Top 50 Interview Questions

1. Describe yourself to me.

This is a very basic & tricky question. Do not go into the details about your family background & your life.
This question is related to your professional life. So be concise & describe about your educational &
professional qualifications. Please try to produce hard evidence of your professional accomplishments to
support your answer. End your summary of yourself by stating that you are interested in this company &
really want to be a part.

2. How did you know about this job?
For this question you could mention the source from where you saw this job opening like the newspaper
advertisement or online job sites. You could also mention that while browsing through your site you saw the
career opportunity.

3. What idea do you have about this job?
You could reply by saying that I know as much as I could learn from the advertisement & the company
website. This will show that you believe in preparing well for any assignment.

4. What are your strengths?
This is a most often asked question. You should be ready with a list of 5 personal job-related strengths
ready to name and explain how you have used them.

5. What are your weaknesses?
This question is not meant to bring into light the negative aspect of your personality. It is used for knowing
about the means that you have adopted to turn the negative points into your strengths. This will show that
you know yourself & that you regularly examine your skills & improve them.

6. Can you specify as to why is there a gap in your resume ?
Any gap in your resume is bound to draw attention. You should be very honest while speaking about the
period of unemployment in your resume. Layoffs are a common feature in this century. So you should
mention the fact that you were laid off and were into temporary jobs. Temporary employment or an intense
job search of several months are both fine. If you took time off to care for a sick family member, state this
very briefly and do not dwell on it.

7. Why do you want to work with this organization?
8. Where do you see yourself five years down the line?
9. Tell me about something you did recently that was not part of your job?
10. How have you grown in your current job?
11. What kind of skills did you use in your past job?
12. What are you seeking in your next job?
13. What type of compliments do you receive from your peers or supervisors?
14. What happens when two priorities compete for your time?
15. Can you describe a recent situation in which you accomplished an important       objective in a brief
period of time?17. Are you willing to work in shifts?
18. What are your salary expectations for this job?
19. What role are you ready to take in a group?
20. Who has been an inspiration for you?
21. What is more important to you money or success?
22. Rate yourself on a scale of 10.
23. How do you handle repetitive tasks?
24. How do you keep others informed on work issues?
25. How do you ensure all of your work gets accomplished in a productive manner?
26. What was the biggest professional risk you have taken and what was the outcome?
27. Tell me about the last time you had to work with someone inside or outside of your department to
accomplish a goal.
28. Describe a time when you dealt with a conflict situation and how you resolved it.
29. If your supervisor criticized you unfairly, how did/would you handle it?
30. What do you expect from this job?
31. Do you know anyone working with this organization?
32. What do you like best about what you have learned about this job?
33. Are you willing to travel?
34. Why are you leaving the organization you work for?
35. What is thinking outside the box to you?
36. How do you rate yourself in computer skills? Please describe the programs and software that you can
use well.
37. Can you perform Internet research? Please describe to me your steps in doing so.
38. How would you handle a client coming in to town from a foreign country, say Japan?
39. Do you work better on a team, with just one partner, or alone?
40. What is your dream job?
41. How would you describe your work style?
42. What do you think of your previous boss?
43. What can you do for us that other candidates can't?
44. What were your responsibilities in your last position?
45. What irritates you about other people, and how do you deal with it?
46. What is your greatest fear?
47. How do you handle change?
48. If I were your supervisor and asked you to do something you disagreed with, what would you do?
49. What's the most difficult decision you've made in the last year?
50. What do you do in your spare time?

Useful Tips

Exclusive Interview Tips for Campus / Off-campus

So what if you are not a mountaineer. Or a keen hiker. You still cannot treat your interview like a careless morning trot along a jogger's path. Your jaw-jaw at the interview table is nothing less than a cautious climb up a mountain trail--which begins around your early childhood and meanders through the years at the academia before reaching a new summit in your career. And as you retrace your steps down memory lane make sure that you post flags at important landmarks of your life and career, so that you can pop them before the interview panel scoops them out of you. You don't want to be at the receiving end, do you?

Face the panel, but don't fall of the chair in a headlong rush-and-skid attempt to tell your story. Take one step at a time.Don't go into unnecessary detail about how you aced your business math midterm in your sophomore year at accounting school. Remember, as a fresher you do not have anything to loose but to gain.

TYPICAL QUESTIONS THAT AN INTERVIEWER WOULD ASK

1.Tell me about yourself
The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to work/Study-related items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done well at your college and how you wanted to perform in the first job.

2. Why Should We Employ You?
For this question, your answer should list out strengths that you feel are relevant to the job. Given below are some answers which could help you with your answers. However, structure them to suit your requirements.

I have good co-ordination skills
Good analytical skills
I can persuade people to see my point of view, and get the work done
My greatest asset is my ability to motivate people
Even during emergencies, I do not loose my cool
I have good entrepreneurial skills
I have consistently met my deadlines and targets
Can say "no" to people when required to do so!
I am very co-operative with my sub-ordinates, and would like to see them grow
I am a good team player
I am very flexible, and have the ability to work hard under difficult work conditions
I have the experience and knowledge relevant to this job (Here, give appropriate details and examples)

3. Do You Have Offers From Other Companies ?
This is of course a difficult question to answer. Obviously, you must have applied to other companies if you are looking for a job or would have some offers from other companies already. Therefore, do not lie that you have not. However, you are on thin ice here! The interviewer could be checking your honesty. On the other hand, he/she may also be trying to find out how focused you are - are you applying randomly, or is there a well-planned strategy?
Whatever your answer, it should match your career goals.

4. What Salary Are You Expecting?
Try not to get into salary details early in the interview. If pressed, you could say that it all depends on the job, and would like to talk about it after a job offer. Say this in a convincing tone. In case you are asked this question in your latter interviews, give a direct answer. Do not sound apologetic while quoting the figure you have in mind.

SALARY EXPECTATIONS :

1. How much do you expect?
If you have done your homework, you would know how much other people in similar jobs are paid. Quote the range upfront.

2. How much do you think you are worth?
Work out how much you should be paid, given the market value of the job and your skills. If you can bring some extra skills to the table, do not hesitate to ask for more than the market value.

3. What kind of a culture are you comfortable with?
It is better to be frank about your preferences. Your interviewer will get a clear idea about your expectations.

4. Which is more important to you-salary, perks or growth opportunities?
This one will reveal the real you. So be sure what you are going to say. Above all, be true to yourself. If you think this is a negotiation move, then say clearly that you will never sell yourself short.

5. What do you know about our company?
Do not give your opinions about the company. Stick to reported facts that you have gathered from newspapers and so on. Talk about the product portfolio, size, income, and market perceptions of the company. Also it is better to refer details about each company before going for the interview from Freshersworld.com or PlacementWeek.com

6. Why should we choose you over someone else?
Talk clearly about problems that you have solved in your College/Project Team and highlight the quality required.

QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK :

Interviewers usually round off by giving you an opportunity to ask questions. Treat it like a welcome opportunity.
You could ask questions like.
a) Tell me about your company.
b) Now that I have outlined my career goals, do you think you can offer me the opportunities I need?
c) What kind of training and learning can I expect in your company?
d) Describe the work culture and the management style of your company?
e) What is the long-term vision of your company?

