October 27

Tips inside

2011

Exam tips

Interview tips

Memory techniques tips

Cv tips

Top 16 exam tips :

1. Get a normal nights sleep before the examination date 2. Reach exam centre early and relax or discuss with close friends 3. Read the question paper and the instructions thoroughly. Mark the questions which you find you can answer. 4. Ask the invigilator for clarifications, if any. 5. Make a rough time scheme and decide how much time you should allot to each question. 6. Leave 15 minutes at the end to review the answers and make corrections, as needed. 7. Before you start on any particular question, make sure you understand it/interpret it correctly. 8. Answer the easiest and shortest question first. 9. Answers should be brief and conforming to what is asked in the question. 10. Clearly understand the difference between the usages Define, Distinguish, Compare, List, Enumerate, Explain, Write short notes on, Differentiate, Sketch and explain etc. 11. If you get stuck up , proceed to the next question and come back at the end if there is time. 12. Leave a margin of 3 cm at the left side of the answer sheet, if there is no printed margin. 13. Mark the question numbers clearly in the left margin. 14. ORGANISE YOUR ANSWER SHEET: write legibly; use reasonably large size letters; dont cram; space the lines reasonably apart; use a lined sheet below the answer sheet to ensure steady writing; use pen or dot pen with reasonably thick writing point; use blue black ink; do not use washable ink; use pencil and instruments for drawing figures, tables etc. 15. Indicate your numerical answers clearly and with proper units

Eg. Maximum stress = 23000 kN/mm2 . Ans

15 paper.

Re-read your paper and make corrections, if needed, before you hand over the

16. Never do any post mortem on examination till the last exam is over. Go home and prepare for the next examination.

INTERVIEW TIPS :

Before your interview find out what you can about the company. Use the Internet for research and make yourself aware of issues in the news about the company concerned. Prepare some good answers to the questions your interviewers might ask you. Try to anticipate the general questions which will be asked and prepare some questions to ask the interviewer. Remember to find out whether this company can offer you the career you are looking for. To do well at the interview you will need to convince your interviewer that you are technically qualified to do the job and you will also need to show that you are sufficiently motivated to get the job done, and that you will fit well within the company's organizational structure and the team in which you will work. Your Echo consultant will help with interview technique advice prior to interview.

Preparation:

It is vital to arrive adequately prepared for interview, with sufficient knowledge about the company. Time spent prior to the interview researching the organization will pay off on the day. In order to approach the interview successfully you should also carry out a mini selfassessment of your professional profile and experience to date, the qualifications you possess and where you want to go with your career. Write down a few points about your strengths and weaknesses so that you have a clear idea of what to say (or not) in the interview.

Examples to consider:

> Self-confidence > Leadership by example > Commitment and determination > Enthusiasm and stamina > Good judgment and confident decision-making > Willing to take responsibility > Initiative and creativity > Organizational ability > Sensitivity to people

Ask yourself:

> In which areas can I really improve? > What were the tasks and situations I had the most difficulty with? > In which instances did my colleagues react negatively towards me? > Why am I leaving my present job? These could be some of the questions asked at the interview and this task will help you formulate suitable answers.

Essential Interview Dos and Don'ts:

> DO smile and maintain good eye contact throughout > DO dress conservatively > DO come prepared with a list of questions to ask - showing an interest in the company with intelligent questions is the best way to impress > DON'T answer questions with just a "yes" or "no" - always back up answers with examples > DON'T be the first one to bring up the subject of salary The most important thing to take with you to the interview is a positive attitude. Remind yourself that you have been short-listed from many other applicants; therefore you stand a pretty good chance of getting the job.

Memory techniques tips

The art of true memory is the art of attention. Samuel Johnson

Your brain never loses anything. Once it is put in your memory, it remains there for the rest of your life. What we call forgetting is either the inability to recall stored information or the failure to store information.

Memory techniques:

ORGANISE IT

1. Learn from the general to the specific.

Scan through the whole book and get an idea of the course content. Then start learning chapter by chapter or section by section.

1. Make it meaningful.

How much this mechanics course relates to your goal of becoming a mechanical engineer? When the information helps you to get something you want, it is easier to remember that. 2. Create associations

Think of something related to the topic and create associations with it. This helps the memory process.

USE YOUR BODY 3. Learn it once, actively.

Involve your body the first time you learn something. Sit up, sit on the edge of your chair or walk while studying. Some believe that the brain works better in a standing position. 4. Relax

When we are relaxed ,we absorb new information quicker and recall it with greater accuracy. 5. Create pictures

Use diagrams and cartoons to connect facts and illustrate relationships. 6. Recite and repeat

When you recite something aloud, you anchor the information by hearing and by seeing. The combined result is synergetic. When you repeat something, you create a trail through the pathways of your brain, making the information easier to find 7. Write it down.

Writing a note to yourself helps you to remember an idea, even if you never look at the note again.

