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June 13, 2010

Biodata, resume or curriculum Vittae (part 1)


How many times have we heard the words bio-data, resume, or curriculum Vittae and wondered what it mean? Many jokes are cracked about the word bio-data. He carries his bio-data in his pocket. His bio-data is updated every week etc. Let us see what is a bio-data and how is it useful.

Bio-data is the person's identity card or the first application that introduces the person to the company or the interested person. The different types of bio-data are job bio-data, marriage bio-data, social bio-data, etc. Whatever is the type of bio-data the basic objective of any bio-data is to introduce the person.

Let us remember that in the modern dog-eat-dog world, the competition is very severe and cutthroat. Some famous companies get thousands of bio-data in a single day. So one has to consciously work to make one's bio-data as attractive as possible.

It is relevant to mention an example here. Knowing that many people are applying for a coveted job an applicant applying for a post in a famous advertising agency sent a potato as his bio-data saying very crispy "I want to be a potato in your organization". He was called to the interview and asked what he meant by that outrageous statement. The candidate replied" Sure sir, A potato is a very versatile vegetable, it can be used in any dish, it can be used to enrich any dish and it gives lots of energy. So like a potato, you will find me very versatile and I would fit into any department and I would be very versatile". Needless to say, he got the job.

One more innovative way of introducing oneself was tried in the USA where a bright youngster booked time on cable television dressed himself and showed himself on the TV talking about his strengths and weaknesses.

But most of the time, we have to limit ourselves to the old and trusted printed bio-data. The company that invites applications for any post usually gets many applications for the post. So what is the basis of filtration? Let us face the first shock. Nearly 75% to 80% of the bio-data are rejected outright on the following basis.

Candidates submitting bio-data filled on ready-made forms available at stationery shops. Submitting of Biodata on ready-made forms indicates very low level of interest from the candidate side.

Badly photocopied bio-data. photocopied bio-data are an indication of multiple applications being sent out

Not adhering to the standards being set by the company. Not sending the photograph when asked for, not submitting the photocopy of marks sheets, not sending testimonials, or not getting the photocopies attested.

Not sending a cover letter. A cover letter is important and it personalizes the application.

Making silly mistakes. The usual ones are the wrongly spelled-out names of the company or the person to whom the letter is addressed etc. Don't expect the company to send you a call letter when you can't even spell the company's name properly.

The cover enclosing the bio-data is stuck with too much gum and this irritates the person who is opening the bio-data and this might result in a torn bio-data.

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