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Getting out into the Open World…. …be better prepared for Hobson’s Choice. Who am I? What do I want? What do people want from me? What should I be telling people?. Who am I? My CV What do I want? My Application What do people want from me? Interview What should I be telling people?
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Getting out into the Open World… …be better prepared for Hobson’s Choice
Who am I? • What do I want? • What do people want from me? • What should I be telling people?
Who am I? • My CV • What do I want? • My Application • What do people want from me? • Interview • What should I be telling people? • Presentation
Who am I? • My CV • What do I want? • My Application • What do people want from me? • Interview • What should I be telling people? • Presentation
My CV • Static • Omnibus collection of one’s research publications and presentations • An official calling card at professional meetings, conferences and conventions • A document left with recruiters and/or interested persons • Dynamic • Created on the fly • Tailored to the job requirements and/or position • Specific components stressed/dropped on to meet requirements • … UPDATE ON A REGULAR BASIS
My CV • Not recommended • Age • Ethnic Identity • Political Affiliation • Religion • Hobbies • Place of birth • Photo • Physical Statistics
My CV • Must do • Keep It SimpleStupid • Easy to read, short and attractive • If they didn’t hear it, you didn’t say it • MUST BE AS GOOD AS YOU MAKE IT
My CV • Home work prior to any attempt… • Read about the prospective employer • Magazines, papers etc • The web • Friends/college-mates • Include • Personal details, education, work experience, interests, skills, references • Restrict length to 1-2 pages • Style based on chronology/skills • MUST BE AS GOOD AS YOU MAKE IT
My CV • Mistakes that I am liable to commit! • Spelling mistakes • Use of unwanted jargon • Irrelevant qualifications • Employment details • Hobbies • A CV too long! • Unnecessary information (why change of jobs?) • SPELLCHECK & VERIFY ALL DETAILS
My CV • The Waterloo of a CV • Critical information appearing much later in the sequence… (The impact must be made within 30 seconds of commencing to read the CV) • A CV a bit too long! • Overload or scarcity of relevant information • Spelling/grammatical errors • Incorrect personal information • 85% OF CVs ARE REJECTED BECAUSE • OF INCORRECT/ INCOMPLETE DETAILS
My APPLICATION • Home work prior to any attempt… • Read the Application blank • Plan the contents/entries • Collect all necessary enclosures, have them copied (and attested if needed) • Have a recent photograph (get a new one taken if the earlier one is a bit too old!) • Fill in a “dummy” form • Verify the entries and contents • The actual act…. • Fill in the original form and sign, attach all enclosures, put in a large envelope, seal and hand over personally (or send by registered post) • MUST BE AS GOOD AS YOU MAKE IT
My INTERVIEW Employer Uses it as an opportunity to know more about the candidate ( besides the resume/CV) Candidate Uses it as an opportunity to know more about the company (its culture, values, future plans and career growth)
My INTERVIEW • Home work prior to the interview… • What aspects of your career are really exciting for you? • What aspects of your career do you really feel worried about discussing? • Can you formulate answers to these questions in advance? • How can you use the interview the know more of the prospective employer? • MUST BE AS GOOD AS YOU PREPARE FOR IT
My INTERVIEW • The Achilles’ Heel • What if I don’t know the answer that relates to the job applied for? • What if the questions are meant to expose my weaknesses? • What if the interviewer does not know why he is asking a question? • How does my experience & management skill fit in with the needs? • How are my opinions about industry/professional trends? • What are my reasons for leaving the current job? • What are my salary expectations? • How do I see my growth in the profession/company? • Are there any issues with my personality and relationship skills? • ANTICIPATE AND PREPARE FOR IT…
My INTERVIEW …NEVER LIE
My INTERVIEW…Facing it…in FOUR steps Demeanour & Interactions Answering Questions Entry, Seating & Exit Presenting oneself and documents
