Category: job opportunities

Do You Need A Resume Or A CV?

pexels-photo-938965

 

You are done with your education, and you now feel ready to take on the  world of work.

Or you are just planning to get back to working after that much needed  sabbatical.

Your little one now goes to school and you finally feel you have enough time to rejoin the office after years.

BUT… there’s always a BUT, isn’t it?

The companies ask for a CV. You see the menacingly familiar word ‘resume’ all over the place. You have no idea how to go about creating it. You vaguely remember learning to create something like that in school, but that was years ago! Feeling overwhelmed to some extent is natural but that  shouldn’t drag you down, right? Especially right at the supposedly first step.

 

Preparing a resume and/or a CV (yes, the two are a bit different: we will get  to it soon) could be a daunting task for many. After all, to a great extent  “it  gives you away.”

So, here is a little guide as to what all you should look out for and what all you could include while making a CV.

 

First things first, let us get our concepts clear! Earlier there used to be a huge difference between a CV and a resume. But now the only difference is essentially of the length. Both include a summary of your work experience and education; only, the resume is ideally supposed to be just a page long. A  CV, short for  ‘curriculum vitae’  could be a little more detailed, with two or  three pages.

 

‘Resumes’ are used in the United States, Canada and Australia. CVs are  used everywhere in the world including the UK, New Zealand, Asia and the  European Union.

If this is a bit too complicated to understand, the good news is that the two terms are used in an interchangeable manner in India, New Zealand and South Africa.  You could now just focus on creating a CV and tweak it according to the country where you have applied.  (Source)

Now, let us get to creating one!

You need to list down your skills, that is, your key expertise. These are what the recruiters would screen through.

Your work experience needs to be added. You begin with the latest, then the one before, then the one before (you get the drill, right?) and right up  to your first job.

 

You also include your work tenure. You have to be particular here:include not just the duration but the years of joining and quitting. Make sure to include the location. Basically, where on Earth have you been when you were at this job?

Also, if you have had a particularly short stint at a role or you have had to change jobs too frequently, include your reasons. You don’t want to come  off as a job hopper to the recruiters! Make sure to convey your reliability  this way so that there is no fear that you would suddenly quit or stop  showing up at work.

 

You have to include your job responsibility. What all you handle at your  current job/ what did you handle at your previous job. Make sure to write  only your responsibilities and not blindly copy-paste the ones you might  come across from sampled CVs.

Essentially, you subtly sell and market yourself. It is a job “market” after  all.

 

You continue the self selling and the marketing and list down your educational qualifications. You write down your degree, the institution where you did  your degree from, the year you finished your degree.

 

You include your contact details: your name, very very obviously, but it’s always a good idea to check such a seemingly basic thing. Your E-Mail I.D, contact number, address, Skype I.D  have to be there.

Your age, and date of birth are important because certain jobs do have age limits.

 

The subtle self-marketing continues as you list down the languages you know.

 

You tell your prospective employers what a well-rounded personality you have as you list down your other skills, and your interest areas.

It is important that you are honest. Do not copy and paste. Imagine if everyone copied and pasted a few samples. Every other CV would end up looking the same. We certainly don’t want that, do we? A personalised CV is a lot more attractive.

 

Check, double check, triple check your spellings, punctuation and grammar. You may or may not be applying for the job of a proof-reader but you must use that skill for scanning though your own CV. Ask your trusted friends and family to go over the document. An external observer could spot mistakes you might have overlooked.

Check the layout. Make sure it looks professional and tidy. Imagine your reaction if you were the employer and a CV such as yours came to you.

The format should be that of Word and PDF. Provide the necessary links and URLs.

 

Draft and re-draft your CV if needed.

 

Once you have got a hang of it, and if you want to notch it up a bit, you could check out the concept of video-resumes. They directly showcase your communication skills, personality and your overall presentation. Although you must make sure that they are accepted where you are planning to apply.

Video or no video, using a neat photograph of yours accompanying your CV  is a good idea.

 

Lastly, what not to do: if you don’t have some essential job requirements, you shouldn’t apply. You could be under-qualified or over-qualified for the role. Besides this fact, in case some of your experience matched very well to the job role, then you may apply stating this fact , and highlighting it. Here, you do the self marketing and selling a little loudly and clearly.

Do not list completely unrelated skills. The skills you talk about on your CV should always be relevant to the role you are applying for. This is where tailoring comes in. For every role you should ensure you are highlighting the skills it requires and remove any completely irrelevant skills or experience.

