(Pesonal Interview )Project

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A PROJECT REPORT

ON

Prepared By

University Registration Number:In partial fulfillment for the award of the degree

Of

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

IN

COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH

PURUSHOTTAM INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING &

TECHNOLOGY(A Unit of Purushottam Education & Welfare Trust)


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Purushottam Vihar, 10th Km, Highway 10, Mandiakudar, Rourkela, Pin: 770

034 (Orissa)

CONTENTS OF THE PROJECT

SL.NO. CHAPTER PAGE

NO.

I. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 3

II. DECLARATION 4

III. BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE 5

IV. AIM & OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT 6

V. INTRODUCTION 7

VI. MAIN BODY 8

VII. Personal interview 9

VIII. Types of interview 10

IX. Behavioral interview 11

X. Stress interview 12

XI. Phone interview 13

XII. Probable questions at personal interview 14

XIII. 10 tips for better interview 15

XIV. Tips for winning resume 17

XV. Tips for dress up 20

XVI. Salary negotiation tips 22

XVII. Writing cover letter 23

XVIII. CONCLUSION 24

XIX. RECOMMENDATIONS 25

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XX. REFERRENCES 26

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Before going into the deep of the things, i would like to

add a few heartfelt words for the people who at various stages of

the project report preparation helped me by their valuable

guidance.

At first, I am very much thankful to Mr. Tuna Biswal,

Sr. lecturer and H.O.D English under whose guidance this

project work is brought to this final form. I sincerely thank to Mr.

A. K. Sahoo, Asst. professor and H.O.D MBA for his

constant encouragement and support in completion of this

project work.

I am thankful to Director,PIET, Rourkela for providing

ideal environment. I am very much thankful to all the staff

members of the MBA department for their help and cooperation.

I would desire to thank my friends heartily, who have

helped me in many ways in this project.

Last but not the least I would like to pay my gratitude to

my parents, without their help and blessings I cant take a

single step in right direction.

()

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Regd. No.:

MBA (2009 - 2011)

DECLARATION

I XYZ a student of MBA 1st

trimester (2009-2010) Purushottam

Institute of Engineering & Technology,

Rourkela (Orissa) bearing University

Registration Number : 090621,

hereby declare that this dissertation

entitled ENHANCEMENT OF

PERFORMANCE IN PERSONAL

INTERVIEWhas been carried out by me

out of my own effort under the

supervision of Mr. Tuna Biswal, Sr.

lecturer and H.O.D English, PIET,

Rourkela. This work has not been

submitted to any University / Institute for

any professional degree or professional

diploma or any type of presentation.

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()

Regd. No.: 09062

MBA (2009 - 2011)

BONAFIDE

CERTIFICATE

Certified that this project on

ENHANCEMENT OF PERFORMANCE IN

PERSONAL INTERVIEW is the bonafide

work ofAa a student of MBA, 1st Trimester,

bearing UniversityRegistration Number :

090621 who carried out the project work in

the record time for the partial fulfillment of

Communicative English Lab. of 1st

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Trimesters MBA Curriculum of Biju Patnaik

University of Technology, Rourkela, Orissa.

Signature of Head of Department Signature of the

Concerned Teacher

Name: Name:

Designation: Designation:

Department: Department:

AIM & OBJECTIVE OF THEPROJECT

AIM :

The interviewer hopes that YOU are the right person for the job.They are under pressure to fill the position so that they can get back totheir own work. Therefore you are in a greater position of strength than youthink. Concentrate on what you have to offer in the way of qualificationsand experience instead of feeling intimidated.

An interviewer has 3 aims:

1) To learn if you are the right person for the job

2) To assess your potential for promotion

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3) To decide whether you will fit into the company environment

OBJECTIVE :During your interview, you have two main goals or objective :

Convince the employer you can make a positive contribution to theirorganization.

Convince the employer you will be a contributing member of theirteam.Keep in mind that both you and the employer are selling andevaluating each other.

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INTRODUCTIONA job interview is a process in which a potential employee is

evaluated by an employer for prospective employment in their

company, organization, or firm. During this process, the employer

hopes to determine whether or not the applicant is suitable for the

job.

