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'What's the difference between a resume and a CV?'
In an online chat with readers, Sudhanshu Arora, co-founder, director, Careesma.in answered questions on how to draft a perfect CV and prepare for a job interview.
Does writing your own CV a tedious task that you'd rather avoid?
Does your CV have all it takes to get you your dream job?
Does it really stand out?
Knowing these answers can help you get the attention of a potential employer.
A well-drafted CV is bound to impress any interviewer.
It also paves way to get you a job interview.
Make sure that you impress your potential future employer with the right attitude and let your persona not be limited to your certificates and academic credentials alone.
To know more about how to draft a perfect CV and prepare for a job interview, Rediff.com had organised a chat with career expert Sudhanshu Arora, director, Careesma.in on Tuesday, June 17.
For those who missed the chat, here's the unedited transcript:
Geetha prasad: My friend has retired as DGM of a pvt bank and has experience of 35 yrs in all the fields of banking. He is now 63 yrs and looking for an suitable placement for an contract period of about 4 to 5 years or any other good placement which will help the orgonisation also because of his rich banking experience.kindly come back.
Sudhanshu Arora: Hi Geetha, there are many companies that require such experienced people in a contractual role.
Deepna: I have been in the IT industry for 2 years now, and would like to switch to a non-IT/Creative job profile. How do I go about presenting this in my CV?
Sudhanshu Arora: Hi Deepna, it's important to have some consistency in your role and as a fresher you should stay with the company for some more time and try to do some creative work in you free time
Navin Shah: Do you have suggestions to make this project run successfully? answer please
Sudhanshu Arora: Always prepare well for an interview and try to have some answers about what difference you can make to that role and position
Lalji Margasahayam: Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it??
Sudhanshu Arora: Tell the interviewer about how you successfully overcame a situation in your previous organisation, which showed your leadership skills or your analytical ability
Kinshuki: Sir, thanks for your response. I have been doing well in my field for close to 5 years now. Still i dont get any good opportunities for relevant roles? Can the resume be the reason? What can be wrong with the resume?
Sudhanshu Arora: It can be a probable reason..Please visit http://rediff.ly/385yt for tips on resume writing
Amit Shellar: What should one answer if interviewer asks "where do you see yourself after 6 or 7 years? "
Sudhanshu Arora: Share with them..your career objectives..you can always talk about playing a leadership role in that spam of time
PRAMOD YADAV: I had 16 years of IT experience and currently do not have a job since last 1.5 years, and been trying to very hard to get one, however things did not click for me. How do I handle the situation? And can I hope to get an opportunity after a gap of 1.5 years ?
Sudhanshu Arora: Yes you just need to be confident in your efforts. Just be strong with your basics
Narendra Rajput: Sir, what is the best answer for "Why you want to change?" question because normally all peoples looking for good salary.
Sudhanshu Arora: There is no good or bad answer. Always try to be truthful in the interview
JIMESH CHUDGAR: I am doing marketing for construction machinery, I wanted to know if I am changing job in CTC can I show salary commission.
Sudhanshu Arora: Yes you can show that..
Prasenjit: Hi sir, presently I am working in reputed company last 7 years as a regular basis. Now the company has given offer in Qatar site as same role instead of Permanent role. Can I accept this offer because I am expecting that company will accept me as a permanent role.
Sudhanshu Arora: If it's in line with your career objective. Please go ahead with the same.
Mngkbdvt: Hello Sir, I am a BBM graduate and worked in a mid-sized company for 14 years. Was looking after accounts, HR, purchase, administration. Unfortunately, the company closed down. Now, outside that company I realise that 'jack of all' doesn't work. They ask for professional qualification. My career is deeply dent now along with remuneration. Your suggestion please
Sudhanshu Arora: I would say initially its important to specialize into one field. Try to show your expertise in the particular field for which opening is there in that firm while appearing in the interviews
Kinshuki: Hello Sir. Should we put up a picture in our resume? I have seen many resumes where candidates put up pictures.
Sudhanshu Arora: It's not important to include pictures in resume. But if a particular company requires it. Please include it in your resume
Amit Jadhav: Sir iam stock broker with experience of 7 years now i wanto chaneg my job please let me how write the perfect resume
Sudhanshu Arora: Hi Amit..you can visit http://rediff.ly/385yt and get some valuable tips on it
Kinshuki: Hi Sir, what are the most important points that i should include in the resume from my job experience?
Sudhanshu Arora: Always write in crisp about your work experience and the role and responsibility handled in your previous jobs..Show what have you achieved in your previous roles
Neetasinha: Hi Sir. How are you? What kind of questions can I expect in technical round at Accenture?
Sudhanshu Arora: It's very difficult to predict the kind of technical questions that can be asked in an Interview as it depends upon the interviewer. But it's always good to be strong in basics and prepare commonly asked technical questions as well.
Bairi Ramayya: [SKB] sir I am an IT professional who is working in a small firm from two years for a meagre salary which does not match industry standards. Now I have cleared interview in an MNC and how much salary raise I have to ask? Can I tell as per industry standards, which is more than double of my current?
Sudhanshu Arora: Usually companies give hike in salary based on the last salary drawn. My suggestion would be to join the next firm. Prove your worth and then ask for the raise in salary
Amol Chille: Sir what to write in 'objective' section?
Sudhanshu Arora: The objective section should clearly define the role that you are looking at.
Satish Pulli: What is the difference between resume and CV? Pls explain
Sudhanshu Arora: The primary differences between a resume and curriculum vitae (CV) are the length, what is included and what each is used for. A resume is a one or two page summary of your skills, experience and education. While a resume is brief and concise - no more than a page or two, a curriculum vitae is a longer (at least two pages) and more detailed synopsis.
Deepna: Hi Sir, can you please tell me how important extra-curricular is in the resume?
Sudhanshu Arora: Extra curriculars plays an important part in the selection process of a Job as it shows the other side of your personality. For example if you are into sports then it shows that you should be a good team player. So it's important to include it but briefly.
Sujan Nayak: I know that I have been selected and found fit for the job in my first two rounds of interview. Now the third round is with country head and salary negotiation. What should be my approach?
Sudhanshu Arora: Be what you are -- be more specific with your answers -- Truthfulness helps, show your fitment -- it automatically ensures a better / competitive CTC as per market standards.