Before you start a Job Search, you need to start working on above given aspects which are detailed below. Before you step into a chamber for an interview, take care of the following

Your CV:

Your CV is probably the most important and crucial document in any job search process. Most people think that because they have a qualification, skill and experience they can sell themselves to hiring managers and ignore the CV. What they do not realize is that a CV is the first document that will attract the interviewer to consider or shortlist them for an interview. Ignoring and neglecting to provide an effective CV and resume will nullify your chances of been short listed. Interviewers explore your CVs' through site amongst thousands of CVs. They look for the exact qualifications, skills and experience required to fill the vacancy. If your CV is badly written recruiters will find it difficult to select such candidates. It must be remembered that recruiter has a bounding task and a deadline to fill vacancies and will not have time to read every CV thoroughly to understand if potential candidates fulfils the exact requirements of the post. So, why make it difficult for them to select your CV? The recruiters will only scan and select a CV that presents the most concise information with the relevant and informative text that will catch his eye. So the details of the CV should be presented in an effective manner. Remember you have only 1 to 1 and half minute within which your CV should impress the hirer/recruiter. Your CV is the only tool which can open doors of success and provide you a next step towards selection that is Interview.

The content of your CV and how you have presented your details does really matter and improve your chances of getting into the interview. Your CV should contain a flow of information that starts with Your Personal Details at Top (handy, accessible), Profile Summery (brief about your experience, Preferences, etc. and then mentioning meticulously your Work experience and qualifications. The final decision to finally call you for interview will ultimately rest on your CV. Your CV is the only key that will get you through the door of the company you wish to work for.

By ignoring a right content of your CV which makes a poor impression in the mind of the hirers, you are actually losing an important opportunity. Many applicants are usually not aware about the importance of this first stage of securing employment and that a submitted does not guarantee them an interview or a job. The CV provides the employer with an overview of potential candidates for the position, and it gives the interviewer and idea of what to expect from the applicant. A good CV will improve the possibility of being granted an interview during which a good impression can be made. A good impression improves the chances of being hired. It should be understood that an actual, screening starts at Resume submission stage only, as to out of 100 CV received at Hirer’s end only 20 to 30% of CV has a chance of getting scrutinized for further process. Hence 70% or rather more that that, lose its chance of getting selected, what they actually deserve!!!

Your CV is a tool to assist you to get a job. It acts as a support in search for employment. It markets and acts as the sales agent for you. A CV is a precise proposal of your Selection, and it enables you to present yourself to a prospective employer before meeting him/her on the interview day. It also provides the interviewer/hirers an opportunity to form opinions about you in advance. Your CV has to make an impression on the hirer/recruiter, if it does not, you do not have a chance of being called for an interview. The purpose of submitting a CV is to project a positive image about your self by illustrating your educational qualifications, skills knowledge and experience. This will enable the recruiters/hirers to form an impression about you. If through your CV you do not create an impression, the chances are that you will not be called to attend an interview even.

Your Cover Letter

The second step before actually you perform in an interview is to create an attractive and impressive cover letter. Your cover letter is a piece of information that lets' a potential employer know what your skills are and whether you would a right match for the available position. Your cover letter must be setting a match between an opening and you and should not go beyond a one-page limit. Remember it is too difficult, to get noticed amongst thousands of CVs. The only way to get a right impression and distinguished image is to prepare a letter that best describes about you in brief and presents a match. This is normally avoided by more than 60 to 70% of the job seekers, and you will have an edge.

Following are the points that may be taken care off:

Address the right person; with name and designation (be sure about it)

Write a Small Introduction: may be 2 or 3 lines: which should speak about the reference and an objective of writing this letter

Clearly indicate the position you are applying for.

Showcase your experience in body part of a letter, and fit a match of yours.

Don’t forget to write a closure asking for a meeting or an opportunity to have face to face or a telephonic conversation at once. This will give you an opportunity to present your communication skills and articulate your experience through discussion.

Be enthusiastic - Your enthusiasm should be reaching to the employer to enhance your chances of gaining an interview. If you can take time and write a cover letter that summarises your strongest skills, you have the edge over other contenders who skip this important step.

Before an interview:

Research About Company and Position: In an internet age, it is so easy to get all relevant details about the company, its existence, performance, products, strategies, etc. Spend enough time on the net exploring right details about the company and a position.