As a fresher, current position and status can impact the way you are interviewed. Fresh Out of College

The basis on which you will be judged is your academic background, family background, and interests.
If looking for your first job, ensure that your previous experience, even if it is part-time, is noticed.
Mention projects or responsibilities you may have undertaken. This will indicate your area of aptitude.
You should be willing to put in regular hours, in line with the company's policies. The interviewer needs to know whether you can be punctual and put in full-time work.
In case you have applied for the post of management trainee, you should display an ability to adapt, and indicate all-round interests. Moreover, you should have good interpersonal skills.
You should be enthusiastic to learn, and show commitment towards the organization, as the company will be spending a lot on your training.

Bring with you :
a) Copies of your resumes
b) References and letters of recommendations.

First Impressions :
There is a common saying that minds are made up within the first 5 minutes of an interview. So keep in mind these important first impression indicators. Walk in the door as if you already work there, carry yourself as though you feel perfectly comfortable with the situation. Arrive on time or a little early. In the waiting area, politely tell the receptionist who you are meeting and in a friendly way, ask where you should sit. Take slow, deep breaths to help you remain calm and focused. When introduced to the interviewer, have a firm, but not painful, handshake. Smile. Have good posture when sitting or standing. Introduce yourself in a relaxed, confident manner. Have a well-groomed, professional appearance. Project a feeling of confidence. Bring extra copies of your resume, some thing to write on and something to write with.

TheResultsCenter.com wish you all the best of luck in your Job Interview !

Useful Tips

People use the words RESUME, Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) , and BIO-DATA interchangeably for the document highlighting skills, education, and experience that a candidate submits when applying for a job. On the surface level, all the three mean the same. However, there are intricate differences.

RESUME
Resume Is a French word meaning “summary”, and true to the word meaning, signifies a summary of one’s employment, education, and other skills, used in applying for a new position. A resume seldom exceeds one side of an A4 sheet, and at the most two sides. They do not list out all the education and qualifications, but only highlight specific skills customized to target the job profile in question. A resume is usually broken into bullets and written in the third person to appear objective and formal. A good resume starts with a brief Summary of Qualifications, followed by Areas of Strength or Industry Expertise in keywords, followed by Professional Experience in reverse chronological order. Focus is on the most recent experiences, and prior experiences summarized. The content aims at providing the reader a balance of responsibilities and accomplishments for each position. After Work experience come Professional Affiliations, Computer Skills, and Education

C.V CURRICULUM VITAE
C.V Is a Latin word meaning “course of life”. Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) is therefore a regular or particular course of study pertaining to education and life. A C.V. is more detailed than a resume, usually 2 to 3 pages, but can run even longer as per the requirement. A C.V. generally lists out every skills, jobs, degrees, and professional affiliations the applicant has acquired, usually in chronological order. A C.V. displays general talent rather than specific skills for any specific positions.

BIO-DATA
Bio Data the short form for Biographical Data, is the old-fashioned terminology for Resume or C.V. The emphasis in a bio data is on personal particulars like date of birth, religion, sex, race, nationality, residence, martial status, and the like. Next comes a chronological listing of education and experience. The things normally found in a resume, that is specific skills for the job in question comes last, and are seldom included. Bio-data also includes applications made in specified formats as required by the company. A resume is ideally suited when applying for middle and senior level positions, where experience and specific skills rather than education is important. A C.V., on the other hand is the preferred option for fresh graduates, people looking for a career change, and those applying for academic positions. The term bio-data is mostly used in India while applying to government jobs, or when applying for research grants and other situations where one has to submit descriptive essays. Resumes present a summary of highlights and allow the prospective employer to scan through the document visually or electronically, to see if your skills match their available positions. A good resume can do that very effectively, while a C.V. cannot. A bio-data could still perform this role, especially if the format happens to be the one recommended by the employer. Personal information such as age, sex, religion and others, and hobbies are never mentioned in a resume. Many people include such particulars in the C.V. However, this is neither required nor considered in the US market. A Bio-data, on the other hand always include such personal

Useful Tips

THE formula for success in job interviews is not written in stone, especially when it comes to tricky questions. For instance if you are being interviewed for a sales position, a potential employer may ask you, “What would you do if a clients hinted at kickbacks?”

How would you respond? Will you appear shocked or deliver your answer with poise? Here are some suggestions on how to answer 10 such questions. Being prepared will give an edge, and not to mention, boost your confidence.

1. Tell us about a difficult relationship in your personal life you have had to cope with?

Don’t go into too many details about what happened, when and where. Don’t condemn the other person or defend yourself. Talk about what you had learnt from the experience.

2. Your boss-to-be is short-tempered, impatient and abrasive. Can you work with someone, of such a temperament?

Working with a short-tempered and very abrasive boss is not easy. Stating that you can effectively work under each and every person, in any and every situation will make you seem over-confident, and unrealistic. Do you get upset if you’re shouted or screamed at? Does it leave you de-motivated or disillusioned for long? If your answer to the latter question is in the negative, let the panel know that unpleasant experiences don’t weigh you down for too long.

3. Since you are in sales, some clients may hint at getting kick-backs. How will you handle such situations, since as a policy we don’t offer bribes?

When asked awkward questions like this, it helps if you plead ignorance. It may be also a test to check your views on bribes. They may ask if you have bribed anyone or what you would do, if you witnessed a government employee accepting a bribe. Tell them your personal experiences or views. Companies always respect individuals who are truthful and who possess a clear (not rigid) opinion on most matters.

4. Why have you fared averagely in Academics?

Many interviewers pay importance to what you have scored in your board examinations. If you had fared averagely and are asked to explain the reason, there’s not much you can do. It would help if you honestly admit that you have only yourself to blame (if that is really the case) and in future you will be clear about your priorities and work hard to achieve your goals.

5. Our industry requires a lot of social interaction with clients - over drinks and at parties. Are you comfortable with smoking and drinking?

Smoking isn’t cool. And many corporate head-honchos are teetotallers. It may be okay to say that you are uncomfortable around smokers and don’t enjoy social drinking. And do you really need to explain why you would not like to smoke or drink? No, it’s a personal choice.

If you’re applying for a job in an advertising or marketing consulting firm you may be asked if you’re okay with working on a tobacco or liquor account. If you feel you can never perform your job well, if the job involves promoting these products, then mention that you want to work on brands, which you are passionate about, and since you are convinced that tobacco or alcohol is injurious to health you may not be the best person to work on an account that involves actively promoting related brands.

6. Since you are a lady, and most of our clients are males, it is highly likely that some clients will try to be over-friendly. How will you handle such situations?

Will you be upset by such behaviour? If you’re confident that you can deal with such clients, only then tell the interviewers how you think you can be professional, yet not interact with clients who you’re uncomfortable with. Honesty is the best policy.

7. Tell us about your weaknesses?

What do you say besides the stereotyed ‘good’ weaknesses – impatience, over-enthusiasm? All of us have weaknesses, but do we need to mention all? And do you weaknesses surface all the time, or on occasions? For instance, while talking about your own traits such as a short temper or abrasiveness you can indicate that you display such traits or behaviour at some times only.

If your weakness is lack of time management, you could say that you are working on it and hope to overcome it over a period of time. Think about this and answer accordingly.

8. You will be replacing a person who we are letting go of. In the few weeks that you spend with him, you have to learn as much about his job so that you can continue doing his work effectively. Do you feel you are okay with this arrangement?

Not an easy situation to be in. While you can try your best to learn as much as you can, what will you do in case your predecessor does not cooperate and tell you all that you need to know? You could point out that you may need your organisation’s support, cooperation and intervention, if need be, in such a circumstance.

