BLI-225

Communication Skills
Indira Gandhi
National Open University
School of Social Sciences

Block

2
PREPARING FOR JOB INTERVIEW
UNIT 4
Your Profile 5
UNIT 5
Preparing Your Portfolio 18
UNIT 6
Preparing Your Resume/Curriculum Vitae 31
UNIT 7
The Job Interview 41
Programme Design Committee
Prof. Uma Kanjilal (Chairperson) Prof. S.B. Ghosh, Retired Professor
Faculty of LIS, SOSS, IGNOU Faculty of LIS, SOSS, IGNOU
Prof. B.K.Sen, Retired Scientist Prof. T. Viswanathan
NISCAIR, New Delhi Retired Director, NISCAIR, New Delhi
Prof. K.S. Raghavan, DRTC Dr. Zuchamo Yanthan
Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore Faculty of LIS, SOSS, IGNOU
Prof. Krishan Kumar, Retired Professor Conveners:
Dept. of LIS, University of Delhi, Delhi
Dr. Jaideep Sharma
Prof. M.M. Kashyap, Retired Professor Faculty of LIS, SOSS, IGNOU
Dept. of LIS, University of Delhi, Delhi
Prof. Neena Talwar Kanungo
Prof. R.Satyanarayana Faculty of LIS, SOSS, IGNOU
Retired Professor, Faculty of LIS, SOSS
IGNOU
Dr. R. Sevukan
(Former Faculty Member) Faculty of LIS
SOSS, IGNOU

Programme Coordinators Course Coordinator

Prof. Jaideep Sharma and Prof. Neena Talwar Kanungo Dr. Zuchamo Yanthan

Course Preparation Team

Unit No(s) Unit Writer(s) Course Editor
4-7 Mr. P Jayarajan Prof. Anju Sahgal Gupta
Revised by
Prof. Anju Sahgal Gupta
Internal Faculty
Dr. Zuchamo Yanthan

Print Production Secretarial Assistance Cover Design

Mr. Manjit Singh Ms. Premlata Lingwal Ms. Ruchi Sethi
Section Officer (Pub.) P.A., School of Humanities Web Designer
SOSS, IGNOU, New Delhi IGNOU, New Delhi E Gyankosh, IGNOU

October, 2013 (Second Revised Edition)

 Indira Gandhi National Open University, 2013
ISBN-978-
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BLOCK 2 PREPARING FOR JOB
INTERVIEW
Introduction
The whole process of job-hunting is often long-drawn and anxiety-ridden. We
may have fears such as “What should I include in my CV?” “How should I
prepare for my interview?” “What questions will be asked?” “Will I be able to
answer them?” and so on. Our attempt in this Block has been to answer some of
your fears and doubts.
The first thing you should have in front of you is your profile – what are you
interested in, what has been your career so far, what is your education, etc. You
should collect all your achievements, projects and other relevant work that you
have done from time-to-time, this would be your portfolio. The information
from the profile and portfolio will help you write your curriculum vitae (CV).
Finally, you need to prepare for the interview.
All the units in this Block will address all your questions and needs. The units
are as follows:
Unit 4 : Your Profile
Unit 5 : Preparing Your Portfolio
Unit 6 : Preparing Your Resume /Curriculum Vitae
Unit 7 : The Job Interview
Acknowledgement
The material (Picture and passages) we have used is purely for educational
purposes. Every effort has been made to trace the copyright holders of material
reproduced in this book. Should any infringement occurred, the publishers and
editors apologize and will be pleased to make necessary corrections in future
editions of this book.
Preparing for Job Interview

4
 Your Profile
UNIT 4 YOUR PROFILE
Structure
4.0 Objectives
4.1 Warm Up
4.2 Reading Comprehension: Profile of Ranganathan
4.3 Vocabulary: Qualities
4.4 Listening
4.5 Speaking: Self-Profile
4.6 Importance of Profiles
4.7 Writing Your Profile
4.8 Grammar: Simple Past Tense
4.9 Pronunciation
4.10 Summary
4.11 Answers to Self Check Exercises
4.12 Answers to Activities
4.13 References and Further Reading

4.0 OBJECTIVES
This Unit will help you to understand the importance of personal profiles. This
will guide you to write your own profile. This Unit discusses the kind of
information that should be included in a profile and also provides tips on profile
writing. Personal profiles are an important tool while applying for jobs, and it is
important that you get it right.

4.1 WARM UP
Read the following conversation between two friends, Amir and Salman, who
are both looking for a job:
Salman : You know, our final year of college is almost getting over, and I am
so confused about my future. I don’t know what kind of a job I
want. What about you?
Amir : I know that I want a job with a decent salary.
Salman : But you must be having some job objectives?
Amir : My objectives are very simple. I want job security and also the
opportunity to do well in life.
Salman : But everyone tells me that I should have long-term as well as short-
term goals.
Amir : I think that’s a good way of planning our future.
Now enact a role-play. One of you takes the role of Salman and the other of
Amir. You may add to the conversation with your own questions and answers.
5
Preparing for Job Interview
4.2 READING COMPREHENSION: PROFILE OF
RANGANATHAN
Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan is considered to be the father of library science
in India. He was born on August 9, 1892 in Shiyali, Tamil Nadu. He belonged to
a middle-class family in British-ruled India. He was an innovative mathematician
and a librarian. His most notable contributions to the field were his five laws of
library science and the development of the first major analytico-synthetic
classification system, the Colon Classification.

Education and Early Career

Ranganathan began his professional life as a mathematician; he earned B.A. and
M.A. degrees in mathematics from Madras Christian College. His lifelong goal
was to teach mathematics, and he was successively a member of the mathematics
faculties at universities in Mangalore, Coimbatore and Madras (all within the
span of five years). As a mathematics professor, he published a handful of papers,
most on mathematics history.

In 1923, the University of Madras created the post of University Librarian to

oversee their poorly organised collection. Among the 900 applicants for the
position, none had any formal training in librarianship, and Ranganathan’s few
papers satisfied the search committee’s requirement that the candidate should
have a research background. His sole knowledge of librarianship came from an
Encyclopaedia Britannica article he read days before the interview.

Ranganathan was initially reluctant to pursue the position (he had forgotten about
his application by the time he was called for an interview). To his own surprise,
he received the appointment and accepted the position in January of 1924.

At first, Ranganathan found the solitude of the position intolerable. In a few

weeks, complaining of total boredom, he went back to the university administration
to beg for his old position back. A deal was struck that Ranganathan would
travel to London, to study contemporary Western practices in librarianship, and
that, if he returned and still rejected librarianship as a career, the mathematics
lectureship would be his again.

Ranganathan traveled to University College in London, which at that time housed

the only graduate degree programme in library science in Britain. At University
College, he earned marks only slightly above average, but his mathematical mind
latched onto the problem of classification, a subject typically taught by rote in
library programmes of the time. As an outsider, he focused on what he perceived
to be flaws with the popular decimal classification, and began to explore new
possibilities on his own. While in England he began drafting the system that was
ultimately to become the Colon Classification. He refined it as he returned home,
even going so far as to reorder the ship’s library on the voyage back to India.

Ranganathan returned with a powerful passion for libraries and librarianship

and a vision of its importance for the Indian nation. He returned to and held the
position of University Librarian at the University of Madras for twenty years.
During that time, he helped to found the Madras Library Association, and lobbied
actively for the establishment of free public libraries throughout India and for
6
the creation of a comprehensive national library.
Ranganathan was considered by many to be a workaholic. During his two decades Your Profile
in Madras, he consistently worked 13-hour a day, seven days a week, without
taking a vacation for the entire time. It was during this period that he produced
what have come to be known as his two greatest legacies: Five Laws of Library
Science (1931) and Colon Classification (1933).

Later Career
After two decades of serving as librarian at Madras University, a post he had
intended to keep until his retirement, Ranganathan retired from his position after
conflicts with a new university Vice-Chancellor became intolerable. At the age
of 54, he submitted his resignation. After a brief bout of depression, he accepted
a professorship in library science in August 1945 at the Banaras Hindu University.
This was to be his last formal academic position. There, he cataloged the
university’s collection; by the time he left four years later, he had classified over
100,000 items personally.

Ranganathan headed the Indian Library Association from 1944 to 1953, but was
never a particularly adept administrator, and left amid controversy when the
Delhi Public Library chose to use the Dewey Decimal Classification system
instead of his own Colon Classification. He held an honorary professorship at
Delhi University from 1949 to 1955 and helped build that institution’s library
science programmes with S. Das Gupta, a former student of his.

Ranganathan’s final major achievement was the establishment of the Documentation

Research and Training Centre in Bangalore in 1962, where he served as honorary
director for five years. In 1965, he was honored by the Indian government for his
contributions to the field with the title of “National Research Professor.”

On 27 September 1972, Ranganathan died of complications from bronchitis.

Ranganathan’s autobiography, published serially during his life, is titled A
Librarian Looks Back. (Adapted from the internet sites).

