Build Resume for your First Job

How to write that Winning Resume for your Dream job 


If you are a new entrant in the job market, you need to perfect your resume before applying for your 1st job
Since you are fresh out of college, use your education as your strong point. Aggregate %, CGPA, accolades, club participation, etc. will be your focus.

"Do I really need a resume? What should I write in my resume?"
These are questions which worry every college graduate looking for his/her first job. Welcome to the real world! Yes you really need to make your resume and how you present yourself in that resume will go a long way towards getting you your first job.
It's a myth that resumes of entry-level graduates are unimportant because they lack the 'pull' of experience. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only is a well-made resume important for every job seeker, it is more critical for entry level graduates. A resume is a mirror of your professional identity. A well-defined resume impresses a recruiter. A sloppy resume immediately proclaims the candidate to be sloppy.

Here are some do's and don'ts on what makes a great resume for graduates seeking entry-level positions in industry.
OBJECTIVE
One of the most frequently heard complaints made by recruiters about entry-level resumes is that they lack a specific objective. Resumes of fresh graduates have fuzzy, general objectives or no objective at all. Mentioning a specific objective is by far the most important feature of an entry- level resume. Without goal clarity you are bound to drown in the sea of mediocrity.

The only thing worse than the absence of an objective is a vague objective. Something like "My objective is to work with a dynamic company which will fully utilise my talents…" is a complete no-no! This objective is worthless because it gives the potential employer no idea about your goals or your direction.

Your objective should be clear, well-defined and short-not more than 10-12 words.. It should be aimed towards getting a particular position in a specific industry. Thus your objective should talk about the following:
1. Position wanted
2. Functional area
3. Industry wanted
Examples of good objectives:
Example 1: "Junior management position wanted in PROGRAMMING/ engineering field in IT industry.'
Example 2: GET in position in the manufacturing field.
Example 3: Entry level programmer in a software development company.
Example 4: Marketing position in the FMCG segment of a Multinational Company.
Example 5: Multimedia software development position. Open to Relocation.
Example 6: "A position as a Production supervisor with a petro-chemical company."
SUMMARY
Summary is the second most important factor that is conspicuous by its absence in resumes of entry-level graduates. It is a good idea to include a summary of your resume after having mentioned your objective. This sums up your resume in a nutshell and gives you an opportunity to highlight your strengths. It invites the recruiter to read your detailed resume. The summary should consist of 4-5 specific points-either bulleted or in one paragraph.
Sample Summary 1:
• B.E (Computer Science) from IIT-Delhi, in 2000. 
• Course in Computers Database programmes Oracle 8I & VB6 from PENTASOFT in 2005. 
• Consistently good academic record. 
• Good analytical and communication skills. 
• Have worked on a curriculum project "XXX XXXXX XXXX" 
Sample Summary 2:
"Masters in Computer Application with specialisation in J2EE/Web Technologies. Great operational, communication and computer skills. Good academic record throughout. Among the top three students out of a batch of 120 students. Undergone Industrial training in a top petrochemical Company.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Most fresher resume doesn't suffer from space constraint . However it is a good idea to include only those educational and professionals qualifications which are relevant. Put your qualifications in a reverse chronological order. i.e. the recent ones first followed by earlier ones. Entry level resume should also mention the names of their school and college, years in which they passed their board examinations. However, include your marks only you have shown a good academic performance.

WORK EXPERIENCE
An entry- level resume cannot compete with resumes of experienced workers in the area of work experience. But don't forget to list internships, voluntary work and summer training that you have undertaken. How you present these is very important. Make sure you clearly define your duty and responsibilities during this training.
E.g.: "Worked as a summer trainee in India's largest Oil Refinery. I was working for the system control department. Wrote quality reports as well as ISO features for the company." Any projects done for your school or your college should also be mentioned.


DESIGN
Follow a simple design, which gives maximum information in the minimum number of pages. Use an easy to read and commonly used font like 'Times New Roman' or 'Verdana.' Limit your font size to 10-11. Do not underline heavily.
WORD USAGE
Simple language, lucid expression with good grammar is the thumb rule. Watch your tenses carefully. Use short and simple sentences. And never-ever make the mistake of using long words just to impress the recruiter. Flowery words are for speeches, keep them away from your resume.
OUCH! THE TRUTH HURTS
There are many things we would rather not write in our resumes. And while writing a resume the strong temptation to stretch the truth (or simply lie through our teeth) can be quite overpowering. But just stomp on the temptation. Most companies opt for a reference check during recruitment. Your resume is considered a legal document and fudging up small details may cause you great embarrassment in your career.
All right! so you've made yor resume. But this is not the time to sit back and relax. There are some important post-resume do's left.
CHECK, AND RE-CHECK!
The most important post resume step: Read and re-read your resume for any mistakes. Check the facts, the grammar, the spellings. After you have checked it, get you parents, friends, teachers to check it for you. One small mistake may cost you your job.
And finally...mom is right you know! Do not procrastinate over anything, specially making your resume. Most fresh graduates prefer to leave the unappealing task of resume making till the last minute i.e the day before their first interview. However, remember that making great resumes take time and effort. And the rewards will last you a lifetime