9. What if we hired you for one job profile and then change it within weeks?

Your response will depend on your future plans. If you’re interested in a sales job, because you want to pursue a career in marketing, then you’d obviously not want to work in finance or accounts. However, if you’re unsure which area interests you, and would like to learn about the different functions in an organisation, this might be a good opportunity to explore. You should preferably talk about why you prefer some roles or jobs. At the same time try to avoid talking about why you don’t like particular roles.

10. What salary do you expect? What if we told you we cannot pay you for the first three months?

State that since it is the start of your career, learning and experience are more important than salary. If you’re still asked to quote a specific amount give them a general indication on what you would like to earn. Don’t over-quote. If a company states that for whatever reason they won’t pay a salary for the first few months, make sure they are not one of those outfits, which exploit those who need work experience. If the organisation offers a good learning environment, tell them you’re joining the organisation for the valuable experience and you’re confident you’ll soon receive a salary commensurate with your performance.

Cardinal rules

1. Arrive preferably 15 minutes early, so you can relax, freshen up

2. Gauge the company dress code, dress appropriately

3. No unclean hair, sweaty visage or dirty hands with pen marks

4. Keep two copies of your rèsumè, handy

5. Carry a notepad and pen

6. Be poised, confident, but not too relaxed or over-confident.

7. If you’re unsure about an answer and need time to think, request the interviewer if you can take a minute to think and respond

8. Be patient, be courteous

9. Never interrupt even if the interviewer is stating a wrong fact. Let him complete the sentence and then respond. Words like ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ also go a long way

10. If there are two or more interviewers, make eye contact with all

Useful Tips

Schedule in study breaks:
Don’t plan to study non-stop for the next five days. You’ll go insane, and you’ll be too fried to do well on the exams. When you write your schedule, include short study breaks to help you recharge. You’ll feel so much better and will be able to concentrate so much more.

Schedule in sleep:
Some people can function well on three hours of sleep a night. Most cannot. You’ll do much better during exams if your mental state is good, and sleep is essential for this.

Exercise
There’s no better source for stress relief. Just don’t over do it to the point that you’re procrastinating heavily. Go for short, stress-relieving activities, like outdoor or board games . And don’t underestimate the value of a brisk walk.

Prioritize
You have limited time to study and will have to choose what to spend the most time with. Choose what chapters you want to focus on know them well.

Ask your teachers/parents/friends siblings for help
If you’re confused about your notes or the readings, go to the resident expert. This works much better if you don’t put off studying until the last minute. It’s a good idea to read through all of your notes before you start to study, so that you can inquire early about things that confuse you.

Eat Frequent Small Meals;
Avoid eating a big meal before a study session. Too much food will send your body into a ‘rest’ mode. On the other hand, don’t starve yourself either. Frequent small meals are best.

Study When You’re Sharpest
Study according to your body-clock. Are you sharpest in the morning or at the evening? Schedule your most difficult materials when you are mentally at your best, and schedule the easier ones when you are mentally less efficient.

Drink Water Often;
Drink plenty of water during a study session, especially when you feel sluggish. Caffeine may help you to stay awake, but it can increase your anxiety – use it in moderation.

Don’t Get Too Comfortable in Your Chair
Choose a chair that supports your back. It should be comfortable, but not too comfortable. Just like an athlete during a performance, your body should be relaxed, so that all your energy goes to where it matters – your brain.

Clear Your Desk of Everything You Don’t Need
Have everything you need on the desk. Put away what you do not need for the study session.

Take Breaks Every Hour
It is important to take a break before you feel tired and lose your concentration completely. Regular breaks at least once an hour helps to sustain your concentration. If the work is not going too well and you have difficulties in concentrating, you may need a long break and go back to it later.

Stretch During Your Breaks;
Know and respect your concentration span which will vary from hour to hour and from day to day. When you sit for long periods, gravity draws the blood to the lower part of your body. When you take a break, take a few deep breaths and get more oxygen to your brain: try walking around and doing some light stretching for a few minutes. It will help to release tension in your body, and help your circulation.

Study at the Same Time, Same Place;
Study at the same time and at the same place, devoted to study only. This helps you to associate the time and place with studying and concentrating. You will find that you get into a habit of studying as soon as you sit down.

Useful Tips

LOOK around the average university library in the West, and among the faces fixed in concentration over their books and laptops, you will see globalisation in action. The students who have come from India, or a myriad other nations, are among what UNESCO estimated, in 2009, to be 2.8 million people studying on higher education courses outside their home countries. UNESCO predicts that number will rise to 8 million by 2020, with many experts seeing such students as part of a global circulation of knowledge through universities that brings benefits to all countries.

So what prompts millions of students to leave their home nations and their loved ones to live in a country they may never have seen before? And how do students and parents deal with the potentially frightening challenge of choosing a foreign university, a decision that could shape a student’s whole life?

As with other migrants, one of the main factors driving students abroad is the search for a better life. Getting a degree from a foreign university will boost their chances of getting a good job, students believe. And there is also the advantage of gaining a qualification in English, the language for so much of the international business, media and education worlds.

But there is so much more beyond the formal qualification. Wherever a student takes their degree, studying abroad gives them a golden chance to build confidence and initiative, set their own life experiences in a fuller context, and learn to deal with the differences that otherwise create barriers between people. In the UK, that could include experiencing life in cosmopolitan, historic and dynamic cities such as London, Manchester or Edinburgh, or the more traditional life of a smaller town. Or it could include learning to love British food – hard to do for some – and sampling famous delicacies such as fish and chips. After all that, there is the chance to start a career in your adopted country, or return home with a qualification that makes you stand out from your peers.

But how do students and their parents choose a university that will deliver good teaching and a degree with a decent reputation? They obviously need to beware of the small number of institutions in the world that focus on the money brought by overseas students, offering only poor standards in return.

One of the aims of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, published last month, is to help undergraduate and postgraduate students around the world in choosing their university. Teaching accounts for 30 per cent of a university’s score, including the judgments of leading academics on which institutions offer the best teaching for their subject. There is also a score for each university’s staff-student ratio, and its international mix of students and staff.

Experts point to the fact that the fees paid by students, increasingly a fact given declining public investment in higher education in so many nations, will produce a more demanding consumer and more competition among universities to attract students.

If you come with deep pockets, and are willing to spend you have plenty of power to make sure you get the education you expect.

Useful Tips

Engineering Agriculture and Medicine Common Entrance Test (EAMCET)

EAMCET is conducted for admission to a number of professional courses like engineering, medical, pharmacy, biotechnology and veterinary in private/ government colleges in Andhra Pradesh. It is conducted every year by the Jawahar Lal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) on behalf of Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher education (APSCHE). EAMCET application form can be obtained for Rs. 250 and may be submitted online or offline.

Eligibility: Candidates should have passed or appeared for the final year of Intermediate examination (10+2) with Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry from a school in Andhra Pradesh. Students from other states cannot apply for EAMCET.

Application deadline: March 16, 2011
Exam date: May 08, 2011

Test pattern and selection: The test comprises 160 questions on Maths/ Zoology/ Botany, Physics and Chemistry. Each section carries 40 marks. Physics and Chemistry sections vary from one category to another. However, syllabus remains the same. There will be objective type questions with 4 choices. The qualifying percentage of marks in the Entrance Test is 25% i.e. 40 out of a total 160.

