REASONS YOU NEED A PROFFESIONAL RESUME

      Nobody can ever underestimate how important it is to have a good resume. You have heard the expression "First impressions are lasting ones." Well, your resume is the first meeting between you and a prospective employer more often now than ever. So, how do you want to be remembered? Companies do not have the time to interview every applicant that is interested in the job. If they did, there would not be a company to work for. They use an eliminating process. That's right - resumes.

Most job position openings receive hundreds of resumes and applications. This will be the first thing people see to get a glimpse of who you are. You can either stand out by being so awful that you’ll be remembered as an example of what not to do, or you can stand out by having an exemplary resume that is crafted for the position, and accurately describes who you are as an employee in one page of text.

You need to remember that you only have a few seconds that the potential employer is going to be taking to glance at your resume, so it’s very important to make sure that all the years you have been working and studying are going to be represented properly in your resume. Your resume needs to shout - professionally, "I am the one you want on your team." So much so, that even if you are not appropriate for the advertised position, he or she would be inclined to start one for you. You only have a few moments to convince the employer that your resume deserves further attention before it's trashed.

The purpose of the resume is to get the interview. After reading it, employers should want to get to know you better. Your resume is your friend, if properly prepared. If not, it could be just the thing that loses your opportunity. Use it to your advantage. You have complete control over whatever employer knows about you. Never falsify information, but emphasize the good, and de-emphasize the bad. Make sure your lasting impression is a profound and positive one.

A well-written and formatted resume tells the employer a lot about your professionalism, and improves the chances for receiving an interview. Consider that employers compare resumes to decide who to interview.

The statistics are that the average employer only spends a few seconds looking at a resume, so it is imperative that it makes an impression. In this increasingly competitive job market you need to have a professional resume that contains the right information, so that it will stand out amongst the countless other resumes that potential employers will be looking at, and give you the best possible chance of getting their attention..

If you do not have the skill-set to write a proper resume, then letting a quality company handle it for you just might be the difference in getting hired and getting overlooked again. If you need professional help, there are affordable resume-writing services available for you, and with different online coupons, you won’t have to pay a lot.

A great resume should relay to the person in charge of hiring that you’re the right employee for the job in well under a minute. That means a great resume needs to get straight to the point and highlight every strong characteristic you have. Most people tend to ramble on while going heavy on the prose, so this is another reason why having your resume written for you is a smart idea. You may be overzealous with wanting to highlight your strong points, resulting in a run-on format that no one reads.

The thing about writing a resume personally is that you are inclined to ramble and to highlight points that you believe are important. A company doesn’t care about that stuff; a company only cares about how you will fit in with their system. This is why a resume-writing service might pay off.

With the number of professional resume writers available to turn a phrase and put a spin on your qualifications, the importance of writing your own resume may be minimized. Throughout your career, you must be able to summarize your work history, outline your skills and emphasize traits you have that could qualify you for future work. Without the ability to craft a professional qualifications statement such as a resume, your career might reach a dead end.

-Madhurima Chaudhury

Jobseeker Counsellor |  ReKruiTIn.com

5 Simple Steps To Crack The Interview

      5 Simple Steps To Crack             

An Interview

         Step 1:

          First thing is the dress code, as first impression is the last impression.  Today's casual dress codes do not give you permission to dress as "they" do when you interview. It is important to know what to wear to an interview and to be well-groomed. Whether you wear a suit or something less formal depends on the company culture and the position you are seeking. As soon as you enter the room, greet the interviewer smiling with both your eyes and lips, all coordinated with your handshake. Standing straight, making eye contact and connecting with a firm handshake. That first nonverbal impression can be a great beginning -- or quick ending -- to your interview .When you meet the hiring manager you can create a positive effect with your face by turning up your lips and your cheeks as you smile with your eyes. It's about demonstrating confidence.

        Step 2:

     Sit in the chair with your head and shoulders facing forward. You might find it easier to keep your eyes focused on the interviewer while looking straight ahead, instead of out of the corners of your eyes.  Make initial eye contact with the person asking a question in a group interview. However, when you answer the question, make eye contact with the other managers or committee members, as well.

        Step 3:

      Look believable as you respond to interview questions such as, "Tell me about yourself." In fact, you should prepare and rehearse a 30-60 second commercial or "elevator pitch" about your career experience. Deliver this speech looking directly into the interviewer's eyes. Avoid looking away in shame and giggling. Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what was said. Observe your interviewer, and match that style and pace.

