UNIT 2

Communiucation skills for Career Building

CV and Résumé Writing, Interview Skills, Group Discussion, Effective Profiling, Communication
and Networking: Building relationships, Writing the Statement of Purpose (SOP) for admission in
Higher Studies, Seminar & Conference Paper Writing, Expert Technical Lecture: Writing and
Presenting.

CV/Resume writing

Job Application letter

Application letters are written when someone needs a job. They are personal letters incorporating a few
features of a business letter. Since the applicant seeks to sell his services, an application letter is a kind of
sales letter and all guidelines useful in writing sales letter are applicable here.

Covering letter

It is an application letter telling the recipient that all the details are attached to it. A well drafted
application reflects the personality of the writer. Writer should pay attention to detail, communication
skills and enthusiasm.

Resume-Writing
The word ‘resume is taken from a french word meaning ‘Summary’

It is the summary of an individual’s employment,education and other skills used for applying a new
position.It is an elective record of an individual’s background.. It introduces the individual to a potential
employer.

Bio-data

It contains the biographical details of a person, one’s Background, date of birth, religion, residence,
gender, marital status, race, nationality & chronological listing of
educational qualifications and experience skills, abilities,hobbies,interests & other particulars like nature

It is suitable for applying in government sector or research grants

Curriculum Vitae(CV)

Curriculum Vitae (CV) means "course of life" in Latin.

A longer and detailed synopsis. Course of study pertaining to education and life.It is detailed than
Resume. It may exceed to 2 to 3 pages.

A CV is a written description of your work experience, educational background and skills.It is preferred
by a fresher looking for job,career change or after long gap or for academic positions.

A CV is a typically a "living document" which will reflect the developments in a professional's career

RESUME STYLES

It depends on applicant’s qualifications career goals and personal preferences

CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME – It focuses on education and experience

Reverse chronological order

Widely used for corporate sector

Mainly used by individuals with

Solid work history

Few or no gaps between jobs

FUNCTIONAL RESUME – highlights accomplishments and emphasizes skills

Focuses on the skill set of an individual

Mainly used by individuals

with significant gaps in employment

a mixed employment background

with very short work history

COMBINATION RESUME – mixed style drawing on the best characteristics of the chorological and
functional resumes.

Specific work experience

Specific skills and talents

Used mainly by individuals

With uninterrupted work history in a specific field.

Applying for specific jobs

Resume Design

No one right-design for a resume

Depends on person’s background, employment, needs, career goals and professional conventions in the
area of specializations

PART OF RESUME

HEADING – include contact information, which contains the applicant’s name, full portal address with
pin code, telephone no., and email address.

POSITION SOUGHT-

If applying for a solicited job position

Not necessary to include if the application is for an unsolicited job position

CAREER OBJECTIVE-

It should be a specific one sentence focused statement expressing his/her career goals in relation to the
targeted position

It should convey motivation or interest in job

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

This should be included in the resume if the applicant wishes to highlight the relevance of his/her
qualification, special skills and key work experience.
Eg. Over eight years of training and experience in testing, commissioning and integration of GSM and
CDMA nodes like IN, GPRS, EDGE, MS with expertise in IP products and networking.

EDUCATION

Details regarding applicant’s education & professional training be included

Name and location of school/college/university/institute

Dates of attendance

Major area of study

Degrees/certificates received

Grade point average/ class/ division if on higher side

Relevant training programs

Special courses

Seminars course

Use reverse chronological order

WORK EXPERIENCE

Specific overview of the applicant work and professional experience

SPECIAL SKILLS, ABILITIES, APTITUDES

Be selective and specific

Highlight only those skills and talents that are relevant to the targeted jobs.

ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS

To show the applicant id dynamic and energetic who can accept challenges

Mention extra-curricular, co-curricular. Professional activities and hobbies and interest.

ACHIEVEMENTS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS/HONOURS

Include scholarships, fellowships, awards, distinctions, certificates etc.

REFERENCES
It can be previous employer, teacher, immediate supervisor, research guide, colleagues etc.

Mention name, designation, contact address with phone, fax and email.

FINAL TIPS

Resume is an important job seeking document thus it should be persuasive-

Give resume a professional look

Be factual, complete and objective

Use appropriate writing style

Use specific details

Organize the resume properly

Take care of grammar, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation

JOB APPLICATION LETTER or Cover Letter

A letter of application is written to sell ourselves. In a way it is a sales letter

While a sales letter aims at selling product or services, an application letter sells a person’s suitability for
a job or ability to work.

Both kinds of letters are persuasive in approach and induce action on the part of recipient

Writing a job application letter may involve a careful self analysis

TYPES OF APPLICATIONS:

SOLICITED

Sent in response to job advertisement

It is in direct relevance to the job advertised

One knows what is demanded exactly

UNSOLICITED

Sent at writer’s own initiative

 Based on the assumption that his/her qualification and excellence would found suitable for a particular
job/position in the org. addresses

All essential elements should be included in three parts of the letter:

Opening,

Body, and

Closing.

SAMPLE

JOB APPLICATION LETTER or Covering letter for the post of engineer in an IT company

SUBASH VERMAC-232 PAVAN VIHAR

AJMER (Rajasthan)

01 January 2010

The Advertiser

PO Box 427

The Asian Age,

Bangalore

Dear Sir,

This is in response to your advertisement in the ‘The Asian Age’ for the post of engineer in an IT
company. I present my candidature for the same.

I have completed my senior secondary and high school education from one of the top schools of Ajmer. I
have always been ranked in the first division throughout school and college. I am a science graduate with
PCB as my optional subjects. I topped my school in Maths (80%) in the class X and in physics (85%) in
the class XII. I obtained a high first class grade in B.E. at Maha Maya Technical University 2010.

From 2010 to 2012 I have work as project trainer in a project titled Metadata management at XYZ
Company. The experience has added immensely to my skills and knowledge in this field.

Besides academics, I have always taken keen interest in co-curricular activities like debates and quizzer. I
was the Cultural head for the college festival, Rangoli, 2007. I have also attended a youth camp at NCC
headquarters in Delhi in 2008, which installed in me discipline and leadership qualities.

