Campus to Corporate

14th July 2012An eSAT initiative

AMITABHA DASBEC – B.E. 1997IIMA - MBA 2001

Coca Cola - Area Sales Manager Olam International - Business Manager Vega Foods Corp - General Manager NTUC - Director Operations Auric Pacific Marketing – General Manager

ZAMEER AHMEDBEC – B.Arch 1999XLRI - PMIR 2003

Eveready IndustriesIndus – League Clothing LtdMatrix LaboratoriesDr Reddy’s LaboratoriesHuman Capital Solutions – Head Quality & Operations

Agenda

Making the right Resume΄

Cracking the Interview

Stepping into the Corporate World

Q&A

Making the right Resume΄

The Starting ‘Blocks’

Begin with self assessment – what are your interests,

skills, strengths and weaknesses

Self assessment is a difficult thing to do, but the only

way to develop self confidence – something you’ll need

during the interview

You alone are responsible for your career, so its only fair

that you take charge of it… NOW

Starters

Its pronounced ‘resumay’ not ‘resum’

Resume’ is not the same as CV

Your resume’ should speak out for you – pay attention

to detail, ensure there are no typos or inconsistent

formatting

Should be compact and informative – a 1 page resume’

may be a good idea for freshers

Get the details right A well made CV can make up for a lot of other

‘weaknesses’

Avoid fancy/ colored fonts, avoid upper case text

Font size for the title (Name) 14/16 depending on the

font, sub headings at font size 12 and remaining text at

font size 11.

Bullet points to be used only when there are 2 or more

points, bullets to be sober like OR

Summarise content and avoid long winding statements.

Bullet points look neat and give you the opportunity to

elaborate on them during the interview

CGPA for each term of every year need not be listed out

Ensure there is a balance between academics and extra-

curricular activities

‘Career objective’ is desirable but not necessary

Making it compact

Final touches

Prepare your CV in word format and convert to PDF

format – saves formatting and is tamper proof

Print on good quality paper and carry it in a folder along

with copies of your academic reports and certificates

Before you print / send…

Is your resume’ clear and concise- the right length?

Does your resume’ position you as a good to match the

needs of your prospective employer?

Have you corrected all spelling errors?

Does it contain all relevant information?

Cracking that Interview!

On your way…• Your CV is your Passport

• Not only should you bring your CV to an interview, but you should know your CV inside out.

• A pen and paper makes you look prepared

• Research, Research, Research• About the company (Turnover, major businesses, any

major news in recent times)• About the role (JD, specifics)• About the person interviewing you (By Name)

• Dress Appropriately• Light color shirt with Dark color Trousers/Skirt• Don’t ignore the belt, shoes and the socks!• Dress by the weather

• If you are late, it might be too late!

As you step in…

• A last look at the mirror can help• Wait to be asked to seat!• Smile, Relax and be Positive• Listen, Pause, Shoot

• If needed, ask again to clarify

• Online Presence does impact your professional world!

• Basic Body language• Lean Forward• Eye to eye contact• Avoid scratching head, fidgeting with nails etc.

Conclude in Style…

• Asking questions is not fine, it’s a MUST!• Prepare your questions beforehand• Don’t interrupt and wait for your turn

• Humor vs. Comedy• If you can, make them smile• If you can’t keep it formal• Bad jokes are far worse than No jokes!

• Be cautious about your former employer• Exit is as important as Entry!

• Firm Handshake• Thanking for their time• Thank the Receptionist!• Follow up with a Thank you Note

The Top 10 Questions…

The Questions..

• Tell me about yourself• Limit yourself to 3 mins max• Cover your education, work and latest assignment• For freshers, short one on your interests

• What makes you interested in us?• Talk abt what u have heard abt the co, their growth and their

workplace culture and how you can excel in it

• How do you see yourself in 5 yrs?• Prepare yourself in the way you wish to career to go• Don’t be over ambitious and go for a CEO, but be ambitious and

see how some of your performer friends have gone in their careers

• What is your greatest strength /Greatest weakness?• Make a strength sound like a weakness (perfectionist)• Avoid Negative words

The Questions..