Website: www.apeamcet.org
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Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)

GATE is an all-India examination administered and conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science and seven Indian Institutes of Technology for admission to the postgraduate programmes in technology in the IIT’s and IIS. The cost of the entrance test is Rs. 800 for online application and Rs. 1,000 for offline application. IIT Madras is the coordinating institute for GATE 2011.

Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/ Technology/ Architecture (4 years after 10+2) and those in the final or pre-final year of such programmes or Master’s degree in any branch of Science/ Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Applications or equivalent .

Application deadline: November
Exam date: February

Test pattern and selection: The GATE examination consists of a single paper of 3 hours duration which contains 65 questions carrying a maximum of 100 marks. The question paper will consist of only objective questions. The performance of the candidate in GATE will be considered for admission. For admission GATE score has a 70% weightage and the remaining weightage (30% maximum) is given to the candidate’s academic record or performance in interview.

Website: www.iitk.ac.in/gate/gate2011/
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UPESEAT

University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun conducts UPES Engineering Aptitude Test (UPESEAT) for admission to various BTech disciplines across multiple fields like conventional & non-conventional energy including LPG, CNG, LNG, Nuclear Energy, Energy systems, Refining & Petrochemicals, Pipelines, Geo-sciences, Aerospace, Automotive Design, Mechatronics, IT and Infrastructure in the UPES College of Engineering Studies (CoES). UPESEAT application form can be obtained for Rs. 1,500 and may be submitted online or offline.

Eligibility: Minimum 60% marks at Higher & Senior Secondary level (10th & 12th), minimum 60% marks aggregate in PCM at Senior Secondary level (12th class). AIEEE All India Rank upto 1 lakh are exempted from UPESEAT.

Application deadline: April 29, 2011
Exam date: May 21, 2011

Test pattern and selection: Final selections are made on the basis of marks obtained by the candidate in UPESEAT 2011 followed by counselling.

Website: www.upes.ac.in/
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AMRITA ENGINEERING ENTRANCE (AEE)
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham conducts its Engineering Entrance Examination every year on an all India basis for admission to the 4-year B.Tech Degree programmes with 1240 seats offered in the 3 campuses at Amritapuri (Kollam), Bengaluru and Ettimadai (Coimbatore).

The cost of the form is Rs. 850 and it can be obtained from the college, designated branches of AXIS bank or it can be filled online.

Eligibility: A pass in the final examination of 10+2 (Class 12) or its equivalent securing 60% marks aggregate in PCM.

Test Pattern & Selection: There will be only one question paper of 3 hours duration containing 120 objective type questions in Mathematics, Physics & Chemistry. Each question carries 3 marks. Negative mark will be awarded for each wrong answer. Candidates who satisfy the eligibility criteria will be admitted to the first year of the B.Tech programmes through counselling, based on their ranks in the entrance examination.

Website: www.amrita.edu
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AIEEE (ALL INDIA ENGINEERING ENTRANCE EXAM)

AIEEE conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is the most popular engineering Entrance examination for BE/ B.Tech aspirants across the country. Last year more than 10 lakh students appeared for AIEEE to get admission in the various reputed NIT’s and State-level institutes which have around 27,000 seats. The cost of the form is Rs. 500 and it can be obtained from the designated branches of Syndicate bank, CBSE Regional Offices or can be filled online. Colleges which accept AIEEE scores include Delhi Technological University (DTU), PEC University, BIT Mesra, School of Planning & Architecture, SASTRA and many other deemed universities.

Eligibility: Candidate must have passed in final examination of 10+2 (Class 12) or its equivalent with 50% marks.

Test Pattern & Selection: AIEEE is of 3 hours having objective questions from Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with equal weightage given to each subject. Each question has four options.There is a negative marking of 1/4th marks for incorrect answers.

Upon declaration of result score card indicating All India Rank and State Rank with total marks and marks in each subject shall be sent to all candidates appearing in AIEEE. Candidates scoring above a certain cut off percentage of marks to be called for counselling.

Website: www.aieee.nic.in
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BITSAT (BIRLA INSTITUTE TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE ADMISSION TEST)

BITSAT is conducted for admission to Birla Institute of Technology and Science for Bachelor’s in Engineering programs in its Pilani, Hyderabad and Goa campuses. Last year more than one and half lakh students appeared for BITSAT. It opens access to more than 2500 seats in the various BITS campuses. Candidates can register for BITSAT by applying online. The completed application form along with the fees of Rs. 1500/- (Rs. 1000/- for female candidates) has to be sent to BITS, Pilani.

Eligibility Candidates need to pass 12th with at least 80% marks in aggregate in PCM with a minimum of 60% marks in each (PCM).

Test Pattern & Selection BITSAT is a 3-hour online test and has 150 objective questions with each having four options. For a correct answer a candidate gets 3 marks and for an incorrect answer 1 mark is deducted. The distribution of 150 questions is as followed: Physics (40), Chemistry(40), English Proficiency (15), Logical Reasoning (10), and Mathematics (45). Admissions will be made purely on merit. The merit position of the candidate for admission will be based on the score obtained by the candidate.

Website: www.bitsadmission.com
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BVPEEE (BHARTIYA VIDYAPEETH ENGINEERING ENTRANCE EXAM)

Bhartiya Vidyapeeth University is amongst the most famous institutes for engineering education in India. Every year a large number of students appear for BVPEEE for admission to B.Tech course (700 seats) in Bhartiya Vidyapeeth University, Pune. The information brochure & application form is available at a cost of Rs. 1,000.

Eligibility: A candidate should have Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics along with English in class 12th with an aggregate of at least 50% in PCM.

Test Pattern & Selection The entrance exam will have 200 objective questions from Maths and Physics with each subject having 100 questions. There is no negative marking and the questions are from class 11th and 12th Syllabus. The eligible candidates, chosen on the basis of rank in BVPEEE, would be called for counselling for final admission.

Website: www.bharatividyapeeth.edu
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COMEDK UGET (CONSORTIUM OF MEDICAL, ENGINEERING AND DENTAL COLLEGES OF KARNATAKA)

COMEDK UGET (Under Graduate Entrance Test) is for admission to undergraduate courses (MBBS, BDS, BE, B.Arch) in private medical and engineering colleges in the State of Karnataka. The seat sharing arrangement with the Government of Karnataka has not been declared till yet. The cost of the form depends on the subject combination opted for: Rs 700/- for 3 subjects (PCM or PCB) and Rs 900/- for all 4 subjects (PCMB).

Eligibility: Applicants should have passed the 2nd PUC/ Class 12 or equivalent examination.

Test Pattern & Selection: A single test combining Physics and Chemistry with a total of 120 questions: 60 questions in Physics and 60 questions in Chemistry. The test duration for combined paper is 120 minutes. A separate test for Mathematics and Biology will be held on the same day with each subject having 60 questions with a duration of 60 minutes. There is no negative marking for this exam.

Upon declaration of results, the test scores will be published online and the rank list will be followed by centralized counselling. A single window systemis followed for admission process.

Website: www.comedk.org
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IIT-JEE (INDIAN INSTIUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JOINT ENTRANCE EXAM)

The Indian Institutes of Technology (popularly known as IITs) are institutions of national importance established through an Act of Parliament for fostering excellence in education. There are 15 IITs at present which have around 9,000 seats including ISM Dhanbad & IISER. The admissions to the Undergraduate Programmes at these institutions for all Indian and Foreign nationals are made through the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). The cost of the entrance test is Rs. 900 for online application and Rs. 1,000 for offline application.

