Lying on your resume is the worst mistake

If you lie on your CV, you have to be sure that if not now, you will definitely get caught sometime in the future, maybe just a few days after your interview is over. Most employers conduct background checks on candidates and if they find out information that does not match the information that you have shared with them, you be sure of a blemished reputation.

While it is not a crime, it does not reflect well on you. Misrepresenting your experience, your salary, your educational background etc. will land you in a soup if for any reason the human resource department thinks it is necessary to conduct a background check.

When you lie on your resume, you are not just lying to the employer but you are also lying to yourself because you do not meet the criteria that are required and therefore will not do justice to the job. If you need a certain degree or some relevant experience, take time out before jumping the gun and contest like other people who are vying to get the same job as you.

It is unfair to lie and take advantage of a company. You may be lucky, and the employers may never find out that you do not have a degree or have little experience in the area you are claiming expertise in, but eventually the truth will come out, either your work will tell, or they will find out some other way and you will have to pay heavily, both in terms of money as well as reputation.

Make the most of your selling skills to get the salary you desire

It is important to understand your worth and your potential before you go in for a job interview and discuss the salary with your prospective employer. It is also important that you have done a thorough background check and understood what the industry standard is before you start negotiating your salary package. Below listed are a few ways in which you can work towards building a salary package that works in your favour.

1. Sell yourself: It is important that you help the prospective employers understand why you are perfect for the job that they are interviewing for. Therefore it is important that you have and thorough understanding of the profile and craft your achievements to suit the job. When you do this, you are letting the employers know why you are ideal for the position.

2. Never disclose past salary: It is important that you not disclose your past salary and let the them evaluate you on your experience, skill sets, education and salary structure that is present in the company. When they ask you how much you expect, dodge the question and simply say that you expect a package that stands true with what is prevalent as an industry standard.

3. Wait: Do not get too excited and jump at the first offer you receive. Ask them to give you at least a couple of days to get back with an acceptance and in the meantime make sure you have a few interviews lined up so that you can understand what other companies may offer you so that you can pick right.

Take note of your body language when you are at an interview

When you go for an interview you have to understand that you are being scrutinized from every aspect. Your answers to the questions they ask you definitely hold weight,  but also how you present yourself and the body language you hold through the interview can determine whether you get the job or not.

Non verbal communication can play an instrumental role in making or breaking the deal and you have to pay special attention to how you conduct yourself at an interview if you want to get the job. Over and above rehearsing the answers to the questions they may ask you at the interview, you have to also focus on your body language and non verbal communication skills.

For instance, how you shake hands, how you sit, how you dress and the way you use your hands to make gestures may talk a lot about the kind of person you are. If you come across as being fidgety or keep shifting your eyes to look around the room you may be termed as being unfocused. A firm handshake divulges confidence and a limp handshake may suggest that you are nervous and anxious about something.

You need to project professionalism and confidence and the way you dress, the way you walk and the way you conduct yourself non-verbally in the interview will help you create a package that the employer may like and want. So while you need to focus on how you speak, you also need to focus on your non verbal communication.

Tips for a successful telephonic interview

When interviewing for a job via telephone, you may have to be a little more careful than when meeting the interviewee in person. You want to make a good impression and also ensure that the interviewer understands you perfectly. Below listed are a few tips on how you can have a successful phone interview so that you are happy and your interviewer is not disappointed.

1.Contact details: When providing your contact information, make sure you pick a phone number that allows for uninterrupted conversation. Do not provide a cell phone number, give your interviewer a landline number that he can contact you at, so that you do not have to worry about bad network coverage or call drops.

2. Practice: If you have a trusted friend, make sure you have a few rehearsals over the phone so that you can build on confidence. You also need to pre-empt the kind of questions that you may be asked so that you can draft answers that are brief and meet with the interviewers expectations.

3. Structure: If the interviewer does not provide you with a structure to the interview, politely tell him that you would appreciate if they could ask you all the questions first and then you will pose the questions you have after.

4. Etiquette: Make sure you have your manners in check before you start your telephonic interview. Try not to sneeze or cough and also please do not chew gum or eat anything while the interview is in process.

 

A few things you should know when discussing your salary at an interview

It is very important that you have your priorities right when you go in for a job interview. By this we mean that while the salary you are getting is important, what is also important is what you are getting from the job. You have to consider the brand name of the company, your profile and how much you are going to learn and how it is going to play a part in your career path. A few things that you should remember while discussing your salary are listed below:

1) Buy Time: Buying time can help you take an informed decision. When you go in for an interview, make sure you do your home work. Ask around to check how much the company pays, what is the industry standard etc. Also pay attention to your experience and your skill sets. Once you are done with the interview, make sure your questions are answered as well. Then ask for some time to get back to them with a figure. Do not take too long; make sure you reply within a day or two.

2) Salary Slab: Most multinational organizations and large corporate companies and even smaller one’s today have a slab for employees. Salary slabs are decided based on number of years of experience and education qualification. Try and get an idea as to which slab you come under.

3) Provide a Range: If an employer asks you to quote a salary amount, make sure you give them a range. This will work both in your interest and theirs.

4) Be comfortable: Do not shudder at the thought of giving a salary quote. Be comfortable and confidently answer the question.

At job, is it just about money?

One cannot be further than the truth. One’s first job should not be taken up only because the pay package is good. There are a number of other things that one as a fresher should remember before plunging into a job that may not be right for a career. Job satisfaction is also very important and if you are stuck in a job that pays you well but does not keep you happy, then you are doomed. Every job you take up and leave because you are unhappy will only mean a step back in your career path.

Money is important yes, and you should ensure that you are not exploited. Therefore, you should pay attention to a few things that are happening around you. For one, you should do your home work; you should try and understand what the industry standard is for a job in the industry you are looking for, what salary slab do you fall under and how much experience you have.

Apply to three or four companies, study the culture, see where growth will be your partner and make your choice accordingly. You may have to sacrifice a few thousands of rupees in the first few years, but then there will be no looking back and your path will be planted with trees that will give you positive returns.

So, let money lie on the back burner for a while till you set up a strong foundation for your career that will help you ride higher and higher as time goes by.

Do you have a Video Resume?

What are you doing to stand apart from a crowd? You may have spent a few days drafting the perfect resume, you may have ensured that all your achievements and strengths have been highlighted appropriately, and you may have also bought the best formal out fit to wear to the interview. However, what if you do not get called for that interview?

Yes, there is a chance that your paper resume will get lost amongst the thousands of others that are piling up on the desks of HR executives across the country. What you could do to stand apart is build a video resume. It’s smart, it is simple and it costs nothing. Koozba, can help you build a video resume and upload it so that you get the exposure you deserve.

If you do not already have a video resume you should start thinking about how you can create one to highlight nuances of your personality that will make your chances of getting your dream job brighter.
A video resume allows prospective employers to see that side of your personality that cannot be captured in a traditional CV. Aspects like attitude, demeanour, communication skills and personality are important attributes that people look for, and if you have the platform to showcase your skills, you should not miss out on the opportunity. So do not wait any longer, Koozba will help you shoot the best video resume for you depending on what you need to highlight and you can look forward to being called for every interview.