., for fresh graduates or people looking for a career change. Bio data is mostly used in India when people apply for government jobs, or for research grants where one has to submit descriptive essays.

Successful Interviews
Making the most of the interview in 7 easy steps

Interviews
Interview = A meeting with an objective Employers objective is to find the best person for the job
Employer: reviews candidates experience and abilities Can you do the job? (skills, abilitie, qualifications) Will you do the job? (interest, attitude & motivation) How will you fit into the organisation? (personality)

You: impress employer and assess position on offer

What does this position offer me? How does it fit with my career plans?

Congratulations - you have passed the first hurdle You must prove that you are the most suitable candidate

for this position

Step -1 Preparation is the key to success

Review own skills, experiences and qualities
Check CV Anticipate questions and identify relevant examples Prepare key selling points (U.S.P.s)

Research organisation
Websites, reports, articles, company literature, etc Contacts with knowledge of organisation or sector Relevant articles in the press Personal visit or telephone call (if possible)

Research job and occupational area

Job description or similar Current issues

Prepare your questions Practice

Step -2 The Body Language

First impressions very powerful
Halo effect or Devil effect

Allow time to relax

Dress appropriately
Entrance, introductions & handshake Smile and make eye contact

Be aware of own movements

Watch body language of interviewer

Step 3 Handling Typical Questions

About you
Tell me about yourself - Bring me up to date with your CV? Education al, Family , major achievement , professional goal Why did you choose that particular degree / branch? What experience/ competency have you had that is relevant to this post? What would you consider your major achievements to date?

About the job

What interests you about this job? What do you know about this organisation? What other options are you considering? How do you see your career developing 5 years? If you were Head of Department, what would be your priorities?

General knowledge
What do you think of the Governments policy on college fees? Whats your opinion of the slowdown of Indian Economy?

Step 4 Skills based questions

Company identifies key skills required for job Designs questions to elicit evidence of skills Emphasis on past behaviour as predictor of success Teamwork: Describe a team project you worked on. What problems
arose? How did you deal with them?

Communication Skills: Interpersonal skills:

to achieve a challenging goal

Describe situation when you had to persuade others to support your view. Give an example of any reports youve written which illustrate your writing skills What kinds of people do you find it difficult to work with? How do you handle those situations?

Taking Responsibility: Describe a time when you took responsibility Problem-solving:Tell about a time when you had several tasks to
manage at one time with conflicting deadlines.

Step 5 Preparing for Competency Interview

Identify the competencies required for job
Review job description or ask for information

Define each competency in behavioural terms

Identify past experience to illustrate how you demonstrated that behaviour

Prepare examples for each competency

Practice talking about your experience

Try to give a complete answer - STAR

Responding to Competency Q
Q Give me an example of a problem you encountered.
How did you approach it. What was the outcome?

STAR response
S: Describe the situation T: Explain the task/problem that arose A: What action did you take? R: What was the result or outcome?

What did you learn from this experience?

Step 6 Your Answers

Listen carefully, seek clarification Illustrate answers with real examples and evidence Be positive constructive criticism Keep answers specific and short Take time to respond Be alert to interviewers body language Speak clearly, smile and show enthusiasm Know what you want to say, and find the opportunity

Qualities Employers Seek

Good all-round intelligence
Enthusiasm, commitment and motivation Good communication skills

Team work ability

Ability to solve problems Capacity to work hard Initiative and self-reliance Balanced personality

Copmpetencies required by some Companies

Adaptability Integrity Innovation Teamwork Initiative Drive for Results Know the Business Open Exchange of Information Makes Difficult Decisions

Step -7 Your Questions

Training facilities
Career development opportunities Types of projects & responsibilities

Reporting structure
What happens next?

Interview Marking Sheet

Name
Communication Skills Problem Solving Team Fit Relevant Experience Project Management

Mark-max 100
Max 30 Max 20 Max 20 Max 20 Max 10

Total Marks

What creates a bad impression

Poor personal appearance
Negative attitude evasive, using excuses Lack of interest and enthusiasm

Lack of preparation
Poor knowledge of role Failure to give concrete examples of skills Over emphasis on money/rewards Lack of career plan

After the Interview

Review own performance
what went well what went badly what you wished you had said prepare for next stage

Invitation to second / final round interviews

assessment centre psychometric testing panel interview

Rejection letter / email

if you can request feedback - use it

Telephone Interviews
Prepare as thoroughly as for real interview Select comfortable, private, quiet place Advise flatmates re answering phone Have copy of CV and company information Have pen and paper at hand Prepare for usual interview questions Practice on phone
Record answers Try standing Smile and use gestures Avoid monotones

Be yourself

Psychometric Tests
Aptitude Tests - measure skills relevant to position
Verbal comprehension - evaluate logic of text Numerical reasoning - interpret statistical data Diagrammatic reasoning - recognise patterns Watch timing complete as many as possible Look at personality style No right or wrong answers Be spontaneous, dont try to second-guess Tests include built-in checks Employers may be looking for different personality profiles

Personality Questionnaires

Practice using online tests on www.ul.ie/careers

Web Resources for Interviews

UL Careers website: www.ul.ie/careers Gradireland website: www.gradireland.com Careers4graduates: www.careers4graduates.org

Doctor Job: www.doctorjob.com (Virtual Interview)

Prospects: www.prospects.ac.uk Realworld: www.realworldmagazine.com Virtual Career Coach: www.windmillsprogramme.com BBC: www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife/work