Resume Writing Guide

Desirable Job Profile

How often has it happened that the job description looked pretty exciting when the Human Resources (HR) department called you with the “opportunity of your dreams”? All other things like the compensation package and everything else was even better than what you had and you grabbed the offer. A few days into your job and you realize what you’re expected to do is vastly different from what you were told! This is a common mistake with first-timers who’re not “seasoned” job hunters. You must be very careful when discussing the job profile. Ensure that you speak to the right people within the organization. The HR of an organization often has a disconnect with the actual project team (or the department which actually wants to hire a candidate) when it comes to detailed job profiles. Add to that the pressure of meeting “hiring targets”, you don’t want to take only their word for it. At the end of the day, the attractive compensation, the brand name of the Company and all of that hardly matters when you’re not going to be looking forward to coming to work every day.

Make sure that you ask about the job profile during the technical interview rounds or on-site rounds when typically the panel consists of people you might actually be working with (colleagues or reporting managers etc.), once you join. It is customary to ask the candidate if they have any questions. Grab the chance and ask what exactly will be the job description. You must probe enough to know what it’s going to be like for you on a typical day in office, in terms of responsibilities. Make this an important factor to consider while accepting or rejecting the offer. You need to be clear about what you want to do careerwise, map the offered job description to your goals and come to an informed decision. You will most likely not get exactly what you’re looking for, but the job should at least be a stepping stone to where you want to go instead of leading to a completely different career path. Again, depending on your experience level, you must weigh the pros and cons. If you’re a fresh graduate with little or no experience, you might want to make more compromises to work your way to your goals. However, if you’re a seasoned professional, you might become more rigid with your expectations. Take your time on this point and you will reap the benefits of this consideration not just in the short term but also in the long term.

Long-term Career Prospects

Not to repeat the above point, but it is essential to ask yourself, “Where do I see myself in this organization 2 years from now or 5 years from now?”. Each day at this new job must take you closer to your career goals. If you’re not sure about this with the information you have, ask around. Check within your network of colleagues and acquaintances who are in similar job profiles and ask where it is leading them. Ensure that it is not a stagnant profile in that it should offer enough scope for growth opportunities within and outside the organization.