How to Make a Standard CV

8/3/2019 How to Make a Standard CV

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How to make a Standard CV

Your Curriculum Vitae (CV) is the primary medium of presenting yourself as a candidate for ajob to a prospective employer. But many of the job seekers do not give proper attention and care

in preparing their CVs accurately. As a result, many potential job seekers do not get calls for jobinterviews to get the opportunity to present and prove their potential.

Attention should be given to the following matters before preparing your CV:

Generally an employer does not give more than 30 seconds time in looking at a CVbriefly. So a CV should be precise and clear. Unnecessary and irrelevant informationshould be avoided.

A CV of a fresher or an inexperienced candidate should not be over one or two pages.

Your CV is the way to promote yourself. Therefore, it should be attractive. But color

papers or color print should not be used for this purpose. In case of highlighting anyinformation, you can Bold, italicize or underline it.

Remember that any type of grammatical or spelling mistake in your CV will create anegative impact in the mind of the employer. It will give the impression that you cannotdo any work correctly. So after preparing your CV, read it intensely and let it checked bysomebody who knows correct English.

When applying for a particular job announcement, try to customize your CV according to

the job requirements. You need to read the job announcement carefully and make someresearch on it. For example, if you know the information that the employer can locate thejob anywhere in Bangladesh, you may mention the places you have visited and stayed inBangladesh. Again, when the employer is looking for an Organizer, you can mention theorganizing activities you have done in your student life. It will create an additional valuein your CV.

It is very important that you should give true and correct information in your CV. Youshould not give any information that can appear as false the job interview.

Different Parts of a CV

The following information is to be presented in a CV in an organized way:

Title Career Summary mostly applicable for the experienced persons. Career objective mostly applicable for the fresh applicants. Experience Education


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Additional Information Personal Information Reference

Title

Your name will come first in the title. It should be in bold format and in a larger font (avoidusing your nick name). Then write your address (your present address where you can receivemails by post), phone number and email address. This portion will be on the center of the page todraw the attention.

Career Summary

This is mostly applicable for the persons having experience more than 4-5 years. State the sectorsof your experience in maximum 6 to 7 lines. State in short the achievements of your career (ifany).

Career Objective

This section is generally applicable for the fresh candidates or the candidates with littleexperience (1- 2 years). Mention the immediate goal of your career in this part. Also mentionhow your experience and potential match with the position you are applying for. Bring up yourpositive skills for the position. It is important to write your career objective according to thecriteria mentioned in the job announcement. Give emphasis on the ways you can makecontribution for the company and what is your expectation from the company.

Experience

For the experienced candidates, this section should come before the Educational Qualificationsection.

Things that you should mention in your experience details are as follows:

Organization name Designation Time Period From & To Job Responsibility Special Achievement

If you have working experience in different positions in a same organization, mention it indifferent phases.

State your most recent experience first and then mention one by one your other experiences inthe Resume following Chronological Order which is to end with your first experience.It is better not to mention experience of short and insignificant experience. Try not to have longgap of time between the jobs.


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Education & Training

Education & training part should come before experience part for a fresher. You willmention your degrees in education part with the following information.

Name of degree (Such as SSC, HSC, B.Com)

Duration of course Name of institutions and board. Year of Examination and date of publishing result (if necessary), Result and achievement (if any)

You should mention your most recent degree first like your experience part, then mention theother degrees by turn.

Remember that you should mention appeared if the final result is not yet published. Pleasemention ongoing if you are continuing any program. You need not to mention the result of anydegree if any of the result is a very poor one. Remember that, it looks odd if you mention the

result of one degree and avoid another.

If you participate in any particular training program that supports your work experience, youshould mention it. Mention the training institution, topic and duration of training. You can placethe list of training right after the education part.

Additional Information

The information that does not fall in the above mentioned parts but is related with the job mustbe shown in this part. For example:

Professional Achievement Award Language Proficiency Computer skills License, government identity, publications and authorization. Voluntary work etc.

Personal information

You can mention your parents name, present and permanent address, religion, traveling places

(Country) if any, hobby etc. in this section.ReferenceYou should not mention the name of any close relative as referee in reference part. Refereesshould be the persons who have seen you closely in your student life or working life. You mustmention the phone number, address and e-mail (if any) of your referee. It is better to mentiontwo or three persons as referees. It is important to inform your referee that you have mentionedhis name as referee in your CV.


