Job Apps 101 - Pakistan

7/30/2019 Job Apps 101 - Pakistan

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JOB APPLICATION 101On business recruitment in Pakistan

Where to?

16th March 2013


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DOWEFIT?

But before we start, are we, you and me, the right fit? Will this work for you?

I am:

LUMS grad

ABM @ FMCG*

Im not:Professional recruiter*

What follows should be of help, ifyou are:

-A business student

- Looking for an internship/job at a major

corporation

* The following slides reflect strictly my views- not those of organizations I am/have been affiliated with


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AGENDA

Why the hassle?

Flipping sides

Pitching right


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1. WHYTHEHASSLE?

Why spend all that time and energy on ONE page?


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How I thought recruitment drives would be

- Recruiters need the best candidates, hence ->

- Individual attention to each candidate

- Theyll gave a 110% to the recruitment drive


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What they turned out to be like

Supply: >13k business graduates every year

Demand: ~200 new recruits

i.e. ~70 candidates for 1 position. Hencerecrui ters sat isf ice


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The process

No. of

candidates

Time spent by HR on

each candidate

~ 80% candidates get exactly zero HR minutes

So, 1) pray youre part of the 20%

2) work your socks off at stage 1 (and subsequently)

1. CV

screening

2. Test

3.First

interview

4. Assessment

Centre


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2. FLIPPINGSIDES

A look at the process- from the recruiters side of the table


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Why the process is what it is

If they spent 30 minutes interviewing everycandidate in the country, theyd need411000 minutes -> more than 2 workingyears

Itspractical

It is a system refined over decades, and

high-performing senior executives havecome in through the sameIt works


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What recruiters are looking for

Skills Experiences*

- InitiativeWill she go beyond the call of duty?

- TeamworkWill he stand in for a colleague who fell

sick?

- CreativityWill he bring fresh thinking to solve our

year old problem?

- LeadershipTwo years later, can she mentor a new

hire?

- Analytical skillsWill she crack that equity valuation model?

As depicted by

- Extra-curricularsStudent societies, sports, volunteer work

- Academics

Courses taken, distinctions

- Personal lifeIssues resolved in family, tough

circumstances overcome

The relative importance of each factor will vary based on industry, company culture etc.* Note that I say experience not achievements more on that in section 3


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How they test for these

-Brand names

(university/

internships)

- Cut off criteria

(GPA, work

experience etc)

- Analytical

skills

(Math, verbal)

- Personality- Communication

-Discussing

Experiences

- Teamwork

- Leadership

- Creativity


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3. PITCHINGRIGHT

Mapping what youve got, against what they want


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Keep a diary of all your key experiences asand when they happen (extracurricular,academic, professional)

Classify (is this leadership or teamwork?)

Record

Use STAR approach when recording

experiences, and later discussing them (incover letters/interviews etc)STAR

Know the company & industry inside out.Use Google News, company website etc.

Connect with mutual friends who work at the

company, other employees through LinkedIn

Research

Adapt your resume/cover letter/interviewnotes based on 1) company profile/cultureand 2) function/role youre applying for

Tailor

Across all stages- throughout your career
http://www.interview-skills.co.uk/competency-based-interviews-STAR.aspxhttp://www.interview-skills.co.uk/competency-based-interviews-STAR.aspx


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Design

If youre good with design or know

someone who is, create a CV to

stand out(If youre like the 98% of

us, use a standard template with

minor tweaks)