Dont's about writing Ur Resume, The things ur resume should not have

Your CV is your marketing brochure through which you try to sell a commodity, ie your skills to the potential buyer ie the prospective employer. The sole purpose of your CV is to fetch you an interview call. Nothing more, nothing less.


However, creating a CV isn't as simple as just using flowery language and pretty fonts. There are certain things that put recruiters off and if you want to make a good impression, make sure you do not commit these mistakes in what is arguably the most valuable document of your job hunt. While the rules listed are well-founded, they are not carved in stone. At times you will need to break the rules. If you want to add these things knowingly and purposefully to your CV we advise you to do that. The points mentioned here are not listed in the order of priority; instead they are listed in the sequence in which they usually appear on a CV.

~ Colorful or glossy paper and flashy fonts

Your CV is a formal, official document. Keep it simple. 

~ Resume or CV at the top 

Many people tend to add headings to their CV. The usual are CV, Curriculum Vitae and Resume. Do not do this. 

~ Photographs until asked

Do not add your photo to the CV until you have been asked for it. Photographs are required only for certain types of positions like models, actors etc. 

~ Usage of 'I', 'My', 'He', 'She'

Do not use these in your CV. Many candidates write, 'I worked as Team Leader for XYZ Company' or 'He was awarded Best Employee for the year 2007'. Instead use bullet points to list out your qualifications/ experience like: Team leader for XYZ Company from 2006-2007.

~ Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors

Proofread your CV until you are confident that it doesn't have any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. These are big put-offs for the recruiters. Moreover, sometimes these mistakes might land you in an embarrassing situation. A candidate who submitted his CV without proofreading it committed the mistake of wrongly spelling 'ask' as 'ass'. Now you can imagine the type of embarrassment he must have faced during the interview, when the interviewer pointed it out. These mistakes tend to convey a lazy and careless attitude to the interviewer.

~ Lies about your candidature

Do not lie about your past jobs or qualifications or anything which might have an impact on the job. You may be able to secure a job with these lies today but tomorrow you may lose it as well. 

~ Abbreviations or jargon that is difficult to understand

People screening your resume usually belong to the HR department. If they do not understand what the abbreviations and jargon mean, they will simply dump your CV in the trash can. Avoid over-using such terms as far as possible.

~ Reasons for leaving last job

Leave these reasons to be discussed during the personal interview. For example, some candidates write: Reason for leaving the last job: Made redundant. Avoid making such statements in your CV, they add no value. Besides, if you do get an interview call, chances are the interviewer will address the issue.

~ Past failures or health problems

Mentioning these immediately slash your chances of getting an interview call. For instance, you have a gap in your employment because you started your own business which did not do well. Some candidates might write -- Reason for gap in employment: Started own business which failed. Do not do this type of injustice with your job hunt at this stage of writing the CV.

~ Current or expected salary

Leave it to be discussed while negotiating the salary.

~ Irrelevant details

Leave out the details like marital status, sex, passport number, number of kids, age of kids. These are usually irrelevant for most interviewers but at times could be used as a basis for discrimination.

~ References

Do not include them until asked. In fact, it is not even required to mention the line 'Reference available on request'. If the recruiter requires a reference, he/she will ask you to bring it along for the interview.Now that you have run through the list, take a fresh look at your CV and prune away unnecessary details and unaffordable blunders that could have cost you your dream job

A Personal Career Planning Worksheet

This worksheet is designed to help you to explore your interests and achievements and to relate them to a possible career. When answering these questions, be honest with yourself. Answer based on what you really think, rather than on what your parents, teachers, coaches, siblings, or friends think or expect of you. 

Learning Style: How do I learn better or prefer to learn? 


Hands-On

Listening

Reading

Writing

Big Picture

In Steps 



Working Style: How would I prefer to work? 


Indoors - Outdoors 
Alone - With People 
On One Project - On Multiple Projects 
Self-Starter - Need Prompting 
Like Change - Don't Like Change 



Talents, Skills, and Interests: 



What makes me happy? 

What am I good at? 

Are they the same? 



Roadblocks: 



What things might interfere with my pursuing what makes me happy? 


Whom do I know? 


Whom do I know that is happy with his or her career? Why? 