Eligibility: Candidates must secure at least 60% marks in aggregate in the qualifying examination.

Test Pattern & Selection: The IIT-JEE exam is considered to the toughest engineering entrance in the country. The JEE has two question papers, each of three hours duration. Both the question papers would consist of three separate sections on Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Questions in these papers will be of objective type and incorrect answers will be awarded negative marks. Based on the Minimum Qualifying Marks for Ranking (MQMR) in the individual subjects as well as the aggregate marks in the examination, a Common Merit List (CML) will be prepared without any relaxed criteria. Candidates will be allotted seats based on their ranking in the merit list.

Website: www.jee.iitd.ac.in
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ISAT (IIST ALL INDIA ADMISSION TEST)

The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), a Deemed to be University under Section 3 of the UGC Act 1956, was set up under the Department of Space, Government of India in 2007 and is Asia’s first Space Institute and the first in the world to offer the complete range of undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral programmes with specific focus on space science, technology and applications. Admissions to the undergraduate programmes (B.Tech.) at IIST are made through an All India Admission Test (ISAT). The cost of the information brochure and application form is Rs. 600. The total number of seats for the undergraduate programmes in IIST for the year 2011 is 156.

Eligibility: Candidates must have secured at least 70% marks in the aggregate in their Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics papers in their QE & 70 % in class 10th also.

Test Pattern & Selection: The question paper is of objective type and consists of three separate sections on Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics
Admission to the undergraduate programme in IIST will be from the rank list prepared separately for GEN, SC, ST, PD and OBC (non-creamy layer) candidates, based on the performance in ISAT- 2011. The eligible candidates would be called for counseling for final admission.

Website: www.iist.ac.in
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KEE (KARUNYA UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING ENTRANCE)

Karunya University was founded in 1986 as Karunya Institute of Technology. In 2004 it became a deemed to be university and was subsequently renamed as Karunya University. KEE is held for admission to around 1400 B.Tech seats. The cost of the application is Rs. 750.

Eligibility: A candidate should have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination with a minimum of 60% aggregate in PCM and a minimum of 60% in Mathematics individually.

Test Pattern & Selection: The entrance examination is of 2 ½ hours consisting of objective type questions from PCM syllabus of class 11th and 12th. After declaration of result the Karunya Single Window Counselling is held at Karunya University and the seats will be filled based on the Karunya Entrance Examination Rank and the availability of seats.

Website: www.karunya.edu
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KIITEE (KALINGA INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING ENTRANCE)

Kalinga Institute of Industrial Training started its journey as a small industrial training institute in the year 1992 and has grown to be one of the largest universities in India with a strength of 15,500 students. KIITEE is held anually for admission to B.Tech Regular and Lateral Entry Courses. There is no application/ examination fee for KIITEE – 2011.

Eligibility: A candidate should have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination with at least 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

Test Pattern & Selection: The paper is of 3 hours duration consisting of 120 multiple choice questions from the following subjects: Physics-40 questions, Chemistry-40 questions, Mathematics-40 questions. Those who qualify the written test are called for counselling.

Website: www.kiitee.ac.in
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MHT CET (MAHARASHTA COMMON ENTRANCE TEST)

MHT-Engg-CET is conducted by Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra for admission to all private, Government, aided & unaided engineering universities/ colleges in Maharashtra for Undergraduate Engineering courses. Through MHT-CET the candidates can get admission to Engineering courses of 10 universities and their affiliated colleges. The application form is available for Rs. 700.

Eligibility: A candidate should have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination with English, Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics with atleast 50% aggregate marks in PCM.

Test Pattern & Selection: The entrance examination for engineering entrance is of 3 hours duration and consists of two papers of 1 ½ hour each: 1. Physics & Chemistry (50+50 marks), 2. Mathematics (100 marks). All the questions will be objective type with 4 options each. There will be no negative marking. The list of candidates to be called for counseling/seat allotment based on rank will be published on the website of DTE.

Website: www.dte.org.in
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SRMEEE (SRM ENGINEERING ENTRANCE EXAM)

SRM University is one of the top ranking universities in India with over 20,000 students and 1,500 faculty, offering a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes. SRMEEE is conducted each year for admission to its B.Tech course. Its application form is available for Rs. 750. SRM University has almost 5000 seats available for engineering aspirants.

Must-read: Campus review on SRM University

Eligibility: Candidates should have scored at least 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathemetics in class 12th.

Test Pattern & Selection: The paper is of 2 ½ hours and consists of objective questions from the following subjects: Physics-35 questions for a total of 105 marks, Chemistry-35 questions for a total of 105 marks, Mathematics-35 questions for a total of 105 marks, Biology-50 questions for a total of 105 marks. There will be negative marking of 1/3rd of the total marks allotted to each question for an incorrect answer.

Website: www.srmuniv.ac.in
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UPTU SEE (UTTAR PRADESH TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY STATE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION)

UPTU was established in the year 2000 by government of Uttar Pradesh and is one of the largest technical universities in India. UPTU SEE is held annually for admission into a number of technical courses like engineering, management, fashion & design, architecture, pharmacy & hotel management in private unaided/government aided colleges in Uttar Pradesh affiliated to Uttar Pradesh Technical University.

Eligibility: A candidate should have cleared class 12th exams with Physics and Maths and any one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Bio-Technology, Computer Science or Biology.

Test Pattern & Selection
There will be 2 papers for B.Tech entrance: Paper 1: Physics & Chemistry-150 minutes & 75 questions each from Physics & Chemistry and paper 2: Mathematics-90 minutes & 90 questions. There is no negative marking for marking an incorrect response. A final merit list for counselling is prepared based on the result of the examination and candidates are called in batches for centralized counseling.

Website: www.uptu.ac.in
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VITEEE (VIT ENGINEERING ENTRANCE EXAM)

VIT was founded in 1984 as Vellore Engineering College. In 2001 it was accorded the status of a university by Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). VITEEE form is available for Rs. 750 and is held for admission to Bachelor’s courses in Engineering in Vellore Institute of Technology. Last year about 138,000 candidates appeared for VITEEE for admission to around 2100 seats.

Must-read: Campus review on Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)

Eligibility: A candidate should have passed class 12th examination with a minimum aggregate of 60% in PCM.

Test Pattern & Selection: VITEEE is of 2 ½ hours duration and has 150 objective type questions from class 12th syllabus of Physics, Chemistry and Maths and or Biology. One can either appear for Biology or Mathematics or for both. There is no negative marking in the examination. Successful candidates are called for counselling in batches and allotment of branches is on the basis of the rank in VITEEE.

Website : www.vit.ac.in

Useful Tips

Story of a little boy who made others change the way to look at a problem

Do you hate your job and feel that you get paid much less than you deserve? Is there a subject you totally despise and hate studying? Is there someone who’s being rude and nasty to you all the time? And have you been wondering why it’s all that way? Maybe you should hear the story of the evil monster and the little boy.

The story goes that long, long ago there lived a monster in a tiny village. The villagers were all terrified of him, and felt their village was cursed to have such a creature living in their midst. Several men tried to fight the monster. One man attacked the monster with a sharp sword.