Types of Interview

Behavioral interview

Stress interview Technical Interview

Telephone Interviews

There are many ways to approach an interview. Find your own

style that showcases your abilities and personality. When you are

under pressure, be calm and clearly explain the talents you can bring

to a company. Confidence is shown through how a person is dressedand his or her presence. Wear clean, pressed attire that fits

properly. A collared shirt and dress slacks are always appropriate for

both men and women. One way to stand out is to wear a tasteful,

bright-colored shirt. Professional attire tells employers that you take

the job seriously. Smiles and eye contact are very important to first

impressions. Keep eye contact during the conversation to show

interest and confidence, without simply staring at the interviewer. An

enthusiastic smile signals you are happy to be there, but don't overdo

it -- you don't want to come across as fake.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Businesshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business


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M ain body

PROJECT TITLE: ENHANCEMENT OF PERFORMANCEIN PERSONAL INTERVIEW

STUDENTS NAME: RAJA RIZVI

COURSE: MBA 1ST TRIMESTER (2009-2011)

GUIDED BY: Mr. TUNA BISWAL, Sr. lecturer andH.O.D English, PIET, Rourkela

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The interviewer hopes that YOU are the right person for the job. They are

under pressure to fill the position so that they can get back to their own work.

Therefore you are in a greater position of strength than you think. Concentrate on what

you have to offer in the way of qualifications and experience instead of feeling

intimidated.

The key to a successful interview is in preparation

Be prepared: For the types of questions you will be asked

Be prepared: To ask questions yourself

Be prepared: To research the company

Be prepared: To look the part

Be prepared: To turn up on time

Personal Interview:

Personal interview is the final step towards getting the job. Therefore, it is

very crucial that you prepare thoroughly for the personal interview and perform to the

best of your ability.

Be a good listener and listen carefully to the interviewer. Do not interrupt him

midway. Ask for a clarification if the question is not clear. Think for a second or

two before you answer and don't rush into the answer.

Speak clearly. Don't speak very slowly . Be loud enough so that the interviewers

can hear you properly.

Be concise and to the point. Do not beat around the bush.

Be honest and do not try to fool the interviewer. If you do not know the answer

of a question, admit it.

Don't get into an argument with the interviewer on any topic.

Never boast about your achievements. Don't sound overconfident or arrogant.

Project an air of humility and politeness.

Be positive and enthusiastic during the interview.

Maintain perfect eye contact during the interview. It is an indication of your self-

confidence.

Feel free to ask questions if necessary. It is perfectly all right and much

appreciated by interviewers.

Be natural and be yourself during the interview.

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Types Of Interview:

Here is a brief preview of different type of interviews conducted by the

organizations.

Telephone Interviews:To save on time and expenditure some organizationsconduct screening interviews by telephone. Many candidates find telephone

interviews more difficult than personal interviews because one does not receive any

nonverbal feedback to help gauge employer's responses. When the interviewer calls

to arrange the telephone interview, be sure to ask for basic information if it is not

offered, such as, who will be conducting the interview, name and title, and ask for

the projected length of the interview so that you may make appropriate

arrangements. While giving interview keep your resume in front of you for easy

reference. Project a professional tone on the telephone and keep a paper and penready to note down any important information. Be prepared with your own questions

that you intend to ask and end your interview with a statement expressing your

interest in the position.

Panel Interviews:As a time-management method some organizations arrangepanel interviews. A panel involves a number of interviewers. Typically, members of

the panel will ask questions that represents their area of concern. Try to establish

rapport with each person through eye contact and whenever possible, try to

incorporate their names in your responses.

Group Interview: The group interview is used by some large companies ororganizations and in this interview several candidates are interviewed at one time.

This interview can last from two hours to a day or longer and usually includes a

group problem-solving exercise. The interviewers may ask questions in an

unstructured manner. This type of interview is used to observe how candidates

react under pressure and how individuals interact with people with different

personalities.

Stress Interview:The purpose of stress interview is to test the candidate'sability to be assertive and handle difficult situations. Intentionally creates andpromotes discomfort. The interviewer may have an abrupt or brash attitude.

Alternately, the interviewer may stare, be silent, and spend time taking notes.

Behavioral Interview:Behavioral interviewing is based on the premise that

the best way to predict future behavior is to determine past behavior. In

behavioral interviews, candidates are asked to respond to questions that require

examples of previous activities undertaken and behaviors performed.