• Why are you leaving your last job?• Don’t complain!• Point at wrong fitment/ unclear career progression/lack of

learning opportunities

• How would you handle stress at work place?• Try to point that stress makes you excel in performance• Stress teaches you how to keep your calm• Some +ve hobby which can take away your stress

• What is your greatest achievement till date?• What was the achievement?• Under what circumstances?• What was the impact on your career/life?

Some for Entry Level …

• What have you learnt from your mistakes?• Pick a positive lesson like, taught persistence or look at

alternative ways for a solution

• Why should we Hire you?• Pick your strongest technical skills relevant• Sum it up with a mix of soft skills• Top it up with any diversity and experience

• Tell us of a situation when you faced a problem and found a solution out of it

• Showcase a moderate level of problem and focus on how you overcame it. Don’t highlight the problem!

The 10 positive signs…

Keep an eye for these…

• Body Language of Interviewer• Leaning in, nodding, taking notes?

• Follow up questions – Asked to elaborate? • Probing but not intimidating.

• How long is your turn?• Showing interest in your answer? Allowing u to speak?

• Is it still rolling?• 20 - 30 mins (Freshers)• 35 - 60 mins (Experienced)

• Transition steps, Notice, availability etc.• Are they being discussed?

Pick up the hints…

• Attentiveness, Mobile Phone modes• Is he/she answering calls during the interview?

• Round Two?• Did they mention it?

• Meet this guy!• Introducing to other colleagues

• References, Compensation, travel comfort etc.• The second level topics

• Smiles, Walk and that Handshake• Try to catch all subtle hints, observe the smiles &

warmth

And this could be you …

Workplace Etiquettes

Social/Work Environment

Drawing the line between business and friendship

Most employees do not realize that what they say

has as much impact on their professional images as

what they wear.

Being overly social may lead to you being

considered as incompetent.

Things NOT to do…

Salary Information is confidential – never discuss with

anyone except HR, about others’ salary information,

don’t discuss even with HR

Inability to do so will be considered as unprofessional

behaviour

Medical history – Nobody really cares about your aches

and pains, your latest surgery or the contents of your

medicine cabinet.

To your employer, your constant medical issues make

you seem like an expensive, high-risk employee.

Things NOT to do…

Gossip - Whomever you're gossiping with will

undoubtedly tell others what you said.

If a co-worker is gossiping with you, most likely he or

she will gossip about you.

Things NOT to do…

Things NOT to do…

Constant complaints about your workload, stress

levels or the company will quickly make you the kind of

person who never gets invited to lunch.

If you don't agree with company policies &

procedures, address it through official means or move on.

Things NOT to do…

Religion & Politics – People have strong, passionate

views on both topics.

You may alienate a co-worker or be viewed negatively

in a way that could impact your career.

Things NOT to do…

Lifestyle changes – Breakups, divorces and baby-making

plans should be shared only if there is a need to know.

Others will speak for your capabilities, desires and

limitations on availability, whether there is any truth to

their assumptions or not.

Things NOT to do…

Casual Social Networking – What you say in a social

networking community or in your personal blog may be

even more damaging than what you say in person.

Comments online can and will be seen by multiple eyes.

An outburst of anger when you are having a bad day …

can blow up in your face.

It's perfectly fine to have fun during the weekend, but

don't talk about your wild adventures on Monday.

That information can make you look unprofessional and

unreliable

If there’s an office party, ensure that you are on time at

work the next day

Things NOT to do…

Office romances lead to gossip and broken hearts, so it's

best to steer clear.

The safest way to play is to follow the rule, ‘Never get

your honey where you get your money.'

Things NOT to do…

Things to do…

Keep looking for opportunities to learn

Put your hand up for challenging assignments

Keep a track of new skills acquired over a period of every

3-4 months

Understand the value chain in your organisation and

where you fit in

Keep updating your CV on at least half-year basis

Questions anyone?

Thank YOU!!!