(from left) Mr R. Karunamurthi, Dean HKBK, Business Academy; Ms Sharmita Satpati, Assistant Manager, Team Lease Services; and Mr D.B. Fakruddin, Principal, HKBKCE, at an interaction session with HKBK Business Academy students in Bangalore on Saturday, organised by The Hindu Business Line Club . – G.R. N. Somashekhar

Our Bureau

Bangalore, Oct. 7 Looking for a job can feel like a job in itself. With the hiring process evolving over the years, to find the right job has become a humongous task.

From a simple “word-of-mouth” recommendation to the present multi-level screening, the selection process has undergone a sea change. The reason, organisations are aiming to hire quality manpower. A guest lecture organised by The Hindu Business Line Club for the students of HKBK Business Academy here on Saturday, gave the necessary inputs on how to handle an interview successfully.

In a simple yet powerful presentation, Ms Sharmita Satpati, Assistant Manager at TeamLease Services, briefed students on the attributes that a jobseeker should keep in mind and provided tips on how to impress an interviewer through verbal as well as non-verbal mode of communication. Her presentation included creating a resume, interview from an employer as well as employee’s perspective, how to prepare for an interview and the necessary relevance of group discussion.

Sharing her experience, Ms Satpati said, “The interviewer looks at how a candidate can add value to the company as a transaction expert or as a solution provider or as a strategic expert. You need to be very clear about what you bring to an opportunity and why you should be considered and ultimately chosen for it,” she said.

On providing pertinent answers, she said, “If the interviewer asks you, tell him something about yourself, don’t brag about your family. Instead, tell him what you know about the job and how well you can blend in it.”

Ms Satpati asked the students to practice before attending an interview. “Practice makes you more confident and relaxed,” she said. She cautioned students against getting their resumes drafted by professional resume writers as they may not reflect the correct attributes of a candidate. “Your true colours would be out during the interview,” she said. She told students to provide information about their interests and hobbies. “This section will highlight skills that were not gained through work or education, but are relevant to the job for which you are applying. These may include leadership or teamwork skills you picked up through sports or any other such activities,” Ms Satpati said.

Mr N. Rajashekar, Regional General Manager of The Hindu, Bangalore welcomed and introduced the guests. Mr V.K. Varadarajan, Chief of Bureau, The Hindu Business Line, Bangalore and Mr D.B. Fakruddin, Principal of the College, were also present.

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