Satyam to set up virtual bench

Satyam will be setting up a virtual bench for surplus employees who have not been assigned any work. The number of non-revenue earning employees on the virtual bench is likely to total 7,000-10,000, out of which around 7,000-8,000 may come from the technical side. The rest would be from the support staff.NDTV broke the virtual bench story last month.Tech Mahindra Chief Executive and Satyam board member Vineet Nayyar said Satyam does not wish to fire employees, but work has contracted in last few months, so they are being put on virtual bench. Satyam will take a call after six months on employees put on virtual bench, he said.

Source - NDTV

Writing a CV that stands out

When you apply to a job opening there would be dozen other candidates applying for the same post. So, how do you ensure your resume stands out from the pile? What is it that companies look for while short-listing candidates? Here is a lowdown.
An entry- level resume
Highlight your non-academic achievements too: At entry-level when you have no industry experience, underscore your other achievements. "Highlight projects that you have done, awards you have bagged and companies you have interned with," says Rajesh AR, VP, temp staffing unit, TeamLease Services.
Companies also give high rating if they see you are a team person and enjoy good inter-personal relationships. So, if you are part of student's associations or an NGO, stress on these points. Of course, academics is the first thing that recruiters see, but extra curricular excellence does count.
Talk only about business interest: Trash the habit of mentioning interests like singing, dancing, music, swimming, painting or astrology. That's a complete passe. "Talk only about your business interest," says Sunil Kalra, consultant to a leading HR firm. And be well prepared. If you say your interest lies in reading, "Then know the book inside, out, upside, down," emphasises Kalra.
Gain proficiency in a professional area: While studying, gain competency in an area that will hold you in good stead in your professional career. Learn basic computer skills. Having done that, move on to adding other skills like Coral Draw if you want to get into computer graphics or learn accounting software Tally if you see your future in accounting.
A mid-level executive's resume
Flexibility and responsibility: When you have gained 3-4 years of experience, review your CV. For a person with 2-4 year's of experience and more, the thrust shifts on industry knowledge and his adaptability in the organisation, among other qualities. "At this stage, cultural fit is given more importance, flexible approach matters and the learning starts playing an important role", says Rajesh AR. The organisation sees if you have been flexible in previous roles and whether you are prepared for a new responsibility.
Personal initiatives: The companies also see the personal initiatives that you have taken to add on to your skill and knowledge base. While it hints your progressive mindset, "It also subtly, positively speaks of your career consciousness", says Kalra. Candidates should highlight those events where their ideas have been implemented; their analytical skills have been applauded.
Other must-dos
Be specific: If you are applying for a position in sales and marketing vertical, a requirement which is across industries, should you tailor your CV every time? Not really. Just be specific and highlight the best fit experiences.
Remain updated: Be aware of the news and current affairs. "Read newspapers", advises Rajesh AR. Read business writers. Focus more on your field
Communication skills: Work on your verbal communication skills and writing skills. Prior to the interview, prepare a list of questions that a recruiter might ask, write down the answers and read it aloud to yourself. Keep your answers to the point. Use these pointers and rest assured you will get an interview call no sooner your CV reaches the recruiter.

5 interview mistakes to avoid

So, you've decided that you want a job. You've made a high-impact resume highlighting your skills, applied for multiple jobs of your choice and got a few interview calls. The next step -- and most important -- is the interview. You will not have too much time to create an impact and show that you are the best candidate for this position. So how do you ace your interview?
That's a difficult question to answer. It depends on so many factors beyond the scope of this article. However, it is much easier to identify common mistakes and make a conscious effort to avoid them during the interview.
If you can avoid some of these mistakes, you can improve you chances of a favourable outcome:
Dressing and hygiene - Most hiring managers make the decision in first few minutes of the interview. The rest of the time is spent in validating and justifying the decision. It means that basic hygiene factors become far more important than most people think. It includes dressing appropriately, reaching the venue on time, a firm handshake, positive eye contact, etc. Err on the side of caution and dress up professionally even if the company encourages casual dressing.
It doesn't take a lot of effort to be able to do most of these things effectively. There is no upside in not getting these things right. It's just a matter of discipline and must be enforced during the interview.
Badmouthing previous employer - This is one of the most common mistakes people commit in a job interview. While justifying job switches, a vast majority of candidates say negative things about their previous managers or employers. This shows the negative attitude of the candidate and could also imply that he/she doesn't work well with colleagues and seniors.
Everybody faces issues with a bad manager/employer at some stage in their careers. Make sure you don't mention that in a job interview. The reason for job switches should always be positive -- talk about growth or better opportunities you got elsewhere.
Not preparing enough - It is your responsibility to read about the company's business -- products, competitors, opportunities, challenges, etc and make sure that you bring it up during the interview. These discussions will give the interviewer the confidence that you can hit the ground running and will start contributing much before some of the other candidates. Nothing communicates your interest in the job more than your preparation.
Not listening - Don't make it a one-way street. Your success doesn't depend upon how much you speak. A short and crisp response can show confidence and the depth of your kowledge. Try to engage the interviewer with questions based on your understanding of their business. Listen and then respond appropriately. Try not to ask too many questions either. Never interrupt an interviewer while he is speaking.
Talking money too soon - A lot of candidates start asking questions about salary and benefits during the first interview. It's never a good idea to discuss salary before intent of hiring has been communicated to you. Do not do it unless you are specifically asked your salary details. The more you delay these discussions, the easier it'll be for you to negotiate a higher salary.
The writer is the founder of iimjobs.com -- an exclusive job portal for MBAs from IIMs and other premier business schools in India. He holds a BTech in Computer Science & Engineering from Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University and MBA from Indian Institute of Management Indore.

The writer is the founder of iimjobs.com -- an exclusive job portal for MBAs from IIMs and other premier business schools in India. He holds a BTech in Computer Science & Engineering from Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University and MBA from Indian Institute of Management Indore.