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Tips for Creating an Effective Resume

When an employer looks at your resume, you've got about 30 seconds to make a goodimpression. That's the average amount of time most employers spend reading a resume. To

capture the reader's attention, you need to be clear and to-the-point. And, that's not all. Keep inmind the following guidelines to create an effective resume:

Be Concise and Omit Irrelevant Information

Employers don't want to read a long, drawn-out version of your life's accomplishments. Theyhave stacks of resumes to read, and want to know quickly whether or not you would be a good fitfor their company. So, be concise, and exhibit your skills and abilities.

A resume should only include information that will help convince an employer to interview you.Descriptions of relevant skills and accomplishments should be concise and to the point.

Including irrelevant experience and lengthy descriptions will bury the important information.Only include personal information where it demonstrates an important personal quality orqualification. A resume should represent what you can do on the job, not what you do in yourpersonal life.

Don't Forget Your Objective

Before diving into writing your resume, plan out your career objective. Make it clear andfocused. Remember to keep the message consistent throughout your resume as you summarizeyour skills and accentuate your strengths.

Write a Powerful Opening Statement

If you are a recent graduate or have limited experience in your career, you should include a JobObjective statement at the top of your resume, which will help focus the reader's attention anddescribe what type of position you are looking for.

If you have experience in your career field, you want a powerful Summary statement thatillustrates your best qualifications for the position at the top of the resume. A well-craftedopening statement should convince an employer to keep reading.

Use Industry Jargon

Use industry jargon and acronyms to reflect your familiarity with the employer's business, butnot to the point where it makes your resume hard to read or understand. Spell out acronyms inparentheses if they are not obvious, such as TQM (Total Quality Management).

Customize It: Focus on Your Benefit to Employers

Describe your experience in a way that relates to the skills the employer is seeking. Focus on


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highlighting accomplishments that will arouse the interest of employers who read your resume.Answer the question: "How can this candidate fulfill the role and make a positive impact?" If acompany is looking for a candidate who has leadership ability, highlight your experience intraining new employees or in managing projects. Remember that the goal is to get the interview.

Include Keywords

Draw attention to your resume with keywords that describe your skills and experience. Insertingdescriptive keywords in your resume is becoming more important as an increasing number ofcompanies search for resumes in computer databases that find matches through keywords. Thesewords should relate to the job you are applying for while highlighting your own skill set.

Use Action-Benefit statements: Avoid Boring List of Job Responsibilities

The best resumes describe experience using Action-Benefit statements, which describe an actionyou took in response to a challenge or opportunity, and explain how your action had a positive

benefit for your company. This method brings your experience statements to life anddemonstrates how you can achieve success and produce results.

An Action-Benefit statement might read "Analyzed declining sales and developed campaign thatincreased orders by 30% in less than one month." This statement describes the situation orchallenges you faced (declining sales), the Action you took (developed a campaign), and theBenefit of your actions (a 30% increase in orders).

Quantify Your Achievements

You need to give the reader an idea of what you have done throughout your career, but instead of

focusing on the duties you were responsible for at your last jobs, list your accomplishments inaction-benefit statements along with quantifiable facts to back up your claims. Use numbers,percentages and dollar amounts to show your success in achieving company goals. Instead ofwriting "Responsible for increasing sales in my territory," use "Increased sales in my territory150% over 6 months. Managed 30 accounts increasing revenues from $1.5M to $2M annually."

Use Action Verbs

Portray yourself as active, accomplished, intelligent, and capable of contributing. Examples:Managed, Launched, Created, Directed, Established, Organized, and Supervised. Never use thesame action word repeatedly. Instead of using a word like 'directed' over and over, use synonymssuch as controlled, supervised, guided, or managed. Utilize a thesaurus, career advice Web sitesand other sources if you are having problems coming up with new ways to say the same thing.

Be Professional, Not Personal

You do not have much room in a resume, so why take up valuable space with informationunrelated to the position you are seeking? Focus on your work experiences and never refer topersonal information such as race, religion, marital status, age, political party, or even personal


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views. In all but a few instances, it would be illegal for the employer to consider such issues.Also, avoid the use of humor and clichs in resumes and forget about mentioning the fact thatyou enjoy horror movies and surfing in your spare time.