Self Check Exercise

Note: i) Write your answers at the space given below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
1) How did Ranganathan become the university librarian even though he was
a mathematician?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
2) Why was Ranganathan initially reluctant to pursue his career as a University
Librarian?
......................................................................................................................
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...................................................................................................................... 7
Preparing for Job Interview 3) Why did Ranganathan go to London?
......................................................................................................................
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......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
4) What was the impact on Ranganathan of his experience at University College
London?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
5) Did the transformation that Ranganathan experienced prove beneficial for
India? If yes, explain how.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
6) Read the information about Ranganathan and complete the table given below:
Date and place of birth
Education
Early career
Additional qualification
Later career
Major achievements
Honours
Personal qualities

4.3 VOCABULARY: QUALITIES

Successful communication depends a lot on your grasp of vocabulary, i.e. words.
You should use the right word at the right place. To enable you to do that, you
need to know the meanings of as many words as possible. Building your word
power will help you throughout your life, while communicating, whether in the
written or oral mode. It is a good practice to write down the words whose meaning
is unknown to you, whenever you come across one. Later consult a good dictionary
8
and look at those words and write down their meanings. In this way you can Your Profile
strengthen your vocabulary gradually.

Activity
1) Look at the following jumbled words, taken from the profile of Bill Gates.
Put these in the appropriate group presented below. You may add your own
words to each of these groups.

Leadership, revenue, internet, access, visionary, BASIC, fiscal year,

chairman, organisation, personal computer, language, Microsoft,
programming, software, foresight, cost-effective, philanthropic, global
company.

Software

Computers

Leadership

Personal Qualities

Commerce/Business

Revenue

9
Preparing for Job Interview From the list given, say which three qualities from each list are important for a
librarian. Why are they important according to you?

Computers Personal qualities Business

……………………… ……………………… ………………………
……………………… ……………………… ………………………
……………………… ……………………… ………………………

4.4 LISTENING
Activity
2) Listen to Arthi Mathur’s profile and fill in the information about her:
i) Her educational background.
...............................................................................................................
ii) Did she have any work experience, if so what?
...............................................................................................................
iii) What are her main achievements?
...............................................................................................................
iv) What are her future plans?
...............................................................................................................
v) Hobbies and interests.
...............................................................................................................
vi) Something about her family.
...............................................................................................................

4.5 SPEAKING: SELF-PROFILE

Activity
3) You have listened to your friend talking about himself/herself. Now you
have to give a brief self-profile to a group of people who do not know much
about you. Use the following hints while speaking about yourself:
• Give your full name, age, etc.
• Tell something about your educational background
• Include highlights of your career
• Say what you wish to do in life
• Talk about your special achievements
• Describe your strengths and weaknesses
• Talk about your hobbies and interests
While presenting your self- profile, keep a watch on the body language of the
audience to check if they are listening. If not, try to cut a joke or pose one or two
interesting questions to the audience. At the end of your presentation, while
10
interacting with members of the audience you will be able to get an idea if they Your Profile
have actively listened to your presentation or not.

4.6 IMPORTANCE OF PROFILES

Cyberspace has become the main medium for communication, replacing traditional
face-to-face communication and even communication over the telephone. In the
era of cyberspace communication, it is critical that personal profiles are written
well. During face-to-face communication other clues and cues are present. You
can hear the other’s voice, tone, see their body language, notice how they dress
and present themselves to the world. All these factors and many more flood our
senses and help flesh out our mental picture of the other.

Only old fashioned “letters” come close to e-mail communication. And even
then, one gets a chance to know more about the person from clues such as
handwriting, choice of stationery and the writing implement.

While preparing your profile you should keep in mind that you will be sending
your profile primarily via e-mail.

Tips for Preparing your Profile

Make sure that your profile is perfect: no spelling mistakes or grammatical
mistakes. Check spelling and punctuation, and avoid using abbreviations. If at
all you have to use abbreviations, give its expanded form when you use it first.
Use capital letters correctly; there are rules on when and how capital letters should
be used.

The recipient may use your profile for a variety of purposes, such as
o To short list for a job
o To place you in a ranked list
o To use it during an interview
o To check how honest you are
Keep a watch on the length of your profile! If it is too long it is likely that many
won’t read it fully. It is better to keep it short, say not more than one page, broken
into 3 or 4 paragraphs. Highlight words/sentences which you think should not
miss the attention of whoever reads it. Keep the language simple and sentences
short.

4.7 WRITING YOUR PROFILE

A profile should include aspects such as the following.
• Major achievements, as a student and /or employee. (should have evidence
to produce, if asked for, so don’t bluff!).
• Skills and competencies you want to highlight ( do not include your
qualifications here).
• Hobbies, if any ( write about serious hobbies only, it is very likely that you
will be asked more on this at the time of interview).
• Long term goals ( be realistic on this).
11
Preparing for Job Interview First note down the points you want to highlight in your profile. It could be any
from the above list, or even something outside it. After that, group these into
three or four sets. Decide which set you want to put first, then second, third and
fourth. Write a few brief sentences on each of the points you have noted. Read it,
make corrections where needed, spell check and grammar check on your
computer. Use a dictionary in case of doubt. Show the profile to one of your
friends or teachers or someone whose English is good and has knowledge about
business communication. Incorporate their suggestions if you think fit. Use good
typeface and type size.

Activity
4) Write a profile of yourself on the basis of the four points given.
......................................................................................................................
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4.8 GRAMMAR: SIMPLE PAST TENSE

Self Check Exercise
Note: i) Write your answer at the space given below.
ii) Check your answer with the answer given at the end of this Unit.
7) Tick (√) mark the sentences which are correct. Say why the others are wrong.
i) Before language was invented, people have used gestures to convey
information and feelings.
ii) I go to a very interesting seminar last week.
iii) Yesterday, a fire broke out in a cloth shop.
iv) The fire has destroyed all the other shops in the market.
v) The door opened suddenly and armed men rushed in.
vi) Did you check the figure?
Form:
The Simple past (positive) is formed by using the past tense form. Regular verbs
add –d or –ed to the bare infinitive to form the past tense. For negatives and
questions we use the auxiliary did and the infinitive.
12
I/you/he/she/it/we/they worked / did not (didn’t) work. Your Profile

Did I/you/he/she/it/we/they work? (Yes, I/you/etc. did/No, I/you/etc. didn’t.)

The verb to be follows a different pattern.

I/he/she/it was/was not (wasn’t)…
We/you/they were/were not (weren’t)…
Was I/he/she/it …? (Yes, I/he/she/it was. / No, I/he/she/it wasn’t.)
Were we/you/they …? (Yes, we/you/they were. /No, we/you/they weren’t.)
Functions:
We use the Simple Past Tense for an action or an event that occurred at a definite
time in the past and is over at the time of speaking. Adverbs of time are commonly
used:
Yesterday on Monday last week in the 1960s
at 6:30 in January a few days ago

Examples:
1) To his own surprise, Ranganathan received the appointment and accepted
the position in January 1924.
2) Ranganathan briefly moved to Zurich, Switzerland, from 1955 to 1957
We use the simple past to refer to an action which took place over a period of
time in the past, or which took place regularly and repeatedly, but is over now.
• William (Bill) H. Gates was the Chairman of Microsoft Corporation.
• Ranganathan began his professional career as a Mathematician.
Self Check Exercise
Note: i) Write your answers at the space given below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
8) Fill in the blanks with the correct past tense forms of the verbs given in
brackets:

William (Bill) H. Gates 1…….(be) the Chairman of Microsoft Corporation,

the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions, that helps people
and businesses realise their full potential. Microsoft 2…………(have)
revenues of US$ 55.12 billion for the fiscal year ending June 2007.

On June 15, 2006, Microsoft 3………………(announce) that effective July

2008 Gates will move out of a day-to-day role in the company and spend
more time on his global health and education work at the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation.

Born on October 28, 1955, Gates 4………..(grow) up in Seattle with his

two sisters. Their father, William H. Gates II, is a Seattle attorney. Their late
mother, Mary Gates, 5……..(be) a schoolteacher, University of Washington
Regent, and Chairwoman of United Way International.

13
Preparing for Job Interview Gates 6………..(attend) a public elementary school and the private Lakeside
School. There, he 7………….(discover) his interest in software and
8
…………….. (begin) programming computers at age 13.

In 1973, Gates9……………(enter) Harvard University as a freshman. While

at Harvard, Gates10……………..(develop) a version of the programming
language BASIC for the first microcomputer − the MITS Altair.

In his junior year, Gates11……….(leave) Harvard to devote his energies to

Microsoft, a company he12…………….(found) in 1975 with his childhood
friend Paul Allen.

9) Write a short paragraph of about 10 lines about your father’s career, giving
dates where possible.