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Behavioural Interview:

Behavioral interview is a relatively new mode of job interview. The behavioral

interview technique is used by employers to evaluate a candidate's experiences and

behaviors in order to determine their potential for success. Behavioural interview isbased on the premise that the best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour.

Behavioral interview usually focuses on a number of individual 'behaviors' or

'competencies' that the company has identified as being particularly important for the

job. These competencies would include teamwork, creativity, persistence, and

communications.

In a behavioral interview, the interviewer asks the candidate to describe

situations that he/she has actually experienced. For example, if they want to know

whether you are a team player or not, they might ask you about your best teamexperience and why you consider it the best. If you have strong teamwork capabilities or

tendencies they will come to the fore when you describe your best team. A candidate

who prefers to work alone will find it difficult to think about and describe an effective

team experience.

As a candidate, you should be equipped to answer the questions thoroughly.

You can prepare better for this type of interview if you know which skills that the

employer has predetermined to be necessary for the job you seek. In the interview, your

response needs to be specific and detailed. Candidates who tell the interviewer about

particular situations that relate to each question will be far more effective andsuccessful than those who respond in general terms.

Here is a list of probable behavioral interview questions that you may face.

Describe a situation in which you were able to use persuade someone successfully

to agree to your point of view.

Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation that demonstrated

your coping skills.

Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgment and logic insolving a problem.

Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to achieve it.

Tell me about a time when you had to use your communication skills to influence

someone's opinion.

Give me a specific example of a time when you had to conform to a policy with

which you did not agree.

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Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and you were required to

prioritize your tasks.

Give me an example of a time when you had to think on your feet and take a split

second decision.

What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give me an example.

Tell me about a time you were able to successfully deal with another person even

when that individual may not have personally liked you.

Stress Interview:

Now a days many organizations are resorting to stress interview to test acandidate's temperament. The purpose of stress interview is to put the candidate on the

defensive. Stress interview is based on the premise that stressful situations bring out

the true worth of a person and the candidate who performs well under pressure in the

interview is likely to perform similarly on the job.

There are various stress interview tactics that an interviewer may adapt. These include:

Unexpected Behavior:The interviewer tries to catch you off guard with unexpected

behavior. For example, an interviewer might ask the same question several times,

pretending not to understand your answer. You explain several times, each time getting

more exasperated at the questioner's stupidity.

Uncomfortable Questions:The interviewer can ask uncomfortable questions such as

"Why you get such low marks in graduation" or "Why you were fired from your previous

job" to put you under pressure.

Aggressive Attitude:The interviewer may convey his aggressive behavior through his

body language, facial expressions, or behavior and he will make you realize that you are

responsible for it.

Puzzle Question:The interviewer may ask you a question whose answer you are not

generally expected to know, like " How many Maruti cars are running on the roads of

Delhi?"

Case Interview:The case interview tests your knowledge of relevant business issues,

quantitative and analytical skills, ability to prioritise and anticipate problems, and

communication skills. In case interviews you are presented an open-ended business

situation and are required to describe a path toward a solution.

Tips on Handling Stress Interview

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Always keep yourself cool and composed during interview when you are put in a

stressful situation.

Clarify the question and the nature of the answer desired. This can buy you some

time to think.

Don't hesitate about asking questions to get clarification; sometimes, this isexactly what's expected of you.

Ignore the interviewers tantrums and his aggressive behavior and keep yourself

focused on answering the question to the best of your ability.

Be open, honest, straightforward and refuse to be emotionally intimidated.

Phone Interview:

Phone interview as a mode of recruitment is increasingly becoming popular in

India. It is an efficient and effective way of screening the potential candidates when

the candidate pool is very large and widely dispersed. Recruiters use the phone interview

to avoid unnecessary travel, by sandwiching it as an elimination round between resume

selection and the regular interview. Sectors such as IT, telecom and banking use phone

interview frequently.

It is important to take phone interviews as seriously as any other interview.

Don't mistake it for a 'get to know you better' session. Remember it is a selection test.Since most telephonic interviews are with a single recruiter, you may have to sit through

multiple rounds, each with a different person.

The telephone interviews are usually held at a formal setting like a hotel

business centre or the placement consultant's office. The interviewer, based in another

city or country, calls at a fixed time and candidates are expected to be present at the

site. These locations are preferred as soundproof rooms; backup phone lines as well as

physical verification of documents can be easily arranged. It is a good idea to visit the

site an hour or so before the interview and familiarize yourself with the phone

instrument.

