10 pro-tips to nail your next Skype interview!

Etiquette of conducting oneself on a Skype interview is very different from personal or a phone interview, but learning to do it right can get you fat chances of making it to the job!

Skype interviews have been gaining immense popularity and significance in the past decade and will soon replace personal interviews. These online/video interviews can actually be the bridge between both worlds; face-to-face interview minus the hectic travel schedules.

Regardless of who is interviewing you, it is absolutely important to be ready to impress the one on the screen!

Here are a few tips:

1. Prepare your surroundings. 

It’s important to see that place you pick is quiet and pleasing to the eye without any distractions or loud objects in the surroundings. A neutral and tidy backdrop is ideal. The only dominant/focal point of on the screen must be you!

2. Dress the part. 

Whether it is on Skype or in person doesn’t really dictate your dressing. Dress professionally as you would for a formal face to face interview. It is very much expected and will not be excused. 

3. Look at the camera, not the screen.

As funny as it may sound this is a real-time pitfall. It’s a natural tendency to watch ourselves or the interviewer, but eye contact is important you see! And the only way to get t right is look into the camera and not the screen. 

4. Practice, practice and more practice.

Skype interviews can a bit awkward and funny specially the first few times and also it Is not easy to look into the cam and not the screen. It makes perfect sense to practice several times back and forth and ensure there are no glitches when you ra e finally doing the real one; come across like a pro!

5. Close other programs on your computer. 

Well, the social bugs that we are, we always have several stations open on the system popping notifications about the updates! This can be trouble maker. Be safe than sorry – Close all other tabs! 

Related: Time Management - An important aspect that leads to success

6. Use notes.

The best part of a Skype interview is that you can keep your notes handy and don’t have to be worried about missing important points. It’s sensible to keep your resume handy and some other chits as required that you can quickly refer if need be. Keep them short and not lengthy. Also, use these only if required as it can look very shoddy if you pause at every question. Use them sparingly.

7. Avoid interruptions.

Interruptions by people and pets can be disaster if you are doing an interview from home. Make it a pint to inform everyone at home beforehand about your interview and ensure they will not disturb you. 

8. Keep your profile professional. 

Since you are not there in person, your profile will make the first impression; you got to ensure it’s the best! We mean your profile picture and Skype user name. Avoid fancy names and keep it real, neat and professional. 

9. Watch your body language.

A good and relaxed posture is the key. This is the important thing that pretty much defines your confidence on an online interview. This will only couple with the eye contact we were discussing earlier on. Remember – POSTURE! 

10. Set the audio right. 

This is an important and often neglected point. You don’t want you both to be screaming “do you hear me now?” into the mike, do you? Set the Skype audio before hand  to make sure you both can hear and be heard without any problem. 

Visit our website: www.PlacementSchool.net

Read More

RESUME WRITING TIPS THAT GETS YOU NOTICED BY EMPLOYERS

All organizations, large and small, have non-management employees who act as resume filters because managers don't have time to consider every applicant. This means secretaries and human resource assistants judge your resume first; these people may only have seconds to judge your resume before moving on to the next one in the pile.

In today’s world everything is digitalized, even employers started to relay on software’s like Application tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Job searches can be long and demanding. In today’s job market, you have to make sure that your resume stands out from the tall pile.

                                             

 Here are few tips to get your resume noticed:         

·    ATS looks for the same keywords as that of mentioned in job postings and will screen the         resumes only if those keywords are included .so you must be careful about mentioning those keywords in your resume.
·         If your resume is posted in websites like naukri.com or some other job related websites keep it updated, the resumes which are frequently updated will be noticed easily.
·         As said First impression is the best, recruiters don’t have time to go through whole of your resume. So, avoid grammatical mistakes or spelling mistakes, hardly an employer looks at your resume for 6 to 15seconds.In that few seconds you need to create a good impression and should make him to consider your resume for further process.
·         Don’t mention “RESUME” on top your resume rather mention your name and contact details there.
·         Don’t use graphics or visual appeals or too many colors, they will make your resume look unprofessional.                                           
·         Do use bullets or numbering for clearly mentioning your achievements or for mentioning your skills.