Be consistent- while choosing

fonts, colors, and spacing

Send resume as PDF

Keep it to one page

Content

Begin with a resume summary

Position yourself- based on what

company/position youre applyingfor

No jack-of-all: Pick 2 key skills and

build your story around those

Focus on results, not roles

Proofread! Were all human- get

reviews from teachers/seniors

a. CV screening- a resume is design + content
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/04/01/10-handy-tips-for-web-design-cvs-and-resumes/http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/04/01/10-handy-tips-for-web-design-cvs-and-resumes/http://dynamiteresume.blogspot.com/2010/07/consistent-resume-design.htmlhttp://download.cnet.com/Advanced-Word-to-Pdf-Converter-Free/3000-18483_4-10902992.htmlhttp://jobsearch.about.com/od/includeinresume/a/how-to-write-a-resume-summary.htmhttp://fiveoclockclub.com/2012/12/how-to-build-a-strong-resume-start-with-the-summary-statement/http://fiveoclockclub.com/2012/12/how-to-build-a-strong-resume-start-with-the-summary-statement/http://fiveoclockclub.com/2012/12/how-to-build-a-strong-resume-start-with-the-summary-statement/http://jobsearch.about.com/od/includeinresume/a/how-to-write-a-resume-summary.htmhttp://download.cnet.com/Advanced-Word-to-Pdf-Converter-Free/3000-18483_4-10902992.htmlhttp://dynamiteresume.blogspot.com/2010/07/consistent-resume-design.htmlhttp://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/04/01/10-handy-tips-for-web-design-cvs-and-resumes/http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/04/01/10-handy-tips-for-web-design-cvs-and-resumes/


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Before test

Components: Math + Verbal +Logic

Work in teams: Prepare withpartners who have complementaryskills

Practice: GRE/GMAT questionsavailable online, sample tests oncompany website. Keep error logs.

Sleep well!

Resources: Grockit; IQtest;MathRun; GMATClub

b. Test

In test

Know the rules: Calculator

allowed? Word limit? Time?

Stationary? Test venue?

Play to your strength: In the test,

devote more time to

sections/topics you are best at

Worst case:you cant clear, dont

fret. There will always be anothertime!
http://grockit.com/blog/gmat/2010/11/10/how-to-keep-an-error-log/https://grockit.com/http://www.iqtest.com/http://www.mathrun.net/http://www.gmatclub.com/http://www.gmatclub.com/http://www.mathrun.net/http://www.iqtest.com/https://grockit.com/http://grockit.com/blog/gmat/2010/11/10/how-to-keep-an-error-log/


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Design

First impressions last- make them count

Dress conservatively- but bear context in mind (are you interviewing for

banking? Is interview at a caf? Whats company dress code?)

Take with you printed copies of your resume/cover letter

Always better to be more formal than less!

c. Interview- again, design + content!

durable; moreexpensiveOld, slow,

unsafe/risky
http://www.udel.edu/CSC/pdf/DressSuccess.pdfhttp://www.udel.edu/CSC/pdf/DressSuccess.pdfhttp://www.udel.edu/CSC/pdf/DressSuccess.pdfhttp://www.udel.edu/CSC/pdf/DressSuccess.pdfhttp://www.udel.edu/CSC/pdf/DressSuccess.pdfhttp://www.udel.edu/CSC/pdf/DressSuccess.pdfhttp://www.udel.edu/CSC/pdf/DressSuccess.pdfhttp://www.udel.edu/CSC/pdf/DressSuccess.pdfhttp://www.udel.edu/CSC/pdf/DressSuccess.pdfhttp://www.udel.edu/CSC/pdf/DressSuccess.pdf


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Research- about company culture/values, financial performance, jobdescription, interviewers background - tailor your responses to come off as a

better fit

Behavioral interviews-where experiences count as much as results. Preparea set of examples that show multiple competencies

Example: You led football team to tournament final. This could involveinstances where you showed leadership/solved a crisis/learnt from mistake

Differentiate- What ads do you remember? Those that stand out. Find yourtop 2 unique strengths- prepare supporting stories(use STAR)

Mock Interviews- play interviewer with friends- to get real life perspective onbeing at the opposite end of the table

Interview- again, design + content!

For Content- work on:

Company

Self

Whats happening in 1) Industry 2) company

Demonstrate1)competence 2) commitment 3) cultural fit
http://www.udel.edu/CSC/pdf/behav_interview.pdfhttp://venturebeat.com/2011/02/11/book-review-tell-to-win-by-peter-guber/http://venturebeat.com/2011/02/11/book-review-tell-to-win-by-peter-guber/http://venturebeat.com/2011/02/11/book-review-tell-to-win-by-peter-guber/http://venturebeat.com/2011/02/11/book-review-tell-to-win-by-peter-guber/http://www.udel.edu/CSC/pdf/behav_interview.pdfhttp://www.udel.edu/CSC/pdf/behav_interview.pdf


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50 most common interview questions- Forbes

http://blogs.hbr.org/silverman/2009/07/ace-the-interview.html

How to respond to introduce/describe/tell us about yourself

For management consulting- Victor Chengs www.caseinterview.com

For finance graduates- http://www.wallstreetprep.com/blog/top-10-investment-banking-interview-questions/

Great wiki-jobs article- How to crack interviews

LinkedIn- connect with current employees- great source of information oncompany culture, key competencies etc.