For example:
My father’s name is Shri Virender Sahgal. He went to University in 1953,
where he studied Architecture. He graduated in 1958 and started his own
architecture firm.
......................................................................................................................
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4.9 PRONUNCIATION
Listen to these words and repeat them after the teacher.
• Profile
• Global health
• Architecture
• Seattle
• Harvard University
• Valuable tool
• Foresight
• Vision
• Mission
• Non-profit organisation
14
 Your Profile
4.10 SUMMARY
A personal profile should be a true description of you, what you are, how you
reached where you are now and where you want to go from here and why. It is an
opportunity to highlight your achievements, your contributions and to show how
different you are from others. Your profile should project a positive image of
yourself. It is a marketing tool; you should use your profile to market yourself.
Make sure it is perfect in all respects.

4.11 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES

1) Ranganathan’s lifelong goal was to teach mathematics but when the
University of Madras created the post of University Librarian in 1923 to
oversee their poorly organised collection, he applied for the position along
with 900 other applicants. Though he did not have any formal training in
librarianship, Ranganathan’s few published papers satisfied the search
committee’s requirement that the candidate should have a research
background. This facilitated his appointment as the University librarian.

2) Ranganathan was initially reluctant as he did not have the required

qualification or adequate knowledge for the position of a librarian. His sole
knowledge of librarianship came from an Encyclopaedia Britannica article
he read days before the interview.

3) Ranganathan found the solitude of the position of librarian intolerable. When

he went back to the university administration to beg for his old position
back, a deal was struck that Ranganathan would travel to London, to study
contemporary Western practices in librarianship, and that, if he returned
and still rejected librarianship as a career, the mathematics lectureship would
be his again. He then traveled to University College in London, which at
that time housed the only graduate degree programme in library science in
Britain.

4) At University College London, though Ranganathan did not excel academically

his mathematical mind latched onto the problem of classification, a subject
typically taught by rote in library programmes of the time. As an outsider,
he focused on what he perceived to be flaws with the popular decimal
classification, and began to explore new possibilities on his own. He began
drafting the system that was ultimately to become the Colon Classification.
He refined it as he returned home, even going so far as to reorder the ship’s
library on the voyage back to India. He returned with a powerful passion for
libraries and librarianship and a vision of its importance for the Indian nation.

5) The transformation that Ranganathan experienced proved extremely

beneficial for India. He returned to India and held the position of University
Librarian at the University of Madras for twenty years. During that time, he
helped to found the Madras Library Association, and lobbied actively for
the establishment of free public libraries throughout India and for the creation
of a comprehensive national library.

It was during this period that he produced what have come to be known as
his two greatest legacies: Five Laws of Library Science (1931) and Colon
15
Preparing for Job Interview Classification (1933). In 1945 he accepted a professorship in library science
at the Banaras Hindu University. There, he personally catalogued over
100,000 items personally. Ranganathan headed the Indian Library Association
from 1944 to 1953. From 1949 to 1955 he helped build Delhi University’s
library science programmes with S. Das Gupta, a former student of his.

Ranganathan’s final major achievement was the establishment of the

Documentation Research and Training Centre in Bangalore in 1962, where
he served as honorary director for five years. In 1965, he was honored by
the Indian government for his contributions to the field with the title of
“National Research Professor.”

6) Do it yourself.
7) i) Wrong. …….. people used ……….
ii) Wrong. …………….went to …………..
iii) Correct
iv) Wrong. ……………… fire destroyed ………..
v) Correct
vi) Wrong. ……………… check ……………….
8) 1) was, 2) had, 3) announced, 4) grew, 5) was, 6) attended, 7) discovered,
8) began, 9) entered, 10) developed, 11) left, 12) founded
9) Do it yourself.

4.12 ANSWERS TO ACTIVITIES

1) Computers: software, programming, internet, access, BASIC, personal
computer, Microsoft.
Personal qualities: leadership, visionary, philanthropic, foresight.

Commerce/Business: revenue, fiscal year, organisation, cost effective,

global company, chairman.

Text for the audio on Profile

Hi Everybody. I am Arthi Mathur working as a Communications Manager
with a media firm called Convergence. I hail from a place called Jaisalmer
in Rajasthan. I am 27 years old and have spent most of my life in Jaisalmer.
I did my schooling in the Kendriya Vidyalaya. It was for my higher studies
that I moved out of Jaisalmer for the first time. I pursued a Bachelor’s in
Communication Studies and went on to do my Masters at the prestigious
Mudra Institute of Mass Communication (MICA), Ahmedabad.

Since childhood I was fascinated by the colourful world of television and

magazines. I witnessed how cable T.V. revolutionised the lifestyles of Indians.
Be it the 24 hour news channels or the soap operas, the masses couldn’t just
have enough. I realised the immense potential media had in reaching out to
the masses and I wanted to play a role in tapping this potential.

16
 Your Profile
I got the first opportunity when I was selected as the Radio Jockey for MICA’s
Community Radio FM. The primary aim was to create awareness about the
various environmental and social issues prevailing in Ahmedabad and what
the citizens could do to resolve them. It was a platform that helped me interact
with people from all walks of life. This not only enhanced my communication
skills but also helped me keep abreast with the latest environmental and
social issues plaguing the world at large.

Later I got a chance to be on the editorial board of MICA’s monthly newsletter.

This experience sensitised me to the creativity and hard work that goes into
the layout of the newspaper, the editing, the graphic designing etc.

2) Do it yourself.
3) Do it yourself.
4) Do it yourself.

4.13 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

Dignen, B. Communicating in Business English (with Audio CD). Compass
Publishing, 2013. Print.
Samson, T. Business English (With Audio CD). Tata McGraw-Hill Education,
2008, Print.

17
Preparing for Job Interview
UNIT 5 PREPARING YOUR PORTFOLIO
Structure
5.0 Objectives
5.1 Warm Up
5.2 Reading Comprehension: Portfolio
5.3 Vocabulary: Nouns Used as Verbs
5.4 Grammar: Modals Indicating Obligation
5.5 Making Your Own Portfolio
5.6 Listening Comprehension: Portfolio on the Website
5.7 Pronunciation
5.8 Summary
5.9 Answers to Self Check Exercises
5.10 Answers to Activities
5.11 References and Further Reading

5.0 OBJECTIVES
In this Unit, you will learn about the purpose of having a portfolio. It also discusses
the type of material that should be included in a portfolio and the order in which
these should be kept. It also discusses the importance of having a web version of
a portfolio

5.1 WARM UP
Activity
1) Take a look at these pictures. What qualities of a person do you think each
picture highlights?

i) ........................................................
........................................................

ii) ......................................................
......................................................

18
 Preparing Your Portfolio

iii) ......................................................
......................................................

iv) ......................................................
......................................................

v) ......................................................
......................................................

2) Now look at the following character traits and decide which pictures best
represents these traits. You may add some relevant characteristics of your
own.
i) Creativity ii) Dedication
iii) Communication skills iv) Spirit of Competition
v) Teamwork vi) Ambition
vii) Spirit of adventure
3) Make a list of your strengths which you would like to highlight while
applying for a job.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................

19
Preparing for Job Interview
5.2 READING COMPREHENSION: PORTFOLIO
Pre-reading
Before you read the passage on Portfolios, given below, attempt the following
questions. After that, read the passage and check your answers.
1) Is “portfolio” just another name for “resume”?
2) Is “resume” part of “portfolio”?
3) Can pictures be included in a portfolio?
4) How long does it take it take to collect documents for a portfolio?
Normally, when you talk to someone who is preparing for an interview and ask
if his/her portfolio is up-to-date, the response you get is that of bewilderment.
People never think of a portfolio, and more often question the need for one! But
as you can see it is a necessary and useful tool. However, you must always send
your CV or resume.

Portfolio
1) How is a portfolio different from a curriculum vitae or resume?
“Portfolio” is a comparatively recent development in the career
development scene. Called “career portfolio”, it can help you when you
apply for a job.
• A portfolio is not a resume. The first personal document in a portfolio
is the resume.
• It contains tangible evidence of your skills and competencies.
• It may contain graphics relevant to the skills and competencies
required for the purpose.
• A portfolio is not sent out like a resume; it is normally taken along at
the time of an interview.
2) How will you use your portfolio?
You can take it with you if you are attending an interview, to show it to
the interview panel.
OR
You can send it to with your resume, if you are applying for a job.
OR
You can send it to potential employers, along with your resume.
Depending on the purpose, you may need to make minor changes to
your portfolio, for e.g. the sequence in which the items are organised,
whether you need to include everything or only selected portions.
A portfolio is a powerful interviewing tool for all job seekers. It is a
visual presentation of your abilities, skills, competencies, knowledge,
qualities etc., and so it represents your potential. It presents tangible proof
of your skills and competencies.