The monster grabbed the sword and almost magically pulled out another sword, twice as large, twice as sharp and cut the man into half. Another time, a villager set off with a large wooden club to hit the monster. The monster responded by slamming the man with a wooden club, twice as large as the one that the villager had. On another occasion, a villager tried to set the monster on fire. But the monster opened his mouth and spewed huge flames – that roasted the poor man.

Scared by these events the village folks gave up trying to fight the monster. They felt this was their lot, and they had to learn to live with it. And then one day a little boy said he would go and vanquish the monster. People were surprised, and despite their disbelief, went along to see the little boy take on the monster.

As the boy looked up at the giant, the monster just flared his nostrils and glared back. The little boy then took out an apple and offered it to the monster. The monster grabbed it, held it to his mouth, and then thrust his clenched fist in front of the boy. Bang! As the fist slowly opened, the people were astonished to see two delicious apples there. Twice as red and twice as large as the apple that the boy had offered.

The boy then took out a little earthen pot with some water and gave it to the monster. And the monster took that and responded by placing in front of the boy two urns made of gold, filled with delicious juice. The people were ecstatic. They suddenly realised that the monster was not a curse – but a boon to the village. The little boy smiled. And the giant just smiled back. While the story is centuries old, the monster is still around. In colleges, in the office, and in our lives. And it’s a good idea to remember the lessons from that story. Most of our problems appear that way because of the way we look at them. You get back what you give. Twice as much!

Is someone being rude to you? Maybe you need to change the way you behave with them. And no, don’t wait for them to change; you need to change first! At work too, if you go in to work, hating every moment, it’s unlikely that you’ll do a great job. If you don’t contribute, don’t expect to get paid a fat salary. You get what you give. Resolve today then to change. Love your job and give it everything you have. Be nice to the “Ms Nasty” in college. Look at Maths as a cool, fun subject. And you’ll discover that the evil monster is in fact a benevolent giant.

It’s significant that it took a little child to discover the true colours of the monster. Children don’t have preconceived notions. They believe the world is a wonderful place. It’s only as they grow up that the optimism vanishes, and negative conditioning sets in. Go on. Let the child in you take over. Look at everything you dread with fresh eyes – be it rude friends, tough subjects or lousy jobs. Maybe the monster is really a nice guy. Change the way you look at him. And see the difference!

Prakash Iyer is MD, Kimberly-Clark, and executive coach. He has recently authored a book titled 'The Habit of Winning'.

Education News Useful Tips

THE first step is to that funny/ naughty e-mail ID and get one with your name, as your email ID as this is probably the first thing an employer will see.

Two, check e-mail regularly and see that you attend to phone-calls professionally. Pat Lynch, President, Business Alignment Strategies. Inc, USA, who helps students gain internships, articulates an employer’s frustration rather well.

“Too often I see students dressing sloppily, and not displaying common business courtesy Big mistake! Employers often use internships as a commitment-free way of seeing what kind of worker a student would be,” she shares.

This thought is further echoed by Dr. Raj Raghavan, HR Leader, GE John F Welch Technology Centre, who is responsible for the internship programme at GE. “The passion to learn and the desire to want to make a difference to the company are two critical differentiators that we look for in interns.

Company and role

Think in the direction of which industries and job functions interest you and build a résumé that highlights qualifications, skills and strengths. Your cover letter must be ‘employer focused’. Indicate you have been through their website and the various ways you can contribute.

The very fact that you have taken the time to think about it can impress an employer. Bhooshan Kelkar, Country Manager of IBM India, University Relations suggests, “Focus upon application-oriented thinking or any out of the box experiences you have had. Whether it is a robotics camp or an IEEE membership, they expose you to new experiences and prepare you for the tough market, which is only getting tougher.

Yu Yu Din, a digital marketing manager with EmployWise, Gurgaon highlights a problems faced by students. The primary challenge in India is the mindset of employers. She advises students to ‘highlight your willingness to learn’, and encourages them to look at internships with small businesses. “They tend to be more open to internships/trainee programmes than large ones. Companies in the creative sector such as PR and advertising firms are also more open to internships than traditional businesses,” she adds.

Search tips

The easiest way to search for internships is to register yourself with your college’s career guidance wing and checking available internship vacancies. Many websites such as www.eastchance.com and www.theihs.org have many positions advertised throughout the year. Keep a tab on them. Approach the companies that interest you. Dr. Raghavan shares, “Many of our internship opportunities are regularly advertised in the GE Careers webpage with details on the programme. Other companies, for instance, have dedicated links to internship sites, which provide details on the various types of assignments, location of the internship, stipend details etc.

”IBM on the other hand mainly advertises their internships through the Training and Placement Offices, states Kelkar. Since, many new age IT companies offer a host of opportunities, setting up a LinkedIn profile and mentioning that in your cover letter makes lots of sense. Pankaj Ingle, who is pursuing a PG Diploma in Management (RM) at K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies & Research, Mumbai has a well developed LinkedIn profile with 200 + connections. Pankaj, who did his summer internship at Onida where he worked on the brand perception of their microwaves, also got his Professor at the institute to recommend him.

Will it pay?

Internships generally are unpaid. If you manage to get a paid internship, good luck to you. But even if an internship is unpaid it can be a great way to add weight to your résumé. Weigh it against what else you can be doing with your time and how you will benefit from it. Also, unlike in a job, with an internship you must focus on choosing the one that gives you the maximum learning opportunity. But negotiating a good stipend also does not hurt.

What should I do?

A great résumé which focuses on what you have learnt and achieved so far in college is a great starting point in your internship hunt. Have a one-page easy-to-read concise résumé. Avoid large blocks of text and use headings, different fonts and columns to highlight your points. Plus good interview skills. Remember, there could be many who are interested in an internship.

The last word

Many firms do not advertise for internships. Most of the opportunities are filled in based on word of mouth publicity. So there is no harm in leveraging your personal network to gain an appointment. But if you want to be treated professionally you must eventually make a well-thought-out professional impact. Who knows, you may land up with a job offer at the end!

Education News Useful Tips

If you could subtract examinations from student life, those years would add up to magic. Unfortunately, studies and evaluations go hand in hand and often lead to undue stress in your child. Fix it fast!

Stress is a vicious cycle: Once you start worrying, it can block the mind and make you forget faster than you learn. It manifests itself in inexplicable stomach pains, menstrual cramps, headaches, nausea, diarrhoea. It could express itself with sweating, irritability, insomnia, asthma and blackouts.

"High levels of stress lead to the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol which weakens your immune system," explains Dr PV Vaidyanathan, Mumbai-based paediatrician and author of two parenting books, Make Your Child Stress-Free and Managing the Unmanageable Child.

However, experts say some amount of stress is necessary for a student taking exams. This is called eustress or good stress which boosts performance. If your child is absolutely cool about the exams, her performance may not be up to the mark. So balance it out.

To help your child retain everything, perform well and keep upbeat in the run up to the exams and during those days you need to start ahead. Make sure her immunity is built with good food, exercises, enough rest and sleep and a happy environment.

Serve her the right food: She will not only be stronger and more energetic, but her memory will also be strengthened with the right foods. "Turn her plate into a colourful palette with a rainbow of fruits and veggies that includes a variety of colours-red, green, yellow and orange. Strawberries, tomatoes and carrots are all great immunity boosters," says Mumbai-based nutritionist Naini Setalvad.