If your requirement matches my profile, I shall be happy to come across to met you in personal.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely

(Subhash Verma)

Encl: Resume

Sample Resume

RESUME

Shivam C Kandpal

56, Nai basti,

New Delhi

[email protected]

Ph no.-9412354789
Post applied for:Executive Engineer in an IT software company of PSU

Professional Expertise(USP)

I have five years of information technology experience. My expertise is in technical support and
troubleshooting computer problems. My technical knowledge will be beneficial in reducing call waiting
times and will substantially improve the efficiency of your technical support centre

Job Objective

To work as an executive engineer in a leading IT based PSU(PUBLIC Service Unit) where I will have the
opportunity to use my experience and expertise of technical field

Professional Experience

*Working as a Junior Engineer in the IT unit of HBL, Chennai from May 2013 till present

*Worked as an assistant Junior Engineer in HCL Pvt Ltd from August 2011-April 2013.

Educational Qualification

Qualification Institute/Board Year of passing Division/percentage

M Tech IIT, Delhi 2011 9.5 CGPA

B Tech IIT, Kanpur 2009 80 %

XII CBSE Board,Delhi 2005 92%

X CBSE Board,Delhi 2003 93.4%

Courses Done:

Network Security

Computer Networking

Ethical Hacking
Apps Making

Extra curricular Activities

*Cultural head of College Festival at IIT Kanpur in 2008.

*Participated in ‘Leadership Camp’ organized by NCC in 2004.

Achievements

*Won the National Talent scholarship in 2007.

* Awarded the ‘Junior Scientist Award’ for my school project work in 2004.

Personal Details

Father’s Name : Ashok C Kandpal

Mother’s Name : Rajni Kandpal

Date of Birth : 4 March, 1987

Nationality : Indian

Languages Known(R/W): English, Hindi, French

Hobbies : Reading newspaper, listening music

References

Dr Mahesh Nagpal

Prof. and Head

IT Department

IIT, Delhi

Ph-9875348976

Mr Narendra Pal

Director

HBL, Chennai
Ph-8230208888

Date:1 June, 2016 Signature

Place: ITI Limited, Delhi (Shivam C. Kandpal)

Here are examples of a resume following the combination resume format.

Example

Rishabh Seth
Mumbai, Maharashtra
(022) 234509122
[email protected]
rishabhsethgraphics.personalwebsite.com

Summary
A diligent and hardworking graphic designer with expertise in key industry-leading design tools and
software.

Skills
Graphic design and work skills: Adobe Photoshop (expert level) • Adobe InDesign (expert level) •
CorelDraw (intermediate level) • Self-motivated • Creative • Hardworking

Professional History
Next Up Press
Associate Graphic Designer, August 2014–Present

Created graphics for both print and online publications

Worked collaboratively with editors to ensure accuracy and function of designs

Enhanced key software application skills to overcome unique challenges in print graphic design

Level 10 Designs
Intern, June 2013–June 2014

Utilised graphic design skills to create graphics for clients

Learned key skills for Adobe Suite of products

Mumbai University Newspaper

Graphic Designer, September 2012–May 2014

Designed graphics for online publication

Worked with writers and editors to design graphically-unique profiles

Utilised and developed Photoshop skills

Educational History
Mumbai University
August 2010–May 2014
B.F.A., Animation and Digital Arts | 79% (Distinction)

Example No. 2

Kashvi Patel

Graphic Designer

Personal Info

Gender: Female

Date of birth: 8/1/1992

Phone: +12 34 56789012

E-mail: [email protected]

linkedin.com/in/kashvi.a.patel

behance.net/kashvipateldesigns

Summary

Creative graphic designer with 5+ years of agency experience and excellent communication and
collaboration skills. Shortlisted for the 2018 Indigo Design Award, awarded the 2020 TDC Certificate of
Typographic Excellence. At Eledea Design, maintained 100% customer satisfaction. Seeking to apply my
talent and skills towards producing innovative, high-quality graphic design solutions for Desginea’s
clients.

Experience

Graphic Designer

Eledea Design, New Delhi

November 2017–September 2021

Developed brand guidelines for 20+ clients, including custom typefaces.

Designed 200+ client deliverables, including logos, vector graphics, leaflets, banners, web graphics, and
more.

Consulted with clients to determine project scope and produce budget estimates for 50+ projects.

Achieved 98% accuracy when predicting the lead time and cost of a project

Key achievements:

Maintained 100% customer satisfaction during almost 4 years on the job.

Received the 2020 Certificate of Typographic Excellence from TDC for a typeface design project.

Junior Graphic Designer

ArtOne Studio, New Delhi

July 2016–November 2017

Designed web and print graphics for internal use and for the company’s clients.

Produced 20+ wireframes for client websites with UI/UX principles in mind.

Introduced a new survey for determining client expectations, boosting customer satisfaction by 15%.

Produced full graphics for 5 mobile apps, with 100% positive feedback from the clients and the
development team.

Gathered feedback from customers and amended designs as necessary.

Education

BSc in Computer Science, University of Delhi 2013–

2016

CGPA: 94%

Relevant coursework: Digital Image Processing, Computer Graphics, Geometric Modelling, Image
Editing

Certifications
Design with CorelDRAW 2020, Udemy, 2020

Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) in Illustrator, Adobe, 2017

Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) in InDesign, Adobe, 2017

Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) in Photoshop, Adobe, 2016

Awards

2020 Certificate of Typographic Excellence Award, Type Directors Club (TDC)

Shortlisted for the 2018 Indigo Design Award, Logo Category

Languages

Hindi: native

English: fluent

German: minimum working proficiency

Skills

Adobe CC (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign)

CorelDraw

Web & mobile app design

Typeface design

Scheduling and budgets

UI/UX design principles

Problem-solving

Communication

Colour theory

Collaboration

Declaration: The information stated above is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
 GROUP DISCUSSION

A group discussion is a discussion between a group of participants on a given subject. A group discussion
typically forms a part of the selection process used by organisations and educational institutions. The
candidates talk about the given topic to present facts, opinions and conclusions. Employers use this technique
to screen candidates and assess their soft skills.

GROUP DISCUSSION PROCESS

The process of GD Round follows the below-mentioned steps –

TOPIC ANNOUNCEMENT: The subject announcement is the initial step in any GD. The panellist will
introduce the subject.