The script for the phone interview is dictated entirely by your resume. Like a

regular interview, all statements on it must be justifiable, preferably with examples. One

of the great advantages of the phone interview is that you can keep reading material

with you during the interview. It is perfectly legitimate to do so, unless expressly

forbidden by an on-site person monitoring it. It would be useful to take written notes of

your comments and the interviewers' comments. This will help you in case you need to

appear for a face-to-face interview at a later stage.

It is important to speak slowly and clearly so that the interviewer canunderstand what you are saying. It is also vital to keep a tab on the tone and tenor of

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your voice. While the interviewer cannot see you, the tone and tenor of your voice give

away your mood. Most interviewers are experienced at conducting a phone interview and

can easily judge the comfort level of the candidate, so it's important to smile and stay

relaxed.

The main aim of the phone interview is to get selected yourself for the finalinterview. So prepare earnestly for it and keep above phone interview tips in mind.

Probable Question At PersonalInterview:

Example question: How would you describe yourself?

Your answer: Should describe attributes that will enhance your suitability for the

position. Have some ready in advance.

Example question: What are your long-term goals?

Your answer: Should be career orientated. Make sure you have goals to discuss.

Example question: Why did you leave your last job?

Your answer: Could be more responsibility; better opportunity; increased income. Do

not be detrimental to your previous employer. He could be the interviewers golfing

partner.

Example question: Why do you want this job?Your answer: Your answer should be: more responsibility or better opportunity or

similar. Not: because it is closer to home or the gym.

Example question: What are your strengths?

Your answer: Should highlight accomplishments and experiences that relate to the

position for which you are applying. Also give examples of situations where your

strengths have been demonstrated.

Example question: What are your weaknesses?

Your answer: Should not be a list of deficiencies. Dont mention anything that could

make the interviewer question your ability to do the job, for example I am always

late for everything. Instead, discuss a weakness that could also be a strength suchas I am a workaholic!

More Examples of Interview Questions:

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Describe your current / most recent position.

What made you want to make this change?

What do you most enjoy doing in your current /most recent position? Describe

your future ambitions. How would you describe yourself?

Questions for you to ask

Asking questions at interview has a number of positive effects:

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It helps you find out more about the company and the position. It can be used to divert

the interviewer away from a subject you may wish to avoid. It can help build a rapport

with the interviewer. It demonstrates an interest in the job and the company. The

questions must be about the position and the company. Avoid questions about salary,

benefits and facilities until after you have been offered the job. You should already have

researched the company and its products and services. Your questions shoulddemonstrate knowledge of the companys history, successes and problems. If the

interviewer is a representative of the personnel department the questions should relate

to the company and be general. Specific questions relating to the position should be kept

for the line manager who will have a more detailed knowledge.

Example questions relating to the position:

What are the main responsibilities of the job?

What are the most difficult aspects of the job?

How did the vacancy arise?

What is the career path relating to this position?How will my work be assessed?

Example questions relating to the company:

What is the company hoping to achieve in the next 12 months?

What new products are the company planning to introduce in the future?

Are any major changes planned for the department/company?

Who are your biggest competitors?

Where to find company information: Information relating to companies, financial

data, industries and business trends is available in business magazines which often

publish on the World Wide Web and allow you to order Annual Reports relating to

specific companies. Companies often have their own web site. Newspapers - search

on-line press reports including archived articles. Local library

Some of the main influences on the interviewer are: Your experience in other

employment or life situations your personal presentation. How your personality comes

across in the interview your background and references Your enthusiasm for both

the job and the organization. Relevant qualifications for the position.

Ten Tips for a Better Interview:

1) Be prepared!Always read up on the subject you are reporting about and the

person you are interviewing. Your source will appreciate your effort, and you will be

able to skip questions that can be answered by an assistant, book or document.

When scheduling the appointment, ask your source to suggest documents or other

sources of information about the topic you will discuss. The interviewee will

appreciate your interest and often share valuable documents before the interview.

Make sure your tape recorder has batteries that work. Bring an extra tape as wellas pens and notebook.