       

       You might want to read this: Telephonic Interview Tips

·         Use simple fonts and minimum readable size for characters.
·         Give enough space between each line, so as to make it visible and clear.
·         Update your resume with relevant skills to that those of mentioned in job description.
·         Simply, don’t send the pre-prepared resume for all jobs ,for example if you have a resume prepared for the post of software developer don’t send the same, if the job posting is for the post of software tester do change the skills With those related to testing and then apply for the post.
·         Mention achievements, whatever you have achieved must be mentioned because it gives recruiters idea about what you can do for the company and it also lets them know how passionate you are about things.
 ·     Avoid technical problems, like if you have saved your resume in word format immediately change it into PDF, to avoid technical problems like formatting of text when recruiters open them.

Pic Credits: Google

www.PlacementSchool.net

Read More

Time Management - An important aspect that leads to success

                               Managing time is an important aspect that you should actually care about .managing time doesn’t mean you need to work longer but it means to work smarter in turn reduce stress and increase productivity. It’s an important factor in life, whether you are working or self employed or looking for a job or a student whatever your profession is you need effective time management.

                              If you are unable to complete any task by the time you have to complete them, don’t say you didn’t have enough time. You have exactly same number of hours per day that were given to other people. You can’t make excuses rather say you didn’t organize things properly.

If you are the person who doesn’t have enough time to complete your tasks, here are few tips for you to organize time:

1.       Make to-do list: plan your day before it unfolds. Make a list on paper or on computer or anywhere you feel comfortable. Just note down the things you need to complete for that day, it will help you to have overview of how the day will plan out and also helps you to remember things.

2.       Prioritize tasks: As you have made a list of things to do for the day now prioritize the things from the list. It may not be possible to get all the things done but you can finish the most important tasks and urgent tasks first. It’s helpful to number those tasks like 1, 2, 3 or ABC etc to mark their priority.

                                                                     

3.       Have buffer time in between: when you rush from task to task, take breaks in between they will help to keep your mind fresh and you will be able to return with better focus. While taking a break, go for a short walk or take a power nap or any other exercise to refresh your mind.

4.       Multi Tasking: Multi tasking is not a skill that all of us possess. Realize whether you are that kind of person or not. If you are, that’s great. If you are not don’t even bother or try to do that because, eventually this leads to many tasks being started but left unfinished. So, if you are a multi tasker you should know when to multi task and when not to. If you have mundane tasks to complete multi task them.

5.       Learn to say no: your time and resources are limited you can’t say yes to every request. So, learn when to say no.

                                        

6.       Stop procrastinating: Don’t think I have a lot of time will do it later when ‘m free or don’t give excuses like ‘m busy or I have done enough for today. Complete the work as per schedule and set time limit for every target that will make you more focused.

7.       Get a good sleep: Everyday 7 to 8hours of sound sleep is important for every individual. Your brain needs rest to perform its best. So, if you have still things to do keep them aside you can continue with them next day. If you don’t get sleep it will affect next day’s schedule too.

                                                        

Being organized or following schedule will definitely help you to save time, relieves from stress and depression. It is necessary to manage time in whatever profession you are. So, follow these few tips and make your life tension free.

Read More

Significance of Soft-Skills for Job Placements

Have you ever wondered why people who have less or not even minimum technical skills are hired but not those who have sound technical skills? There are many points the recruiters consider, one of them could be their soft skills.

Why soft skills are so important?

Let us first see which skills are considered as soft skills in general perspective…..

1.       The ability to communicate with people effectively, communication is the key to get hired, as you progress in your career or even if you are at the basic level you need to communicate with different people they could be from front desk people to anybody at the manager level or if it’s a start up or tiny firm may be there would be a need to even communicate with firm’s CEO. So, communication skills play an important role to get you hired.

2.       Problem solving ,plays an important role as many recruiters at the time of interview try to analyze how do you respond to particular situation by posing different questions and try to put you under pressure, they want to check how well you can handle a situation, even if you don’t have the least idea about it.

3.       Adaptability, as the technology is emerging every day you need to keep yourself updated with the latest trends related to your field. Adaptability at your work place is also expected.

4.       Teamwork, you can call it even cooperation but it’s one of the key aspects which should be maintained as an employee moves forward in career. Working collaboratively with team also determines how he can work with different from people from different backgrounds.

                                  

                                              

                                         

Importance of soft skills:

                               One needs to be good at these basic skills to climb the corporate ladder as these are the key skills even if you have technical skills these soft skills play important role to get you job placement. People with only Technical skills will be able to survive in the team but people with soft skills along with technical skills will have more chances to make path in the corporate industry. Organizations are looking for people who have good soft skills and people who can maintain good relation within the organization and with its clients. If you are a fresher or experienced you just need to have these skills if you want to have a career growth in the IT sector. Not only in corporate sector in any sector you have to posses these skills to be successful. Most people especially fresh graduates lack these soft skills definitely they have good technical skills but not good soft skills. So, from their college days they themselves have to inculcate these skills so that they don’t have to face rejections in job placements after they graduate.