20
 Preparing Your Portfolio
Physically, it is a collection of things that represent work-related events
in your life. Remember that while pursuing hobbies or volunteer activities,
or simply pursuing your interests, you probably developed skills that can
now be extremely useful in a work-related environment. The portfolio
provides ‘evidence’ of your potential by demonstrating what you have
accomplished in the past.
3) Why is a portfolio worth the work?
A portfolio helps you to :
• Make focused preparation for interviews.
• Convince others of your skills, competencies and abilities pertaining
to the job requirement.
• Showcase and hence communicate your skills clearly.
• Demonstrate the results of your work.
• Establish the habit of documenting your achievements.
• Create a personal database.
• Assess your progress in your career development.
A portfolio can be an important learning tool for students to help them to
assess their learning and to compare it to what the job in question requires.
4) How do you make a portfolio?
First, look at yourself the way the prospective employers would look at
you. Your portfolio should have everything in it that would impress the
employer. The folder/binder, the contents, the organisation of the contents,
accuracy, style, relevance of the contents, etc. should reflect your
personality. Give meticulous attention to everything in the portfolio:
spelling, grammar, language, style.
The items selected for the portfolio should showcase your skills and
competencies and the relevance of these to the job in question. These
should be the very best of your achievements.
Start by developing a portfolio “collection” that contains all of your
artifacts. Include whatever you have achieved, written, developed, created,
earned. The format of these collected items could be a printout, a
photograph, a photocopy, or in digital format, or any other. The items
could include anything such as the following:
• Articles written by you or about you
• Awards /recognitions received by you
• Drawings made by you
• Educational qualifications, copies of certificates etc.
• Letters of commendation
• Letters of reference
• Appropriate photographs
• Presentations, if any made by you
• Training certificates.
21
Preparing for Job Interview
5) Some important Tips
Ensure that the contents of your portfolio are relevant to the job in question
or the purpose for which you are using it, Don’t send everything, just
because you have it!
Include visual examples of your work, if available, e.g. photographs,
drawings.
Use shorter write ups instead of lengthy ones.
Don’t expect a prospective employer to read everything you have sent,
even if you think that everything you have sent is great!

6) Organising the Portfolio

The portfolio should be housed in a smart and sleek binder. The binder
should be neat and orderly and the contents well organised.
Though there is no hard and fast rule about the size of a folder, it is
important to ensure that it is not extra large or too small. About 20 – 25
pages is ideal. This allows you to add or delete documents as per the
requirement.
The normal practice is to put the contents in the folder in chronological
order. However, sometimes it may be better to put the contents according
to their importance − the most important first and the least important
last.
One way to organise a portfolio is as follows:
First section: Index/contents page
This page should give the user of the portfolio a concise overview of
what is contained in the folder. This will enable him/her to look at the
documents of interest, and quickly get an idea about your achievements
etc.
Second section: Your resume or curriculum vitae. This concise
document should include brief information about education, work
experience and other achievements.
Third section: Copies of all certificates, commendations, reference
letters, any other document which is important.
Fourth section: Personal information about you, in brief, including
information on extra-curricular activities, hobbies, etc.
A portfolio, like a resume, should be fluid. Adjustments and re-
organisation will need to be made in it, as and when required depending
on the purpose for which it is used. It is also important to keep the portfolio
updated and complete. Your portfolio gives you the first and the best
opportunity to demonstrate your suitability to a potential employer. So
make sure that you have one which is perfect in every respect.

22
Self Check Exercise Preparing Your Portfolio

Note: i) Write your answers at the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
Read the text on ‘Portfolio’ once again and answer the following questions:
1) Define a portfolio
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
2) What are the basic differences between a portfolio and a resume?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
3) Name four qualities that a portfolio can represent?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
4) How does building a portfolio act as a learning tool for students?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
5) How should artifacts be placed in a portfolio?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
23
Preparing for Job Interview 6) When should a person start collecting artifacts for his/her portfolio?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................

5.3 VOCABULARY: NOUNS USED AS VERBS

Activity
4) Find a word in the text on “Portfolio” that is similar in meaning to each of
the following words/phrases:
i) Results that are easy to see so there is no room for any doubt
ii) Evidence that shows people your abilities
iii) Ornamental objects of no great value
iv) Arranged in order of time of occurrence
v) An object produced or shaped by human craft
vi) An official award or recognition
vii) Expressing much in few words
viii) Coming before.
Look at the following sentence from the passage on “portfolio”.
“The portfolio should be housed in a binder”
As you are aware the verb “housed” is derived from the noun “house”. There are
other such words which are normally nouns but are occasionally used as verbs.
For example: carpet – carpeted, elbow – elbowed.

Activity
5) Fill in the blanks below, with the correct form of the words in the box

motor queue captain carpet pocket

pilot floor butter bud shoulder

i) I want my room ………………….

ii) We ………………….down to Lucknow.
iii) He …………………. the plane in a skillful manner.
iv) Who will …………………. the team?
v) We …………………. up for the tickets.
24
 vi) After his father’s death, he…………………. all responsibilities. Preparing Your Portfolio

vii) Let me …………………. the toast.

viii) Plants …………………. in spring.
ix) He …………………. all the money and left.
x) His last question completely ………………….me.

5.4 GRAMMAR: MODALS INDICATING

OBLIGATION
Modals are auxiliary verbs that indicate the functions of the language. They
express functions such as suggestions, advice, capability, possibility and so on.

In this Unit we will look at the modals which express “suggestions” and
“obligations”
The modals are should, must, have to, have got to, ought to, need to.
Examples:
• However, you must always send your CV or resume.
• Your portfolio should have everything in it that would impress the employer.
• You ought to carry the original copies of your certificates at the interview.

Suggestion Obligation No obligation Prohibition

should must needn’t mustn’t
ought to (strong) have to don’t have to can’t
need to shouldn’t

Self Check Exercise

Note: i) Write your answers at the space given below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
7) Fill in the gaps in the following sentences using the words given below:

should shouldn’t have to/has to don’t have to

must mustn’t need(s)

i) Although you ……………………….. make a portfolio to apply for a

job, it helps to represent your skills and competencies better.
ii) You ……………………….. send/mail your portfolio to the
organisation, but take it with you to the interview.
iii) One ……………………….. preserve and file all records and proofs
of achievement in all fields in order to create an impressive portfolio.
iv) The first document in the portfolio……………………….. be the
resume.
v) The candidate ……………………….. to make adjustments in the
portfolio for each position sought.
25
Preparing for Job Interview vi) One ……………………….. try to dress up the portfolio with
unnecessary frills to make look impressive. It ………………………..
look professional.
vii) It ……………………….. be put in a proper binder as this allows you
to add and delete documents when needed.
8) Choose the correct phrase /words in italics to complete each of the following
sentences:
i) Applicant must /need include the names of two referees.
ii) You needn’t/mustn’t stay back late, we have cancelled the meeting.
iii) You needn’t/mustn’t send that reminder to Khalid and Sons; they paid
their dues this morning.
iv) Airline pilots should/have to have excellent eyesight.
v) You should/must save the file before you turn the computer off, or you
will lose the data.
vi) Employees are reminded that they mustn’t/needn’t use the office phone
to make personal calls.
vii) You must not/don’t have to come to the meeting if you have more
important things to do.
viii) University teachers must/should be graduates in their respective areas.
ix) They must/should have a Ph D if possible.
x) They need/should have several publications in referred journals.

5.5 MAKING YOUR OWN PORTFOLIO

Activity
6) Make a portfolio of yourself. It should include your profile, resume, copies
of important certificates, copies of any awards or recognitions and brief
note on your extracurricular activities and hobbies. The portfolio should
not be more than 20 pages. You may show it to your teacher at the study
centre.

5.6 LISTENING COMPREHENSION: PORTFOLIO

ON THE WEBSITE
Listen to a talk on ‘Portfolio on the Website’ and answer the questions given
below:

With the ever-increasing popularity of the internet and web technology, it is

becoming increasingly important for you to put your portfolio on the website.
Consider creating a web version of your portfolio, with links to full text of your
publications. It is an excellent way to display your achievements and impress the
potential employers. Placing your portfolio on a website is extraordinarily
powerful. It also demonstrates that you are current and contemporary.

Remember that your portfolio is a work in progress. You don’t need to upload
everything at one go. Do it in phases. It is important to keep your portfolio up-to-
26
date always. Check regularly to ensure that everything is in order, especially to Preparing Your Portfolio
ensure that there are no broken images and no outdated information. If you have
provided a link to your e-mail address, test it to make sure that the link is working.

From your resume give a link to your portfolio and mention this in your covering
letter, to enable the employers to access detailed information on you quickly and
easily.
Some Points to Remember while Building Online Portfolio
• If you decide to use free web space to create your portfolio, be mindful of
domain names and conditions on free space usage.
• Many free sites use banner advertisements to support their sites and you
will have no control over what type of advertisement might be displayed.
• Use images, graphics and colour to make your site attractive and lively.
• Edit and update your site regularly.