PREPARATION TIME: This is a preparation period during which all applicants will be allowed 2 to 5
minutes to prepare their content.

DISCUSSION STARTS: At this point, one applicant, who may be any of the other participants, starts
the conversation.

DISCUSSION AMONG PARTICIPANTS: After the panellist asked participants to recap the entire
discussion, they continued to speak.

RESULTS: This is the last step in this process, where the discussion ratings for each candidate are
announced depending on their performance.
TYPES OF GROUP DISCUSSIONS

GDs can be classified into four groups:

Current affairs topics

Factual topics

Controversial topics

Abstract topics

Case based Group discussion

1. CURRENT AFFAIRS TOPICS

These topics include discussions which have been in the news recently. These topics are given to judge
analytical skills and general awareness.

2. FACTUAL TOPICS

These discussions focus on the real world and test a candidate’s ability to digest information and analyse
socioeconomic or everyday concerns.

3. CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS
Controversial topics are the ones that are argumentative in nature. Test how well candidates can articulate
their beliefs and viewpoints. These group talks tend to focus more on views than facts.

4. ABSTRACT TOPICS

These are abstract group discussions. In these, the interviewers check to see if a candidate can approach
the subject at hand with originality and lateral thinking.

5. CASE BASED GD

These discussions mimic real-world circumstances. The group is given the specifics of a fictitious
scenario by the panellists, and then the group must work together to address it.

IMPORTANCE OF GROUP DISCUSSION

Group discussions are important because they help the evaluator:

To judge whether the candidate is fit for the job

To test whether the candidate is a good team player

To assess the candidate's communication skills

To check whether the candidate is comfortable speaking spontaneously on any subject

To gauge the candidate's diction and pronunciation

To evaluate the body language and posture along with general composition and maturity

SKILLS EVALUATED IN GROUP DISCUSSION

In a group discussion, the panelists evaluate the following skills to check the performance of a candidate:

Subject knowledge

Creativity/Originality

Voice

Body language

Fluency

Initiative
Leadership

Active listening

DO’S OF PARTICIPATING IN A GROUP DISCUSSION

Make sure your first entry is well planned. The first impression goes a long way in establishing
your credentials. Enter the discussion with a strategy, rather than a random input.

● If you are the first speaker understand the difference between starting and initiating the
discussion. Initiating is about imparting an overall direction to the discussion and panning out an
agenda for the group. Starting is merely speaking for the sake of speaking.

● Establish eye contact with the key participants, but do not ignore the other participants. While
the active participants need to be acknowledged more frequently, the passive ones should not be
completely overlooked. You may follow Pareto’s 80-20 rule here, with 80% of the attention
being given to the key participants and the balance 20% being given to the other lot.

● Use a strong voice, clear diction and correct grammar. This gives you an operational
advantage.

● Try getting as many likes as possible. Eventually the discussion boils down to group dynamics
and collaboration. Creating likeability may help you to navigate more effectively through the
course of the discussion. However this doesn’t imply lack of constructive arguments wherever
required.

● Do take counter arguments gracefully and display good listening skills, projecting you as a
good learner.

● Do acknowledge the previous speaker before putting across your point of view. Discussion
implies an action-reaction interface. Not reacting to the preceding input may show your inability
to do so.

● Do support your viewpoint with examples and facts. These will add conviction to your point
of view and corroborate your stand.

● Do demonstrate an ability to look at a topic from multiple dimensions. This reflects your
ability to think laterally and treat the topic in a more mature and wholesome manner.

● Do try to understand the right exit points. Please appreciate that the challenge is not to hold the
main-stage all through, but to add value at appropriate points of the discussion. Your exit
strategy is as crucial as the entry strategy.

● Do recapitulate the main points of the discussion when required. This helps you to consolidate
the flow of the discussion at critical points and also demonstrates your ability to assimilate the
 view points of others
. ● Do present yourself as a team player with an ability to balance individual excellence and
group performance. The group discussion is not just about your perspective; you have to
respond to the others’ perspectives as well and enlarge the scope of the discussion.

● Address group members with respect and dignity. This shows professional courtesy and
etiquettes.

● When asked to conclude, summarize the main points of discussion. The conclusion is not
about what you feel about the topic; it is about what the group felt as a whole. This needs
reference to the main points which emanated in that span and the overall stand of the group.

 Listen to the subject topic carefully

 Put down your thoughts on a paper (Always carry a pen and a paper)

Try to initiate the discussion if you know the subject well

 Listen to others and if you don’t know the subject and relate to factors you know

Support your point with some facts, figures and examples

 Give others a chance to speak

 Speak politely and pleasantly. Respect contribution from other members

Disagree politely and agree with what is right

 Summarize the discussion if the group has not reached a conclusion

DON’TS OF PARTICIPATING IN A GROUP DISCUSSION

Go through the list of things to avoid so as to crack a GD:

● Don’t start for the sake of starting. This may project you as an impulsive person with lack of
planning and organizing skills, which totally discounts your candidature for a management
program.

● Don’t speak randomly without a plan and structure. This may give an impression to the panel
that you are speaking and not adding any value to the discussion.

● Don't be arrogant, overaggressive or vain. This may evince a negative attitude with poor
interpersonal skills.

● Don't show a lack of attention or energy. This may show that you are indifferent to the task at
hand. Kindly appreciate that
 energy is the capacity for doing work and any compromise on adequate energy levels will
portray you as someone who is not task driven.
● Don't look at only the key speakers in the discussion. It is your responsibility to respect all
members of the group. The key speakers should definitely be given more attention, but this
should not imply that the passive speakers are totally neglected.
● Don't condemn or severely criticize anyone’s view point.
Everyone has a right to his/her opinion. It is possible that some members of the group get
aggressive while expressing themselves but they need to be managed in a certain other way.
● Don't indulge in cross discussions when the main discussion is in progress. This amounts to
transgression and does not conform with formal etiquettes.
● Don't form cartels to visibly monopolize the discussion. This is seen as an act of violating the
essence of an open, natural discussion. This also projects you a s a person vying for undue
control/power.
● Don't get restless and jittery when someone counters your point. It is natural that in a
discussion your point gets contradicted. You are supposed to respond with
facts/examples/illustrations/logic.
● Don’t get into unnecessary arguments or futile conflicts with other speakers. This will only add
to the opportunity cost.
● Don’t look at the panel while making a point. This may project you as an attention seeker and
an insecure person.
● Don’t fold your arms or cross your legs to slip into an over casual posture. It is a formal
occasion and you cannot portray an informal/casual appearance/attitude.
● Don’t enter your neighbour’s private space while making a point. This is a violation of his/her
intimate space and will be seen as a breach of a code of conduct.
● Don’t over gesticulate. This may project you as an impulsive person

 Initiate the discussion if you do not have sufficient knowledge about the given topic

Over speak, intervene and snatch other’s chance to speak.