Personal Traits

If you want to include personal traits in your resume, such as "Dependable, Highly-Organized,Self-Motivated, and Responsible," rather than just listing these traits, try demonstrating thesecharacteristics using examples from your experience. For example, instead of writing"Dependable," write "Never missed an important deadline in five years as a project manager."

Keep a Positive Tone

Your resume should present you in the best possible light. If you don't possess every skill anemployer is seeking, do not emphasize your shortcomings. Focus on what you can offer.

Be Honest

Lying or exaggerating about your skills and abilities will only come back to haunt you.

Be Organized and Logical

In addition to reviewing your experience, employers also use the resume to sense whether youare organized, logical, and concise. Make sure your resume is balanced, neat, visually appealing,and flows consistently. Clearly separate sections and emphasize section titles.

Just Communicate

Abandon the use of exorbitant, exquisite vocabulary. In other words, don't try to impressemployers with the depth of your vocabulary. Use words everyone can understand.

Combine Sections When Possible

Try to combine any short sections together to make your resume more compact. For example, ifyou only have one entry under training, consider placing it under your education instead andchange the section title to "Education and Training."

Use Common Section Headings

Use common section headings. Examples: Objective, Experience, Employment, Work History,Skills, Summary, Summary of Qualifications, Accomplishments, Achievements, Capabilities,Education, Professional Affiliations, Publications, Licenses and Certifications, and Honors.

Omit Salary Information

Never refer to salary in your resume. Save this information for the interview.


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Avoid Writing in First Person ("me" or "I")

Your resume is not a personal correspondence, and should not include words such as "I," "my,"or "me." Replace such personal pronouns with short action statements. Instead of saying, "Iwrote several articles for the company newsletter," try, "Researched and wrote several articles

for the company newsletter." Save the first person pronouns for your cover letter.

Placing Professional Titles

There are several places where it would be appropriate to put your professional title. You canplace your title next to your name in the format "Ahmed Abdullah, FCA." You can include it inyour Summary, Education, or Licenses/Certifications sections. If your title is an importantqualification in your job search, be sure it appears at the top of your resume.

Including References in Your Resume

You do not have to include references on your resume. Most employers will assume you canprovide references if they are requested.

Watch out for Exteriors of ResumeResume Length

A resume should be as long as needed to list your best and most relevant qualifications for thejob you are seeking. For recent graduates or those with only a few years of experience, you

should be able to put all your relevant experience on a single page. If you have extensiveexperience in your field, you may require a two-page resume to list all or your relevantexperience. Instead of considering the length of your resume, make sure that it is clear andconcise, and that the information is relevant to the position you are seeking. The most importantconsideration for a resume is not length, but whether it sufficiently describes your bestqualifications for the job.

Paper Size

Use standard A4 or letter (8" x 11") size offset paper. Recruiters handle hundreds of resumes;if yours is on a smaller sheet, it is likely to be lost in the pile, and if it is oversized, it may getcrumpled and have trouble fitting in a company's file.

Paper Color

White and ivory are the only Paper colors considered acceptable for resumes and cover letters.

Computers & Word Processing


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The most flexible way to type your resume is on a computer or word processor. This allows youto make changes almost instantly, and to store different drafts on disk. Word processing systemsalso give you many different options such as bold facing for emphasis, different fonts ortypefaces and justified margins.

Printing Your Resume

Find the best quality offset printing process available and do not make your copies on aphotocopier. Only the personnel office may see the resume you mail; everyone else may see acopy of it. Copies of copies quickly become illegible.

Proofreading is Essential

Mistakes on resumes can be embarrassing and no doubt you are the only one who will lose ifthere is a mistake. So proofread your resume as carefully as possible and then have a friend do it.Make sure your spelling and grammar are perfect. Don't rely entirely on computer or word-

processors built-in spell-check programs, because not all typos are misspellings and a spellingchecker is not a substitute for proofreading for your resume. Words spelled correctly can still beused improperly. Bear in mind that a spelling checker cannot flag errors such as "to" for "two" or"bills" for "skills."