Self Check Exercise

Note: i) Write your answer at the space given below.
ii) Check your answer with the answer given at the end of this Unit.
9) Complete the following sentences. You may make points as you listen. The
answer may be in your own words.
i) Creating a web version of your portfolio is an excellent …………….
ii) Placing your portfolio on a website demonstrates that ……………….
iii) You don’t need to upload everything ………, you can do it in ………….
iv) You need to check your website regularly to ………….
v) If you use free web space to create your portfolio you must be ………..

5.7 PRONUNCIATION
Listen to these words and repeat them after the teacher.
portfolio creativity dedication
spirit of competition resume tangible proof
focused preparation curriculum vitae time of occurrence
Competencies

5.8 SUMMARY
A portfolio, like a resume, should be fluid. Adjustments and re-organisation will
need to be made in it, as and when required, depending on the purpose for which
it is used. It is also important to keep the portfolio updated. Your portfolio gives
you the first and the best opportunity to demonstrate your suitability to a potential
employer. So make sure that you have one which is perfect in every respect.

27
Preparing for Job Interview
5.9 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES
1) A portfolio is a visual presentation of a person’s abilities, skills, competencies,
knowledge and qualities. It presents tangible proof of these in the form of
artifacts, certificates etc. The portfolio provides evidence of a person’s
potential by demonstrating what he/she has accomplished in the past.

2) A resume is concise document that outlines all of a person’s relevant

credentials, education and work experience. It does not include any additional
documents. A portfolio on the other hand has detailed proof of these
credentials in the form of documents. It may also contain photographs. A
resume is always the first document in a portfolio.

3) Some qualities a portfolio can represent in the form of documented evidence

are a person’s skills, competencies, knowledge and achievements.

4) A portfolio acts as an important learning tool for students. It helps to form

the habit of documenting your achievements and to make a focused
preparation for interviews. It also helps you to assess your own progress in
career development and compare it with the employer’s requirements.

5) The portfolio begins with an index. The first document in a portfolio is

always the resume. The next section contains certificates, commendations
and other credentials. The third section has all educational degrees,
achievements, extra-curricular activities, volunteer work etc. The final section
contains brief personal information.

6) A portfolio collection is developed over a period of time. It is always a

“work in progress” and should be updated regularly. Whenever you develop,
create, write or do anything that could be of value to you in your work, you
should file a copy as part of your portfolio collection.
i) Although you don’t have to make a portfolio to apply for a job, it helps
to represent your skills and competencies better.
ii) You shouldn’t send/mail your portfolio to the organisation, but take it
with you to the interview.
iii) One should/must preserve and file all records and proofs of achievement
in all fields in order to create an impressive portfolio.
iv) The first document in the portfolio must be the resume.
v) The candidate needs to make adjustments in the portfolio for each
position sought.
vi) One shouldn’t/mustn’t try to dress up the portfolio with unnecessary
frills to make look impressive. It should look professional.
vii) It should be put in a proper binder as this allows you to add and delete
documents when needed.

8) i) must
ii) needn’t
iii) needn’t
28
 iv) have to Preparing Your Portfolio

v) must
vi) mustn’t
vii) don’t have to
viii)must
ix) should
x) should
9) i) Creating a web version of your portfolio is an excellent way to display
your achievements.
ii) Placing your portfolio on a website demonstrates that you are current
and up-to-date technologically.
iii) You don’t need to upload everything at one go, you can do it in phases.
iv) You need to check your website regularly to ensure everything is in order.
v) If you use free web space to create your portfolio you must be mindful
of domain names and conditions on free space usage.

5.10 ANSWERS TO ACTIVITIES

1) i) Team spirit, creativity, artistic temperament.
ii) Sportsmanship, competitive spirit, ambition, dedication.
iii) Ambition, teamwork.
iv) Good communication skills, good interpersonal skills.
v) Team spirit, spirit of adventure, fearlessness.
vi) Innovative thinking, creativity.
2) Do it yourself.
3) Do it yourself.
4) i) Results that are easy to see so there is no room for any doubt – Tangible
ii) Evidence that shows people your abilities – Credentials
iii) Ornamental objects of no great value – Frills
iv) Arranged in order of time of occurrence – Chronological
v) An object produced or shaped by human craft – Artifact
vi) Official award or recognition – Commendation
vii) Expressing much in few words – Concise
viii)Coming before - Prior
5) i) I want my room carpeted.
ii) We motored down to Lucknow.
iii) He piloted the plane in a skillful manner.
iv) Who will captain the team?
v) We queued up for the tickets.
29
Preparing for Job Interview vi) After his father’s death, he shouldered all responsibilities.
vii) Let me butter the toast.
viii)Plants bud in spring.
ix) He pocketed all the money and left.
x) His last question completely floored me.
6) Do it yourself

5.11 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

Bowstead, J.M. A Guide to Preparing your Portfolio. A&C Black, 2011, Print.
Brown D., Preparing and Managing Your Career Portfolio. 2013, Kindle Edition.
Ebook.

30
 Preparing Your Portfolio
UNIT 6 PREPARING YOUR RESUME /
CURRICULUM VITAE
Structure
6.0 Objectives
6.1 Warm Up
6.2 Reading Comprehension: Writing a Resume
6.3 Vocabulary: Sub-headings in a Resume
6.4 Grammar: Subject-Verb Agreement
6.5 Listening Comprehension: Guidelines on Writing a Resume
6.6 Writing Your Own Resume
6.7 Pronunciation
6.8 Summary
6.9 Answers to Self Check Exercises
6.10 Answer to Activity
6.11 References and Further Reading

6.0 OBJECTIVES
In this Unit, you will learn about the importance of Resume or Curriculum Vitae
(CV) while applying for a job. We will also prepare you to write your own resume
or to update your existing one to ensure that it meets international standards.
You will also learn what type of information you should include in your resume
and how you should organise the information.

6.1 WARM UP
Imagine that you are a librarian in a school in India, and you are looking for a
young person to be an assistant librarian. You have received many resumes in
response to your advertisement. Put a tick mark against the personal information
necessary to select the right candidate out of the following:
− Name
− Sister’s name
− Date of birth
− Name of pet dog
− Favourite book
− Contact address
− E-mail id
− Mobile number
− Passport number

31
Preparing for Job Interview
6.2 READING COMPREHENSION: WRITING A
RESUME
Writing a Resume
“Resume” or “Curriculum Vitae (CV)” as it is often called, is the most important
weapon when it comes to job hunting. It is a tool to advertise yourself to the
world of potential employees and is an instrument to present yourself and impress
your potential employer. An employer normally gets a large number of applications
when a job is advertised. To ensure that your application stands out, it is most
important to ensure that your Resume is perfect in every respect. A prospective
employer will often make a snap judgment as soon as he/she reads your resume.
Even the most qualified people can find themselves rejected if their resume fails
to catch the attention of an employer.

In a resume two things are important:

The contents: how good your credentials are, that is your qualifications,
experience, achievements, skills and competencies etc.

The presentation: even if you have a good story to tell about yourself, it is most
important to communicate it properly.

Your resume is a summary of your work. Its appearance indicates how seriously
you take your work and in turn, how seriously you should be taken. It is the first
impression that you give of yourself, and creating a positive first impression
depends on presenting a neat, error free, well organised and easy-to-read copy.

CV length
There are no set rules governing the length of your CV – this will be decided on
the basis of your career history, education and achievements. If possible, try to
keep it to one page, but if this looks too crowded then spread it out over two
sheets. If you write more than this, the employer has too much to read.

Everyone has a different theory when it comes to the design of a CV. Don’t make
your design very complicated; just make sure everything is clearly marked. Include
your career, progress, education and achievements prominently so your prospective
employer doesn’t have to search.

Basic Format
• Start off with your name, address and contact details clearly listed at the top
of the page.
• Follow this with a profile of yourself which should include an outline of
your skills, experience and immediate career goals.
• After this you can put in your career history – in reverse chronological order
over the past 10 years – with brief descriptions of your responsibilities and
achievements.
• Then comes education, interests/personal details and references.
You can’t do much about the contents; you can only include what you possess! A
bad presentation of good contents can result in the application getting rejected.
32
Writing a resume has never been as easy as it is now, thanks to the numerous Preparing Your Resume/
Curriculum Vitae
websites that provide guidelines for preparing resumes substantiated with
examples. Templates for resume, sample resume, ready-made resume etc. are
now available on these sites. But don’t have the impression that these are the
standard ones and are perfect samples and offer readymade solutions! One can
get ideas from these and then adapt to meet one’s requirements. It is always
better to have something to work on rather than starting from scratch.

Finally, remember that it is important to be truthful. Never try to smudge dates to

hide periods of unemployment. A basic check will expose your deceit and ruin
any chance of getting a job.

Self Check Exercise

Note: i) Write your answers at the space given below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
Read the passage ‘Writing a Resume’ once again and answer the following
questions:
1) How does a resume help in job hunting?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
2) Why is it important to keep your resume simple and readable?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
3) How long should your resume be?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
4) In which section will you include your career goals?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
33
Preparing for Job Interview 5) What do you need to keep in mind while describing career history?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
6) Should you hide in your resume that you were unemployed for six months?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................

