Resume Preparation- Mentorly Musings...

Resume Preparation 

Mentorly Musings... 

Let me begin by assuring all that Resume Preparation is pretty simple and enjoyable!

So, take the ghost out of your minds!👻

First thing, lets not try to be perfect... No one has ever been perfect, nor will anyone ever be.

So, instead of chasing a mirage called Perfection 😞(Anyway nothing is perfect in a changing world), we must simply try to develop understanding, clarity and novelty in our thoughts, language and behaviour.

When it comes to a competitive test, it is pertinent that we develop a strategy – one that makes us maximize the utilization of our time, energy and resources. Remember, the right understanding, perspective or clarity about any topic/issue, both Technical### & behavioral### can be obtained through objective analysis, not by randomization. So, break you preparation efforts into small practical bits.

Lets go ahead with some really simple inputs on Resume Preparation ###. It is good that you have had an early start with regard to the task of resume building. It is the first major and serious task (presentation) in your quest for a profession or career. Well, by clearing the ###InfyTQ test you have literally crossed the litmus test or the biggest hurdle. Yet, the interview cannot be taken lightly. When you start early, you can have the benefit of understanding the finer and stronger points in it, and enjoy the advantage of developing clarity and self belief. Then, it can serve your purpose well, by becoming a critical and active factor in your Interview process.

Hence, in the first place, we must link our Resume to the Interview Process###. Then, this invisible 3^rd Person(Resume ! What else) can come into play. You may then use your resume as a compass to set the agenda of the Interview and in fact guide it too ! Please do not prepare your resume as an isolated activity, but one integrated with your requirements in the Interview process.

Find below a few common and simple steps while building your resume.

• Identify the priority areas where you could be best assessed and showcase your skills, strength and attitude. Hence, clearly, adequately and interestingly highlight functional aspects like Projects, Internship, Paper presentations, Certifications and workshops etc.

(Remember action speaks louder than words! The interviewer😔 will trust your words better if you back them up with more of action ) 

•  An assessment based on the above areas shall add credibility to your responses and make the Interviewer trust your words as these actions have already been performed by you. Plus, it will confirm that you are active learner and doer.

• Make the objective section simple and reflective of your attitude and vision. And restrict it to just a single sentence or a line. Avoid making use of personal pronouns like “I”.

• Present details about your ###Project and Internship### objectively, not in big chunks (descriptive). Remember, Let the interviewer find all that he needs to know without straining his eyes and senses. Plus, neither do you have Unlimited Space, nor does the interviewer have Unlimited Time for you.In other words, mention in short sentences and one that can easily catch attention and trigger interest and curiosity😄 on the part of the interviewer.

• On Project/Internship, provide clear information about the title, area of work or activity, ###Technology platform or Tool or Technique used, outcome, application. It’s all about what action YOU have performed and How?

• Length must be 2 pages the maximum. Interestingly, Single page resumes are not only acceptable these days, but have clear advantages and are in fact, the ‘In-thing’ now.

However, one must do a really tidy job to reach this stage where just a page in enough to capture all in 70 mm... It can not be done by simply removing data or shortening expressions. 

One must have place for all desirable areas such as Educational Qualification, Objective, core strengths, Technical skills, Projects and Internship , achievements and bits of personal details like hobbies as well. 

However, if all the 7 Cs of communication could be reflected through meticulous work, then space will surely not be a constraint. Remember, there are no protocols for fixing the number of pages. It’s all convenience. 

Generally, an under graduate student is eager to place more of his achievements and crowd them to impress the interviewer. That is the reason why fresher resumes get bulky and voluminous. But, it is not necessary that things like doing it in a certain number of pages or categories or order must be followed.

 You must have your own discretion in these aspects and do a bit of personalisation to make it uniquely different from others. Remember, A resume speaks only about You in a certain context. So, a unique format, presentation style, and creative touches must make you look different from others. And then only you can grab the serious attention of the Interviewer.

Please keep in mind that the interviewer can not know about you or how suitable you are for that job only by asking you questions. A good part of his judgment and decision comes from your Resume. Because you resume reveals not just your language skills, but also your thinking, analytical skills, creativity and in a big way...Your attitude.

• Candidates possessing more technical accomplishments must prioritize on the basis of time, space and relevance factors while cutting down on interpersonal and personal details. (A so called achievement in primary school or extracurricular space may look completely out of context and irrelevant now)

• Try to catch the attention of the Interviewer by using a unique format, interesting lay out and a creative style. You can surely draw his/her attention or create interest by exhibiting the relevant information/Data in limited spaces. It will make the document even spaced and pleasing to the eyes and senses... Then, it could result in the best possible action and assessment from the Interviewer.

• Remember writing your resume is not a single-stage process. Prepare a rough draft after you have finalized broad components (structure).

• Review and rework your draft,

• Involve friends, peers and teachers and seek their opinion.

• Remember writing your resume is just half of the job done, the other crucial half is to analyze, understand and develop responses (on matters presented in your resume).This is vital to help you to justify every expected and unexpected query from the Interviewer with confidence and competence...

No wonder ! before winning others , we must own ourselves.😖