Category Archives: Job Search

How to prepare and perform in a Job Interview

How to prepare and perform in a Job Interview

Got an interview call? Great! Its not just the call of opportunity but of a test to judge you as a potential candidate for a particular job.

Preparing & Performing in a  Job Interview

Preparing & Performing in a Job Interview

Getting an interview call is just half the work done in your job hunt. Many who get the interview call just don’t know how to present themselves and behave during a job interview. There are probably hundreds of articles written in detail about how to dress up or behave during an interview.

Here I will just list down some important points to follow while preparing for an interview and brief information about each point.

Dos and Donts

When you receive an interview call:

–          Make sure you show your interest in that particular Employer and the proposed job. A cold response to the interview call wills half your chances of a good interview.

–          Clearly convey to the Employer that you wish to appear for the interview on the assigned date and time. If for any reason you could not appear for the interview, mention that to the potential Employer.

–          Clearly understand the interview schedule i.e. date, time and venue. Employers hate late comers and time wasters.

–          Ask which documents you are required to bring with for the interview. Initially Employers just ask for your resume but its good to be clear.

–          Take the contact details of the relevant person for correspondence regarding the interview.

Dressing:

–          Remember that you are the “product” you will be going to “sell” to the Employer. Dress yourself properly with decent and neat attire. A product in a nice packaging stands a better chance of selling than one in a poor packaging.

–          Wear decent accessories that suit your personality, like a watch, cufflink, a tie or a pair of glasses. For men wearing accessories like chains, bracelets or cowboy hats etc. is not a good idea.

–          Do your hair properly.

–          Your shoes must be clean and in good shape. Remember that your hair and shoes are the first to get a viewer’s attention.

The Interview; “Perform” like a Champion:

–          Before going for an interview, research and know as much as possible about the organization, its business, competitors and market standings etc.

–          Reach on time for an interview. Being late reduces your chances of getting hired up to 50%.

–          You are here to perform; your good “performance” can make you a star and get you the job. Needless to mention the consequences of a bad performance.

–          Be confident; you’ve already done half the work for getting this job by getting an interview call.

–          “First impression is the last impression”; make a pleasant entry in the interview hall/room. Pass a smile (not a silly one) to the interviewer/interview panel.

–          If in a reachable distance, make a warm hand shake (no need to crack his/her bones) with the interviewer.

–          Answer each question clearly and confidently. Shaky voice shows lack of confidence.

–          After the interview, ask questions about the organization, job responsibilities, work environment etc. Remember these questions are important to show your interest in the company and willingness to work with them.

–          After the interview session, take the interviewer’s leave, make a positive handshake with a decent smile and leave the room/hall.

Writer is a contributor and team player at TechnoBird/Mustakbil.com.

For Jobs in Pakistan and Middle East, Visit: http://www.mustakbil.com

Simple tips on Job Search for fresh graduates

Simple tips on Job Search for fresh graduates

Job search tips

Job search tips

Each year thousands of young students graduate from hundreds of institutes to start a professional life. Most of them are not even aware of what actually it needs to start a successful career. Below are some tips following which one can have an idea on how to go about career path.

 

–          Choosing a Career:

By the time you graduate, you might have made your mind regarding your career choice. The problem lies where one is not certain of the field/industry he/she wants to step into.  In that case a career counsel’s advice must be sought instead of hitting and trying and losing in the end.

–          Writing a Resume:

Ever wondered, why they call it the most crucial factor of your job hunt? The answer is simple; your resume is the sales pitch that you’d be using to “sell” yourself for a particular role. This world is all about selling and purchasing, so better the sales pitch, better are the chances of you being “sold at a good price”.

What a resume must contain? Well, some say put in as much information as you can, but in my view, putting too much information could cause recruiter/employer lose interest in you and just end your resume up in the junk. Most recruiters/employers take just 10-15 seconds to decide for a resume to be considered. So, only relevant and most important information must be provided in your resume. Save the rest for the interview.

–          Job hunt (Applying for Jobs):

Like all operations we once performed with hassle are now could be done with ease, job search has also been made easy; thanks to increased reach of mediums carrying Job ads. Evolution of e-Recruitment has made is times easier for Jobseekers to search and find the relevant jobs in their fields. With just a few mouse clicks, your resume could reach the company of your choice. Similarly, you are now more reachable for employers; thanks to social recruiting.

Ease of hunting and applying for jobs does not give you a license to bombard employers’ inboxes with your resume. You must never apply for jobs you are not suitable for or you might end up black listed as spammer and doors of e-hiring could close permanently before even being opened.

–          Preparing for Interview:

An interview call is just the half work done. An impressive interview is what you need to land on your dream job. Up until now, you’ve made an impression you may call it virtually, now is the time to make it “real”.

How you prepare for the interview? Having a full command on your area is not what is expected from you, you are a fresher and employers know that. However, a grasp on what you’ve studied is important. It goes without saying; prepare academically. Common sense, general knowledge, some knowledge of surroundings would be a definite plus.

How to dress for an interview? Dressing appropriately for interview is as important as it could be. Choose your dress wisely considering the job you are appearing an interview for. A perfectly ironed trouser and a crisp shirt with fine shoes is usually considered good, but again do not ignore the position and responsibilities coming along with your prospective job. Dressing casually for an interview is a big NO. Similarly do no overdo with your attire and how you carry it.