6.3 VOCABULARY: SUB-HEADINGS IN A RESUME

There is no one single way to present a Resume. However, employers normally
expect a Resume to cover the following:

Education Personal details Experience

Hobbies Additional skills Achievements

Self Check Exercise

Note: i) Write your answers at the space given below.
ii) Check your answer with the answer given at the end of this Unit.
7) Look at the following points and decide under which headings mentioned
above, you would put them under:
− Fluent in English ....................................................
− Photography ....................................................
− University of Delhi ....................................................
− Good communication skills ....................................................
− Responsibility for cataloguing ....................................................
− Assistant Librarian (2006 – 2008) ....................................................
− Web designing ....................................................
− 29 years ....................................................

34
 Preparing Your Resume/
6.4 GRAMMAR: SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT Curriculum Vitae

Read the following sentences:

A Some employers treat their employees very badly.
B An employer normally gets a large number of applications when a job is
advertised.
In sentence A, the subject employers is in plural form. The verb treat is also in
the plural form.

In sentence B, the subject employer is in the singular form, therefore, the verb
gets which has been used, is also in the singular form.

A finite verb in a sentence always agrees with its subject in number and person.
When the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. When the subject is
plural, the verb must be plural. In English, the only subject that affects the ending
of the main verb or auxiliary is the third person singular.
1st person singular I work.
2nd person singular You work.
3rd person singular She/he/It works.

1st person plural We work.

2nd person plural You work.
3rd person plural They work.

Let us now look at some rules of subject-verb agreement:

Singular Subjects That Look Plural
1) There are certain verbs which end in s and look plural, but they are singular
in number. They take singular verbs.

Physics is one of the most interesting subjects.

The news that everyone survived the crash is good to hear.
Gulliver’s Travels is a famous book.

2) When a proper noun is plural in form but stands for one ‘thing’ or ‘company’
it takes a singular plural.

Bahri and Sons is a famous book store in Khan Market.

Singapore Airlines is my favourite airlines.

3) When two nouns are joined with and, and refer to the same person or thing
or concern one idea, they take the singular verb.

Rice and fish curry is my favourite dish.

Slow and steady wins the race.
4) When two singular subjects are joined by or, either-or, neither-nor, they
take a singular verb.

35
Preparing for Job Interview Neither Australia nor England is likely to win the World Cup.
I’m sure he or his brother is to blame.
Either Sunita or Sumit has done it.
5) The following pronouns are always singular and they take singular verbs.

Anybody anyone anything each either

every/body/one/thing neither nobody no one somebody
someone something

Nobody is allowed to enter the building after office hours.

Everyone has a different theory when it comes to the design of a CV.
Neither of the managers is going on the trip.
6) When the subject is a unit of measurement or a mathematical unit, the verb
used is singular.

Six months is a long time to wait.

Three kilometers is quite a long walk.

Subject which is Plural:

1) These nouns are always plural in form and take plural verbs like: trousers,
pants, shorts, scissors, pliers, socks, spectacles.

My new spectacles are lost.

Your blue socks are in the drawer.
The trousers need repair.
Your new shorts look really cool.
2) Two and more singular nouns joined by and make a plural subject. They
take a plural verb.

Jack and Jill are coming.

India and Pakistan are neighbours.
3) The following pronouns are always plural and take plural verbs:
both, many, few, several.
Both the twins look alike.
Many children participated in the Science Talent Contest, but few have passed.
Several of the paintings were destroyed in the fire.

Self Check Exercise

Note: i) Write your answers at the space given below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
8) Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb given in brackets.
i) The cars ………….. parked on the street ahead. (is / are)
ii) The carpet …………..a lot of stains. (has / have)
36
 iii) The Trade Union Members’ Meeting ………….. being held in the Preparing Your Resume/
Curriculum Vitae
Conference Room. (is / are)
iv) Fifteen years ………….. a very long time! (is / are)
v) Neither her father nor her mother ………….. very tall.(is / are)
vi) Either this woman or that man ……… stolen the watch. (has / have)
vii) At the party, everyone ………….. well dressed. (was / were)
viii) Baked beans and toast ………….. my favourite dish for breakfast.
(is / are)
ix) Many children ………….. injured in the accident. (was / were)
x) Something ………….. amiss in this room. (seem /seems)

9) Spot the Mistakes: Read the following text. There are 12 verbs that are
wrong. Rewrite the passage with the correct form of the verb in the space
provided.

Some jobs is very demanding but nevertheless, someone have to do them.

Recently, I saw an advertisement in the newspaper where Brown & Polson
were looking for a Chocolate Purchase Manager. The Company were offering
to pay $ 40,000 per year for the right candidate.

The nature of the job are also very interesting. The applicant are expected to
travel to Africa to selects the right cocoa to be used in the making of
chocolate.

The company are expecting a lot of applications for the job. They is looking
for someone who work hard, enjoy traveling and love chocolate.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................

6.5 LISTENING COMPREHENSION: GUIDELINES

ON WRITING A RESUME
Activity
1) Listen to the guidelines on writing a resume. Fill in the blanks to complete
the instructions.
37
Preparing for Job Interview General guidelines for writing a resume:
i) Try to contain your resume in ………………………...
ii) Start with your name and ………... You must include phone numbers
and …………...
iii) If you have any experience, state the same first and your ……………….
iv) In case of experience and educational qualifications, always write the
………………………and the first and the earlier ones later
v) It is helpful to give your…………………, since many employers draw
conclusions from these.
vi) ……………………..whatever you have written.
vii) Ensure there are no spelling or……………………..
viii) Since the Resume is the first contact you are making with an employer,
there is no need to give details of………….., unless asked for.
ix) …………………from sample Resumes from websites.
x) Use good typeface and type size, and if sending by snail mail, ………
………………….

6.6 WRITING YOUR OWN RESUME

Using all the information you have gathered on writing Resume, now write a
good Resume of yourself. Imagine that you are applying for the job of a Librarian
in a college and that you hold a Bachelors degree in Library Science and have
four years of experience in a University library as a Library Assistant.

You may consult any sample Resume on any job website or use the following
template

Name:

Address:

Age:

Telephone :

E-mail:

Professional experience:

Educational qualification:

Additional skills and competencies, if relevant to the job:

Extracurricular activities/hobbies:

38
 Preparing Your Resume/
6.7 PRONUNCIATION Curriculum Vitae

Listen to these words / phrases and repeat them after the teacher.
applications templates career goals
personal details professional experience educational qualifications
employer employee advertisement
contact address

6.8 SUMMARY
In this Unit we have focused on the importance of writing a good resume. You
have learnt that clarity and impact are necessary to make you stand out in the
crowd. You also learnt about the type of information you need to include and
how to organise these under different headings.

6.9 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES

1) A resume helps in job hunting by giving a first overall impression of one’s
educational background, skills and competencies and achievements to the
potential employer.
2) If a resume is not clear and readable it will get rejected. Most employers
spend only a few seconds on a resume.
3) A resume should be one or maximum two pages only.
4) Career goals will be included in my profile.
5) Career history should be presented in reverse chronological order.
6) No. Most employers will check on the basic details. It is risky to lie in your
resume.
7) Fluent in English Additional skills
Photography Hobbies
University of Delhi Education
Good communication skills Additional skills
Responsibility for cataloguing Professional experience
Assistant Librarian (2006 – 2008) Professional experience
Web designing Additional skills
29 years Personal details
8) i) The cars are parked on the street ahead.
ii) The carpet has a lot of stains.
iii) The Trade Union Members’ Meeting is being held in the Conference
Room.
iv) Fifteen years is a very long time!
v) Neither her father nor her mother is very tall.
39
Preparing for Job Interview vi) Either this woman or that man has stolen the watch.
vii) At the party, everyone was well dressed.
viii)Baked beans and toast is my favourite dish for breakfast.
ix) Many children were injured in the accident.
x) Something seems amiss in this room.
9) Text with correct form of the verbs:
Some jobs are very demanding but nevertheless, someone has to do them.
Recently, I saw an advertisement in the newspaper where Brown & Polson
was looking for a Chocolate Purchase Manager. The Company was offering
to pay $ 40,000 per year for the right candidate.

The nature of the job is also very interesting. The applicant is expected to
travel to Africa to select the right cocoa to be used in the making of chocolate.

The company is expecting a lot of applications for the job. They are looking
for someone who works hard, enjoys traveling and loves chocolate.

6.10 ANSWER TO ACTIVITY

1) i) one or maximum two pages
ii) contact details, email id.
iii) educational qualifications later
iv) last experience/qualification first
v) age and language proficiency
vi) Proof-read
vii) grammatical errors
viii)referees
ix) take guidance
x) print on good quality A4 size paper

6.11 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

Corfield, R. Preparing the Perfect CV. Kogan Page India Private Limited, 2010,
Print.
Corfield, R. Preparing the Perfect CV: How to Make a Great Impression and
Get the Job You Want (Career Success), 2009, Ebook.
Wendy S. Enelow, W. S. and Arnold G. Boldt A. G. No-Nonsense Resumes: The
Essential Guide to Creating Attention-Grabbing Resumes That Get Interviews
& Job Offers, Career Press, 2006, Print.
Whitmore, T. How to Write an: Impressive CV & Cover Letter. Rupa & Co.,
2011, Print.

