The first impression

In the present job market, most of the job seekers, mainly freshers find it difficult to get shortlisted by the prospective employer. To get an interview call, you must stand out from this huge crowd by doing something different which will give you a bit of an edge on the other applicants. So, sending a two-page CV (curriculum vitae) may not bring you fruits, you need to play a different game.

Many candidates respond by launching into a recitation of their resume from the very beginning. That can turn into a very long monologue that starts with one’s oldest and probably least relevant and impressive experience. It’s important to prepare a brief summary of the high points of each of your past positions. It is likely that you will be asked about your accomplishments and day-to-day responsibilities in previous roles.

Ideally, this should come out in an engaging conversation, though, not a long monologue at the beginning of the interview. You’ll only confuse your interviewer with information overload. In the present scenario, many start-ups are eager to hire creative young aspirants who deploy unconventional methods.

Be ready to ask the right kind of questions--and also, to respond well to any questions that will come your way.

Do your research:

Research the company and specifically the job description and how it fits in the particular business unit or department. Get as much background information as you can to show your abilities for doing the job responsibilities and duties--so that you won't get caught speechless, if you're asked to talk about how you work and handle fellow employees, any client contacts, and disciplinary issues (and even more so, if you will be a supervisor, manager or teacher, etc).

Also use internet search engines to research corporate officers who you know or think will be interviewing you. If you're having trouble finding people and information, try LinkedIn. Use it as your career networking site to build professional connections.

Before you apply for any position you better recall and follow these points:

• As you know, for each position, employers will receive hundreds of application in different forms.
• Each industry/company may expect applications in different ways. They are very particular about how you present yourself to them.
• Especially creative industries like graphic/multimedia organisations definitely look for some innovative applications and portfolios from the applicants.
• Just like a software programme needs to be updated, you must constantly up-skill yourself and demonstrate how they are relevant to the said position.
• Google search and social media content should be in line with your application.
• HR managers/recruiters keenly look for special achievements and keywords you mention in your application.
• Stop telling too many things, instead show them what you've accomplished and how that past experience helps to deal with the present position.
• Know yourself and the prospective employer, and then you can easily match and impress the employer.

Creative ways to present yourself:

In addition to regular or traditional method of sending a two-page CV with a cover letter, try to adopt the following techniques to get shortlisted by the prospective employer

Video resume:

Just reading aloud the contents of your CV is a waste of everyone's time. So the whole point of a sending video presentation is to offer a potential employer greater insight into you than a resume can. It not only reveals what you've accomplished, but also gives employer a sense of what you're capable of in the future. The video should not be more than one or two minutes.

It's not about the length; it should be short, crisp, creative and professional. Harnesh Sachdeva, a student from Delhi University recently got an offer through video presentation. His employer CashKaro was impressed with his video featuring him dressed as Arvind Kejriwal, telling people about how cashkaro.com was a great site to save money. There was no immediate opening for a fresher but Sachdeva chased the company for two months. In the end, CashKaro decided that someone who is so passionate about CashKaro has to be a great addition to their team. So, they created a role for him in the marketing department.

Follow-ups:

Take contact details of interviewer and send a thank you note and later it also helps you to follow-up and find your interview status easily.

Business Plan:

Identify the most important skills that the employer is looking for and make notes of these so that you can incorporate them into your introduction. In order to write a plan, you must read and know more about the company. Refer their brochure, company website, talk to their employees and customers. It may not be that easy to understand them in detail and write a business plan. You need to put extra efforts reading about them, writing a plan to win the job.

Online Presence:

Self-explanatory website:

Now-a-days tech guys are creating the content for their own websites. It's an easy way to include their experience, portfolio, etc. Nina Mufleh, a transplant from the Middle East who's been living in San Francisco for a year, really wants to work for Airbnb.

She tried to get in touch with the company through e-mails and job listings but had no luck. So she decided to take her job search to the next level by creating a stunning resume that mirrors Airbnb's website. It showcased what she knows about the travel industry, what she could contribute to Airbnb, and what she thinks the company should pursue next.

With her resume, Mufleh managed to capture the attention of both the CEO and CMO of Airbnb, and she was scheduled for a formal job interview with a marketing recruiter from the company. It took her about a week to create the resume, which included gathering all the data, researching the market, and working with a designer she had met at one of her previous jobs.

Social Media:

Most people know how to use social media in their personal lives, but it actually has a lot of power to make you search for the right job. Studies have shown that 92 per cent of companies are using social media for hiring and that three out of four hiring managers will check out the candidate’s social profiles.

Blog:

It helps you showcase your comprehensive skills. Keep sharing your insights on the subject of your choice.

Networking:

Last but not the least…Attend workshops and events which suit your profile, where you can get connected to many experts who're already there in the field and will definitely guide you. It also helps you identify the relevant opportunities for you.

By:kamal pabba