  Step 4:

      Don't talk too much. Telling the interviewer more than he needs to know could be a fatal mistake. Don't be too familiar, the interview is a professional meeting to talk business. This is not about making a new friend. Use appropriate language. It's a given that you should use professional language during the interview. Be aware of any inappropriate slang words or references to age, race, religion, politics or sexual orientation -- these topics could send you out the door very quickly. Don't be cocky, attitude plays a key role in your interview success. There is a fine balance between confidence, professionalism and modesty.

 

  Step 5:

      Take care to answer the questions and when asked if they have any questions, most candidates answer, "No."  Wrong answer . Part of knowing how to interview is being ready to ask questions that demonstrate an interest in what goes on in the company. Asking questions also gives you the opportunity to find out if this is the right place for you. But don't appear desperate. When you interview with the "please, please hire me" approach, you appear desperate and less confident. Reflect the three Cs during the interview: cool, calm and confidence. You know you can do the job; make sure the interviewer believes you can, too.

-Madhurima C

Jobseeker Counsellor |  ReKruiTIn.com

6 Questions To Avoid When Asked “Do You Have Any Questions For Us?”

Do You Have Any Questions for Us?

Gauging the keenness and knowledge of a candidate are crucial interview components. It is in this context that the poser “Do you have any questions for us?” is asked, usually at the end of an interview. Specifically, the recruiter is testing one’s enthusiasm to work with the company and understanding of the precise job requirements.

Hence, if you’re asked the same question at an interview and answer improperly, you risk inviting an unfavorable impression, notwithstanding your credentials and skills. Knowing this, here are six questions to avoid asking in response to the aforementioned interviewer query:

          

1.       How Much Compensation Will I Get?

You ought to remember that an interview is a preliminary procedure and does not connote a recruiter offer. Thus it would be irrational to enquire about your pay structure at this stage. Enquiring about your compensation before a definite offer will irk the recruiter and project you as being unmindful of the job description and responsibilities. Even questions pertaining to prospective salary increments would be irregular and paint you in a poor light.  

2.       What Is Your Overall Leave Policy?

Enquiring about the types, frequency, and quantum of leaves will immediately convey a disregard for serious, regular, and continual work. Hence any questions regarding leave entitlements and the company’s annual leave policy will be resented.

3.       May I Adopt Flexible Daily Timings?

A corporate enterprise essentially functions on the principles of equality, homogeneity, and discipline of all employees and processes. Asking whether you may deviate from office timings would be construed as a violation of the above principles. Thus, questions on the ensuing lines should be avoided:

a)      May I leave early if I’ve completed my daily work?

b)      May I arrive late and stay late? 

4.       Does Your Company Have Good Promoters and Financial Backing?

A recruiter’s fundamental intentions are to evaluate your qualifications and assess whether these meet the company’s exact requirements. Hence, an interviewer will definitely dislike pointed questions regarding the company itself, especially ones that query its status as a going concern.

Thus, you would do well not to ask about the company’s investors and fund lenders, instead impressing the interviewer with your employment proficiencies.

5.       What Is Your Employee Termination Procedure? 

The recruiting company is not your adversary – it genuinely wants you to demonstrate your credentials and associate with it on a long-term basis. Consequently, if you straightaway enquire about the company’s termination policy, you’ll be signaling your intention to break away from the company in the foreseeable future.

Therefore, any questions revolving around notice periods, the resignation process, and termination benefits ought to be staunchly eschewed.

     

6.       Shall I Show You My Testimonials? 

As a general rule, one should avoid invoking one’s testimonials and recommendations unless specifically asked to do so. Doing so will lead the recruiter to think you’re desperate and not fully confident of your intrinsic abilities and employability.

Now that you know how to solve this interview conundrum - good luck!

-ReKruiTIn.com Team

Career Counseling – Do you know what you are in for?

ReKruiTIn.com - Career Advice

Counseling can play a crucial role in the career choices of a student. It is a process that helps a student determine the right career option through evaluation of the student’s aptitude, general interest and other relevant qualities. Hence, it is advisable to have regular counseling sessions, which will help identify the right career choice for an individual student.

Identifying the right career for a student is, however, a difficult task. It involves thorough analysis of several factors, and accordingly guiding the student. There are various elements that influence this process and if the evaluation process is not right, it may lead to incorrect career choices. A student expects the right advice from a counselor and hence the right methodology needs to be followed.

In order to facilitate this, counselors must ensure that students feel comfortable while speaking with them, and share their own opinions and thoughts for the facilitation of a dialogue. Counseling must start early, so that the process can be given sufficient time and the student as well as the parents are advised properly. It is feasible to start the counseling process while a student is in the 9^th standard, and this process must continue, through frequent sessions, till the time the specialization of the stream is determined in class 11^th. 