 

It is always a good idea to research online as you go on creating your CV. Make sure you create something original. Use the samples just as samples.

Again, try to use your imagination and see if you would be pleased as an employer/recruiter if you received a CV such as yours.

 

Good luck!

Tips on how to recruit employees fitting the company culture

Recruitment is not just to expand a firm’s work force but to increase the proficiency of the firm altogether. Many make a common mistake of judging people by their curriculum vitae and skill sets while overlooking their temperament and character. This often causes workplace tension and results in decline in moral among the work force. The process of recruitment is not just interviewing and selecting the candidates. Just asking some questions randomly or according to the candidate’s curriculum vitae will just not make the cut. Reason is that the candidates may answer it accurately but it will not give you a clear picture of their temperament and mindset. To judge whether a candidate is fit for the culture of your company or not, can be found out by following some interview tips and tricks. Such few pointers are discussed below on how to choose a candidate fitting your company’s culture.

Recruit Employees Fitting The Company Culture

  • The candidates must previous experiences

The candidates must be asked about their previous experiences for a good start as an interviewer, you could always ask the candidates about their past working experiences. This will give him an opportunity to Speak, and for you to judge him, from whatever he speaks. As the candidate enumerates his/her past experiences, many things can be noted from that. For eg , his/her communication skills, Flow of the thought process, his/her abilities to handle things. Further, this can be elaborated by asking, his/her achievements/failures in various jobs. At the back end Interviewer can analyse, how similar or different are these things as compared to the Employer Company.

  • Ask reasons for a “Change”

The reasons of the incumbent, for looking for a Change should always be explored. This will give the Interviewer an insight on, what is it that is hurting/itching the candidate. And whether the same/similar parameters exist in your company. In case such conditions, for which the candidate is running from, are existing in your company also, then the chances of his surviving with your company are less. If so please clarify this point at that time itself, so that if he joins, he knows about these parameters. If the candidate’s reasons for a change are satisfied, then chances of his sticking to your company long term are good.

  • Sceptical approach

Sceptical approach on candidates’ answers is a must The aforesaid point may sometime backfire your true intentions as some sly candidates may grab hold of this opportunity and exaggerate the minor difficulties that they face in their current employment, with an overreacting tendency. These candidates may be weeded out by sceptical questionnaire from your front. This kind of interrogative interview from you & other interviewers would create a pressure on these candidates and would reveal their folly. These candidates treat discipline and deadlines as difficulties which is definitely a pre-requisite for any office work culture.

  • The diligence of the candidates

The above points unfolds the fact that whether the candidates have faced difficult work place experience or not. If the answer is yes then the question that comes up is how the candidate coped up with that situation. Here is where you would get a complete mind set analysis of the candidates. If you get the hint that the candidates have persevered through the tough times all while trying to uphold the moral of the team and deliver the project then the candidates would be a better fit than candidates who have bailed themselves out in such times.

  • The candidates educate

It is mandatory to let the candidates educate about your firm’s work culture after the conclusion of the interview session you must educate the candidates about the code of conduct, ethics and ambience of your firm. These know how must be handed to the candidates in written document of articles and acknowledgement. Well, the document must be served only if the selection is penultimate. Candidates choosing to abide the term of your company will definitely fit its culture.

Wishing you All the Best for a Successful Recruitment.

Working in Developing v/s Developed Countries

Imagine a situation when you have applied for a job in a whole list of countries and waiting desperately for a response. To your surprise, you receive an offer from a country that you have hardly heard anything about.

You even don’t remember when and where did you apply for it. However, the job offer is so lucrative that you can’t resist Googling about that country. What all you know that it is a developing country.

Working  Abroad (developing countries)

Whenever one gets an OFFER , or Thinks of a career abroad, it is mostly from the Developing nations.

As these are the countries whose masses/ general population do not have the required Technical skills, and hence Companies seek Expatriates Employees.

Going abroad is sometimes considered akin to going to Developed countries like the UK and USA only.

However more often than not small and developing nations are the one’s who beckon you for a career abroad.

You are puzzled about what it a developing country and whether you should go for it or not? Here is some valuable information for those who want to work there.

What is in a developing country?

Earlier known as ‘Third World Country’, a developing country has less developed industrial areas.

The Human Development Index is low, and the infrastructure is far below as compared to a developed nation.

Working In Developing Country

Some experts use a different criterion for differentiating. The Gross Development Product or GDP decides whether a country will be called developing  country or developed.

