1. Honesty
Writing a CV is perhaps the most important thing. You have to be honest and give true information about yourself and your career so far. No need to be boastful or to bluff around as false information will be detected sooner or later.

2. Educational Background
Another important aspect while writing your CV is that you should not forget to mention the institutions from which you obtained a degree, diploma, certificate or any other qualification. You should also include any special award that you may have received as well as any other noteworthy educational or training achievements.

3. Work Experience
Make sure that you provide a full listing of your prior employment experiences. Work experience is very important and you have to make sure there are no unexplained gaps in your employment history.

4. Special Skills
Don’t forget to list down the special skills that you have. For example, if you are talented with computers on one level or another, you need to mention it in your CV.

5. Update your CV
Don’t forget to update your CV regularly as very often, people have a tendency to forget to update the contact details on their CV. As a result, they are unreachable when a job opportunity arises.

6. Telephone Number and Email Address
It is very important to include both your telephone number and your email address on your CV. Some potential employers prefer to contact people via telephone while others rely exclusively on the Internet and email to deal with job applicants.

7. References
It is important that you don’t include your references in your CV. However you can include something like “References Furnished Upon Request.”

8. Format
Short and concise, a CV should be relevant. Potential employers often don’t have much time to read or review a CV that comes with too many pages. All educational and working experience should be listed in the priority order from the latest to the oldest.

9. Coloured Paper & Ink
Always use white paper and black print for your CV. Black print on white paper makes reading easier and also gives an impression of seriousness.

10. Spelling and Grammar
Make sure that your CV is free from spelling and grammatical errors. By submitting a CV that contains spelling, grammatical and typo mistakes, your chances of obtaining an interview are very low. If you have some doubts, better ask someone else to double-check your CV.

To conclude, ALWAYS remember that your CV is your gold card. With a well prepared CV and by following our CV Writing Tips, you will be better equipped in getting the job you are dreaming of.

Good Luck!!!!

Planning is very important as the saying says: "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail". Here is a compilation of frequently asked questions and the best ways answer them during an interview.

Preparing the answers well before the interview gives you an edge other potential candidates. The key thing to remember when answering interview questions is to keep your answers relevant, concise and straightforward. If you are faced with a difficult question, relax, stay calm, don't get defensive, and take a moment to think about your answer before you utter a word.

Don’t answer in an evasive manner. Try to personalize your answers as much as possible.

Question: Tell me about yourself.
Answer: Jot down some of your main attributes and try to memorize them. Describe your career history, qualifications and range of skills, while putting emphasis on those which are relevant to the offered job.

Q: What are your greatest achievements so far?
A: Select a fairly recent achievement that is work-related. Identify the skills you used in the achievement and quantify the benefit it brought to the company. For example, 'my greatest achievement has been to create a new system of sales, bringing it in ahead of time and improving our sales turnover, thus making the company score a profit of Rs XXX per month’.

Q: Are you happy with your career to date?
A: This question is entirely about your career aspirations, self-esteem and confidence. The answer must be in the affirmative and followed by a concise explanation on the positive aspects of your career that's made you happy so far. If you have hit a stable career level, or you feel you are not moving fast enough, then you must support your answer by substantial evidence.

Q: What is the most difficult situation you have had to face and how did you tackle it?
A: The purpose of this question is to find out what your definition of difficult is and whether you can show a logical approach to problem solving or you back-peddle in difficult situations. In order to show yourself in a positive light, select a difficult work situation which was not caused by you and which can be quickly explained in a few sentences. Explain how you defined the problem, what the options were, why you selected the one you did and what the outcome was. Always end on a positive note.

Q: What do you like about your present job?
A: This is a direct question. You have to make sure that your 'likes' correspond to the skills etc. required in the job on offer. Be enthusiastic; describe your job as interesting and diverse but don’t overdo as after all, you are looking to leave.

Q: What do you dislike about your present job?
A: Be cautious with this answer. Do not be too specific as you may draw attention to weaknesses that will leave you open to further problems. One approach is to choose a characteristic of your present company, such as its size or slow decision-making processes etc. Answer by adopting the attitude of someone who takes problems and frustrations in your stride as part of the job.

Q: What are your strengths?
A: This is definitely a question that is sure to come, hence you have to prepare for it. Put forward your main strengths. List three or four skills e.g. quick learner, determination to succeed, positive attitude, excellent communication skills, strive hard to achieve a common goal. Be prepared to give examples of the above.