Utilize Bullet-Points

Use bullet points in the body of your resume instead of long paragraphs. Resumes are read ratherquickly and anything you can do to draw the reader in will bring you one step closer to landingan interview.

Consistent Formatting

Choose easy-to-read fonts and use consistent formatting for headings and bullet points. Also,make sure you leave enough space between each section with boldface or capital lettering. Usebold, italics, and underlining to highlight the most relevant information on your resume. In thesame respect, steer clear of flashy formatting or overly creative resumes with unconventionalfonts or graphics, unless you are seeking a highly creative position. Keep your resume simple,bold and professional.

Avoid Overuse of Highlighting: Bold / Italics / Underline

Drawing attention to everything is the same as drawing attention to nothing. Use highlightingsuch as bold, italics, and underline sparingly for maximum effect on specific areas you want todraw attention to and be consistent in your highlighting technique.

The Best Way to Send A Resume

There are several ways to send your resume to an employer: fax, e-mail, regular mail, andexpress mail. When deciding which way to send your resume, it is always best to follow the


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instructions of the employer. If not mentioned in a job advertisement, then ask your potentialemployer which format they prefer, and then follow their instructions. In other cases, here aresome things to consider: The advantage of postal mail is that you can ensure your resume will beseen in its best form, properly formatted and printed on quality paper. The advantage of e-mailand fax is that your resume can be seen immediately, usually the same day. Express or Courier

mail is probably unnecessary since most resumes are removed from their envelopes beforelanding on the employer's desk so they won't be impressed by your extra effort.

Useful Keywords

Heres a sample of specific skills for certain job categories. These keywords were mostlyextracted from job descriptions and job postings and should give you an idea of how to go aboutlooking for similar keywords for the job you want.

Engineering Financial Human resources Technology

Law Manufacturing Marketing General keywords

Operations Sales

Engineering

Civil Engineer Drafting EPA TQM

Cost Estimates Electrical Engineer Prototypes

FinancialAudits Cash Management Financial Report InvestmentsBanking CFA General Ledger MortgagesBudget Analysis Financial Analysis Gross Margin Projections

Human ResourcesBenefit Planning Employee Relations Performance Appraisals Staff PlanningCompensation HRIS Policy and Procedures TrainingEEOC Job Descriptions Recruitment

LawAppeals Case Law Studies Litigation NegotiationsArbitration Defense Memoranda SettlementBriefs Expert Witness Motions

Manufacturing
http://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#enghttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#finhttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#humhttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#techttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#lawhttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#manhttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#marhttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#genhttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#opehttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#salhttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#enghttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#finhttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#humhttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#techttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#lawhttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#manhttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#marhttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#genhttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#opehttp://www.bdjobs.com/career/resume4b.asp#sal


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Cycle Time Logistics Productivity Supply ChainERP MRP Quality Control TransportationJIT Process Controls Scheduling

MarketingAdvertising E-Commerce Media Buying Trade ShowsBranding Geographics Promotions Media PlanningBrochures Market Analysis Public RelationsDemographics Market Research Target Marketing

OperationsAdministration Equipment Maintenance Supply PurchasesBudgeting Facility Management WarehousingCost Improvements Inventory Control Payroll

SalesClientRelations IncentivePlans LeadGeneration TerritoryCommission InsideSales NationalSales SalesForcastingDistributors InternationalSales Pricing SalesQuotaOutsideSales

TechnologyC++ Hardware Lotus 123 UNIXComputer Science HTML MS Windows User Interface

Database Internet Research Programming V-BasicE-Commerce LAN-WAN System Networks Web Content

General KeywordsAbility to Delegate Communication High Energy Risk Taker Ability to Implement Competitive Industrious Self ManageAbility to Plan Conceptualize Innovative Self Starter Ability to Train Creative Leadership SensitiveAccurate Detail Minded Multitasking Set PrioritiesAcute Empowered Open Minded SupportiveAdapatable Ethical Organized Team Builder

Aggressive Flexible Persuasive Team Leader Analytical Follow Through Problem Solver Team Player Assertive Follow Up Results Volunteer


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Experienced Level Resume

Mohammad Aslam KhanContact: C/o Abdullajh Hasan, House #34, Lane No. 5/A, Dhaka-8600

Tel.: 0441-123456 (office) 0441-123456 (res.), Cell: 017123456

E-mail:mailto:[email protected]

Career Summary:

Accountant with more than 8 years of Finance and Accounting experience. Expertise inpreparing financial statements, monitoring daily cash transactions, developing annual budgets,and recording all financial activities. A remarkable experience of working in accountsdepartment in different international funded projects.