Career counseling needs to go beyond testing the aptitude of the students and must include identifying the interest of students in terms of career choices. While aptitude determines what can be a good career choice for a student, it may not give a complete picture. It is equally important to gauge the level of interest that a student has in a particular type of career and to make the student realize that the interest is genuine and not temporary or influenced by parental or peer pressure.

While there are several coaching classes that help students to crack entrance exams, these are not synonymous with career counseling centers. Counseling must begin much earlier and should continue till the time the student is able to make the right career choices. Coaching classes cater to a limited number of career choices - the ones that are termed as ‘top career options’ by students and parents. 

However, in today’s scenario, there are many career options available that help students utilize their potential to the maximum. Many of these options did not exist earlier and are beyond the realm of traditional career directions. Counseling, therefore, plays a critical role by not just helping students and parents in identifying the potential that a student has, but also by providing them information about various career options that might suit a particular student.

Counseling encompasses a larger perspective and must have contributions from not just the counselor, but also schools and parents. A counselor may just facilitate the process, but schools and parents need to guide students in terms of the recommendations made by the counselor. This would ensure that the students make right career choices.

-By ReKruiTIn.com Team

How to deal with Resentment on Performance Appraisal

Resentment on Performance Appraisal 

Admittedly, immediate supervisors and the Human Resources department have it tough during performance appraisals. There are bound to be employees who feel embittered and discriminated at not being promoted, not being offered salary increments, or their job purviews not being enhanced. Indeed, it’s difficult to please everyone but there are definite things managers can do to counter and assuage periodic review resentment.

Be Transparent and Upfront

All too often, performance appraisal results are conveyed too vaguely to the employees leading to bitterness and frustration. Thus, appraising authorities are strongly recommended to be precise about the employees’ performance and convey their shortcomings clearly. For instance, if a particular employee’s promotion has been postponed owing to him not accepting added job responsibilities, this fact must be expressly stated and discussed. Just sharing such information in a formal manner will enable employees to better appreciate the company’s viewpoint.

Encourage Feedback

Managers owe it to subordinates to foster an environment of openness and mutual interaction. Hence, listening to the opinions and comments of employees during and after performance appraisals is crucial. This will permit employees to vent their grievances freely and transmit a potent message that the company is receptive to their thoughts. Reciprocal interaction like this will certainly reduce resentful sentiments.

Appraise Fairly

Lost promotions or compensation stagnation are indubitably difficult for employees, especially for

those who have spent many years with the enterprise. If these situations arise during an appraisal,

managers are forcefully suggested to recall employees’ positive traits and highlight them continually. 

In no circumstances should officials perpetrate personal attacks and public reprimands. Disgruntled

workers can be placated by telling them that they are still valued for their competencies and their

efforts are integral for company growth.

Keep Records

Maintaining records of past and present appraisals will allow managers to document employee performances

and appraisal results, effectively. These notes will serve as crucial evidence and a ready reckoner to counter

grievances, thus, efficiently tackling employee resentment.

Provide a Road Map

Static performance appraisals that are not forward looking cause considerable unpleasantness. To

remedy this, managers and HR officials are advised tochart the future course of action for all

employees distinctly. The workers must be explicitly informed about upcoming projects, their

forthcoming duties, and opportunities for career progression. These measures will help diffuse

resentment by motivating employees and giving them things to look forward to.

Set Meaningful Objectives

To thwart performance review resentment, appraising officials should set practical and unambiguous

employee objectives that are inextricably linked to the company’s broader vision. The more definite,

quantifiable, and company-focused the goals are, the less the chances of employee bitterness. Before

the next appraisal, the objectives must be invariably reviewed and altered accordingly.

Be Suitably Strict

Lastly, if appraisal resentment is unwarranted and threatening to affect overall company performance,

it is imperative to adopt stern measures. Supervisors must formally report intractable employees to

top management, who can then initiate procedures like official warnings and even termination

notices.

- ReKruiTIn.com Team

Do you deserve a Salary Increase? Learn how to get the Salary Raise!

Do any of these situations apply to your current job? You've been with your company for an appreciable time, worked diligently and devotedly, constantly met your targets, and have been entrenched in the same pay bracket throughout. If you've answered in the affirmative to all of these, then you truly deserve a salary increment and it’s perfectly natural to covet one too. However, approaching and convincing the management are daunting tasks - you will need to act cleverly and promptly. Presenting the top recommendations to get the raise you rightly merit:

Know Your Pay Structure

Before you broach a salary increase, you must be well informed about the pay structure of your company and the relevant industry. This knowledge will assist in asking for the correct increment without aggravating your superiors. Data such as the average increase demanded by your peers and the current salary of a recently promoted co-worker will prove useful. Prudence also dictates that you speak with employees of other enterprises, examine online salary guides, and perhaps consult human resource experts to help determine your proposed raise amount. 

