Be seen...Get selected!

If you haven’t had much luck with your applications so far, there is something that you may be doing wrong, or something you may not be doing at all. Today, there are so many platforms to get in touch with prospective employers online, and if you have not been exploiting them, it is only your loss.

Social networking websites, professional networking websites and other portals allow you to learn what jobs are there in the market. They give you an opportunity to highlight your skills, let people know that you are looking for a job and allow the right job opportunities to come your way. Just think about it, if the company you wish to work with does not know you exist, how you are going to get a job with them.

So, the first rule of the game is, let them know that you are looking for a job and you have the requisite skills to fit the profile that they may be offering. However, there is a subtle art attached to the process and you cannot blatantly approach them through these mediums. Participating in discussions, publishing papers and making sure that your CV is updated at all times is important.

Another interesting way in which you capture their attention is by hosting a video CV online through Koozba so that you can showcase a variety of skills through one single video resume format. It is easy to do and will hardly take you any time and will help you create a special identity for yourself.

Five tips for better phone interviews

You may be intimidated by the thought of a personal interview, but what you do not know is that a phone interview can be equally intimidating if you are not prepared.  There are a list of do’s and don’ts that you must follow if you want to make a good impression on the phone. Over and above learning the right phone etiquette, you have to be better prepared as compared to a personal interview. Since you cannot make an impression with the way you dress and how you look, you will have to ensure that you leave a lasting impression on the phone.

Five ways in which you can master the art of phone interviews and succeed in scoring the job you want are listed below:
 
Connection: It is important that the phone line you are using to have your interview is not one that keeps breaking up. You need to ensure that the number you list on your resume for a phone interview is one that can be trusted and not fail you. Also ensure it is a clear line and there are no disturbances. Also make sure that are no external disturbances. Close your room door and ensure no traffic noise seeps in through the cracks as well.

Practice: It is important that you have a fair idea of the questions that may be asked during the job interview.  Try and practice before you take the call.

Never interrupt: Do not interrupt while the interviewer is asking you a question or saying something. Wait till they are finished and then ask your question.

Do not eat or drink: Try and have some water before you start your interview, so you do not need to take a sip while it is going on. Do not talk much on anything while your interview is in progress

Smile: Have a pleasant disposition. They say when you smile; the caller can hear it in your voice.
 

Is your resume Internet ready?

If you do not keep up with the latest technological changes and trends that are doing the rounds of many recruitment offices in the top organizations in the country, you and your resume may be left behind.

Today, most organizations accept soft copies of CVs, so that they can easily program their computers to feed the data on these CVs into their system. Initially, that process was done by the way of optical scanners which would transfer the essential information on to the system. However, optical systems do not always capture the right data and therefore a lot of your information can be missed.

With this scenario a lot of people dropped the idea of a traditional paper CV and started working only on soft copies that were impressive and assisted easy assimilation of data at the employer’s end. The next change that has come to force is the birth of the video CV. While the video CV cannot help data collection, it gives candidates a chance to stand apart from a crowd.
A video CV through Koozba can allow candidates not only create a video CV but also upload it on the portal and use it as a network to meet with employees who may be interested in their credentials. Today, a number of recruiters are using professional and social networking websites to find the right candidates and being ready on these platforms with your profiles is equally important as having a soft or hard copy of your CV updated.

Get the right job, the right way

Before you start looking for a job after graduation, there is one thing you need be absolutely sure about and that is – what is more important to you? Money or the right move for your career? When you have an answer to that simple question your job search will become much easier. However, this is just the first step of the process, and in order to get a hold of the job of your dreams you could take hints from the steps listed below:

1) Identify Industries/ companies: Once you have a fair idea of where your interests lie and know which industry you would like to work in, start looking for companies that you would want to apply to. Make sure you have a list with you and you send in applications to each and every one of them.

2) Resume: Before you start sending in your applications, make sure that your resume is updated and highlights all your strengths. In fact today, you can choose to make a video resume for yourself on Koozba that will provide you a platform to showcase your personality in the best light.

Once you have your video CV in place you should aggressively start targeting these companies and connect with through a variety of platforms to understand through which platform you will form the best connection. Sites like Koozba are a great place to interact with companies and often if you are active and have something they may be looking for, you may find a break right there.

What do employers in the IT sector look for from applicants?

The IT sector may be a very lucrative sector. However, there are a number of things that employers in this sector look for in the applicants. It is imperative that you have a basic idea of what skills you need to posses to apply for a job in this sector before you go ahead and send in your CV to a number of IT firms. If you do not posses those skills and are only applying to the company because you wish to get a transfer to a foreign country sometime in the future, you may end up wasting too much time.

A few things that IT firms look for in applicants during the hiring process are highlighted below:

• PHD: For research position in IT companies, the recruiting department will look for people who hold PHD’s. IF you do not have a PHD applying for a research position in any of the top companies is a waste of your time and that of the company’s.
• Degree: Most IT organizations look for candidates who have degrees in Science, engineering or management. A combination of engineering and management is definitely preferred.
• Soft skills: Most applicants are scrutinized for their passion to learn new things as well.

Getting a job in the IT sector without these pre requisites is not easy, and one should have made up their mind when in early college if IT was a sector that they were passionate about.

  

What do you need for a successful career?

While most people look for a hefty package when they graduate, there are others who do the wise thing and identify the right opportunity for strategic career development. In order to find success in one’s career there are multiple things that one must possess and the most important one of those attributes is the wisdom to say ‘No’.

Over and above that a list that may go a long way in helping you find success is detailed below:

1) Say No: After you graduate a number of job opportunities will come your way that will sweep you off your feet with amazing packages. However, do not fall for them and only choose the one that provides you with a stepping stone for what you have planned for yourself for life.

2) A positive attitude: Since you are a newbie you may not be presented with all the riches in the world, but keeping a positive attitude and having the willingness to learn everything that comes your way will truly bring you unprecedented success.

3) Teamwork: Remember, that teamwork will teach you a number of things and that’s why you always have to work as a team player at all times. It will teach you leadership skills, it will teach you how to identify strengths in yourself and another person and a number of other good qualities that you can use later in your corporate climb up the ladder.

When you stay focused on what is important and disregard how much money is involved, you will find that success will come your way easily and in no time.

Is it difficult to get a job when you have a disability?

Oh yes! It is extremely difficult to find a job when you have a disability. While some organizations will not hold a bias and will consider only your qualifications and experience while awarding you the position you are interviewing for, others will hold it against you and consider over and over again before they do decide to go with you.

If you have a physical disability you must understand and make a list of things you can do and things you will not be able to do. Once you have identified the kind of job you may be suited for, you can apply to a couple of places and see how it goes from there. You also need to work around how you are going to approach the interview. While the telephonic interview may be a breeze, the interviewers may be alarmed when they see you in person as you had not disclosed to them that you have a disability that could hamper your performance.

Make sure that your physical disability or any other disability that is not apparent does not hamper your performance or competence. There are a large number of opportunities that allow you to work from home today and other opportunities as well that may not need to run around a lot and work from a desk. You need to make the employers believe that you are capable of performing tasks in spite of the disability that you have.