Professional Experiences:

US funded Dhaka- Sylhet Major Roads Project. Roads & Highways Office Dhaka.

Project Accountant : (July, 2001 to till now)

Supervising the accounting procedure of the organization. Developing, Controlling, implementing and monitoring the projects accounts. Budgeting monitoring and controlling. Controlling the procurement and disbursement procedure. Reporting the accounting information to the Cameroon Embassy at Dhaka as well as to

the parent organization (AZSS) in Kampala.

Maintaining an effective relationship with the liaison offices as well as the clients

USWE Supported Project: Sustainable Environment Management Program (SEMP) Component4.4.3

Account Assistants and Admin: (August 2000 to July 2001)

Assisted Accounting Manager in daily financial processing, including monitoring ofpayroll data, cash receipts, billing, disbursements, expense accounting, and deposits.Developed policies and procedures for fiscal management.

Managed regular accounting records.

Maintained an effective monitoring in the accounting system. Controlled the salary disbursement and inventory management (Physical investigation) Maintained progress report of the project. Oversaw the Internal Auditing process. Rectified the special requirement of the project director.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Britain Urban Water & Sanitation Project (UWASP) Project Management Unit PMU

Assistant Accountant (February 1998 to December, 1999)

Assisted the senior accounts positions.

Maintained the projects account. Co-coordinated NGO activities, meeting, training and other campaign program Ensured the logistic support system. Prepared monthly accounting report. Controlled and monitored cash disbursement and recipe system.

Education

CMA (part 2 completed), Institute of Cost Management of Bangladesh, Dhaka Masters in Commerce (Management), National University, Bangladesh 1996 (2nd Class) Bachelors in Commerce 1994 (2nd Class)

Seminars/Training Attended:

Accounting workshop for all CIDA Decentralized accounting personnel organized byThe Royal Saudi Embassy, Dhaka (7 day training - June 2004)

Daily financial control systems-organized by CIMA (USASP) PMU Dhaka (3 daytraining January 2004)

HTW care taker training organized by CIMA (USASP) PMU Dhaka (3 day training August 2003)

Language

English Well versed in both written and spoken English Bengali Mother tongue

Computer Literacy

Familiar with MS Word, MS Excel and computerized Accounting software Navision, e-mail and Internet operations.

Extra Curricular Activities

I participated in the 5th National Scouts Jamboree 1995-96 Mouchak, Gazipur, Dhaka I had been involved in the Social Development Organization named YOUNG Learners

Society (Center for education, cultural, sports, science and socio-economicdevelopment)

I had been involved in the CIMA funded Project Staff Welfare Association (RecreationsCenter for Five CIMA Projects employee) as a Treasurer

Personal Information


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Date of birth : 5th November,1976Nationality : Bangladeshi by birthMarital status : Single

References

Mr. AK. Azad

Chief AccountantMinistry of CommerceRoad # 12, House # 14, Gulshan-2,Dhaka-1212Phone: 812345, 812345

Mr. M A Aziz

Country RepresentativeLinks CanadaGulshan-2 DhakaPhone: 02-9812345Mobile: 017412345

Interviewing TipsIntroduction:

The interview is when employers will get to know your personality, interests, goals, andobjectives. You will no longer be a list of skills and experiences on a piece of paper; this is youropportunity to give specific examples and anecdotes and explain how these experiences makeyou the perfect candidate for the position. It is the perfect time to demonstrate your interest in theposition and your knowledge about the company and the industry. This is the time for theemployer to find out who you are, so be yourself.

What Employers Are Looking For:

Interviews can be very stressful, but the best way to overcome this is to be prepared and knowwhat employers are looking for:

Job candidates with a definite idea of their goals, objectives, strengths, and skills. Candidates who are knowledgeable about the position they are interviewing for, the

company and its products, and the industry overall. Candidates who can match their own skills and experiences with the needs of the

company. Candidates who are confident in themselves and their ability to contribute to the

company. Candidates who can discuss past experiences and give specific examples that demonstrate

their skills and accomplishments.


