Resume, Interview and Attitude - Find your first job
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00:58 - Mindset to look for a job
01:40 - Preparation to look for a job
03:10 - The process of applying for jobs
05:40 - How to make good Resumes
12:10 - Preparation for the Interview
About Rashmi
Rashmi Utnal is the Global People Operations Manager at Workspan and has worked in HR for nearly 15 years. A good many of these years she has hired people from campuses for many different roles.
She joins the conversation today to give tips on how to make your resume, how to prepare for interviews, and how to keep a positive mindset while job hunting. If you're looking for a new opportunity, this episode is for you!
Rashmi is a self-empowered learning, who is still learning at a furious pace.
She said -
Mindset to look for a job
Maintain Positive attitude
Goal is to not get frustrated when not getting interview calls
The actions below, contribute to a positive attitude, without doing artificial airy-fairy things :)
Get Organised
put resume in place
linkedin profile in place
plan your job search
resume customised to job you are looking for
resume should entire prospective employer
revisit your social media profile - ensure it is professional, connected to right people
have references ready to endorse credentials
Create a daily job search routine
build and follow a daily routine | keeps you focussed
Make a list of your positives | accomplishments | strengths
use it to draft your cover letters for job
cover letter should also match to skills needed in job description
Take stock of your development areas
work to improve your weak areas over time with specific actions (certifications, practice, projects etc.) - this will give you confidence and motivation boost both.
Celebrate even small victories
easy to focus on negatives | remain mindful of this
shortlisted resume | phone from recruiter | resume gets screened - are small victories too!
Move on quickly
don't get stuck to one job | the job - don't waste time like this.
Resume Preparation
It is not enough to make it look beautiful
choice of words is important
start by choosing a right template
look online, google doc templates, word doc templates, canva etc.
add the following
add contact details and links to your profile (should be clickable | online profile should be current and active)
add summary | objective - it contains your goals | role you are looking for | why you are well suited
list your education details - courses taken, major, if CGPA is not outstanding (below 4/5), you can skip mentioning it explicitly
list your projects done - including internships, simultaneous jobs, pet projects (related to application)
list your responsibilities in student bodies | clubs | elections | victories | voluntary bodies | internships where you have take initiative | shown leadership.
separate section - add soft skills section (and self rate). example - listening, presentation, effective meetings, leading small groups, asking questions, collaboration
separate section - your hard (functional area) skills. If certificates available, add links to them. Coursera type of courses come here. If required, describe certification
now look at formatting details
style, margins, font
gun for 1 page (recruiter might not read fully otherwise)
plain professional photograph (current) can be added
tailor resume per job description
identify key words in job description. Add to objectives | summary without making it hashtag obvious
if initial screening is AI based, this helps you pass that hurdle
ensure that all information is factually correct
mis-statements | false claims almost always come back to hurt you
The Interview
Review the job description once again
Research the company
its business, business model, success relative to competition
its visibility in media | news recently
Prepare for Questions
research (google) on questions that can be asked (quora, reddit are good beginning sources)
research what questions you will ask
to shows your seriousness and level of exposure to things
to try to understand, what you will possibly learn in 1st year
Dress appropriately for interview
zoom does not mean any relaxation is norms
1st impression is best impression
Be punctual
arrive on time
ensure machine | interaction software | background } lighting | sound are in order