Biodata, resume or curriculum Vittae (part 2)

So now that we have seen what can go wrong with the bio-data let us examine how to prepare a correct bio-data.

1. Ask yourself what is the objective of sending the bio-data. The basic objective is to introduce yourself. The bio-data should be used as a tantalizing weapon. It should arouse interest in the candidate but should not give out too much information. If the bio-data gives out too much information the company may not want to call you for an interview. The idea is to create interest and leading to a face-to-face interview.

2. A bio-data should present information that shows the candidate in the best light akin the soft focus of a camera. If you have scored consistency high GPA mention it. If there is too much variance in the GPA just mention your academic qualifications.

3. Don't try to hide information. If there is a gap between your grade 12 and the diploma or the degree mention it and don't wait for the interviewer to point it out to you.

4. Be very careful about the spellings. The name of the company where you are working or the company were you have done your project should be spelt out correctly. Also take care that there are no grammatical errors and that your punctuation is correct.

5. No bio-data should be submitted with out giving at lest two references. The references are people of eminence who can vouch for the details that you have given in the bio-data. Usually relatives and immediate family should not be given out as references. Give your teachers and head of the department name or names of people who know you well as references. It is considered proper etiquette to give copies of your bio-data to your references so that if an enquiry is made about you, the references can vouch for you based on your bio-data available with them. The reference's telephone numbers (both office and residence) should be furnished. The timing to contact then at office and at residence should be specified.

6. The structure of the bio-data is very important. The font used should be readable and the matter should be justified. Bold, centering, underlining and indents can be used to highlight the important points.

7. Coming to the content part. The following should definitely be present in any bio-data.

- Name of the candidate :

- Age :

- Sex :

- father's name :

- Address :

- Telephone number  & e-mail :

Career objective : career objective should be mentioned very briefly and lucidly

Academic qualifications: Starting from the from recent one work your way to the back. Mention course, college, university or board, subjects studied, year of passing and the GPA. Also mention awards or ranks or any certificates of excellence.

Other qualifications: Other or extra qualifications like computer language skills, proficiency certificates or courses undergone can be mentioned.

Extracurricular activities: If you are good at any sport, games or if involved in debating, elocution or other activities, mention them. Care should be taken to mention only those activities that will enhance your attractiveness to the company.

Hobbies: Hobbies which are intellectually stimulating can be mentioned like collecting profiles of famous CEOs. Watching football is hardly a stimulating hobby!.

Project: If you have done a project mention it. Title of the project, guide's name, the objectives of the study and the results can be given briefly. This is very important because most probably project is the only original work done by you in your entire academic life. Most candidates would be grilled in the interview on their project. So score as many points as possible in project work.

References: Mention at least two eminent person's references

At the bottom of the bio-data it is important that you mention the place, date and sign the bio-data. As far as possible send only fresh printouts of your bio-data. If fresh printouts are not possible take GOOD photocopies. There is nothing more annoying than badly photocopied bio-data smelling of cheap chemicals. You could also try taking printouts on different colored papers or even on hand made paper. This would create an immediate impression and your bio-data would immoderately stand out.

Finally the covering letter becomes very important. Covering letter should always be an original letter and should never be a photocopy. The covering letter should be written in simple English mentioning the advertisement and the post to which you are applying for, the code number of the post if given. Also mention that you are enclosing your bio-data. Close the covering letter with polite thanks. That's about it. Let us hope that you would use the above tips in crossing the first barrier to enter into a big corporation.

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.