USE YOUR BRAIN 8. Reduce interference

Dont sit near a TV or a refrigerator while studying. These may distract you.

9. Escape the short term memory gap.

A short review within minutes or hours of a study session can move material from the short term memory to the long term memory. 10. Distribute learning

Marathon study sessions are not very effective. You can get far more done in three one hour

sessions than in one three hour session. Change subject of study after one hour to a new subject. 11. Beware of attitudes

People who believe that math is difficult will have difficulty in remembering maths. We remember what we find interesting. 12. Use daylight for study

Study the most difficult subjects during day hours. The early morning hours can be more productive for most people. 13. Overlearn

Learn more than what is needed. Do the assigned problems and then do more problems. 14. Choose what not to store in memory

Decide what is essential to remember from a reading assignment or lecture . Extract the core concepts. Then apply the memory techniques to those concepts . 15. Combine memory techniques

Choose two or three techniques to use on a particular assignment. Experiment for yourself with these techniques.

RECALL IT 16. Remember something else

When you are stuck up and cant remember something you know you know, remember something else that is related to it. If you cant remember your aunts name, then try to remember your great aunts name.

18. Notice when you do remember

Some people are best at remembering information they have read. Others remember best what they have seen, heard or done. Notice your style and follow it.

19. Use it before you lose it

To remember something, access it a lot. Read it, write it, speak it, listen to it, apply it.

20. And remember you never forget

Develop a strong belief that you will never forget it. Keep saying my memory serves me well . Or even I never forget.

Cv tips :

Two pages are usually long enough for a CV. Reverse chronological order is best.

It should be aimed at selling yourself to the recruiter in less than 30 seconds. It pays to have a clear idea of what you are aiming for. Make notes about your strengths and weaknesses, areas you have excelled in, your ideal work environment and your mid to long term professional goals.

Here are a few suggested guidelines:

Page 1 The summary page should make an immediate impact on the recruiter, it comprises of the following:

A descriptive profile: A descriptive profile of your professional status (e.g. Credit Manager, backed up by key features of your professional career and also including your immediate ambitions.) This is punchy, precise and no longer than a few sentences.

Key skills:

Listed as bullet points. Eight points is usually enough and they are relevant to the particular position and concisely written. This includes your formal training (e.g. MICM membership) and also workplace acumen such as proven skilful negotiator. Do quantify your results (e.g. "reduced 'debtor days' from 65 to 39)".

Achievements: Again, three bullet points of your significant achievements are fine. Recent job experience: with job title, Company name and the date you started. This is followed by a twosentence description of the role and about six bullet points of your key responsibilities, tasks and achievements in the role.

GET PROFESSIONAL HELP IN CV MAKING

Page 2 Secondary work experience and qualifications can appear on the second page. If you have a long, important, career history then you can indulge yourself onto a third page. Details of jobs held more than 10 years ago, minute details of your present job, reasons for leaving a previous job, current and past salaries and details of referees can all be left out. Don't forget, less is more! Avoid squeezing too much onto one page. Use white space to effect and choose a font that is pleasing on the eye.

If you are happy with your CV, remember: > It is a script for talking about yourself. > It must highlight your achievements and how they relate to the job you are applying for.

It is a good idea to be able to talk about the items in your CV because naturally you will be asked about them. The purpose of the CV is to get an interview. Other tips:

Personal Details Name, address, contact telephone numbers day, evening and mobile, e-mail address, date of birth, nationality, gender, driving license, vehicle owner, willingness to relocate... Put Educational details in Reverse Chronological order Detailed information on grades for O-Level or GCSE is not required. Just state the number of exams passed, grades A - C, including Maths or English. Interests and Achievements This gives you an opportunity to portray something about your personality and what you do in your free time. Only mention achievements that are recent. References There is no need to write the details of your referees on the CV, simply state that references are available on request.

RESUME MAKING AT AFFORDABLE RATES

CV Dos & Don'ts:

> Do put on your CV your employment and education in reverse chronological order. > Create your CV on a Word Document for emailing. Use clear crisp font, and avoid unnecessary graphics, colour or special effects. > Do provide a covering letter stating why you would be applicable for the position.

> Do tailor your CV for the position you are applying to. e.g. for a credit controller role, explain why previous customer base and market place experience is relevant to the role for which you are applying. > Do always quantify your success where possible e.g. (Saved the company 50,000 in interest payments through improvements to cash flow). > Make your CV easy on the eye, with lots of white space. > Do use bullet points when providing a description. Restrict yourself to five or six points. >Do highlight headings such as personal details, etc. Don'ts > Don't waffle or use long words for the sake of it . > Don't write in conversational tone - use third person. > Don't list your school qualifications in too much detail, unless you are a fresh graduate. > Don't leave career gaps - if you have spent time traveling, say so. > Don't lie!

By : Sanjay Sharma B.Tech. civil Email : [email protected]