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2) Set the rules of the interview right up front!Be sure your subjectunderstands the story you are working on (this will help keep the interview on

track). Additionally, the interviewee must understand that everything they say is

"on the record." It is best to establish these ground rules when making the

interview appointment. Although most government officials have enough experience

with the media to indicate when something is "off-the record" or "on background,"other experts may not understand the differences. Remember that an upfront

clarification may be required (especially when your source's job or life could be

endangered by being quoted).

3) Be on time!The worst impression you can make on a source is being late for theinterview.

4) Be observant!Observe details of the place and of your interviewing partner;this can add color to your story. If you are interviewing people in their home or

office, be sure to get a good look around and note what you see. For example, theymay have some old photos that show them in a more personal light. You may start an

interview with assumptions about a person and leave with a completely different

impression. However, this may be exactly what your source intended. Perception is a

tricky business! Try to talk to others, colleagues or friends of your source, to get a

bigger picture.

5) Be polite!Don't rush your source! It is important to establish a polite rapportand a level of comfort for the interviewee. Some interviewees, on the other hand,

need a couple minutes to become comfortable talking to reporters. Even though you

may only have 30 minutes for an interview, you should not rush your subject. If yousense the interviewee is in a hurry, adjust your timing accordingly. Keep in mind,

everyone is different. Taking the time to get to know your sources will prove

valuable, especially when you need to call with follow-up questions or use them as a

source for future stories. If the interview goes well, it may even go beyond the

scheduled time. Give yourself plenty of time between appointments to avoid

scheduling conflicts.

6) Listen but don't be afraid to interrupt when you don't

understand! Keep your audience in mind! One reason you are conducting this

interview is to explain it to your readers. If your subject uses scientific jargon orexplanations only his/her peers would understand, politely interrupt and ask for

further explanation. Never be embarrassed about not knowing something.

7) Silence is golden.Sooner or later you will have to ask the tough questionsthat your subject may be loath to discuss. When you start asking those provocative

questions, the answers most likely will be short, useless or carefully worded. You

may not get an answer at all. If this occurs, look your source in the eye and don't

say a word. In most cases, your opponent will begin to feel uncomfortable and begin

to share information again. If this doesn't work, ask for sources who might be able

to answer your question.

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8) Maintain eye contact! A reporter who spends most of the interview bentover taking notes or looking into a notebook can be as disconcerting as a tape

recorder in an interviewee's face. While taking notes and recording the interview,

maintain as much eye contact as possible. Learn to take abbreviated notes looking

down only once in a while so you can focus on your interviewee. This will make the

interview more like a conversation, and enable everyone to be more relaxed.

9) Before you leave... ask your source if there is anything that

you might have forgotten to ask.Perhaps the interviewee is burning totell you useful information, but you did not even think to ask that question. Don't

leave without getting a contact number or e-mail address and a good time to call

with follow-up questions. Always ask for other sources. Colleagues or friends of the

interviewee may be more knowledgeable or willing and able to speak to you. Thank

your source for spending time talking with you before you leave.

10) Review your notes right after the interview!Don't wait until the endof the day or later in the week to review your notes. Go over them right away, whileeverything is fresh in your mind, filling in your shorthand and elaborating on your

observations. Skip that date for drinks with your office pals until after you have

reviewed and organized your notes.

Tips for Winning Resume:

An employer can receive hundreds of resumes in response to an

advertised position. For every hundred resumes an employer receives, only a few resumes

stand out from the crowd. Want your resume to shine in the eyes of the employer you

want to attract? Start by including a well-written resume cover letter with the resume.

Then, follow these resume guidelines to create an interview winning resume that is head

and shoulders above the crowd.

Formatting and feel, on a mailed-in resume, matter. Your resume, at first glance,

can impress or depress the employer. Lots of open space, a clear, easy-to-read font

such as 12 point Arial, and easy-to-find and skim information, entice the employer to

read on. With electronic publishing, every mailed resume should be freshly printed

on high quality paper. And dont even think of sending your application to my company

in your current employers envelope, or with metered postage. Think about what this

says about the integrity of the candidate. I receive, at least, one of these a week.

Envelopes do matter.

You will likely grow tired of hearing this but correct spelling, appropriate grammar,no missing words, and no typing mistakes make your resume an employer-pleaser

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right out of the starting gate. An error-free resume is rare. Indeed, some hiring

managers will not further consider your candidacy if they find even one mistake.

