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Absolute Beginners - Fresh Tips before the job hunt

So you are just about starting your career! Great! And, the fact that you are here reading this article does tell me that you are considering moving into IT as one of your options if not the only one. A good thought indeed! Despite the slowdown, despite the market crash, IT still is a sunrise industry and will be a major driver of the Indian economy for years to come.

You probably have your priorities set out well and know which segment of IT you wish to get into. However many of you would be approaching this as an open book - willing to take up any job that comes up in IT and then work your way up. You need to take certain things into account when you apply to the various IT companies.

From my experience of having interviewed scores of potential candidates trying to get into IT, I have tried to put together some simple yet very relevant points which you may want to consider:

1. It all starts with priorities…so prioritize - what is that you want - have your goal very clear. Whether its core development, marketing related "techno-commercial" job, system administration, Quality Assurance, Technical Support. You could even be starting at a trainee level willing to work out in different departments, but always have a self goal or an objective.

2. Search the available alternatives…where you think that your goals could be best fulfilled. It might seem attractive to give up a self goal in light of an easy available job entry - but believe me - if you want to get your career right - stick to options that you think can best fulfil your career goals and aspirations.

3. Get as much details as possible…about the companies you are going to apply. What is the core business it is in? What kind of culture? Are they looking for people? If yes - then what are the general characteristics that they look for? Etc. etc.

One good way to find this out is to visit the web site of the company and visit their HR page. This is where you will also find the job listings. Go through the detailed job listings and you could to a certain extent guess the kind of structure and hierarchy that place has. Try and see how and where you can contribute. Do you fit the profile?? Is it really worth trying for??

4. More details….give you an even better picture. Do a search on the company name on search engines like Google. You might be presented with a host of links where the company's name is listed or discussed. This will give a good idea of the environment that company operates in.

More importantly it will give you a flavour of what other's think about the company. Are the opinions good or bad? If good then try to find exactly what's good about it - similarly for any negative comment.

5. Prepare your resume well…and you would turn out to be a winner! It's always better to personalize it for companies. Come to think of it - how many HR managers actually come and meet up with you when you go calling? I know - it sure is frustrating!

In such a situation, it will be prudent, that after you have carefully selected the available alternatives (and have decided to go calling), do make some effort to make a personalized resume for each place. Every organization has a different character and flavour.

Do also include a covering letter (if possible - find out who is responsible for recruitment in that organization and address the letter to that person) detailing why you think this is the right choice for you and what value can you bring to this organization. The personalized letter and a value proposition to the organization - should, in many places do the trick of you getting an audience in person.

6. Brush up your basics! More often than not, there is a reasonable probability that you would be subjected to a technical test. Here your knowledge and pre-work on learning about the company will come handy. You should know what that company specializes in. Whether it's a product centric or a services company. A product firm will look for a more detailed and in-depth knowledge and fundas in particular technologies it works on - could be Java, EJB, J2EE, .Net, XML. Whereas a services firm will stress on a more general and widespread knowledge of technologies. In both cases, the stress would be on basics. Hence know your basics like the back of your hand.

7. There is no substitute for optimism and self-confidence. Who does not taste rejections?? All of us at certain phases in our lives go through it!! Be aware that to get that one successful meeting/interview, there would be 10 others where you might have to face rejection. This should not dampen your spirits. Despite the current slowdown in the market - there are ample opportunities for everyone

It just requires that extra innovativeness, a cheerful outlook and supreme confidence! You all have it! Just recognize it, have faith and patience and the day will not be far when all your efforts and hard work would be suitably rewarded!!

Pawan Borle - is Head, human resources at Pramati Technologies, Hyderabad
[email protected]

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