In the light of all this, broadly a country with low industrial development and low standard of living as compared to a developed country can be termed as developing country.

Several developing countries are rapidly progressing towards the status of developed countries, though. They show a remarkable growth rate and development.

Why should you choose a developing country?

Well, when it is about making a choice between working in a developed country versus a developing country, then the majority of the people preferred the latter one.

The reason is simple; the lifestyle is quite exciting, and the facilities are pretty good there. The standard of living is superior, and the facilities are good.

Also, a developed country offers several growth opportunities. Hence, you can climb new heights of success pretty fast.

You get more legitimate jobs on Work- Permits and even Resident Visas if you have long-term plans of residing in a developing country

Yes, you have to be absolutely clear about your stay in a developing country. Are you planning to stay there longer? If yes, then there are bright chances of getting legitimate and authentic jobs.

It goes without saying  that when you stay longer, you save more money. If the stint is short (typically one or two years), then you will hardly be able to reap any benefits.

When you show readiness to stay for five years or so, the employers establish faith in you. They offer better and more responsible profiles, and obviously more money.

When a company hires you for a job in a developing country or your existing employer sends you there on deputation, there are expectations from you. And the expectations are quite high.

Therefore, you should try your level best to meet the expectations. Your readiness to roll up your sleeves and hit the Shop floor “Hands On” becomes your cutting edge and is greatly appreciated.

Ask a few questions to the employer before you sign the agreement paper

Working in a different country is a unique proposition indeed, but you have to be cautious about is. Whether it is a developed country or developing one, there are several moving parts. Hence, to make sure that each line of the work contract is clear to you.

Discuss the same with your employer or recruitment agency. Don’t hesitate in asking the following questions:

  • What are the benefits beyond the salary package given in the appointment letter? Will you get travel expense reimbursement, accommodation allowance, relocation benefits, etc?
  • Are there any specific travel conditions, immigration rules or re-entry concerns that you should know about? You should get all pertinent information beforehand.
  • Are there any perks? If yes, then what is the method of reimbursement?
  • What is the office culture? How is it in line with or different to the culture in the respective country? What efforts are required to align with the socio-cultural environment in the country you are going to?
  • Are there any health concerns? Do you need to take some precautions there?
  • What will be the method of payment remittance?

 

Manage your money when you are there

Well, developing countries are certainly cheaper than the developed ones, but at the same time, the salary levels are also quite low.

Experts say that you need to be a perfect money manager when you are in a different country. Not only should you spend sensibly but also keep reserves for contingencies. If you get money in the bank account, then make a habit of not withdrawing all the money.

Control the money flow and beware of your expenses. Thus, you will do not find in an economic crunch while you are in a developing country.

Choose a job after proper research

Do not choose any job hastily just because the salary is being offered more than the average levels. It could be risky. Experts say that one has to be skeptical and keen about it.

You must understand that work opportunities that bring excellent professional experience are always there. The only thing is you have to be watchful and alert. Check your flexibility, resourcefulness, work experience and patience first.

If you search job opportunities by making connections with people, then you may get something remarkable that won’t have been possible otherwise.

Typically in the developing countries, smaller firms always have high employment growth. However, it doesn’t get accompanied by the similar growth in productivity or sales.

Large firms, on the other hand, have higher productivity growth but they have fewer jobs to offer.

Small and Medium enterprises are good at these two fronts, but you are not sure about the growth prospect of the company.

Ask a few questions to the employer before you sign the agreement paper

Working in a different country is a unique proposition indeed, but you have to be cautious about is. Whether it is a developed country or developing one, there are several moving parts. Hence, to make sure that each line of the work contract is clear to you.

Discuss the same with your employer or recruitment agency. Don’t hesitate in asking the following questions:

  • What are the benefits beyond the salary package given in the appointment letter? Will you get travel expense reimbursement, accommodation allowance, relocation benefits, etc?
  • Are there any specific travel conditions, immigration rules or re-entry concerns that you should know about? You should get all pertinent information beforehand.
  • Are there any perks? If yes, then what is the method of reimbursement?
  • What is the office culture? How is it in line with or different to the culture in the respective country? What efforts are required to align with the socio-cultural environment in the country you are going to?
  • Are there any health concerns? Do you need to take some precautions there?
  • What will be the method of payment remittance?

 

Hence, it is very much important that you do your homework before diving into the stream. Get the right job in a developing country, pack your bags and Get Set GO!!.

Indeed, it will be an exciting and learning experience. ALL THE BEST!!