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Prepare Beforehand:

Another way to decrease the stress of an interview is to prepare beforehand. Review your resumeand make sure you know your skills, experiences, goals, interests, accomplishments, andobjectives inside and out. You'll be asked a lot of open-ended questions, and you will need to be

able to give specific examples and articulate yourself clearly and concisely.

Familiarize yourself with the most common Questions Asked by an Employer. Develop answersto these questions, but do not memorize your answers. Make sure all of your responses arepositive and highlight your skills and accomplishments. When asked about difficult or negativeexperiences, describe those experiences as learning experiences.

During the interview, the employer will not be the only person asking questions; you areexpected to ask questions throughout the interview, as well as at the end when the inevitablequestion is asked: "So, do you have any questions for me?" Always ask questions. If theemployer has answered all of your questions already, come up with something else to ask about.

Your questions can demonstrate your interest in the position and your knowledge about thecompany and industry. Keep your entire questions job related.

TIPS FOR INTERVIEW:

Here are a few suggestions on how to approach the interview process:

Research the company. It is good to become familiar with the organization, the positionand the person who may be your boss. Try to match your skills and experience to theposition you are seeking.

Look good. First impressions are lasting, so make it count. Projecting a confident andprofessional image is essential. Dress professionally, but don't overdo it with jewelry orexcessive perfume or cologne.

Know the location of the interview. Consider driving/ arriving at the location inadvance. Rushing around trying to find the facility can add to your nervousness.

Know your resume. Be prepared to discuss and defend every aspect of your educationand career experience.

Focus more on the interview, less on the job. There's time to evaluate the job andwhether you want it after the interviewer has learned about you. For now, your goal is toget invited back for a second interview or an offer. Then you can decide if the job is justwhat you want.

Talk about your previous contributions. Prospective employers are interested inknowing how you made a difference in your previous job. In a way, you need to convincethe interviewer that you're the answer to the company's needs.


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Look for ways to sell yourself. Seize opportunities to tell the prospective employer howgood you are. Be careful not to boast, but speak confidently about your skills.

Don't overdo it. Choose your words carefully and don't talk too much. Most people onlyretain 20 percent of what they hear. Select your words, speak clearly and get to the point.

Avoid fear by visualizing the interview. It's just an interview, not the gallows, soimagine the experience in advance. Try to visualize various things like your clothing,items to bring, physical presentation, eye contact, body language, etc.

Listen carefully. Pause briefly after each question before you respond to be sure theinterviewer has finished speaking. Answer questions directly and concisely. If you don'tunderstand, ask for clarification.

Bring your questions. You also are interviewing the company, too. Start with questionsabout the organization and move to career growth, working conditions, etc. Save benefits

and compensation for last.

Write down important data. Get the names and titles of the people with whom youinterview. Be sure the spelling is correct, as you may need the information later.

Don't run away. After the interview, don't just hop up and head down the hall. Try toleave a good final impression by letting the interviewer know you really want the job andthat you're ready to move to the next step in the employment process. If that doesn't feelright, simply ask about the next step in the process.

Obtain resources. Grab an annual report, product information or other data that will give

you a better picture of the company and the kind of work you might be doing.

Don't become invisible. Following the interview there is a way in which you can becontacted, even if you are out of town.

TYPICAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

Here is a list of the repeated questions that relate to almost any type of job. Please note that aninterviewer may also ask questions that relate to the specific position that you are applying for.

1. Tell something about yourself.

The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement preparedin your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to work-related itemsunless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held thatrelate to the position you are interviewing for. Start with the item farthest back and workup to the present. Since this is often the opening question in an interview, be extra carefulthat you don't run off at the mouth. Keep your answer to a minute or two at most. Cover


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five topics including personal introduction, early years, education, work history, andrecent career experience. Emphasize this last subject. Remember that this is likely to be awarm-up question. Don't waste your best points on it.

2. What is your greatest / best strength? Or, what is your strength?

For this question numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examplesmay be a) Your ability to prioritize, b) Your problem-solving skills, c) Your ability towork under pressure, d) Your ability to focus on projects, e) your professional expertise,f) your leadership skills, g) your positive attitude towards works etc., in addition to yourstrong academic background.