 Argue and shout during the GD

 Look at the evaluators or a particular group

member Talk irrelevant things and distract the

discussion Pose negative body gestures

 Mention erratic statistics

 Display low self confidence with shaky voice and trembling hands
 Try to dominate the discussion

 Put others in an embarrassing situation by asking them to speak if they don't want

INTERVIEW SKILLS

An interview is a conversation between two people (the interviewer and the interviewee) where questions
are asked by the interviewer to obtain information from the interviewee.

Interview is a mutual exchange of information between employer and employee (likely to be).It is a
meeting between a job applicant and a representative of the company. The meeting comes about because
the company had a job available.

Types of Interview

1. Individual/ One on One Interviews

2. Group Interviews

3. Panel Interviews

4. Telephone Interviews

5. Video Conferencing

6. The Auditions

ONE ON ONE INTERVIEW

• It is one-on-one (or face-to-face) interaction. This interview is traditionally conducted by a direct

supervisor and is often the last step in a series of interviews. The interview may be directive following a
clear agenda, or non-directive relying on you to lead the discussion as you answer open-ended questions.

• You will likely be asked a variety of interview questions, so be familiar with all of the different types of
questions so that you can adjust your answers appropriately.

• It is important to be thoroughly prepared – know the job and know yourself.

GROUP INTERVIEWS

• A group interview occurs when several candidates for a position are interviewed
simultaneously. Candidates may also be asked to solve a problem together which allows interviewers to
assess candidate’s skills in action (e.g. teamwork).

• Regardless of how you may feel about any member of the group, treat everyone with respect, and avoid
power struggles which make you appear uncooperative.

• Be aware that all interactions are being observed; don’t let down your guard or lose your perspective.

PANEL INTERVIEW

• A panel interview is conducted by two or more interviewers and is designed to reduce individual
interviewer bias. One member of the panel may ask all of the questions or individual panel member may
take turns.

• Make eye contact with the person asking the questions, but also to give every member on the panel your
attention, regardless of if they ask any questions at all – treat them all with equal importance.

• Be prepared to extend more energy in this setting, as you need to be alert and responding to more
people.

TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS

• Telephone interviews are often used to screen candidates in order to narrow the pool of applicants who
will be invited for in-person interviews- and is a good way to minimize travel expenses! They can be
challenging because you aren’t able to rely on nonverbal communication or body language. You should
prepare for this type of interview just as you would for a regular interview.

• Have your resume, organization information, points that you want to highlight, and list of questions you
may want to ask in front of you - and have a short list of your accomplishments prepared to discuss.

• Although you’re not required to dress up, you may find that it’s easier to get into the ‘interview mindset’
and feel more confident when dressed professionally.

• Provide short answers that make interchange easier on the phone; do not interrupt the interviewer.

VIDEO CONFERENCING

• Video conferencing is typically used to conduct interviews using video technology from a distance. The
same interview strategies you would use if you were meeting in person apply -clothing, body language,
and dialogue are important.

• Depending on the sophistication of the technology, you may experience short

transmission delays so be sure to take that into account when you are interacting with the interviewer.

• Make eye contact with the camera, which, to the employer, appears as direct “eye contact.”

• Check the monitor periodically to observe the interviewer’s body language.

THE AUDITIONS

Such Interviews include the demonstration of the abilities of candidates through some act or exercise
before recruiters make some decision.

Do not try to over do something.

Never cross the limits.

STAGES OF INTERVIEW

Show up to your interview early so you can relax and collect your thoughts before the

interview. There are four basic components to an initial employment interview.

They are:

1- Introduction

2- Questions by the Interviewer

3- Questions by the Interviewee

4- Closing Introduction

Introduction: The introduction will be very short, but a very important part of the interview.

Good body posture, a firm handshake, and steady eye contact should all be displayed during

the introduction. Small talk will be on informal topics of discussion to gauge your

spontaneity and personal interests.

Questions by the Interviewer: Your preparation and practice will pay off during this portion

of the interview, which will be the longest part. Most interviewers will ask good, open-ended

questions that will let you give information about your background. General answers, such as

“I am hard working and motivated,” don’t mean anything to an interviewer until you tell

them why you say that. What past experiences have you had that make you say that about
yourself? If you do not understand a question, be sure to ask questions that will help you

focus your answer.

Questions by the Interviewee: Again, this is where your preparation and practice will pay

off. Prepare a list of questions for the interviewer ahead of time. Be certain you don’t ask

questions that were answered in the literature or at the information session the night before.

However, it is fine to ask for additional information or interpretation of information. Clarify

any aspects of the position through your questions.

Closing: As with the introduction, the closing will be a small part of the interview, but also a

very important part. Before you leave, verify contact information for the interviewer. If you

have not received a business card, ask for one. Also, verify the next step in the hiring process.

Will they follow up with you or should you follow up with them and how soon? Express your

appreciation for the opportunity to interview and leave with a smile and a handshake.

After the Interview: Send a brief thank you note to the recruiter within a day or two of the

interview, if you are interested in pursuing a job with that organization. In the note, thank

them for their time, express excitement about the organization or position, and tell them you

look forward to hearing from them. If you do not hear from them within a specified amount

of time, follow up with them.

Four Final Tips for a Successful Interview:

● Be Prepared

● Be Yourself

● Be Positive

● Be Enthusiastic

PREPARATION FOR AN INTERVIEW

Research the company

Research your interviewer

Prepare a set of questions

Conduct a mock interview

Print out physical copies of your resume

Eat a healthy meal before the interview

Clean and press your clothes

Dress for the role

Determine the fastest route to the interview

Sleep well the night before.