40
 Preparing Your Resume/
UNIT 7 THE JOB INTERVIEW Curriculum Vitae

Structure
7.0 Objectives
7.1 Warm Up
7.2 Reading Comprehension
7.3 Listening Comprehension: The Recruiters’ Point of View
7.4 Vocabulary: Verbs
7.5 Grammar: The Present Perfect Tense and the Present Perfect Continuous
Tense
7.5.1 The Present Perfect Tense
7.5.2 The Present Perfect Continuous Tense
7.6 Interview: Quick Tips
7.7 Group Discussions
7.8 Writing: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in Interviews
7.9 Pronunciation
7.10 Summary
7.11 Answers to Self Check Exercises
7.12 Answers to Activities
7.13 References and Further Reading

7.0 OBJECTIVES
Interviews continue to be the most important part of the selection process, where
the recruiter asks you questions to see if you are the right person for the job in
question. The recruiter will not only test your professional competencies, but
also your personal and other skills and attributes. This Unit provides you some
general guidance to help you face interviews confidently.

7.1 WARM UP
Answer the following questions about yourself:
• What do you notice most when you see someone for the first time?
• How soon do you form an opinion about someone you meet for the first time?
• How important is the first impression you form about someone?

7.2 READING COMPREHENSION

Read the following leaflet of an employment agency, designed to help young job
seekers.

Congratulations! Your resume and covering letter have made a good

impression and the employer has invited you for an interview. Now it is
time to make sure that you also have the interview planned out as far as
possible.
41
Preparing for Job Interview
Most people want to know how much English they need. Well, here is the
answer: effective communication skills in English might actually clinch the
deal for you.

The number of people sitting on the interview panel depends on a number

of factors, such as the location for the interview, the level of the job, the size
of the organisation, the policy of the organisation etc. It could be as little as
three or as high as seven. The panel may include external experts too.

The members in the panel normally look for the following:

1) Are you the right person for the job?

How can you expect the interview panel to pin down your positive
qualities if you are not sure of them yourself. You also need to be able
to turn your not-so-positive attributes into something more flattering.
So get the facts about yourself clear in your mind. You should know
your strengths and weaknesses, your positive attributes and negative
attributes, what you are good at and what you can improve, and so on.

Make a sincere analysis of your strengths and weaknesses; seek views

from your family, friends, teachers, etc. about your strengths and
weaknesses.

Do realise the fact that your qualifications do not necessarily mean that
you possess the necessary skills and competencies! The interview panel
will never go by the qualifications!

2) Your Personality
This means many things to many people. Your appearance, your attitude,
communication skills, body language, the way you respond to questions,
etc. to some extent reveal your personality. People form an opinion
about you, right or wrong, from any of these or a combination of any of
these factors.
You could seriously harm your chances with something as trivial as not
smiling at all during the interview! This can be interpreted as either that
you are not able to cope under pressure or that you are a “dull” person!
You should try to give an impression that you are
• not under pressure
• relaxed
• confident
• a good learner
• happy to answer the questions
• honest and sincere
If you can achieve these, it is a good start, and the rest is likely to follow!
In a nutshell, for the whole interview never cease to be enthusiastic (relax
and smile a little), attentive (be alert always, maintain good eye contact and
nodding occasionally), and be positive.
42
 The Job Interview
WARNING! Do not go to the other extreme and appear cocky. No one likes
a cocky person. Even if your CV is strong and you have already come across
well in the interview, a little humility is always a very positive trait.
Expressing a willingness to learn or admitting “I don’t know” will make
you appear honest.

LAST PIECE OF ADVICE!! Get your 10 “must dos” ready and put these
into practice at the interview. Your sociability will almost certainly be tested.
Everyone you encounter needs to be impressed, from the peon to the
chairperson. So be prepared to think on your feet and charm them all. You’ll
feel exhausted, but if you get your head straight before you start, you’ll find
it easier to sell yourself. Relax, be positive and face the panel with confidence.

Self Check Exercise

Note: i) Write your answers at the space given below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
1) You have read the passage. Now, identify the most appropriate answers to
the following questions.
i) Good communication skills in English:
a) may help you get the job.
b) may impress the interview panel.
c) are not very necessary.
ii) A positive impression is created for a job interview when:
a) you display your strengths and weaknesses in equal measure to the
interview panel.
b) your qualifications perfectly suit the job and make you overconfident.
c) you are confident and unafraid to say “I don’t know” to some
questions.
iii) How many of the following statement are true?
a) a good CV is not enough if your attitude is not good.
b) admitting mistakes will create a bad impression.
c) personal attributes are a major part of what is being assessed in an
interview.
d) the way you are dressed could be the single most influential factor
in an interview.
e) you should make every effort to be at your best only in the interview
room.
2) Make a list of “The Big 10 must dos” for the interview; you may add some
of your own “Must Dos”.
i) .............................................................................................................
ii) .............................................................................................................
iii) .............................................................................................................
43
Preparing for Job Interview iv) .............................................................................................................
v) .............................................................................................................
vi) .............................................................................................................
vii) .............................................................................................................
viii) .............................................................................................................
ix) .............................................................................................................
x) .............................................................................................................
3) Do you know the meaning of the following terms? Try guessing from the
context, and don’t use any dictionary
i) A profile of your professional/educational achievements and
qualifications ___m__
ii) Qualities or characteristics _ _ _r_ _ _ t _ _
iii) In brief; a small or concise package n_______
iv) Fatigue; what you feel after a hard day’s work _ x _ _ _ _ _ _ _
v) to be modest about one’s achievements h_ _ _ _ _ _ _

7.3 LISTENING COMPREHENSION: THE

RECRUITERS’ POINT OF VIEW
Listen to the talk on “The Recruiters’ point of view” and answer the questions
given.

Most recruiters believe that hiring entry-level professionals is one of its toughest
jobs. With experienced people there is a frame of reference − a track record.
With new graduates there will be nothing like that. Often the only solid things
that the interviewer will have is the examination results, which is a blind alley
when it comes to test the suitability for a particular job. Employers consider
employing new recruits a gamble!

After relying as best one can on examination results to evaluate your ability, the
employer focus on questions that reveal how willing you are to learn and from
there your potential.

You should stand out of the crowd, being just one among many is not good
enough these days. Make sure that the interview panel will not brand you as
average. Make good use of every opportunity to provide evidence of your
achievements  achievements in the school, college, university, in society, at
home and so on.

Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t necessary to have snap answers ready for
every question, because you, or anyone else for that matter, can never do that. In
fact, it is important to pause and collect your thoughts before answering. By the
same token, occasionally asking for time or asking for questions to be repeated
is useful to gain time, though this should be done only occasionally.

44
Often recruiters would ask difficult questions, knowing fully that you will not be The Job Interview
able to answer those. If you don’t know the answer, say that, and never bluff;
they will appreciate your honesty.

Self Check Exercise

Note: i) Write your answers at the space given below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
4) Complete the following sentences with ideas from the passage “The
Recruiters’ point of view”.
i) Most recruiters regard taking an entry level professional a tough job
because ..................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
ii) Examination results are not the only thing; interviewers will also focus
on ...........................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
iii) One should not bluff through questions, because .................................
...............................................................................................................
5) Choose the most appropriate answer:
i) What is the recruiter’s opinion about difficult questions:
a) Go ahead and give any answer that comes to you.
b) Take your time to think and then answer.
c) Just say you don’t know the answer.
ii) Examinations are not the only standard of judgment:
a) Because they never make sense anyway.
b) Workplace skills like teamwork, problem solving, adaptability and
ethics are not tested in examination formats.
c) Because a good candidate can get a bad score once in a while.
iii) Concrete illustrations of the abilities that you claim to have will show:
a) That you have amazing memory.
b) That you are good at talking.
c) That you have done what you claimed.

7.4 VOCABULARY: VERBS

Activity
1) What do verbs do? Verbs describe what you did/do/are going to do.
Given below are some verbs to help you talk about your responsibilities and
experience.

implement, analyse, document, arrange, upgrade, assist, conduct, consult,

develop, facilitate, support, construct, justify, delegate, act, recommend,
edit, collaborate
45
Preparing for Job Interview Use the appropriate form of these verbs to complete the sentences below:
i) We got together and ……………a new model for the science festival.
ii) Many juniors have ………………….. me about their physics projects.
iii) We were taught …………………….. our questions carefully.
iv) I was in-charge of …………………….. the freshers’ party.
v) I …………………….. the sports coach.
vi) I believe teamwork means …………………….. harmoniously.
vii) We …………………….. a survey on students using mobile phones.
viii) Projects are successful because of proper …………………….. .
ix) All my projects have been …………………….. in the portfolio.
x) I …………………….. a new application for this software.
xi) I …………………….. the college magazine this year.
xii) Training …………………….. progress, it allows us to improve our
work.
xiii) Plans need to be …………………….., not just designed.
xiv) My claims are …………………….. by my work during the
apprenticeship.
xv) I like to learn new skills and to keep on ……………….. the old ones.
xvi) We must …………………….. our beliefs with actions, in other words
do what we say.
xvii) I have never had South African cuisine before. What would you
…………………….. ordering?