Q: What is your greatest weakness?
A: If you try to say that you don’t have any, you might end up in deep trouble. You have two options - use a professed weakness such as lack of experience (not ability) on your part in an area that is not vital for the job. The second option is to describe a personal or professional weakness that could also be considered to be a strength, and the steps you have taken to combat it. An example would be, 'I am aware that my team think I'm too demanding – However, I’ve been able to make them achieve great results this way'.

Q: Why do you want to leave your current employer?
A: State how you are looking for a new challenge, more responsibilities, fruitful experience and a change of environment. Do not be negative in describing your reasons for leaving. It is not advisable to cite salary as your primary motivator.

Q: Why have you applied for this particular job?
A: The employer is looking for evidence that the job suits you, fits in with your general aptitudes, coincides with your long-term goals and involves doing things you enjoy. Make sure you have a good understanding of the profile and the organization, and describe the attributes of the organization that interest you most.

Other questions to consider:
- What are you looking for in a company?
- What can you bring to this organization?
- How do you feel about working long hours and/or weekends?
- What changes in the workplace have caused you difficulty and why?
- Give an example of when you have been out of your depth.
- What kind of pressures have you encountered at work?
- Do you take initiatives?
- Are you a self-starter? Give examples to illustrate this?
- How does your job fit in to your department and company?
- What do you enjoy about this industry?
- Give an example of when you have worked under pressure.
- What kinds of people do you like working with?
- Give an example of when your work was criticized.
- Give an example of when you have felt anger at work. How did you cope and did you still perform a good job?
- What kind of people do you find it difficult to work with?
- Give an example of when you have had to face a conflict of interest at work.
- Tell me about the last time you disagreed with your boss.
- Give an example of when you haven't got on with others.
- Do you prefer to work alone or in a group? Why?
- This organization is very different to your current employer - how do you think you are going to fit in?
- How do you measure your own performance?
- What have you failed to achieve to date?

Normally the first impression one gets of another one during the first few seconds is often the one that counts. That’s why it’s compulsory to get off with a good start right from the outset.

Even though you might possess great qualifications, when recruiting, an employer will still be interested in your personality and presentation. Indeed, with more than one suitable applicant for a job, interview performance is often the deciding factor. This makes the face-to-face meeting a critical part of the recruitment process and you will need to impress from the start.

The interview preparation guidelines below will help you to overcome any apprehension which you might have and will make you more confident to face your potential employer.

Useful tips
Make sure you are well aware of the date, time and location of the interview and be familiar with the name and title of the interviewer. Bring along your interview confirmation letter with you.

Prepare the outfit you will be wearing well in advance - all of it. Ensure your appearance is both smart and comfortable.

Make a dummy trip to the company to make sure you arrive on time. Anticipate delays, especially on unknown routes. If ever you find that you will be unquestionably delayed, do call your interviewer to inform him straightaway.

Do not arrive loaded with personal items! Take any requested certificates, references etc, a spare resume and a notepad and pen. A mobile phone is important, but please do switch it OFF before arriving at the reception.

Be on time for your meeting; however, it is not advisable to arrive more than half an hour early. Leave yourself enough time to use the restroom and freshen up if necessary.

Remember that you start making an impression on your prospective employer the moment you arrive at the reception. Be polite and courteous towards the receptionist and any other staff you may meet prior to your interview. Their opinion of you is often sought and may even have some influence on the final selection.

Research & Knowledge
Gather as much information as possible about your prospective employer well in advance. Most companies have their own websites which are packed with information. Familiarize yourself with mission statements, past performance, future goals and current analyst ratings. Bear in mind that if your prospective employer have a comprehensive website, you may seriously compromise your chances if it becomes apparent you have not taken time to surf on it.

If the company does not have a website, you can still do research on your prospective employer. Talk to anyone you know who has worked at the organization. If you don’t know anyone, then you can phone there directly and ask for company information via a brochure or pamphlet.

The interview process
1. Before attending your interview, make sure that you dress appropriately. When dressing for the interview, you need to take into consideration the type of job that you are applying for.

2. Relax completely ... If you are tensed or stressed during an interview, you will not give your best performance.

3. Make sure you remember the name of the person who will interview you.

4. Be concise in answering each question ... Don't talk incessantly when you answer a question.

5. Be well-mannered. (At this point, it will be good to make a trip down memory lane to remember what your mother taught you about good manners when you were a child.)