Pick the Appropriate Moment

Selecting the right time to apprise the management is crucial. There are two contrasting but pertinent tactics in this regard. The first one is entails asking right away, without waiting for any event or occasion. This tactic is founded on the principals that you must seize any opportunity before it vanishes and that it's futile to wait any longer. It definitely pays  to execute this approach if you share a good rapport with your superior and if the co-workers have been successful in such endeavors.

The second strategy is to either ask for a raise during the periodic appraisal or when your boss praises you on a current assignment. Obviously these are times when the management will be most responsive to your expectation and needs.

Have the Right Interaction  

Wise communication with the management is vital for fruitful increment negotiation. Pointers in this

context:   

• Adopt a normal and genial tone sans aggression.
• Center the discussion solely on your formal role shunning extraneous and overtly individualistic facets.
•  Preface the exact demand by mentioning your success in your current position and that you’re ready to expand your job purview.
• Manifest the worth you bring to the company by keeping facts and figures ready.
• Allow your superior sufficient time to reply. 

Argue Convincingly     

If your superior immediately declines your request or is non-committal, you should be ready with

persuasive arguments to forward your case. You ought to query exactly why your request is being

denied and ask what you can immediately do to garner the raise.  

 Follow-Up Aptly   

   

In all else fails, you should try to negotiate a temporary midway solution and inquire what can be done to secure higher future increments. Be sure to thank the management for their consideration and to continually pursue your demand henceforth.

The above ways can surely help you garner your salary raise!

-ReKruiTIn.com Team

5 Ways to Overcome Fear of Failure and Moving Forward

Overcome Fear Of Failure and Move Forward

The scenario is natural and inevitable at the start of your career: The fear of professional failure, smoldering workplace tensions, and nagging bouts of self-doubt. It is imperative, however, that you recover quickly, defeat your apprehensions, and progress on your way to growth and development.  Easier said than done? Not really - here are five relatively easy strategies to get the same done:

Harbor a Positive Outlook

No question about it – nurturing sanguine thoughts is the top method to counter the fear of failure. Retaining an optimistic attitude banishes lurking-worries, boosts your self-confidence, and paves the way for assured actions. Know that no matter how intimidating circumstances seem, there will always be hope as long you remain buoyant and cheerful. Specific tactics in this regard include:

a)      Getting adequate sleep overnight and waking up with a smile.

b)      Practicing meditation and deep breathing to invoke and channelize positive sentiments.

c)       Interacting with enthusiastic and well-meaning people who support your career and aspirations.

d)      Being mentally agile and physically fit.

Critically Evaluate Failure

In conjunction with the above, you would also do well to judiciously analyze the nature of failure. Doing so will remove the trepidation's surrounding failure and even cause you to embrace it.   Remember that initial failure is virtually unavoidable in all spheres. In fact, failure has been the foundation on which many a flourishing career has been built. Hindrances and obstacles are known to galvanize people, strengthen their inner character, and propel them to triumph against all odds.Truly, failure is the stepping stone to success.

Possess Clear Objectives

Deciding what your true calling in life is a tricky affair what with a plethora of options and several people proffering free advice. The possibility of getting entrenched in the wrong career can elicit considerable fear. Realistic objective setting is the best technique to negate this fear. This entails analyzing your inherent traits, discovering what your genuine interests are, and prudently finalizing your ultimate career goals. Your objectives ought to be:

a)      Definite and unambiguous

b)      Attainable

c)      Relatively quantifiable

d)      Time-bound

Such objectives will considerably diminish your concerns and trigger you to energetically accomplish them.

Focus on Yourself

Quite often, fear is the outcome of unnecessarily comparing your life with others and not concentrating on your own competencies. You should realize that others have different targets and discrete proficiencies making any comparisons unfair and unwarranted. Therefore an ideal way to disband fear is to focus on your strengths and abilities all the while keeping a lookout for opportunities and threats. This approach will impel you forward with boosted self-belief.   

Have Alternative Plans

A superior technique of dismantling the fear of failure is to keep backup plans ready. By doing this, you will be assured of a fruitful course of action lest the current path goes awry. The security of the underlying alternative plans will go a long way in dispelling your failure apprehensions. 

Wishing you all the best in your endeavors!  

-ReKruiTIn.com Team