Whom do I know that is unhappy with his or her career? Why? 


What Now? 


What careers am I interested in learning more about? 

How can I do this?

Ten Tips to Boost Your Interview IQ

Even the smartest and most qualified job seekers need to prepare for job interviews. Why, you ask? Interviewing is a learned skill, and there are no second chances to make a great first impression. So study these 10 strategies and caveats to enhance your interview IQ. 

Practice Good Nonverbal Communication 

It's about demonstrating confidence: standing straight, making eye contact and connecting with a good, firm handshake. That first impression can be a great beginning -- or quick ending -- to your interview. 

Dress for the Job or Company 

Today's casual dress codes do not give you permission to dress as "they" do when you interview. It is important to look professional and well-groomed. Whether you wear a suit or something less formal depends on the company culture and the position you are seeking. If possible, call to find out about the company dress code before the interview. 

Listen 

From the very beginning of the interview, your interviewer is giving you information, either directly or indirectly. If you are not hearing it, you are missing a major opportunity. Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what he said. Observe your interviewer, and match that style and pace. 

Don't Talk Too Much 

Telling the interviewer more than he needs to know could be a fatal mistake. When you have not prepared ahead of time, you may tend to ramble, sometimes talking yourself right out of the job. Prepare for the interview by reading through the job posting, matching your skills with the position's requirements and relating only that information. 

Don't Be Too Familiar 

The interview is a professional meeting to talk business. This is not about making a new friend. Your level of familiarity should mimic the interviewer's demeanor. It is important to bring energy and enthusiasm to the interview and to ask questions, but do not overstep your place as a candidate looking for a job. 

Use Appropriate Language 

It's a given that you should use professional language during the interview. Be aware of any inappropriate slang words or references to age, race, religion, politics or sexual orientation -- these topics could send you out the door very quickly. 

Don't Be Cocky 

Attitude plays a key role in your interview success. There is a fine balance between confidence, professionalism and modesty. Even if you're putting on a performance to demonstrate your ability, overconfidence is as bad, if not worse, as being too reserved. 

Take Care to Answer the Questions 

When an interviewer asks for an example of a time when you did something, he is seeking a sample of your past behavior. If you fail to relate a specific example, you not only don't answer the question, but you also miss an opportunity to prove your ability and talk about your skills. 

Ask Questions 

When asked if they have any questions, most candidates answer, "No." Wrong answer. It is extremely important to ask questions to demonstrate an interest in what goes on in the company. Asking questions also gives you the opportunity to find out if this is the right place for you. The best questions come from listening to what is asked during the interview and asking for additional information. 

Don't Appear Desperate 

When you interview with the "please, please hire me" approach, you appear desperate and less confident. Maintain the three C's during the interview: cool, calm and confident. You know you can do the job; make sure the interviewer believes you can, too. 

Interview & Resumé Tips - Interview Tips

We all know the importance of making a positive impression - and that's never more important than during a job interview! A little preparation and homework in advance can help reduce the stress of an interview and give you a game plan for success. Here are some tips to help you prepare for an interview with American Family.
Interview Do's
How to Prepare
• Know yourself - your goals, your skills and your plans.
• Know your resumé and be prepared to discuss your past experiences in detail. Spend some time before the interview recalling your past accomplishments and contributions.
• Come prepared with a list of any questions you have about the position and our company.
• Dress professionally but keep in mind our office attire is business casual. Suits are not required!
• Practice, practice, practice! Review the information on your resumé and recall as many professional experiences as you can - projects you've led or been a part of, contributions you've made, successes and achievements of which you're especially proud. Be prepared to discuss specific work situations, including actions you took and the end results of those actions. Think of the interview as your chance to tell us stories about your work experiences.
• Arrive on time for your interview. Make sure that if you don't know the way you call ahead and get directions ahead of time. 


How to Interview
• Relax! We consider you to be a guest with us, and you're not the only one who wants to make a good impression - we do too!
• Show enthusiasm and interest.
• Use good eye contact.
• Be specific when answering your questions. Provide specific, not vague or hypothetical information.
• Show confidence in your abilities.
• Listen attentively.
• Be honest and straightforward - if you can't think of a good example or answer it's better to say that than to provide a vague, rambling response.
Interview Don'ts
How Not to Prepare
• Don't apply for a job without first considering your experiences as they relate to the qualifications for the job.
• Don't wait until the last minute to think about what you'll want to say.
• Take some time to recall relevant work experiences so you're prepared to talk about them.
How Not to Interview
• Don't ramble on aimlessly. Unnecessary details can take up a lot of valuable interview time and make you appear unfocused.
• Don't come across as unprepared or lacking in ambition. Don't rush your answers just to avoid awkward silences.
• Don't be negative - about yourself, our company, or any past employers.
If you are selected for an interview, you'll want to know more about what interviewing with American Family is like - so you can be as prepared as possible! To help you out, we've prepared a list of Frequently Asked Questions, or "FAQs," about interviewing at AmFam.

