Dated April 13, 2005
I find it almost impossible to squeeze my accomplishments and experiences on to a single page. Please explain why a one-page résumé is preferable to a two or three-page one.
Vijay
Trichy
Brief and informative information can be condensed into a one-page résumé, which is critical for a successful career transition to occur in a timely manner. It is quite natural that the human eye stops reading when it reaches the end of the first one- third of the first page of any document. This means, if your résumé is longer than one page, two thirds of your experiences and achievements would get ignored.
Also, if your résumé is referred to during a face to face interview, anything more than one page becomes a distraction and your prospective employer would spend time flipping papers instead of paying attention to you, your experiences and your achievements.
Lastly, remember, organisations hire people that they like, and this decision is generally made within the first four minutes of an interview. This is why developing rapport is imperative. If you try to put all of your experiences in writing, what are you going to talk about during the interview? If you are not engaged in conversation during an interview, how will you develop rapport?
Procrastination is my second nature. I sincerely wish to overcome this retrograde tendency. Please help me realise my goal.
Joy Prakash
Bhilai
Overcoming procrastination requires you to first recognise that you have proclivity towards postponing things. Then observe why and when do you put off jobs. Basically, procrastination is avoiding something we don't want to do. The best way to get around it is, of course, to adopt `just do it' approach. Here are a few strategies that are sure to help you beat procrastination.
Recognise self-defeating problems such as fear and anxiety, difficulty concentrating, poor time management, indecisiveness and perfectionism. Then tackle the problems, one at a time, if there are more than one.
Identify your goals, strengths, weaknesses, values and priorities.
Compare your actions with the values you feel you abide by. Are your values consistent with your actions? Discipline yourself to use time wisely! Set priorities!
Break large assignments into small tasks that allow you to stand, stretch and relax for a bit before getting back to the next assignment. Planned leisure time is great, as long as it stays within set boundaries and doesn't lead you on to procrastination path.
Reward yourself after you complete a task (take a short walk, get a drink, read a few pages of a recreational book).
Set realistic and reachable goals. By setting goals for yourself, you will have realistic expectations of what you can do, and you'll find seeing a task through from start to finish is less work. All these ultimately help you conquer procrastination.
Lastly, modify your environment. Eliminate or minimise noise/distraction.
Of late, fairs have become an in thing in the job market. Nevertheless, the sheer number of people who attend these events discourages me. How do I stand out from the crowd?
Suman
New Delhi
Job fairs offer an opportunity to directly approach local and regional companies that are engaged in active hiring. If you wish to stand out, show up prepared with the following: business cards, résumés, pen and paper and any current job titles listed on the company's website that you are interested in pursuing. In fact, it is much easier to sift through over 200 résumés after the job fair if individuals hand in their résumé, and then they describe the exact position for which they are qualified and interested in.
The recruiters make note of the résumé right then and there. Additionally, you could get the business card of the HR person. Take the initiative to contact them 3-5 days after the job fair - just to touch base and find out where they are in the process of locating individuals to interview for posted positions.
I have read in these columns that one should ask the interviewer questions. But, what sort of questions are safe to ask?
Suchitra
Nagpur
During a job interview it makes sense to gather information about the position and the company where you are seeking employment. Usually, interviewers encourage the candidate to ask questions to clarify doubts, if any, or to seek further information regarding the company towards the end of the session.
But, if you don't get a formal opening to ask any questions, politely seek permission to use some of the interview time to interject thoughtful questions tailored to the specific position for which you are applying. Following are a few of the questions you can safely ask:
What do you see as the broad responsibilities of this job?
What projects would immediately require my attention?
Do I meet all of the qualifications for this position?
Can you tell me a little bit about the working climate of the department?
Where does this position fit into the company's organisational plans?
What type of training programme is in place for new employees?
I recently applied for a position at the World Bank. After passing the first and second-round interviews, I was told to meet another official to discuss my salary break-up. However, when I went to meet him, he told me that he had meant to interview me in the first round but was unable to do so as he was busy. He interviewed me again, before rejecting my application altogether. I find this extremely unfair and would like to take some action. What are my options?
A reader
Actually, you have two options. The first is the easy one where you don't do anything and suffer quietly and allow the World Bank to do this kind of thing to several others.
The second one is to sue the World Bank generally and the HR department particularly. You can cite discriminatory practices and infructuous utilisation of time. If an incompetent person was detailed to do your interview and he has recommended you for appointment, the company, by law, has to abide by his decision since he was entrusted with the task regardless of his ability.
If you have proof that it was the company and not your consultant that called you to make the appearance on the following day for the salary discussion, you have a very good case for restitution or redress. On the other hand, if it was the consultant that did the calling, then he is the one to blame and you can sue him but only if you have evidence of his action. Remember, you can subpoena records from the company to validate your case.
If you decide on this action, you will be doing a great service to job seekers in India. And of course the World Bank will be taught a salutary lesson that they cannot mess with third world countries. They would never dare to do what they have in the US or Europe.
The FAQ column deals with career concerns addressed to The C&K Management LTD. PO Box 2178, Secunderabad 500003 or emailed to faqs@cnkonline.com
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