Work on presenting your self as the Best Match: Before you actually get in to the Chamber in front of an interviewer, you should rehearse yourself enough about how you will present your self? How you will fit in?

Be Ready and Specific: Reply precisely about the asked questions only, do not give details which are not asked. You should be eager to listen first, before you start answering.

Confirming Place, Area, and Interviewer: Identify the place/location, where you are supposed to reach. Reach there before 10 to 15 minutes early, to ensure, you don’t get your self in trouble finding right parking place and finding a location. You should be aware of a person, who is going to conduct your interview or at least a co-coordinator.

Prepare a Checklist of Carry Kit: you should ensure a neat and rightly updated sufficient no of Resume copies, your last 2 month’s salary slips, a Scribbling pad, a pen.

Dress appropriately - ensure that you are neat and well presented.

Interview preparation/Rehearsal:

Preparation for job interview is the most important part of the entire interview process. Know the position and ensure that you know something about the job you have applied for. Talk to people you know in the same position elsewhere and learn about the tasks involved.

Prepare a list of questions which are likely to be asked. Prepare answers to these questions and try and rehearse in front of a mirror. Further, knowing something about the position and a company, prepare a list of question that runs through your mind. Ask questions when given an opportunity.

Facing an Interview:

To manage for a secured and successful interview asks for a real preparation. You have the opportunity of marketing and selling yourself to your prospective employer. You have passed the first stage and now you have to negotiate your way through the second. It always helps to practice. The only way to measure your readiness for interview is to practice. Practicing your answers to likely questions is the key to projecting a calm and confident impression during the interview. Sit down with your best friend and ask him to fire questions at you. Ask him for a feedback. You can record your voice or video. Listen to your voice is the pitch of your voice and tone pleasant, clear and distinct? Watch your eye contact, body language, do you see yourself confident or are your answers rambling and off-the-mark? Analyze the way you your answers sound on the tape recorder. Analyze what went wrong so that you can improve in the actual performance or the next one to come. Consider each job- hunting activity as an additional step in enriching your abilities and take criticism as an opportunity to improve you. Don’t get frustrated or get panic if you are not hired. Be calm, even if you are criticized on something. Don’t forget to thank an interviewer, once it gets over. Don’t forget to ask for a Visiting card.

Body Language: plays an important part in your successful performance. Remember, you are analyzed about many things without even a word spoken. Your body language should be sending a right signals and messages to an interviewer.

Walk in: with a smile, natural and confident with (identical broad shoulder) confidence, seek permission before you enter in.

Hand shake: Wait for an interviewer to initiate, do not become too aggressive, no crushing of bones, shaking hands too much, unclean hands.

Sitting posture: No crossed leg positions, keep your hands and legs UN crossed, lightly lean towards interviewer. Sit completely, but no resting of your back, don’t sit over the edge.

Facial Signals: Make an eye-to eye contact, don’t stare, avoid pursed lips, fake cough, and slightly nod your face, while during conversation to show your attention and interest.

Voice: Should be clear, polite, audible, Use “pardon”, if you are not clear, don’t agree to something without getting it. Ask for repeating the questions, details if not heard

After the interview

You may send a thank you letter to the person. Don’t make follow ups asking for your selection, that really irritates the recruiter.

Be polite and make sure to express your continued interest in the position as well as your ability to perform the duties required. Send a handwritten letter and ensure to send it immediately following the interview while your meeting is still fresh in the interviewer's mind. It will help to put a face to the letter. Ensure that your letter is brief and emphasising your interest in the company and position.

You should not stop working on finding a new job until you have attained an offer. Even if you think the interview was successful, there are no guarantees that you will be offered, as there are so many factors affecting the final selection of a candidate, it may be your under qualification, your over qualification, your salary,etc. even if you are fit for a job. So keep facing interview until you get an official Letter of offer. Continue sending out resumes and scheduling more interviews at various companies, wherein you are interested to work in. Remember that finding a new job is a full-time job in itself; be prepared to work on your job search to hunt for a right one for you!

All the Best and Keep attending interviews…. You will have a bright career.

In next article we will discuss a preparation of an interview in detail.Jyotindra B Parmar