Radio Mango Interview

Had the privilege of a Radio Mango Interview - 96.2 FM (Dubai), on the 27th of January 2015. Here are some excerpts from the interview. RJ Nithya Ravindran was the interviewer.

Radio Mango Interview

Read the Radio Mango Interview excerpts below:

1. How many pages long should a CV be?

Ans. 1: Ideally, considering that a recruiter does not have much time to read every CV, the number of pages should be restricted to around 3. However, certain profiles like project manager etc. need to list their projects too. So that can take up an extra page.

2. What is considered as the ideal order and flow of details on a CV? What information is needed and what is unnecessary? (How much of detail is ok?)

Ans. 2: The first and foremost information on a CV should be the Objective that should clearly state the job position/ title you are looking for and your strongest skills that justify that role.

Most people write about their soft skills like, "I am a hard working and honest person and would like to work for an organization that would help me grow both professionally and personally".

Here's a hard fact. A recruiter who is paid by the organization to pick the best candidate is not interested in the candidates development. He is looking at the best fit for the organization. So, instead write about your skills and capabilities on the basis of which you are applying.

As an example, here is an Objective of a Human Resources Director, "HR Director with exceptional consultative approach delivering optimal solutions to HR needs, demonstrating high performance standards with astute attention to details and deadlines, producing quality results. Polished and professional interpersonal relationships and communication skills, delivering best results in diverse teams to achieve goals.".

3. Does having a picture make a difference? Also, what should the font used and it's size be?

Ans. 3: Yes in the GCC it does make a difference to add the picture. Certain roles/ jobs are reserved for certain communities/ nationalities, so by looking at the picture one knows whether you are a good fit.

4.  How mandatory are references? How many personal, how many professional?

Ans. 4: References are not required on a CV at all. They should be provided during the interview session.

5. There are so many who have spent on getting a professional CV made, yet haven’t got a job. What do you think went wrong there?

Ans. 5: A CV is a sales letter that sells your skills. However, if it does not reach the targeted audience, in this case, the recruiters, then there is no interview call. This is just 1 reason. Recruiters in the GCC receive CV's from millions of people across the world, looking at tax-free income and a better, progressive lifestyle. So, for every job vacancy there might be thousands of people applying. It is easy to get lost in the crowd.

6. Rates of making a professional CV?

Ans. 6: Rates depend upon the level you are at. Click the link given below as per your number of years of work experience:

Entry Level (0 - 2 Years Career Experience)

Junior Professional Level (2 - 5 Years Career Experience)

Mid Level Professional (5 - 8 Years Career Experience)

Senior Professional Level (8 - 40 Years Career Experience)

Executive Level (C-Level, MD, VP, Director, Lawyer, Doctor, Investor, etc.)

Radio Mango Interview continued...

7. What is the 1st thing an HR professional looks at on a candidates CV?

Ans. 7: The first thing an HR professional looks at is the candidates latest/ last work roles and achievements.

8.  Do HR professionals actually reject a potential candidate just because his CV did not look good? (i.e. not even giving him a chance on round 2)?

Ans. 8: Yes it does happen. If a person cannot take the time to create a proper CV that makes it easy to read, without spelling mistakes etc. then how do you think he/ she will do justice to the job he is being employed for?

9. CV Writing, CV Posting, CV Distribution – can you differentiate / elaborate please?

Ans. 9: CV Writing is creating a document with your career and professional details. CV Posting is where we create an online profile and post your CV onto some of the leading job boards and job portals in the GCC region. CV Distribution is where we register you with the leading employers in the sector of your choice.

10. How do you work? Payment, method, etc.

Ans. 10: After payment is confirmed, I send out an Interview Questionnaire to be filled up. Now this is a method that I have polished to perfection over the years. I need the Interview Questionnaire filled up accurately.Once that is done, I communicate with the client via email, Skype, or phone to see if we are on the same lines. When I begin writing the CV, I have all the information in front of me, so there is no loss of information and I am able to portray every detail into the new CV.

11. Literal talent v/s CV – what wins before the final deciding round?

Ans. 11: Obviously "literal talent". But to get there, a good CV that gets noticed is required, since that is the 1st step to an interview call.

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