                              

Difference between Technical skills and soft skills:

                                  Technical skills are those skills which you learn in your college or at training institutes which provide you only with technical knowledge related to your field for e.g. you are a software developer you will be having technical knowledge related to software programming like C#, ASP .NET, Java or Hadoop etc. If you are into testing you will be having technical knowledge related to manual testing or automated testing these technical skills vary depending on your profession. 

Along with these technical skills you need to have soft skills because when a recruiter has to choose between a person with sound technical skills and sound soft skills he will prefer person with good soft skills. Soft skills come to your rescue when you need to explain a non technical person some complex technical problem which is one of the main things which recruiters are looking to provide job placement.

                      

                    So, it is better to be prepared before hand by taking soft skills training or by practicing them so that you don’t need to rush at the last moment.

Read More

WHY TO GET TRAINED IN JAVA?

If getting into IT industry was your childhood dream or if you have passion for programming you can consider java as one of your career options. Java has wide range of chances for growing up in the IT industry .As of today almost each and every software program or application is built mainly on this platform. So are the chances of employment in this field are very high.

Why is it important to get trained in java?

                                                    If you are starting your career as a fresher or even if you had experience you need to update yourself with the latest technologies or softwares’ that are currently used and you might have even experienced how difficult it is to get a job without proper knowledge or with the little knowledge you have. So it is better to get trained to ensure that you will have good chance of placement.

                                                You may have learnt the basics of java as a part of your college curriculum chances are low that you would have learnt it in the context of real time rather you would have learnt it in the point of clearing your exams or to just to have a little knowledge about your project done in college etc. so it would be good for you to get trained in java and apply it in the context of real world. Along with learning programming you will be trained on real time projects in some institutes which will give you a brief idea about how project should be done and it will also make you capable of handling different issues that may arise only while working practically.

                                              As there are many MNCS as well as startups growing up and are concentrating specifically on this language, there are many people who are opting java as their career option so there is heavy competition in between employees as well as employers to get the best. So, this had made training mandatory to be placed in the best, if you get a certified training it would be given more preference rather than getting just trained. Even if you have sound knowledge of subject certification would really help you to grow in your career.

                                             

Best java training institutes in Hyderabad:

                                                There are many institutes providing java training in Hyderabad, almost in every corner of the city there is at least one training institute which trains you in this language but you have to be selective while choosing an institute with all the resources needed to get best training and progress in your career. Placement school can be considered as one of the best java training institutes in Hyderabad which train you in java along with certification and real time projects also with an added advantage of placement assistance.

Read More

Telephonic Interview Tips

What gets you entitled for a telephonic interview in the first place?

Your CV is perfect, and your cover letter was impressive! You have successfully grabbed the attention of the employer you’ve caught a potential employer’s attention and now is the time to get in touch!

As simple as it may sound, one must not go too easy on telephonic interviews. It is as important as any other standard personal round of interview! In fact you may actually have to work harder to make yourself stand out.

So it’s important to be prepared how do you prepare for this bold new frontier of employment screening? Luckily almost all of the standard rules from in person interviews still apply, so the basic prep work is essentially the same but there are some telephonic interview tips specific than can really be of help:

1. Take It As Seriously just like an In Person Interview

Yes, this is a real interview so we better treat it like one! What it means is to be ready. Ensure that you plan the schedule well ahead and re up and ready to face it with energy and crispness in your voice.  Even an ounce of laziness or sleepiness is surely going to be identified by the interviewer.

Pro Tip: If you get an unscheduled call and you doubt if it’s from the interviewer, we suggest you don’t take. Prepare yourself for the interview and then call back to rock the show. In case you answer the call when you are not ready, inform the interviewer that you cannot speak at the moment and will call back at a certain time.

 2. Focus and keep away from all distractions:

Before you get on the call ensure you are not distracted by any kind of a thing. Make sure the TV is off. You cannot be watching TV even on mute – Turn it off! Choose a standard place to sit down and have all the material required for quick access.

It’s very easy for the interviewer to gauge if you are distracted and it’s not appreciated.