"Serve up food rich in memory-boosting Omega-3 fatty acids such as flaxseeds, walnuts, almonds, etc," she says. Grapes, cherries, apples, spinach, broccoli and beet root are also great for memory.

"Vitamin B-complex is excellent for better memory too. So reach out for oats, bananas and avocados," adds Setalvad. Make sure she drinks enough water. Dehydration can play havoc with memory.

Allow her enough rest: Sleep rests the brain, sharpens concentration, boosts memory and retrieval of facts. So make sure that your child follows a healthy sleep pattern. "While eight to nine hours should do, some children may need 10 to 12 hours' sleep a day," says Vaidyanathan.

Leave her with free time: Stress and physical inactivity are directly linked. "Dance or a sport like cycling, skipping, swimming or a short sprint will not only give him a rush of happy hormones but also improve his concentration," says Dr Gaurav Sharma, sports medicine specialist, Holy Angel Hospital, New Delhi. Make sure that he gets enough free time and breaks. Sometimes indulging in a comparatively sedentary hobby like music can also lift his spirits.

Fight the fear factors: Identifying the exam fear factors that are stressing out your child and addressing them immediately are essential to steer through these days. We have identified some for you along with expert solutions. Don't hesitate to seek professional help if you think you can't cope alone.

I have sudden panic stations: Where it comes from: Inadequate preparation, poor time management, frequent comparison with others.

How to handle it: Comfort your child and try to cheer him up by chatting about lighter matters. Help her strategise well and seek tips from teachers. "Let her not waste time by discussing with friends or class mates over the telephone," says Jeromey Jaypaul, guidance counsellor, Bishop Cotton Boys School, Bengaluru.

Friends can mislead and want to distract and unnerve you. "Ask your child to avoid people who make him feel low," says Dr Jayanti Dutta, consultant clinical psychologist and associate professor, Clinical Psychology, Lady Irwin College, New Delhi.

I won't retain a thing! where it comes from: Poor sleep, bad eating habits, stress-induced panic.

How to handle it: Says Dr Jitendra Nagpal, senior consultant psychiatrist, Vidyasagar Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences, New Delhi, "Whenever memory blanks out, one should sit back, relax for a while, put one's head down and concentrate.

It may take few minutes to recollect the information but it is possible to get hold of it." The trick is to be calm and concentrate. Study hours should be punctuated with short breaks to retain and remember! To build memory for your kid, keep quizzing her with brain games and puzzles through the year.

There is an awful lot to cover,where it comes from: Disorganised, last-ditch study, lack of concentration.

How to handle it: Studying can be like eating a meal. Suggest that your child breaks it into different courses and goes systematically with bite-sized portions. Encourage studying in short bursts of 40 to 60 minutes.

Improve her concentration by de-cluttering the room she studies in. "It doesn't matter if you haven't covered all the topics. Select a few but be thorough. Think positive," suggests Dutta.

My parents will be embarrassed. Where it comes from: Unduly high expectations from parents or lack of communication, or both. How to handle it: Keep the talk lines open. "Tone down your expectations from your child and praise her for her achievements in other areas," says Dr Arvind Taneja, advisor and senior consultant, Paediatrics, Max Healthcare, New Delhi.

Rather, help her explore other career options if academics is not her strongest point. Ensure that she doesn't take poor academic performance as personal failure and loss of face socially. Also, don't compare your child with other children-this exacerbates fear.

Useful Tips

IT is an act in creating your personal brand image. Your resume reaches the interviewer before you do. Yet, many people lose out on an interview opportunity thanks to a poorly written one. Your resume is the first step in projecting yourself effectively to the recruiter.

So create an image that you genuinely identify with – it is a sharp world out there and no one is buying false niceties. We address ten important issues related to your resume.

1. Should your resume have a career goal/ objective statement? A resume that is worthy of representing you, should clearly state your career objective. A career objective is an indirect way of advertising what all you would bring to the company/ role. It must display a ‘giving’ attitude and not a ‘taking’ attitude.

Take a look at this: “To achieve an appreciable status in an organization that offers full scope for growth and where I can fulfill my aspiration of becoming a world class software professional.”

And this: “Be a part of an organization that recognises my skills and provides me with suitable environment to perform to the best of my ability.”

Do either of the above display a ‘giving’ attitude? Your answer is correct. They don’t. So now you know how NOT to write an objective statement! It is advisable to keep the objective statement simple and specific. Let it focus on the direct value addition that you can provide.

Example: “A certified Software Programmer seeking opportunity in the area of Software Development in a competitive work environment to utilize my skills to deliver robust and innovative software solutions.”

2. What sequence should your story follow?

Be it work experience or education, always tell the story from the current/ most recent to the first. NEVER write it the other way round.

3. Does your resume need to mention your marital status?

The new age resume does not require you to mention your marital status. However, if the job advertisement clearly states this as a requirement, do fulfil it. Quick Take

* Include a sharp Career Goal

* Choose the pdf format with discretion

* Fonts: Use Times New Roman, Calibri or Verdana

* Run a spell check

* Tweak to suit position and company of a potential employer

* Your latest work stint must appear first

4. How should you treat references?

Unless you have been specifically asked to provide references, it is acceptable to state in your covering letter/ email that you will provide references on request. Usually, two references are sufficient. Try to provide references from the two most recent phases of your career.

It is a good idea to inform the referees that you are giving out their contact information. It will also help if they know what kind of jobs you are applying for.

5. Should you send the resume as an MS Word document or a PDF? Some organisations ask you to upload your resume. Usually they ask for an MS Word document. If you are mailing across your resume, you could choose either format.

A word of caution – do not get carried away if you decide to make it a PDF. Keep it simple – leave out visual histrionics. And whatever software you choose – send the resume in the most commonly used version.

The biggest advantage of using a pdf format is that it preserves the formatting irrespective of the version of the Acrobat Reader version or user settings.

In MS word, however, the formatting can change based on the MS Office version and User Settings, leading to awkward situations like a two-page resume becoming a 3 -page document. Or a section title like Educational Background coming on Page 2 comes with the details going to Page 3.

However, if the company insists on a word document, please send the resume in word format only. Lot of organisations have tools to extract information from Word documents and if you do not send your resume in Word document, your resume may not get processed at all!

6. Should you incorporate links in the resume?

If you are an engineer who writes a technical blog, go ahead and incorporate the link in your resume. If you are a website developer, the links to the pages created by you would certainly help. However, spare the recruiter from links of your personal blogs, photographs and anything and everything that you scatter on the World Wide Web. In fact, providing the link to your personal blog may even prove fatal if you publish office gossip or crib about your job!

7. What sort of job profiles demand a portfolio?

Artists, designers, photographers, models and those from the performing arts definitely need to provide a portfolio. An artist model/ photographer/ designer may want to include a Power Point or PDF, while a dancer/ actor/ singer may want to mention links from sites like YouTube. Irrespective of the type of portfolio, the intention is simply to showcase your best and most relevant work.

8. What fonts / presentation styles make sense?

Go easy on choosing fonts and presentation styles. The most acceptable ones are the simpler ones. It is advisable to use fonts like ‘Times New Roman’, ‘Calibri’ and ‘Verdana’. Do not get tempted by the fancier ones. The resume is not the platform to exhibit your artistic inclinations. Also, keep the fonts and font sizes uniform across different categories in the resume.