3. Tell something about your weakness. Or what are your weakness?

The interviewer who asks this question is looking to see how honest you are withyourself, and how well you deal with your own shortcomings.

Bit of a tricky question this, after all no one wants to show their weaknesses but we allhave them. Don't pretend you don't have weaknesses, and don't avoid answering thequestion. This is your chance to show that you are honest and take responsibility for youractions.

A good way to answer this question is to mention your weakness, then tell what you havedone to overcome that weakness. If you have been disorganized in the past, you couldsay, "I used to be very disorganized, always forgetting assignments and birthdays. But Imanaged to work out a computerized system of to-do lists and reminders that keeps meon top of everything. "You could also say, I dont have straight way transport or busservice from my residence to the office. So, during the rainy days I had difficulties in

finding a rickshaw to reach the bus stop and I would get late, occasionally. Now on theraining days, I get up earlier in the morning and rush out to my office to reach on time.

The most comprehensive way of dealing with this question is to try and turn it into apositive from a negative.

4. Do you consider yourself successful?

You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that youhave set goals, and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others.

5. What do you know about this organization?

This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview.Find out where they have been and where they are going. You should be able to discussproducts or services, revenues, reputation, image, goals, problems, management style,people, history and philosophy. But don't act as if you know everything about the place.Let your answer show that you have taken the time to do some research, but don't try tooverwhelm the interviewer, and make it clear that you wish to learn more. You might


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start your answer in this manner: "In my job search, I've investigated a number ofcompanies. Yours is one of the few that interests me, for these reasons..."

Give your answer a positive tone. Don't say, "Well, everyone tells me that you're in allsorts of trouble, and that's why I'm here", even if that is why you're there.

6. Are you applying for other jobs?

Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focus on this job and whatyou can do for this organization. Anything else is a distraction.

7. Why do you want to work for this organization?

This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the research you havedone on the organization. Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be sensed.Relate it to your long-term career goals.

8. Your resume suggests that you may be over-qualified or too experienced for thisposition. What's your opinion?

Emphasize your interest in establishing a long-term association with the organization, andsay that you assume that if you perform well in his job, new opportunities will open upfor you. Mention that a strong company needs a strong staff. Observe that experiencedexecutives are always at a premium. Suggest that since you are so well qualified, theemployer will get a fast return on his investment. Say that a growing, energetic companycan never have too much talent.

9. What important trends do you see in our industry?

Be prepared with two or three trends that illustrate how well you understand yourindustry. You might consider technological challenges or opportunities, economicconditions, or even regulatory demands as you collect your thoughts about the directionin which your business is heading.

10. How do you handle stress and pressure?

A typical interview question, asked to get a sense of how you handle on-the-job stress, is"How do you handle pressure?" Examples of good responses include:

o Stress is very important to me. With stress, I do the best possible job. Theappropriate way to deal with stress is to make sure I have the correct balancebetween good stress and bad stress. I need good stress to stay motivated andproductive.

o I react to situations, rather than to stress. That way, the situation is handled and

doesn't become stressful.


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o I actually work better under pressure and I've found that I enjoy working in a

challenging environment.

o From a personal perspective, I manage stress by visiting the gym/ walking a mile

every evening. It's a great stress reducer.

o Prioritizing my responsibilities so I have a clear idea of what needs to be done

when has helped me effectively manage pressure on the job.

o If the people I am managing are contributing to my stress level, I discuss options

for better handling difficult situations with them.

11. Why did you leave your last job?

Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem withmanagement and never speak ill of supervisors, co-workers or the organization. If you do,

you will be the one looking bad. Keepsmiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance todo something special or other forward-looking reasons.

12. What experience do you have in this field?

Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not havespecific experience, get as close as you can.

13. What kind of salary do you need?

A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So,do not answer it. Instead, say something like, "thats a tough question. Can you tell methe range for this position?

In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can dependon the details of the job. Then give a wide range. If you are asked the question during aninitial screening interview, you might say that you feel you need to know more about theposition's responsibilities before you could give a meaningful answer to that question.Here, too, either by asking the interviewer or Executive Search firm (if one is involved),or in research done as part of your homework, you can try to find out whether there is asalary grade attached to the job. If there is, and if you can live with it, say that the range

seems right to you. But whenever possible, say as little as you can about salary until youreach the "final" stage of the interview process. At that point, you know that the companyis genuinely interested in you and that it is likely to be flexible in salary negotiations.