Interview Tips

“So, why don't you tell me about yourself?” is the most frequently asked interview question. It's a question that most interviewees expect and the one they have the most difficulty answering. Though one could answer this open-ended question in a myriad of ways, the key to answering this question or any other interview question is to offer a response that supports your career objective. This means that you shouldn't respond with comments about your hobbies, spouse, or extra curricular activities. Trust me, interviewers aren’t interested.
Interviewers use the interview process as a vehicle to eliminate your candidacy. Every question they ask is used to differentiate your skills, experience, and personality with that of other candidates. They want to determine if what you have to offer will mesh with the organization’s mission and goals.
If answered with care, your response to the question, “So, why don’t you tell me about yourself?” could compliment the interviewers needs as well as support your agenda. This is a question you should be prepared to answer as opposed to attempting to “wing it”.
Follow the four easy steps outlined below to ensure your response will grab the interviewers attention:

1. Provide a brief introduction. Introduce attributes that are key to the open position. 
Sample introduction: During my 10 years’ of experience as a sales manager, I have mastered the ability to coach, train, and motivate sales teams into reaching corporate goals.
2. Provide a career summary of your most recent work history. Your career summary is the “meat” of your response, so it must support your job objective and it must be compelling. Keep your response limited to your current experience. Don’t go back more than 10 years. 
Sample career summary: Most recently, at The Widget Corporation, I was challenged with turning around a stagnant territory that ranked last in sales in the Northeastern region. Using strategies that have worked in the past, I developed an aggressive sales campaign that focused on cultivating new accounts and nurturing the existing client base. The results were tremendous. Within six months my sales team and I were able to revitalize the territory and boost sales by 65%.
3. Tie your response to the needs of the hiring organization. Don’t assume that the interviewer will be able to connect all the dots. It is your job as the interviewee to make sure the interviewer understands how your experiences are transferable to the position they are seeking to fill. 
Sample tie-in: Because of my proven experience in leading sales teams, Craig Brown suggested I contact you regarding your need for a sales manager. Craig filled me in on the challenges your sales department is facing. 
4. Ask an insightful question. By asking a question you gain control of the interview. Don’t ask a question for the sake of asking. Be sure that the question will engage the interviewer in a conversation. Doing so will alleviate the stress you may feel to perform. 
Sample question: What strategies are currently underway to increase sales and morale within the sales department?

There you have it – a response that meets the needs of the interviewer AND supports your agenda. 
When broken down into manageable pieces, the question, “So, tell me about yourself?” isn’t overwhelming. In fact, answering the question effectively gives you the opportunity to talk about your strengths, achievements, and qualifications for the position. So take this golden opportunity and run with it!

Winning interview tips

We thought that you might appreciate some advice on passing job interviews. They're a necessary job seeking evil and though there are some that enjoy the challenge most of us find them nerve racking. We've put together some tips that should ensure that you breeze rather than blunder through your next interview. 

Be prepared 
Make sure you research or mystery shop the company beforehand. For example if your prospective employer is a retailer, try being a customer. It's advisable to visit their website and look up the 'About us' section on their site. You'll learn a lot about the company values from there. You should also check the 'Press Release' or 'News' sections of their site so you can find out what widgets or latest service initiatives they have. This area of their site will also give you an insight into how transparent the organisation is about what they're doing. They may feature employees of the month here or recent promotions too. In an interview situation all of the above will show the interviewer that you are thinking about 'how' you would do the job, which is what they want to hear. 
Be punctual 
Don't fall at the first hurdle by turning up late. This is the big interview no-no, and could help you to decide your fate before you've even spoken a word. 'Getting lost' does not sit comfortably with interviewers. 
Smarten up! 
Make sure you dress smart, plain and simple. There are exceptions depending on the industry a full suit and tie combo might be too formal for an interview at a hip new media agency or for the next Cbeebies Presenter job. Also, go easy on the aftershave or perfume you don't want the interviewer to pass out half way through! 
Don't David Brent them 
Remember, this is a job interview. You're there to convince the interviewer you're the right person for the job. So don't crack jokes or tell funny anecdotes (they'll almost all be offensive to some one). Remember you want to appear professional. 
After the interview 
If you're unsuccessful, use it as an opportunity to improve. Seek feedback from the interviewer, you're entitled to it, if you were skills or competency tested ask for the results. This shows initiative and keenness on your part, as well as boosting your future interview success chances, the interviewer may consider you for future vacancies at the company.