7.5 GRAMMAR: THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

AND THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
TENSE
7.5.1 The Present Perfect Tense
Read the sentences given below:
1) The employer has invited you for an interview.
2) Your resume and covering letter have made a good impression.
3) Even if your CV is strong and you have already come across well in the
interview, a little humility is always a positive trait.
The words in bold are in the Present Perfect Tense.
Has/have + past participle of the verb
Function
• The Present Perfect Tense is used to talk about the present result of past
actions. It is also used to talk about recent events.

46
Examples: The Job Interview

I have given your report to the Director. (S/He has it now.)

I have sent them the samples they wanted. (Samples are in the post now.)
• The Present Perfect Tense is used for a finished action at an unknown or
unstated time, often with ever, never, just, already, yet, since and for.
Examples:
Sunil has never been to England.
I’ve just finished reading the report.
My office has been here since 1950.
Have you spoken to Sushant yet?

7.5.2 The Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Read the sentences given below:
1) We would like to know if you have been providing concession fares for
student groups in the past.
2) I have been working through the day.
Function:
• The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used with for, since and how long?
and other expressions of duration (e.g. all day) to talk about activities that
started happening in the past and are still happening now. The activity may
have been going on continuously or repeated several times.

Examples:

They have been manufacturing scooters here for 10 years.

I have been trying to call him all day.

Self Check Exercise

Note: i) Write your answers at the space given below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
6) Complete the following sentences by putting the verbs into the Present
Perfect.
i) I’m going to send them a reminder. They ……………… (not pay) us
for the last shipment.
ii) I ………………………. (work) enough. I want to retire now.
iii) I arrived late to the airport, I …………………….(miss) my flight.
iv) He ………………..…….. (spend) a lot of money on modernizing the
factory, and it is now very well equipped.
v) Sumit, …………………………(you/meet) Rachita Sahgal? She’s is
our Managing Director.
vi) The dollar…………………….. (fall) sharply.
47
Preparing for Job Interview 7) You are working on a project pertaining to your course. Write a short
paragraph saying what you have already done and what you haven’t done
yet. We give you an example:

I have already completed the needs analysis…

I have not started collecting the data as yet.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
8) Complete this paragraph with the present perfect tense forms of the verbs in
the brackets. The first one has been done for you.

Geeta 1has been (be) my friend for a long time. We 2 …………………

(know) each other since we were children. Recently, she and her family
3
……………….(move) to a house in the same neighbourhood as me.

For the last ten years, Geeta and I 4 ………………..(play) for the same
football team every Saturday. Geeta is a better player than I am. In the last
few months she 5 ……………(not be) able to play, as she is not in good
health. She 6 …………………... (see) the doctor several times. Geeta 7
……………………….. (decide) to take a break from football for a while,
so that she can recover.

7.6 INTERVIEW: QUICK TIPS

Here are some tips that you must keep in mind when facing an interview.

1) Positive factors
Psychological and behavioral cues
• Early arrival
• Alert and active listening
• Good body language
• Appropriate dress
• Pleasing personality
• Good humor
48
 Verbal cues The Job Interview

• To the point always

• Clarity in expression
• Clear voice
• Organised information
• Informed answers
2) Negative factors
Behavioural cues
o Late arrival
o Inattentive
o Incongruous body language
o Over/under dressed
o Withdrawn and indifferent
o Casual attitude
o Arrogant
Verbal cues
o Not to the point
o Excessive details
o Confused statements/replies
o Not audible, mumbling
o Disorganised information
o Uncalled for humor
o Evasive
o Criticizing others

7.7 GROUP DISCUSSIONS

In addition to interviews, recruiters often consider group discussion as an
assessment tool. This is particularly so while recruiting freshers. Nothing reveals
attitudes, behaviour and skills as a discussion. A discussion by its very structure
integrates skills that are essential in the workplace: teamwork, leadership, goal
awareness, communication, and problem-solving skills, to name a few. It is a
powerful tool, it reveals far more about you than you would imagine.
A group discussion gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your
• Communication Skills
• Listening skills
• Questioning skills
• Knowledge about a given subject
• Capability to co-ordinate and lead
49
Preparing for Job Interview • Inter personal relation
• Behavior in a group environment

7.8 WRITING: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

(FAQS) IN INTERVIEWS
Activity
2) Look at your C.V. If you were the interviewer, what would you ask? Make
a list. Then answer the questions as well.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................

7.9 PRONUNCIATION
• Recruit
• Employment agency
• Clinch the deal
• Interview panel
• Strengths and weaknesses
• Positive attributes
• Negative attributes
• Personality
• Characteristics
• Implement
• Develop
• Recommend

7.10 SUMMARY
The day of an interview is filled with a lot of uncertainties and expectations, and
you will be under pressure to give your best performance. Like any other
performance, good preparation can reduce the level of pressure. If you do the
50
preparations well, you will be relaxed and will enjoy the interview. This Unit has The Job Interview
given you a lot of information for this preparation, the dos and don’ts, and last
minute details. Remember that the recruiters are there to identify the best candidate
for the job, from among many.

7.11 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES

1) i) Good communication skills in English:
a) may help you get the job.
ii) A positive impression is created, for a job interview when:
c) you are confident and unafraid to say “I don’t know” to some
questions.
iii) True statements:
a) a good CV is not enough if your attitude is not good.
c) personal attributes are a major part of what is being assessed in an
interview.
2) The Big 10 must dos in an interview
The following is a suggested list. You should have identified your own “10
dos”.
i) Communicate clearly
ii) Show positive attitude
iii) Think on your feet
iv) Smile to show you are relaxed
v) Confident
vi) Show willingness to learn
vii) Give positive answers
viii) Admit ignorance, don’t bluff
ix) Listen actively
x) Ask questions, if needed.

3) i) A profile of your professional/educational achievements and

qualifications: Resume
ii) Qualities or characteristics: attributes
iii) In brief; a small or concise package: nutshell
iv) Fatigue; what you feel after a hard day’s work: exhausted
v) To be modest about one’s achievements: humility
4) i) Most recruiters regard taking an entry level professional a tough job
because there is no previous work record to judge the candidate’s
workplace skills.
ii) Examination results are not the only thing; interviewers will also focus
on your willingness to learn, ability to get the job done and how
you would perform as an employee.
51
Preparing for Job Interview iii) One should not bluff through questions, because most information is
verifiable and recruiters do not want to hire anyone who is dishonest.
iv) Recruiters consider hiring entry level professionals a gamble, because
it is difficult to say for sure who will be a good employee and who
will be a disappointment.
5) i) What is the recruiter’s opinion about difficult questions:
c) Just say you don’t know the answer.
ii) Examinations are not the only standard of judgment
b) Workplace skills like teamwork, problem solving, adaptability and
ethics are not tested in examination formats.
iii) Concrete illustrations of the abilities that you claim to have will show
c) That you have done what you claimed

6) i) have not paid

ii) have worked
iii) have missed
iv) has spent
v) have you met
vi) has fallen
7) Do it yourself.
8) 1) has been, 2) have known, 3) have moved, 4) have played, 5) has not
been, 6) has seen, 7) has decided

7.12 ANSWERS TO ACTIVITIES

1) i) constructed
ii) consulted
iii) to analyse
iv) arranging
v) assisted
vi) collaborating
vii) conducted
viii) delegation
ix) documented
x) developed
xi) edited
xii) facilitates
xiii) implemented
xiv) supported
xv) upgrading
52
 xvi) justify The Job Interview

xvii) recommend

2) Sample questions:
i) What are your career goals?
ii) Where do you see yourself 5/10 years from now?
iii) Why should we hire you?
iv) What are your extracurricular interests?
v) What did you enjoy most in your college/university?
vi) What appeals to you most in this job?
vii) What are your greatest achievements?
viii) At this point in life what is the most important thing for you?
ix) How would your friends describe you?
x) What motivates you?
xi) What do you want out of life?
xii) What are your strengths and weaknesses?
xiii) Tell us about yourself?
xiv) How would you judge your interpersonal skills?
xv) What do you know about our company?

7.13 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

Gupta, N.K.Cracking the Job Interviews.G4 IBC Academy, 2012. Print.

Rogers, J. Job Interview Success: Your Complete Guide to Practical Interview

Skills. McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing, 2011. Print.

53