Every mistake makes me pause and think. Every mistake makes me question your

carefulness, care, and attention to detail. Dont make me pause; dont make me think.

Contact Information: In this era of instant messaging, email, and cell phones, there

is absolutely no reason to make contacting you difficult for the potential employer.

Yet, over half the resumes I receive have no contact information except a home

phone number. And guess what? Youre never home. Give the potential employer your

cell phone number, even if you have to buy a mobile for your job search. Avoid the

dreaded phone tag that may make you miss out on an interview altogether.

Write and customize an objective for each job and employer. The objective is

your opportunity to connect your skills, experience, traits, and job requirements with

those the employer is seeking. Read the job posting carefully and you can pick outexactly what the employer believes he needs. Dont settle for a lame, I seek a

challenging opportunity to utilize my skills with a progressive employer who will

provide opportunities for growth.

How to Write a Resume That Stands Out From The Crowd

Today's job market is competitive. Many companies receive hundreds of

resumes a year, making it difficult for yours to stand out from the crowd. However, that

should not keep you from getting interviews. The following 10 tips will help you learn how

to get employers to read your resume and get your phone ringing.

1. Include a profile

Begin your resume with a profile, which contains a synopsis of your varied

skills and educational qualifications. This profile should match the particular job you want

to apply for. State your career objective clearly so that the reader gets an overall idea

of your background and areas of expertise. Write this section in such a manner that it

immediately catches the attention of a hiring manager, and he calls you instead of

someone else.

2. Keep the resume short

No one has the time to go through elaborate detailing about your past jobs

and experiences. Therefore, keep the resume short. Make a list of the most important

jobs you have held and give a brief of your previous job-oriented experiences. However,

in the case of technical people, resumes can extend to three pages in order to include

relevant technical information.

3. Give more importance on content than on looks

One of the major mistakes people make while creating resumes is in the use

of fancy fonts. Avoid using fancy fonts and do not change font regularly throughout the

resume. Changing fonts regularly will distract and confuse a hiring manager. Do not use

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underlining or italics to add emphasis. Make your document eye appealing so that your

reader can review it with ease. Use white paper and make the thoughts flow smoothly.

4. Clearly identify your skills

Do not be modest in mentioning your skills. Clearly identifying your skills will

distinguish you from the other job seekers and eventually help your potential employersto select you from the rest. Remember, all you have to do is to stand out from the crowd.

5. List your educational and professional qualifications

Include any relevant education or training that might relate. Provide details

of only those qualifications that match your current job search. This will help you to get

short-listed more easily.

6. Focus on your job responsibilities

Starting with your present position or most recent job, mention the title of

every job you have held, along with the name of the company, the city and state, and the years you have worked there. Under each position, make a list of your job

responsibilities. Use descriptive verbs, such as created, increased, performed, initiated,

developed, led, improved or reduced to begin each statement of your duties and

accomplishments. Producing a document that is well presented, detailed and targeted will

attract the attention of your hiring manager.

7. Add related qualifications and interests

Think about anything else that might qualify you for your job objective and

place it at the bottom of your resume. It may include licenses, certifications, awards and

achievements, and sometimes even your hobbies and interests if they truly relate. If youseek a job in a music company, for example, stating on your resume that you are a pianist

will increase your chance to get that interview call.

8. Be honest with your resume

If you did not actually do what you said you did, it would be called a lie.

Numerous surveys show that job applicants lie most frequently about education and

employment, particularly about job responsibilities and dates of employment. Hiding gaps

in employment and jobs where they were forced to leave by the respective employers is

also common. There are many risks involved in lying, but many job applicants do not seem

to get the message about the risks of lying. Once you are caught with a lie, you will befired then and there. So, DON"T lie - be honest with your resume.

9. Always attach a covering letter

A cover letter is a letter of introduction that highlights your key

achievements and skills and entitles you for a job opening. It reflects your

communication skills and your personality. The main purpose of this document is to

introduce yourself in such an interesting manner that the reader will not only continue

reading your resume but also be willing to call you for an interview.

If you want to create cover letters for any career situation, position, and job

level, I recommend a unique resume/ cover letter tool on the Internet today calledAmazing Cover Letter Creator. I recommend this tool, because it solves the frustrating

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problem job seekers have when trying to write an effective resume cover letter. You can

use it over and over again for all your cover letter needs.