Use Google, Google news to your advantage- remember, its what youknow differently that counts

Interview Resources
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/how-to-ace-the-50-most-common-interview-questions/http://blogs.hbr.org/silverman/2009/07/ace-the-interview.htmlhttp://www.theladders.com/career-advice/how-to-answer-tell-me-about-yourself-interview-questionhttp://www.caseinterview.com/http://www.wallstreetprep.com/blog/top-10-investment-banking-interview-questions/http://www.wallstreetprep.com/blog/top-10-investment-banking-interview-questions/http://www.wikijob.co.uk/wiki/competency-based-interviewhttp://www.wikijob.co.uk/wiki/competency-based-interviewhttp://www.wallstreetprep.com/blog/top-10-investment-banking-interview-questions/http://www.wallstreetprep.com/blog/top-10-investment-banking-interview-questions/http://www.wallstreetprep.com/blog/top-10-investment-banking-interview-questions/http://www.wallstreetprep.com/blog/top-10-investment-banking-interview-questions/http://www.wallstreetprep.com/blog/top-10-investment-banking-interview-questions/http://www.wallstreetprep.com/blog/top-10-investment-banking-interview-questions/http://www.wallstreetprep.com/blog/top-10-investment-banking-interview-questions/http://www.wallstreetprep.com/blog/top-10-investment-banking-interview-questions/http://www.wallstreetprep.com/blog/top-10-investment-banking-interview-questions/http://www.wallstreetprep.com/blog/top-10-investment-banking-interview-questions/http://www.wallstreetprep.com/blog/top-10-investment-banking-interview-questions/http://www.caseinterview.com/http://www.theladders.com/career-advice/how-to-answer-tell-me-about-yourself-interview-questionhttp://blogs.hbr.org/silverman/2009/07/ace-the-interview.htmlhttp://blogs.hbr.org/silverman/2009/07/ace-the-interview.htmlhttp://blogs.hbr.org/silverman/2009/07/ace-the-interview.htmlhttp://blogs.hbr.org/silverman/2009/07/ace-the-interview.htmlhttp://blogs.hbr.org/silverman/2009/07/ace-the-interview.htmlhttp://blogs.hbr.org/silverman/2009/07/ace-the-interview.htmlhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/how-to-ace-the-50-most-common-interview-questions/http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/how-to-ace-the-50-most-common-interview-questions/http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/how-to-ace-the-50-most-common-interview-questions/http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/01/11/how-to-ace-the-50-most-common-interview-questions/


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d. Assessment Centre

Why assessment centres?

MNCs work on mega projects, which require large teams -> diverse

opinions, varying skill-sets & lots of debate/conflict

So ACs also give you a sneak peak into what life at the company is like

ACs judge whether youre fit to thrive in teams- a summary here- they

check a) What you say, b) how you say it

how creative/insightful your thoughts on a new topic are

how you relate your responses to current issues in industry

whether you keep team goals in mind or digress during discussion?

how you question a point-of-view- aggressively? aptly?

how you respond to criticism

how structured your conversation is; how convincingly you deliver your

point

a

b
http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/exeter/resources/podcasts/mp3/assessment_centres.mp3http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/exeter/resources/podcasts/mp3/assessment_centres.mp3http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/exeter/resources/podcasts/mp3/assessment_centres.mp3http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/exeter/resources/podcasts/mp3/assessment_centres.mp3http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/exeter/resources/podcasts/mp3/assessment_centres.mp3


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d. Assessment Centre

Tips & resources

Take active part in clubs/societies at University- as the debate that happens

there is a good simulation for ACs

Sometimes, youll get a 20 pager case, to summarize and present in half

an hour- so practice summarizing and presenting sample case studies

How to analyze a case- by Kellogg School-

Tips on ACs by Oxford University Career Office

To keep track of developments in global economy and business, read

Business this week and Politics this week at The Economist
http://businesscasestudies.co.uk/http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/execed/Prepare_for_a_Program/How_to_Read_CaseStudy.aspxhttp://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/the-application-process/assessment-centres/http://www.economist.com/http://www.economist.com/http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/the-application-process/assessment-centres/http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/execed/Prepare_for_a_Program/How_to_Read_CaseStudy.aspxhttp://businesscasestudies.co.uk/


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THANKYOU!

For more information, get in touch

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