–          Interview Day:

So here is the big day and here you are; ready for what would be officially your first step in professional life. You have the knowledge; you are prepared for it like anything; now do not spoil all by making small mistakes on interview day.  Reach the interview venue well in time. Being late halves your chances of a fruitful interview. On your call, proceed to the room where interviews are being conducted. Knock politely and ask for permission to enter. Give a warm handshake to your panel/individual interviewer, if they are at an approachable distance; don’t cause hustle in the room by trying approaching those who are far; don’t crack bones, just a little warmth will do.  Sit confidently, alert, with a little smile on your face. Wait for the questions you’ve prepared all the answers for. Answer gently, confidently and truthfully. Do not lie for the questions you don’t know the answers. The moment you lie, you are “dead”. If time allows, provide all the information that you kept from sharing in your resume. Your achievements, goals, ambitions and expectations are now to be highlighted and shared. If all goes well and it reaches to salary negotiations, don’t be shy or greedy while discussing it. Asking your “right price” is your right.

After the interview concludes, make a warm handshake with the interviewer and leave the room with calm and positive attitude. Rushing to leave or panic shows nervousness and that is not desired for a potential candidate.

 

Writer is a contributor and team player at TechnoBird/Mustakbil.com.

For Jobs in Pakistan and Middle East, Visit: http://www.mustakbil.com

Choose or be Chosen

The Difference between Suzuki and Mercedez. Everyone with a reasonable saving can buy a Suzuki but very few can afford to buy Mercedez while having the want to HAVE it. That’s how Mercedez has positioned itself in the world of car market. Why is this so? Because Mercedez offers such features and qualities, in a four wheeler that makes it distinguished, celebrated and out of the ordinary. There is of course something “extra” in it that makes it extraordinary. There is something outstanding in it that no other auto manufacturer can even afford to offer. On the other hand Suzuki offers all the routine features and comes up to the expectations of anyone who wants a four wheeler carrying a small family and thus is affordable.

Now look at yourself and the features and qualities you have to offer. Are you a Mercedez or a Suzuki? Do you have just the necessary ingredients to carry on a routine office task or you offer something to your employer or in a larger sense to the world, which is extraordinary and none other has to offer. If you are a Suzuki than anyone can have you for a minimal price, but if you are a Mercedez only few will be able to afford you but everyone will want to HAVE you. The book Choose or be Chosen without degrading the worth of Suzuki, tries to motivate and provides you the practical tips to become a Mercedez and earn the right worth for yourself in the job market.

Over the years, during thousands of interview sessions, I came across candidates who could have earned a much respectable place for themselves but could not. This was merely because of their inability to create and present those unique features and qualities that they possess, during the interviews. Most of the interviewees come across to be desperate to just get the job, without knowing how badly that desperation damages not only that one chance to get hired but also their true worth. Over the years I have also came across comments from many about a popular word “SAFARISH” (nepotism). Candidates, young graduates and many worthy professionals also believe that without Safarish they cannot get a job.

My answer in this book is very simple. Safarish works because we do not understand the difference between DONKEYS and HORSES. Strange, but true. In a crowd of Donkeys if there is one Horse, it can easily be recognized. But if there are all Donkeys, the employers will be better off picking a donkey that has a cart (safarish) at the back. Hence it is your choice if you want to be a Donkey or a Horse. And trust me in the corporate sector and job market in Pakistan I have seen hardly any horse rejected, and if for some reasons a donkey gets selected, in the next three months either the donkey has to transform into a horse or it is replaced with a horse.

This book touches upon another myth, that is, the there are limited JOBS in the market, and not all can be accommodated in these limited jobs. Yes the jobs are limited, yet the WORK in Pakistan is not limited. Our youth and those who are in search of a JOB get desperate, burn their degrees, get frustrated and mourn the injustice, because they try to fit themselves in a lift, going at the top floor, that can only afford to carry limited people at a time. They do not take the pain to see the alternatives, the WORK opportunities and the abundance of extra features God has granted them. I could not have written the book and this brief had I not practically experienced all of the above myself.

As a fact of the matter when I wrote this book I was out of the JOB, searching for one and believed that world can deny me having a JOB but cannot stop me from WORK. By the grace of God, by having this belief, I not only got a job within two months but also continued to learn about the extra FEATURES God has granted me. Hope you will learn and earn a brilliant livelihood for yourself.

About Author:

Umer Raza is engaged with the Human Resource Profession for over a decade. He has a Master’s degree in Economics from Quaid-i-Azam University and has diploma in Freelance and Feature writing from London School of Journalism. He started his Professional career from a training and consultancy firm Ace Consulting Lahore. From Ace he started his training delivery and consulting career through his services to different client organizations. Then he moved to Manufacturing indsutry, as Deputy Manager HR in Crescent Bahuman Ltd, the biggest Levis Jeans Manufacturing facility in South East Asia. He has also served in the hospitality industry and worked for two of the large luxury hotels i.e. Faisalabad Serena Hotel and Islamabad Serena Hotel as Manager Human Resource. During his work expousre at the hospitality industry he had the opportunity to initiate the process of change through training and development. Currently he is associated with the Technology industry through Trans World Assocaites which is a subsidary of Orascom Telecom as Head of Human Resources.

Based on his practical HR experince of interviewing people, screening their resumes, and accepting or regreting them he co-authored a book titled “CHOOSE OR BE CHOSEN” which is for young graduates and the mid career professionals to prepare themselves in order to search and get a good career move. He also served as the Editor of the corproate Magazine “Ace Watch” that was based on the professional development of the young and middle managers.

He taught Human Resource Management as a visiting faculty member at University of Agriculture Faisalabad and University of Faisalabad. Besides, he has also delivered lectures to students on different motivational and professional topics at Fast University, Fatima Jinnah University, Iqra University, Rifah International University in Islamabad and at NUST Business School.

Having a passion to develop Human Recources and create change in our day to day work routine he uses his energies in creating and developing new initiatives for his staff and delivers training programs on different topics. His training programs are sumplemented by his practical exposure to the issues faced by Human Resources within the company and his insight into how to present practical solutions to such problems. These training programs are not only limited to learning and education but motivate and inspire to CHANGE.