SOME IMPORTANT TIPS FOR PREPARATION

Listen Carefully

Be Authentic

Show Enthusiasm

Follow Professional Etiquette

Practice Good Posture

Showcase Your Accomplishments

Research the Interviewer

Be Prepared for Behavioral Questions

Be Prepared to Address Weaknesses

Show Gratitude

DOs
Dress appropriately for the industry; err on the side of being conservative to show you take the interview
seriously. Your personal grooming and cleanliness should be impeccable.

Know the exact time and location of your interview; know how long it takes to get there, park, find a rest
room to freshen up, etc.

Arrive early; 10 minutes prior to the interview start time [or earlier if the event or employer instructs you
to do so].

Treat other people you encounter with courtesy and respect. Their opinions of you might be solicited
during hiring decisions.

Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and have a friendly expression when you are greeted by your
interviewer.

Listen to be sure you understand your interviewer’s name and the correct pronunciation.

Even when your interviewer gives you a first and last name, address your interviewer by title (Ms., Mr.,
Dr.) and last name, until invited to do otherwise.

Maintain good eye contact during the interview.

Sit still in your seat; avoid fidgeting and slouching.

Respond to questions and back up your statements about yourself with specific examples whenever
possible.

Ask for clarification if you don’t understand a question.

Be thorough in your responses, while being concise in your wording.

Be honest and be yourself — your best professional self. Treat the interview seriously and as though you
are truly interested in the employer and the opportunity presented.

Exhibit a positive attitude. The interviewer is evaluating you as a potential co-worker. Behave like
someone you would want to work with.

When the interviewer concludes the interview, offer a firm handshake and make eye contact. Depart
gracefully.

Write a thank-you letter to your interviewer promptly.

DON’Ts

Don’t make excuses. Take responsibility for your decisions and your actions.

Don’t make negative comments about previous employers or professors (or others).

Don’t treat the interview casually.

Don’t go to extremes with your posture; don’t slouch, and don’t sit rigidly on the edge of your chair.
Don’t take a cell phone call. Don’t look at a text message.

Effective Profiling

How to make an Effective Professional Profile

and how to use Social-Media for Business to Online Reputation Management for getting yourself
noticed.

Before you begin

The internet is a big place. To make it work for you, you need to cut through the noise and be noticed for
the right reasons. How? By being specific with your career and personal goals. It might be tempting to
dive straight in, but first, take a moment to think about your professional brand. Be clear about who you
are, what you have to offer and where you want to build your online reputation.

Find your USP

Your USP (unique selling point) is the thing that makes you different from the next person applying for
the same role as you. It's what makes you stand out from the crowd, and what gives your business
profile the edge when it comes to future potential employers.

To work out what yours is, think about what you want to be known for, what you've already achieved,
and what your goals are for your career. Then, make sure your online image fits. For example, if you want
to be seen as an innovator, talk about the changes you've made in your current role. If you'd rather be seen
as a money generator, talk up your successes in building revenue.

The purpose of your professional profile is to show how your skills and work experience will meet the
requirements of the job. The skills you include should be specific to your desired position. It is an
introductory section on your resume Including a professional profile can have some advantages.

To concisely features your skills and professional experience in a way that gets employers' attention.

Get preference-Employers typically scan resumes and do not spend much time reading each one through.

It is an effective way to quickly show your employer how you will be an asset to the position you're
applying for.

It helps highlight specific skills and expertise that employers require for a certain position.

How to create a professional profile for your resume

Consider the following steps to craft a professional profile that makes your resume stand out:

1. Keep your profile short and concise

Not more than 4 sentences.

Use bullet forms or short paragraphs

Include your job title and years of work or training experience.

Highlight your professional strengths for the role

2. Include the skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for

Include only your professional skills and experience that are relevant to the job you're targeting.

Helpful in highlighting and showcasing the related expertise if the skills and work history differ from
current career goals

3. Include any achievements relevant to the job industry

Highlight and quantify if possible your exceptional accomplishments and include those in your
professional profile.

For example,

'increased open rate for online campaigns by 17% in one year' ( more quantifiable)

'increased the open rate for online campaigns.'

4. Place your profile where it's highly visible

Showcase your professional profile at the top of your resume, above your work and education history.
Hiring managers and recruiters typically scan the top parts of resumes first.

Professional profile examples

IT professional profiles

The information technology industry includes positions like web developers, software engineers,
technology consultants and cyber security technicians. Skills that are required in the IT industry may
include application development, communications, networks such as IP setup and cloud systems
administration.

Example: Results-driven professional with repeated success in guiding IT projects from start to finish,
managing technical support operations and introducing new technologies to promote operational
efficiency.

Communication and networking

Networking a vital skill that comprises personal communication, relationship management and
professionalism, as a means of building connections with others to help your career develop. In its early
stages, it can involve approaching or reaching out to individuals or organisations that can aid in your
professional life.
Benefits of networking

1. Strengthen business connections

2. Get fresh ideas

3. Advance your career

4. Access new information

5. Get career advice and support

6. Build confidence

7. Gain a different perspective

8. Develop long-lasting personal relationships

9. Get an answer to every question

10. Find a job you love

How to network

A good rule of thumb is to plan ahead and have a few relevant points of discussion in mind if you know
you’re going to be in a situation where you’ll have the opportunity to meet new people. These
conversation points don’t have to be all about work – they can even be about topics like hobbies or the
event itself. The idea is to get the conversation flowing and leave room for future meetups and
discussions. On that note, don’t forget to bring business cards so you can swap details easily.

Golden rule of Networking

Treat others how you want to be treated.

Building Relationships

Relationship building is the ability to establish strong personal and professional bonds. Communication,
trust, support and equality are some important features of relationship-building abilities. Learning how to
build relationships can help you discover new skills and achieve career success

Benefits of building relationships at work

Creating positive relationships in the workplace is incredibly beneficial. Some benefits include:
Building mutual respect

Improving communication

Feeling more relaxed and supported at work

Improving your physical and mental health

Focusing on work rather than on social stressors

Enjoying your work

Engaging well with people in the office

Increasing your ability to collaborate with others

Learning new skills from others

Building a strong network of professional connections

Follow these strategies to develop positive working relationships with coworkers, supervisors and
customers:

1. Invest time to build individual relationships

2. Engage meaningfully

Try to make an impact with your conversations. Doing so might make you stand out in the minds of your
colleagues or clients positively.