10. Proofread your resume

After you have finalized your employment documents, check them repeatedly

for errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation. Spelling and grammatical errors canautomatically disqualify a resume from consideration. If you make mistakes on your

employment documents, hiring managers might presume you will be equally careless on the

job - no matter how important your qualifications and experiences are. Proofread your

resume and cover letter carefully. Make your resume positive and completely error-free.

If you are seeking two or three different positions, prepare two or three separate

resumes, each tailored to the job you are targeting. Make your resume exclusive and

unique so that it stands out from the crowd. Good luck for your career!

Tips for Dress Up:An article in U.S.A. Today spoke about candidates for jobs wearing jeans,

purple sweat suits, and spike heels or sneakers. Other applicants weren't afraid to show

pierced body parts and spiked hair. Still others chewed gum or showed up in rumpled

clothes or with their pants falling down. One recruiter even told a candidate with his

trousers down below his hips, to "Pull your pants up." According to the article, the

outlandish dress costs some candidates the job.

Dress Your Best When Interviewing

Does it really make a difference how you dress for an interview? In many

cases, it does. In the conservative business climate we worked in at the time,

appearances did matter. In other environments it isn't as important. However, it does

make sense to dress your best for the interview, regardless of the dress code at the

organization. If you're in doubt about how to dress for an interview, it is best to err on

the side of conservatism. It is much better to be overdressed than underdressed (orundressed). If you're not sure, check with the person who scheduled the interview and

ask.

According to Kim Zoller at Image Dynamics, 55% of another person's

perception of you is based on how you look. Her Dressing for Success information gives

some tips on how to look your best, without necessarily spending a lot of money. Here's a

quick look at the basics:

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It is very important that you dress appropriately for the interview. What

you wear and how you dress is a reflection of your attitude and personality. Here are

some hints on how to dress for an interview.

Men

Wear dark colored pants (never wear jeans) with collared shirts

Avoid wearing collared shirts that are too thin or have designs.

Stick to wearing one color shirts that are plain or come with light stripes.

Avoid bright colored shirts like red and purple.

Wear an undershirt beneath your collared shirt so that, when you sweat, it does

not seep through to your shirt.

Necktie should be silk with a conservative pattern

Dark shoes (black lace-ups are best)

Dark socks (black is best)

Don't wear athletic shoes Do carry a portfolio or briefcase with extra copies of your resume

Women

If you want to go Westernthen wear slacks/ pants or skirts that fall below the

knee.

Wear collared shirts or blouses.

Try avoiding bright colors like hot pink and orange.

Avoid shirts that have too much of a pattern as it can be distracting.

It's best to wear dark pants or a dark skirt and a nice, ironed, light-coloredcollared shirt.

If wearing Western, wear close-toed shoes.

If wearing Indian, you can wear a salwar suit or a sari.

Make sure the material is thick (not synthetic) and that the colours and pattern

are not bright or distracting.

Don't wear too much jewellery

No purses, small or large; carry a briefcase instead

If you wear nail polish (not necessary), use clear or a conservative color.

Men & Women

Well-groomed hairstyle

Clean, trimmed fingernails

Minimal cologne or perfume

Empty pockets-no bulges or tinkling coins

No visible body piercing (nose rings, eyebrow rings, etc.)

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Salary Negotiation Tips:Salary Negotiation is a very vital part of the recruitment process. Here are

some useful salary negotiation tips to help you bargain optimum salary for yourself.

It is important that you have an idea about your worth. You may have a rough idea

about your worth based on the anecdotal information what people like you are paid,

but for better salary negotiation you need to do an objective assessment of

yourself. Make a list of the skills required for the job. Compare it with the skill you

have. Add any extra skill that you think you have and would help you in performing

the job better. This will give you an objective idea about your worth and you can

negotiate accordingly.

Don't ask about salary. Let employers make a first offer. It would be inappropriate

to push off any actual salary talk until after you have secured the position. Onceyou employer elicits interest in employing you, it will be much easier to negotiate

since you know that the company wants you on board.

Show your experience and expertise. Put your past experiences on the table and let

the employer see exactly why you are fit for the position. Hands-on experience is a

very efficient salary-negotiating tool.