Inform everyone at home that you will be busy and cannot be disturbed!

Make sure you’re presenting yourself in the most professional way possible, from the very first “Hello,” all the way to the “Goodbye.”

You might like this: How to develop Interview Skills

3. Do Some Research Before the Interview

We always recommend doing some basic research. You could be applying to so many companies; it helps a great deal in knowing a little bit about what they do and how they contribute. This will help you in positioning yourself as the best possible candidate.

They are obviously clear about the skills they are They’re looking for a specific set of knowledge, skills and abilities and it’s the person that embodies all of these that is going to get the job…and if you tailor your answers and show that you’re (honestly) that person…well, then…welcome to your new career!

4. Prepare Your Own Cheat Sheet

While you confidently answer all the questions, what remains equally important is to ask relevant questions. Such questions help in gaining insights making a fully conscious decision whether the job is right for you!

Ask about the different aspects of the job and express genuine interest and excitement in the opportunity.

The right questions not only help you get information you might need to make an informed decision regarding the job, but it also helps confirm your qualifications as the ideal candidate for the position.

5. Be thoughtful. Be thorough. Be concise.

Be sure you pronounce your words clearly. Speak slowly so that you are clearly understood. Do not panic. Be Confident. Be enthusiastic. Take it slow. That does not mean you are so slow that you kill the flow and interest. . And most importantly smile frequently.

The interviewer might not be able to see it, but they will be able to hear it…and that can go a long way in making you stand out for all the right reasons.

You might want to read this: Three difficult interview questions and how to answer them

 6. Be prepared for Standard Interview Questions

We can’t tell you for sure that the interviewer will ask you these, but it’s always helps to be prepared so you’re not caught off guard if they are asked! Do a lot of practice by answering them before your interview. 

a.       “Are you willing to relocate for this job”

b.       “Will you travel for this job?”

c.       “What interests you about this job?”

d.       “If you were hired, how soon can you start?”

 7. Send A Thank You Email After Phone Interview

Always ensure that you are writing a brief mail to the employer thanking him for the time and effort and about why you are excited to get hired!

Placement School

Java training in hyderabad, Dotnet Training in Hyderabad

Read More

How to Develop Interview Skills: Get Geared!

1. Until you actually attend an interview you cannot be sure of the atmosphere or settings. To get yourself prepared try different setting as you practice all scenarios and see how you fare! To master interview skills Do a mock interview with a friend first, then in the next scenario answer the questions in front of 4 or more friends or colleagues. Alternatively, you may practice answering questions on telephone so that you may alter voice modulation. And lastly answer the same questions looking into the camera. You might want to really observe how different you sound in each of the methods. You must ensure you remain equally confident and likeable in all scenarios.

2. Irrespective of the type of interview, the most common question is bound to be regarding your personal traits, likes and dislikes. Practice answering this question in a confident manner and ensure you don’t sound over confident and cocky

3. Request a friend to write a few random questions of different topics of his choice and you pick any one of them. This is to check your spontaneous responses to unexpected questions. Ask your friend to include one question in which you might not know the answer, this helps to gauge how you will manage to answer a question to which you do not know the answer

You might like this post: 3 most difficult interview questions and how to answer them

4. Watch videos of some standard interviews, and before the interviewee answers a question, pause the video to answer them yourself. This will help you understand how your responses are different from those who got selected. This can help you immensely not just with answers but also in eye contact, expressions and body language. 

5. Body language is a sure shot indicator of your personality and confidence than any other! Consider watching your own practice video with zero volume and see what your expressions and body language are showcasing . You could ask a friend to watch the video as well and see how they perceive your body. Try practising various other expressions and see the feedback they receive.

6. Interviews can sometimes last really long and sometimes can be very crisp. It becomes important to put forth your answer in such a way that it gives complete details, whether you have less time or more. For this communication skills come to play! Practice answering each question in different lengths of time, short, medium and long. Just be sure that your shortest answer must not skip any key-points. And your longest doesn't shift focus from the main concept. In this case soft skills training also will help a great deal.

7. Mock and be the interviewer and ask a friend to answer the questions instead. It really helps a great deal to be on the other side and observe what you expect and how they would like you to answer the question.

8. Have loads of fun! Look at it as an opportunity to to explore and learn. There is no point in being dead serious anyway! Always put a smile on your face and carry a positive spirit, even when you practice. Your good mood can influence others so keep the positive energy coming.

Placement School

Read More