3. Follow through on commitments

4. Work collaboratively

Collaborating with others lets them know you value their opinions and appreciate their contributions
during team projects and meetings.

5. Address conflict directly

If a challenging situation arises in the workplace, address the conflict with the person or people involved

6. Be a problem-solver

Rather than complaining or making critical remarks, take a proactive, problem-solving approach to
resolve issues you see in the workplace or with a client.

7. Be accountable for your actions

8. Ask for feedback

Asking your customers to provide feedback and then implementing their suggestions when possible can
have a major impact on creating a strong relationship.

Statement of Purpose (SOP)

A Statement of Purpose (SOP), also known as a research statement or a letter of intent, is written to the
admission panel and talks about your career path, interests, professional contributions, goals and the
driving force behind pursuing a particular program. This is usually submitted in the form of an essay;
however, certain universities may also keep it question-based. It is the most integral part of your
application that decides your admission into your preferred institution.

Importance of Statement of Purpose (SOP)

The Statement of Purpose (SOP) is the decision maker of your application. It helps the admission
committee assess your take on life, your career goals, beliefs, subject knowledge, and your vision. In
short, a well-written SOP paints your overall personality for the universities.

It is an opportunity to pitch your purpose to the committee and reasons why they should choose you over
other applicants. A good SOP works great for weak academic profiles where you can compensate by
highlighting your future goals and ambitions. A well-written SOP also reflects how well you can express
your thoughts using your writing skills.

What should be included in the Statement of Purpose?

There are several elements that are vital for your Statement of Purpose. These include:

Personal background

Financial background

Academic details

Professional experience (full/part-time, voluntary)

Immediate and long-term goals

Reasons why you wish to study at this particular institution

Reasons for being interested in the chosen field

About extra-curricular activities

Published works, if any

Papers submitted, if any

Interests, hobbies

How do you write a good Statement of Purpose?

Here are the three major steps you need to keep in mind when writing your SOP

1. Plan it well

Create an outline for your SOP and work accordingly. Sharing an anecdote that developed your interest in
your subject is a good way to build your introduction. Create pointers and categories, list down your
relevant achievements and expertise, and most importantly, your reason behind choosing the course and
the university.

2. Work on the draft

Focus on sharing your learnings and knowledge during your education and industry experience. Limit the
use of technical terms and use active voice when writing your SOP. If there is a gap year or an academic
issue, address them in an optimistic manner. Make sure your SOP has a clear introduction and conclusion.
Remember, you should always write your SOP in reverse chronological order.

3. Review earlier before you send

It’s critical to check what you’ve written. Re-analysing will help correct the flow, vocabulary, sentence
creation errors, long sentences and different grammar issues. Get a second opinion, may be from your
professor, senior or an IDP counsellor. Make sure you proofread properly and double check before
submission.

Do’s - Useful tips

Your SOP should have an interesting beginning and an inspiring end. Most importantly, it has to be
original, do not copy someone else’s SOP.

Talk about your academic background, research and future goals if you are applying for Masters or higher
courses. In case of an undergraduate course, focus more on short term goals and career inclination.

Your SOP should speak about your purpose of education touching upon your past, present and future.
There has to be a connecting link and a clear articulation of goals and interests.

Upon reading your SOP, the admission committee should be able to understand how you can add value
and contribute to the university in terms of research and further scope in your chosen area. We highly
recommend you to first browse through the website of the university’s relevant program pages thoroughly
to ensure you fit well for the program and meet its eligibility criteria.

Always write your SOP in the active voice and ensure you convey information in a manner that it reflects
your positive mindset and passion. If you have any statements or references, try quoting them with
relevant examples rather than being direct.

Don’ts - Common mistakes

Keep your SOP within the specified word limit – do not wrote more or lesser than the required word
count. Ensure you follow the format, font size and template that has been asked for,

Don’t use the same SOP for all applications. Tailor it to fit specific university requirements.
Refrain from mentioning personal, family information and situations. These are irrelevant in a SOP.

Do not mention scores of your IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc. These are your application components.
Repetition of information mentioned in an application calls for rejection.

Avoid using overly common phrases, copied information and content picked from websites.

Don’t make your SOP sound empty, vague, blank or meaningless. Provide with facts, reasons or
examples wherever possible.

SOP’s are majorly rejected due to poor correlation from the beginning to the end. Do not write in a
manner that it comes across as pleading. Words like “thinking, believing and feeling” usually put off the
admissions committee. ensure you write in a positive manner that shows you are not a dreamer but a firm
believer who has clarity of future goals.

Never hide any information or give wrong facts in your SOP.

What is the basic format of an SOP?

It is not an easy task to create an SOP or Statement of Purpose from scratch. Getting ready for an incisive
SOP is going to take some time, probably weeks or months. But writing an SOP without following any
guidelines will not help because most SOP rejections happen when those don’t comply with standard
requirements. Every SOP must have an introduction, body and conclusion. These three parts need to be
clearly defined with the necessary information. It should be written in the form of an essay, with
paragraphs.

The first paragraph should introduce yourself, mention your academic qualification and give a gist of
your purpose for choosing a particular course. You can talk about your goals and how this course can help
fulfil your dreams. You should be able to demonstrate your understanding of what the course comprises.

In your second and third paragraphs, you can talk about your passion for the subject and mention your
academic and related activities and achievements that prove this. If you have professional experience, you
can mention that too.

In the fourth paragraph, write about why you decided to pursue this course, at this particular university.
Justify your choice with relevant points. You can point out your immediate and long-term goals too.

In the fifth paragraph, add points to convince the admission committee that you make an ideal
candidate for the course. In a short paragraph, mention your extra-curricular activities, projects you have
undertaken, voluntary work, papers submitted if any, industry visits, workshops attended, dissertations
and your interests and hobbies.
In your final paragraph, you should show the admission committee that you have the qualities and
qualifications needed for succeeding in the course and that you will be able to make a difference in
society with your success.