14. Are you a team player?

You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that show


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you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence ofyour team attitude. Do not brag, just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point.

15. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization.

You should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your bestpoints as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to thisrelationship.

16. Tell me about your dream job.

Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you are contending foris it, you strain credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the suspicion that youwill be dissatisfied with this position if hired. The best is to stay generic and saysomething like: A job where I love the work, like the people, can contribute and cantwait to get to work.

17. What is more important to you: the money or the work?

Money is always important, but the work is the most important. There is no betteranswer.

18. What has disappointed you about a job?

Dont get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include:Not enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction Company did not win acontract, which would have given you more responsibility.

19. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.

You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relatesto the type of position applied for.

20. What motivates you to do your best on the job?

This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are:Challenge, Achievement, Recognition

21. Would you be willing to relocate if required?

You should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if you think there is achance it may come up. Do not say yes just to get the job if the real answer is no.This can create a lot of problems later on in your career. Be honest at this point and saveyourself future grief.

22. What have you learned from mistakes on the job?

Here you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. Make it small, well


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intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. An example would be working toofar ahead of colleagues on a project andthus throwing coordination off.

23. What do you look for when You hire people?

Think in terms of skills, initiative, and the adaptability to be able to work comfortablyand effectively with others. Mention that you like to hire people who appear capable ofmoving up in the organization.

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24. What do you think is the most difficult thing about being a manager or executive?

Mention planning, execution, and cost-control. The most difficult task is to motivate andmanage employees to get something planned and completed on time and within thebudget.

25. Why are you leaving (did you leave) your present (last) job? (if there is one)

Be brief, to the point, and as honest as you can without hurting yourself. Refer back to theplanning phase of your job search. Where you considered this topic as you set yourreference statements. If you were laid off in an across-the-board cutback, say so;otherwise, indicate that the move was your decision, the result of your action. Do notmention personality conflicts. The interviewer may spend some time probing you on thisissue, particularly if it is clear that you were terminated. The "We agreed to disagree"approach may be useful. Remember that your references are likely to be checked, so don'tmake-up a story for an interview.

26. In your current (last) position, what features do (did) you like the most? The least?

Be careful and be positive. Describe more features that you liked than disliked. Don't citepersonality problems. If you make your last job sound terrible, an interviewer maywonder why you remained there until now.

27. What do you think of your boss?

Be as positive as you can. A potential boss is likely to wonder if you might talk abouthim in similar terms at some point in the future.

28. What are your long-range goals?

Refer back to the planning phase of your job search. Don't answer, "I want the job you'veadvertised." Relate your goals to the company you are interviewing: 'in a firm like yours,I would like to..."
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29. Do you have any questions for me?

Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset tothe organization are good. How soon will I be able to be productive? and What type ofprojects will I be able to assist on? Are examples.

30. Where do you expect your career to be in 10 years?

(Be careful here. You do not want to give the impression that you're simply using thiscompany as a stepping-stone to another career. Think of a related managerial positionwithin the company that would interest you.)There is a story about a young accountant who was asked this question by a CPA(Certified Public Accountant) firm during an interview. The young accountant repliedthat he saw himself as the comptroller of a large corporation. In other words, "I'm justusing your firm to teach me and then after you spend your resources training me, I willleave to go work for someone else." Needless to say, he was not offered a position withthe CPA firm. They know that 75% of the people they hire will leave within 10 years,but they do not want to hire someone who comes in with that plan.

31. Describe your Management style.

Try to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like progressive, salesman orconsensus, can have several meanings or descriptions depending on which managementexpert you listen to. The situationalstyle is safe, because it says you will manage according to the situation, instead of onesize fits all.

FINAL NOTE:

You can never be sure exactly what will happen at an interview, but you can be prepared forcommon interview questions. Take time to think about your answers now. You might even writethem down to clarify your thinking. The key to all interview questions is to be honest, and to bepositive. Focus your answers on skills and abilities that apply to the job you are seeking. BESTOF LUCK.

Documents

How to Make a Standard CV