You should zero in on a presentation style with just one thing in mind – it should be extremely presentable. By creating minimum chaos, it should elicit the maximum attention.

Some people choose to give the resume a fancy header with their name and contact information in bold. This gives it a ‘letter head’ look. Some go for a more conventional style by listing out such information in bullet points. Either style is absolutely fine.

In writing about your project work, education and work experience, you could provide a box format or a neatly tabulated one.

9. What are the worst resume gaffes? The worst thing you could do is to send in a resume without running a grammar/ spelling check. In this age of MS Word, grammar/ spelling mistakes in a resume are just not tolerated. Needless to say, anyone would straight away trash a resume that is saved as supersexy2010.doc or rockstar.doc. One gentleman I knew failed to get a single interview call after sending out more than 80 applications. I probed a little and was shocked to find out why – he had sent out group mails! Do not try to pass around your resume/ covering letter without modifying it to suit the company / role you are applying for. It is offending if your application reads like:

Dear _______, I am applying for the role of ___________________ at your esteemed organisation _____________________.

It shows and it is NOT acceptable!!!

10. What is the difference in writing a resume for a BPO professional/ Engineer/ MBA? If you are a BPO aspirant, you need to highlight your ability to deal with all kinds of people, chase targets and work in shifts. If you are an engineer, your resume should clearly talk about your projects and internships. Expect a fair number of questions from these areas in the interview. An MBA student would also need to write about projects and training.

Education News Useful Tips

DESPITE a barrage of online applications from job-seekers through job portals, recruiters are often left with very few ‘worthwhile’ applications. Most candidates commit seven cardinal sins and lose out on a good opportunity.

Sin 1: Application is incomplete
Instead of keeping recruiters guessing, as is the case often, do your bit and provide all relevant details. Time-crunched recruiters who are swamped by hundreds of résumés every day, usually end up spending time on applications that are complete, and which do not need them to ferret out information.

When creating a profile, register yourself by filling in your details on the job board, then upload your résumé, and finally, write a cover letter. On the job board and in the résumé, it is best to give all the information sought - from educational qualifications and particulars about current and previous organisation/s to relevant personal details. “The biggest blunder one can commit is to send the application without contact phone numbers. We have no way of getting in touch with and are compelled to reject the candidate even if they make the cut,” says Parama Biswas, HR Generalist, BOC India.

While filling in particulars, candidates often omit details regarding salary or location assuming that those can be discussed at a later stage - during a telephone or face-to-face interview. This can leave matters to chance and your fate will depend on how the recruiter takes it. While many are willing to oversee it and arrange an interview, some recruiting agencies find this annoying as salary is one of the chief deciding factors. Hence, even if the application is not rejected immediately, it may not be the first preference. As Cindrella Vincent, HR Executive, Praxis Interactive Technologies Ltd., points out, “All recruiters have a budget for each position and not knowing whether an application makes the mark salary-wise, makes it all the more difficult. If someone is already drawing more than the allocated salary, then we will obviously not get in touch with him or her, thereby saving the candidate’s and our time.”

Sin 2: Not following instructions
For instance, if a recruiter specifies that phone calls are not welcome, it is best to adhere to it. It not only ensures that the résumé reaches the right person at the right time with the right information, but also underlines your willingness to take instructions.

Sin 3: Getting generic
Job portals give you the option of applying in the quickest manner to all jobs by clicking just once on “Apply” (may be known by a different name across portals). This practice, however, is best avoided. Instead, use the preview option and edit it to suit the position on offer. “It is very important to customise the job application. Many job searchers often send group e-mails and generic résumés to recruiters. This is the worst mistake one can make, and cuts a very shabby picture and shows the applicant’s desperation and lackadaisical attitude. He or she will, in all probability, never be the first preference,” shares Sebastian Rodriguez, Manager Resourcing, Datamatics Global Services Limited.

A checklist

• Follow all instructions
• Fill in all the required information
• Do a spelling and grammar check
• Give contact details
• Add a covering letter with he subject line mentioning the profile
• Attach your résumé Features of a good résumé
• Do not just narrate your duties and responsibilities in the previous organisation/s, highlight your achievements
• Emphasise fitment and value addition to the profile advertised
• Pay attention to detail and format it in such a manner that you draw attention to what is relevant for that particular profile
• Give all the required information without running into countless pages
• Ideally give as much information as necessary to evoke interest and elicit an interview call

Though the details you fill in while registering on a job portal and the résumé you upload there will be a broad-based one, ensure you customise your application whenever you apply for a particular position. Go through the job description, figure out the job requirements, and accordingly highlight why you are best suited for the profile in terms of your experience and skill set in the cover letter and/or the comments section.

The cardinal rule is to address your application to the right person, mentioning the profile you are interested in and the Reference ID/ Job Code. Cindrella Vincent advises, “Even if a candidate thinks he or she fits into more than one of the advertised roles, the position must be specified. It will show your focus and area of interest as well as how well you understand the job specifications. For example, profiles of writers and editors are often quite similar, so if the candidate leaves it blank, the candidate may not get what he/she prefers.”

Sometimes, placement agencies place such advertisements and they do not disclose the name of the organisation. In such cases it is advisable to get in touch with the recruiting firm for information on the position and the organisation before sending your application.

Sin 4: Applying in a hurry
Organisations hire on the basis of what the candidate brings to the table and not on a first-come-first serve basis. So never rush! Double check your application - details on the job board, résumé and cover letter before sending them. Applications and cover letters filled with typos, accompanied with an unformatted résumés will create a negative impression. “The icing on the cake is of course forgetting to attach the résumé altogether,” says Parama. Such bloopers give the impression that they are disinterested and casual.

Sin 5: Getting gimmicky
In a bid to attract a recruiter’s attention, many candidates resort to flashy formatting including fancy footers, flamboyant language or even a personal pleas in the comments section. Recruiters do not spend more than a few seconds perusing a CV and only if it evokes their interest are they likely to go through it in details. So ensure smart formatting and the correct choice of words.

Sin 6: Not following up
Online applications also need follow-ups. For instance, if you do not hear from the recruiter within seven to 10 days, it is best to follow up on your application. However, Sebastian Rodriguez cautions, “Don’t keep badgering recruiters by calling or mailing every other day. Be sharp enough to gauge when you have not made the cut and the recruiters are too courteous to say it directly.”

The key is to be polite and show interest in the position while enquiring about your application. In case you do not get any response that acknowledges the receipt of your application, you can try other means of forwarding your application - through another job portal or by directly contacting the appropriate person in the placement consultancy or the organisation.

Sin 7: Not blocking current employer
It is best to keep your job hunt under wraps until you resign.

Firstly, your manager will be displeased if he or she gets to hear of it from any other source. Also, your organisation will assume that you are in exit mode and may leave you out from business meetings and office events. Hence, staying on in that organisation, till a good offer comes up, can become very difficult and may even compel you to take up the first offer that comes your way, even if it is not the kind you wanwt. Also, remember that searching for a job from your workplace is a complete no-no. Most offices, these days, have firewalls which not only prevent access to such sites but also log access requests to those sites and report them to the HR department or the reporting manager.

The situation will grow worse if your job search does not yield immediate and expected results - you will be hounded by smug questions about the status of your job search and whether it has yielded any results, which can be extremely humiliating. So, be discrete by blocking your current organisation from viewing your profile online till you get a concrete offer and are in a position to put in your papers.

Good luck!

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