**SAMPLE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE FOR ENGINEERING GRADUATE

Here is the sample statement of purpose for engineering graduate schools abroad. Have a look to know
how your SOP should read:

Name of the applicant: Kamlesh Kumar

Course applied: Computer Engineering

Its boundless possibilities and instant outcomes are what I find most stimulating and appealing about
Computer Science. I believe that keeping an explorative attitude and inquisitive mind is the key to a
constant learning process. As I am in the final year of my undergraduate programme, I want to pursue
graduate studies to further refine my skills and knowledge in this area of interest. I think X graduate
programme will give my career the right direction of becoming a research professional at research-
oriented, commercial or academic organisations.

I believe it will also serve to give a proper pathway to my career as a research professional at an
academic-, commercial-, research-oriented organisation. I intend to pursue an MS degree in order to reach
that goal.

I have benefited vastly from the breadth of X University’s undergraduate syllabus and gained a
comprehensive exposure to many core areas of the field. In my three years of study at X University, I
have learnt how to maintain an independent approach in all my endeavours.

In the past two years, I found myself drawn towards the area of Information Retrieval and Compiler
Construction. The Compiler Construction lab sessions and the subjects Formal Systems and Automata
and Compiler Construction led me to appreciate the field’s intricacies.

However, for my MS programme, I am open to topics focussing on other areas as well. For my B.E.
project, this coming semester, I would like to concentrate on Information Retrieval. I would like to
employ a technique for search engines – to increase their precision of query listings and
comprehensiveness.

One of the most important lessons that I have learnt as the head of the ‘Engineering Students Body’ at X
University is that one person’s life can influence the lives of a large number of people. I was the youngest
head of this student body in the history of X University, and the only one to have served two consecutive
years as the Head. This role taught me that self-reliance is the basis of good work and helped me learn
how to take both praise and criticism positively. This was a very distinctive and gratifying experience,
which I feel will stand me in good stead if I choose to get in to teaching profession in future.

I would like to say in conclusion that the essence of any University education lies in the synergetic
relationship between a department and its students. I think that graduate study at your University would
help me with my academic pursuits, and is a major step towards achieving my objectives. I would be
grateful if I am given the opportunity to pursue my graduate study, with financial assistance, at your
institution.

Seminar and Conference Paper Writing

Seminar/Conference

Seminars and conferences are organized to provide a platform to the participant to discus or study a
subject. in business organizations, seminars and conferences are held for business people in which
working methods etc are discussed.

Difference between seminar and conference

Conferences are supposed to be larger events than seminars. A seminar is usually on some specific theme
or topic whereas conferences has some general theme and includes detailed lectures and presentations.

Designing a presentation for a seminar/conference

Structuring of a presentation is as important as its implementation. The presenter has to organize the
content and also to decide what techniques he will use while presenting his content.

For this-

A. Focus on content

The speaker should focus on the key points of the theme. Relevant material will be prepared and
delivered.

B. Choice of an appropriate style

Choice of an appropriate style is must. Actually the style of delivery must be audience centered.

C. Use of Argumentation Skills

Argumentation is the thought process used to develop and present arguments. It is closely related to
critical thinking and reasoning.

What is a Seminar/ Conference Paper

A conference research paper is a piece of writing that an author submits to conference organizers. The
papers offer a preview of the work the researcher wants to present to let others in their field know about it
and solicit feedback that could generate ideas for improvement. These papers are submitted for review in
advance of the conference. This process begins with a call-for-papers, when a conference organizing
committee sends out an invitation to academics in hopes of generating multiple submissions of content to
be presented at their event. These invitations can be sent via email or posted to a conference
announcement website. Then, the organizing committee conducts a thorough review process to confirm
the legitimacy of the work being submitted. Then, the work is either approved or rejected, and those
accepted become part of the conference programme and the authors are scheduled to present at the
conference.

When the event concludes, these conference papers are combined into a conference proceedings
document that is often published and kept as a written record of the event.

Sample conference paper format

The following format below is based on a sample conference paper format by the Institute of Electrical
and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The organization has also provided guidelines on the contents of each
of the sections.

Title

The title of your conference paper should be specific, concise, and descriptive. Hence, words that are not
necessary should not be included. In these days of search engine optimization, be sure to include
keywords that will make finding your paper easier for searching readers.

Abstract

The abstract should be nothing more than a concise summary of key aspects of the research. It is
important to include the study’s conclusions as well as their likely implications. In a nutshell, your
conference paper abstract should also:

be single paragraphed, at least 250 words long, written in correct grammar and simple terminology

be self-contained. Avoid abbreviations, mathematical equations, footnotes, and references

explain the unique features of your study

contain between 3 to 5 keywords or phrases that appropriately explain the research so that readers can
easily find the paper

Introduction
Begin the introduction with a brief overview of the present state of research on the chosen topic

As you progress, provide more detailed information about the topic

Conclude this section with an explanation of your study’s research question(s) (or hypothesis). Do not
forget to include what motivated you to study the topic and what impact you hope it will make

Methods

The methods section is of extreme importance and must provide enough information to facilitate
replication of the study by other scholars.

For your research question(s), they must be constructed with the following in mind:

Should be described in great detail

Be appropriately linked with the methods used to address them

Provision of clear definitions for all terminology used

Should include any equations used in the study

Results and discussion

This section involves a simple explanation of the important findings of your study and the interpretation
of these findings/results. Be sure to include any limitations you faced while conducting the research and
do not overstate the importance of your findings.

Conclusion

Your conclusion should be based on your study’s key findings and their wider implications. Explain what
benefits or otherwise inherent in your study and provide suggestions for future research.

Acknowledgments

This is an optional section that has to do with a recognition of every individual and organization that
provided any form of assistance or encouragement that helped during the course of your work.

References

Every source cited in your conference paper must appear in the reference section. Include only those
citations that support your study.
Final comments

Conference papers have some similarities but often can also vary from one conference to another. A
typical conference paper should include an abstract, a title, an introduction, objectives, a methods section,
results/findings, discussion of findings, conclusion/recommendations, acknowledgments, and references.
Some will also have sections such as problem statement, literature review, and funding footnote.