Look at the whole package subjectively. Some companies have their hands tied when

it comes to salary, but may have a number of other perks / benefits that will raise

your overall remuneration to a figure that meets your expectations. For exampleyou may get a company car, free accommodation, or the opportunity for flexible

working or working from home.

Strive towards a win-win scenario. Squeezing every last penny out of your future

employer is not a good idea. As you will most likely be working with the person you

are negotiating your salary with, it is important to maintain cordial relations. Be

prepared to compromise and settle for a middle path. If you ask for six benefits

and the company comes back with two, settle for three or four.

Know your minimum expected salary. Figure out beforehand how low you will go.

Sometimes no amount of negotiation will get you what you want. If it does not meet

your needs, it is time to stop rather than end up with the wrong deal.

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Writing Cover Letter :

Remember the childhood game, Follow the Leader? Well, its not just for

kids. Its for adult job-seekers too! Think of the hiring manager as your leader. Follow

him or her right into the position you want to fill. How? By keeping communication open.Follow up every lead, contact, phone call, letter, or interview with a sizzling post-

interview cover letter that puts your name on the top of his or her list. FEW people stop

and say in writing, thank you, I appreciated meeting you, I m grateful for the time you

gave me today, If I can provide further information, please let me know.

But what a difference these few words can make, especially when hand-

written and mailed directly to the hiring managers attention. After all, he or she is a

human being just like you, who likes to be remembered and acknowledged. Follow-up

letters also show what kind of person you are-someone who is aware, available, and

appreciative.

TWO chances to make a great first impression!

Follow-up cover letters and resumes will land you more quality job interviews.

Post-interview cover letters will increase your number of job offers.

You can follow up with a phone call, e-mail, or a Fax, but a personal note in

your own hand is the most effective post-interview cover letter of all. Everyone likes to

receive mail with his or her name hand-written on the envelope. That alone makes notonly a first impression but a lasting one.

Heres a sample of a short post-interview cover letter that does the job:

Dear Hiring Manager:

I am very grateful for the time you gave me yesterday. It was a pleasure to

meet you, and to have the chance to share why I believe I am well-qualified to step into

the position of [fill in job opening title here]. After meeting with you, Im even more

excited about this opportunity. I look forward to hearing a positive response. Thank youagain.

Sincerely yours,

Fred Follow-Up

So, whenever you complete a successful job interview with a company youd

like to work for, send a post-interview cover letter ASAP and watch your name soar to

the top of the must hire list.

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CONCLUSION

I am concluding that this project will help all thestudents and persons who are going to appear a personal

interview. This project will not satisfactory but somehow

it improves the efficiency and clears the doubts

regarding personal interviews.

This report will help to overcome the most important

problems faced by the candidates at interview. Those

are:

How to convince the employer you can make a positive

contribution to their organization.

And how to convince the employer you will be a

contributing member of their team. Keep in mind that

both you and the employer are selling and evaluating

each other.

This report will also give information to the

candidates regarding

How to write a c.v

What to wear at interview

How to negotiate the salary

How to behave, etc

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RECOMMENDATIONS

Presentation Tips : Obviously you should be clean and smart in appearance but you

should also dress appropriately for the position, for example: a student placement

that is more expensively dressed than the Managing Director may have a negative

impact. Clothes should be on the conservative side, which is more acceptable to

people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds. After all, you are asking to be accepted

into the company. Therefore always avoid extremes in hair, clothes, make-up and

jewellery. Taking trouble over your appearance shows the employer that the job is

important to you.

Travel tips : Arrive 15 minutes early. Make sure you have the correct address and

know how you will get there: Parking? Public transport access? Do a dummy run if you

are not sure. Make sure you have a mobile phone and a telephone number so that you

can ring ahead if circumstances beyond your control are making you late. Be polite to

everyone you speak to, it could be the Managing Directors cousin! Have a copy of

your CV with you.

Summary : You should show interest in all aspects of the job and the company

especially if shown around the premises. Do your homework on the company and the

nature of its business. Take care in how you dress for the interview. First

impressions still count!

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REFERENCES

M Ashraf Rizvi (2009) Effective Technical Communication

An introduction to professional English & soft skills (foundation books)

Business communication by Bovee et al

Websites:www.wikipedia.com

www.wordweb.com

www.google.com

www.universalteacher.com
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