My INTERVIEW…Facing it…STEP 1 • Formal Dress • All docs in order…in a folder • Copy of application/CV (as submitted) along with the very enclosures (submitted with original application/CV • Models, demos, simulations (in working order) • SOFTWARE OFTEN FAIL TO WORK… • …AT THE INTERVIEW LOCATION! Presenting oneself and documents
My INTERVIEW…Facing it…STEP 2 • Knock • Greet • Sit down…only when asked to • Lift chair…don’t pull! • Face the panel • Documents on lap…not the table! • Bend forward…while answering • Face the interviewer…while answering • At the end…thank and leave • Step back, turn and walk away Entry, Seating & Exit
My INTERVIEW…Facing it…STEP 3 • Listen to the question, Comprehend and then Answer • In case of a problem, ask for a repetition • Show confidence • Be short and brief in your replies • Reply clearly and loudly • Avoid humour and/or satire Answering Questions
My INTERVIEW…Facing it…STEP 4 • Look at the Interviewer • Provide authentic information • Avoid fiddling and/or taking things from the table • Have a loud and clear voice • Reply in simple sentences • Make in reply specific…no add-ons please! • If complimented, say THANKS…if rejected, say SORRY Demeanour & Interactions
My INTERVIEW…Facing it…STEP 4 (contd.) • Avoid mannerisms/repetitions • Avoid errors/contradictions • Handshake only if the interviewer puts his hand forward • Avoid insulting comments/remarks • Give evidence for only that can be proved! • Request questions in your area of choice • If the suggested topic is OK with you…please be prepared to answer all questions Demeanour & Interactions
My INTERVIEW…Some Common Questions! • Tell us about yourself • What made you interested in us? • Why should we take you instead of the others? • What are your major weaknesses? • Why did you leave your earlier job? • Are you overqualified for the job? • Where do you see yourself in the next five years? • What are your salary expectations?
My PRESENTATION • About myself • About my experience • About my expertise • About my products/developments • About my compatibility with the employer
Presentation Scenarios TYPE AUDIENCE STYLE PROFILE Work Review Boss, Chief, Team Format Marketing Decision-makers, Features, Benefits, Presentation Users Costs Technical Knowledgeable, Aids, Questions & Presentation Motivated Answers Reading a Learned, Focussed Results, Support Paper (may have a copy of Material the paper)
What goes Wrong? • Dull Delivery • Bad Preparation • Time Management • Irrelevant Examples • Improper Use of Aids • Lack of concern • No Motivation
On the Improvement Path EXCELLENT V. GOOD GOOD Rating Time/Stage 3 yrs ~ 8 yrs.
Improvement Path Good Planning Practice Preparation Presentation
Planning Practice Preparation Improvement Path Good • Audience Profile • The Environment • The Support Material • “Me”
Planning Practice Preparation Improvement Path Good • Me : SWOT Analysis • Strengths • Weaknesses • Opportunities • Threats
Improvement Path Good • An Ideal Speaker • Communication Barriers • Generalities • Tricks • Skeptical Audiences • Lesser the Better
Improvement Path Good • An Ideal Speaker • Effortless • Confident • Good Eye Contact • Enthusiastic • Knowledgeable • Nice • Audible • Neat Visuals
Improvement Path Good • Communication Barriers • Daydreaming • Debating • Detouring • Private Planning
Improvement Path Good • Generalities • Use Conversational Tone • Use Good Visuals • Use Pointers • Address Individuals • Read Audience • Effectively handle Questions • The Secret!
Improvement Path Very Good • An Ideal Speaker • Communication Barriers • Generalities • Tricks • Skeptical Audiences • Lesser the Better
Improvement Path Very Good • Tricks of the Trade • Arouse Curiosity • Raise a Query • Reveal Shocking Facts • Start with a Casual Opening • Establish Common Ground • Include Humour • Intersperse Quotations
Improvement Path Excellent • An Ideal Speaker • Communication Barriers • Generalities • Tricks • Skeptical Audiences • Lesser the Better
Improvement Path Excellent • Skeptical Audiences • Limit Objectives • Include Objective Information • Establish Common Ground • Opinions
Improvement Path Excellent • Lesser the Better • Repeated/Rhetorical Phrases • Threats • Fiddling • Showing one’s Back to Audience • Speaking in Bursts • Speaking Fast • Singing
Sustaining Excellence • Observe other Speakers • Record & Replay your Talk • Things to Avoid • Expressions • Equipment • Gestures