Tips to write a conference paper

1. Focus on the abstract

The abstract is the first thing academics look at when evaluating a piece of research. If your paper is
accepted, you will be presenting your work to a group of your peers, and this abstract is their preview to
the information that will be discussed. You’ll want to make it clear, concise, and interesting to read.

This is also what conference organizers use to categorize different streams of work within the conference,
so it’s important that your focus and subject matter is clearly defined and easy to determine. This will
ensure you’re placed alongside researchers with a related field of study.

Begin your abstract by defining the problem you hoped to solve when you began your research. Then,
describe how you went about studying that problem before presenting your research findings and how
they help solve the problem.

2. Create a logical flow

Before you start writing, take some time to create an outline that follows a logical, cohesive flow of
information. Review your research and determine the most important things you want to share in your
presentation, and create your outline based on this list. An outline will help you stay focused and
organized, and will make creating the abstract a breeze.

In your outline, you should also plan to include data points that back up your conclusions to make your
paper strong and convincing.

3. Be careful of length

Look into the structure of the conference and find out the length of the presentations. This is usually
stated in the conference posting, but if not, you can use the following guidelines. Most conferences allot
10-20 minutes for each oral presentation, and each page of writing takes about 2 minutes to read. Based
on these numbers, a conference paper should not exceed 10 pages.

4. Follow the format guidelines

Conference organizing committees will most of the time set specific guidelines for researchers to follow
in their submissions. These guidelines will include the preferred file type (.doc, .rtf. .pdf etc), the font type
and size, the spacing, where they want the page numbers, the length of the abstract, reference format, and
more.
This simplifies the review process by allowing the reviewers to focus solely on the paper content, rather
than having to decipher references or look for specific pieces of information.

5. Read it out loud

To keep your conference paper short, it’s important that every word counts. To keep your paper free of
fluff and unnecessary words, read it out loud to yourself and remove or revise anything that isn’t optimal.

Reading out loud will also help you confirm that the information you’re presenting is organized into a
logical flow that builds up support for your overall argument. Sometimes words look good typed out on a
screen, but they don’t sound convincing or appropriate when spoken out loud. Since this paper is an
overview of the research you hope to present in an oral presentation at a conference, it should sound
convincing when you read it aloud.

6. Write for your audience

Remember that you are writing for academic researchers who are knowledgeable in your field.

Academic writing uses a more formal tone than a blog or news article. It is free of personal opinions or
anecdotes, and does not include any jargon, cliches, or slang. Academic writing maintains a clear focus on
the main area of research, and every sentence should resonate with your audience of researchers.

Every piece of data used in a piece of academic writing should be backed-up with data. Researchers
reviewing your work expect to be presented with data-driven insights that can be quantifiably verified.

Reference everything. Not only does this add weight and legitimacy to your work, but it also shows
respect for the researchers who came before you.

... We face complex issues that require careful, balanced reasoning to resolve.

EXPERT TECHNICAL LECTURE

The word ‘lectúre’ has been derived from the Latin word ‘lectura’ which means reading loudly. A
technical lecture by an expert is an oral presentation on a particular subject, imparting factual information

A technical lecture is just like any other lecture except for nature of content. As it deals with technical
topics only.

It is technical in nature and formal in approach.

A technical lecture needs to be practised before delivery.

There is a well-known Chinese proverb that “Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner
everywhere.”5 Knowledge is intact with one who is in possession of his/her knowledge even when he/she
shares his knowledge with others. Students at colleges and universities learn a lot through expert technical
lecture.

• Experts in their specific technical field contribute with their knowledge through the medium of expert
technical lectures for the benefit of the learners. These experts are the authorities or connoisseurs in their
specific domain. Important people from academia as well as industry visit the colleges to share their rich
experiences with inquisitive learners. Their great experiences and learning gives students a lot of food for
thought.

• These expert technical lectures give an opportunity to the learners to clarify their doubts, raise questions,
and express their ideas about issues crucial to their learning and their chosen profession.

Advantages of Technical Lecture Method

Lecture on a technical topic is in the interest of the audience in many ways. It-

Works as a stimulus and inspires the audience

Passes information based on facts quickly

Is economical and also less time consuming

Imparts a lot of knowledge in easy and simple comprehensible way

Types of Technical Lecture

1. Traditional type: Lecture where the speaker is the only figure dominating the entire scene while
others are simple passive listeners

2. Participatory Lecture: Where the orator or speaker begins with some brainstorming ideas on the
lecture topic.

Pre-requisites of an expert technical speaker

Lecturing is, to some extent, a matter of skill. The technical speaker should have some abilities so that he
can achieve his goal. Some of them are:

Theme clarity i.e. The speaker should be clear about the topic and content on which he is going to speak.
Content that he is going to deliver should be well organized.

Presentation in a clear and logical sequence

Material meaningful and comprehensible

Matter coverage adequate

Analysis of the data

Use of required technical terms

Presenting the findings

Things to remember

Emphasize on objectives

Improve basic presentation skills

Engage (diverse) audience

Feedback

Theme Clarity- Ambiguous piece of writing is painful for any sort of reader. In the realm of technical
writing, one needs to be not only concise but also utmost clear. Vague statements can create a lot of
confusion and doubt. So, clarity is of utmost importance in technical writing. Technical writing is based
on facts. So, it is objective. Technical writing is also audience specific. As writing is done according to
the need and expectation of the audience. Imagine a professional presenting the details of a project report
to his superiors. In case he is not able to do so clearly his/her superiors will not approve it. According to
the Oxford Dictionary theme is “the subject or main idea in a talk, piece of writing or work of art”.

The Oxford Dictionary reemphasizes it is “the central/main/key/major theme.”

Thus, in technical writing the main idea or theme should be made clear to the audience.

Qualities required for theme clarity in technical writing or to analyze the theme of a technical document:

1- Precision-Subject-matter must be explained in a precise manner.

2- Simplicity-Keep the language simple. Also avoid unnecessarily making lengthy and awkward
sentences.

3- Familiarity-Avoid using jargons, difficult words and cliches. Use the kind of language target readers
are familiar with.
4- Necessity-State only those points that are imperative for understanding. Avoid being redundant.