Below are the Q-A sessions in Rediff chat answered by Amit Bansal, the founder and CEO of PurpleLeap.
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ravi asked, I am working in a small company as marketing manager. What are my prospects to enter in to big company with the same designation? I am working in chemical company. I am also looking after recruitment and export.
Amit Bansal answers, As long as you are able to justify that your experience is good enough to handle a marketing manager’s profile in a potential company your prospects are bright. Remember the key is to align your knowledge, skills and attitude to the job description.
Himadri asked, How to answer this? Why do you prefer govt. job over private sector?
Amit Bansal answers, It’s just to understand your professional aspirations. Not to check your bias about any of these sectors. You must focus only on where you want to reach professionally rather than focusing on the pros and cons of each of these sectors.
Shom asked, I work as an instructional designer and have six years of experience in the field. I have not done any course on instructional designing. Now i am planning to do instructional designing course from Symbiosis , distance learning. Will it do any good? your take?
Amit Bansal answers, Go for it.
ChanaMasala asked, For a guy with 3 years experience in Corporate World, how many pages long should his/her resume be?
Amit Bansal answers, Just 2 pages.
shanky asked, I have 8.5 yrs work ex in one company, now planning a gap of 1 year for MBA prep. & setting up family business. How difficult it is to come back in IT industry after that gap. Please comment
Amit Bansal answers, Not really. Just be in touch with what’s happening in the industry while you are away.
SHANKU asked, I AM WORKING IN A LOGISTIC SECTOR FOR LAST 5 YEARS. DURING THIS TENURE I HAVE CHANGED 3 COMPANIES. NOW I HAVE AN INTERVIEW NEXT WEEK IN A LOGISTICS COMPANY.I EAGER TO JOIN. BUT WHAT WOULD BE MY ANSWER IF THEY ASK FOR MY FREQUENT CHANGE OF JOBS?
Amit Bansal answers, What has been the real reason for switching jobs so frequently?
harry asked, I personally like to thank you Amit, your answers were simple and upto the mark without any loop holes….thanks a lot
Amit Bansal answers, Appreciate it Harry. Thank you.
ankit asked, What if you are facing interview for the First Time in your career for a Job?
Amit Bansal answers, There’s always a first time for everything. Go for it and don’t worry even if you are not selected. Be confident about your academic qualifications, your skills and carry a positive attitude. All the very best.
DJN asked, How to Answer the question for Tell about Yourself? Did we need to tell about ourself regarding education, experience which is mentioned in resume or should tell them which is not mentioned in resume?If so what can we tell about ourself which is not mentioned in the resume
Amit Bansal answers, Tell me about yourself should highlight only your professional experience or academic details. It should talk about what you are doing currently, what did in the past and what you plan to do in future and how this current opportunity will fit into the overall game plan of your professional life.
sharmela asked, Hi.. ioday i had been for an interview and i got selected for the final round for the post of executive secretary to MD but the HR Vice president wants to know from me that whether i can deal if some data base is given and i have to compile those datas to prepare MIS report which can u please understand me?
Amit Bansal answers, Well, most data is stored on excel sheets. I suggest you improve on your ability to work on advance features of excel. It seems that knowledge of excel will be critical in your job profile.
rajesh ramchandani asked, what is best answer if one has been jobless for a whileand still wants to ask for a good package convincingly.
Amit Bansal answers, You can convince your potential employer to pay you well by highlighting what professional areas you have improved during this time and if you have added any qualifications. If you have been productive even without a job in hand any employer will be receptive to you.
ashwani asked, wat is the significance of language in an interview
Amit Bansal answers, Language is important because that’s the only way you can express yourself. There are specific jobs where language plays a very critical role. If you have applied for a job like that you will be required to speak well. This will be highlighted very clearly in a job description.
ssk asked, How to convince the Multinational companies to pay you according to their pay structure in their country and not as the prevalent Indian pay structure
Amit Bansal answers, Pay scale structuring is done as per industry standards and each company follows their own standards.
harry asked, If you have not done certification but you got ample of experience in PMP… is it good to mention in CV.
Amit Bansal answers, Absolutely. Even after a certification, real time experience is what counts the most.
sun4ever asked, how to prepare for a possible stress interview
Amit Bansal answers, First thing is to anticipate stress questions. Second is to ensure you do not get stressed. Be realistic in your responses without getting defensive.
shanky asked, How are gap of 1 year in employment looked at in IT industry?
Amit Bansal answers, 1 year is too short a period to move jobs. You should have a very good reasons for moving jobs that early. However, if its just one or two instances it’s still okay. But if it’s a pattern then you may want to reflect on it a little bit.
Raj_iv02 asked, How to answer describe your three weakness?
Amit Bansal answers, While you are describing your weakness, do not talk about blatant weaknesses like short temper, laziness etc. Talk about weaknesses you have identified and created an action plan to improve. They should also be related to your professional life.
Chirag asked, What is the best way to explain as to why I want the job
Amit Bansal answers, To answer this question, highlight your professional aspirations and how this job profile fall in line with your aspirations. Highlight the value add this job profile will bring to your professional experience. The interviewer is trying to understand if you know why you want this job and its not just a stop gap arrangement.
maya asked, what if i dont know some answers for the questions i hav been asked
Amit Bansal answers, If you do not know the answer to a specific question, it’s a good idea to say, if you are given sometime you can find out the answers. However under no circumstances give a wrong response. Also ensure that its just one or two instances during the interview where you do not know the answers and not the entire interview.
test asked, My Question is if you have talent in many fields in IT like (ITIL, Manual Testing, Application support etc) but internally people select you on criteria of last project eg “Testing” But if you want to switch to ITIL how to make ppl understand that you are good in that too and do not judge on last project.
Amit Bansal answers, You can add other expertise under competencies in your resume. You can also highlight them in the objective statement. Also, while you are talking about yourself during the interview you can put more stress on areas you would like your interviewer to notice?
imam asked, M working with company from last 4 years and didn’t got promotion due to some reasons and it became difficult for me to justify it to interviewer and i always fail to crack the inteview.Pls provide your opnion
Amit Bansal answers, What are you trying to justify to the interviewer?
DJN asked, How to Answer the question for Reason for change?
Amit Bansal answers, Most organizations accept personal and professional reasons for moving jobs. However if there are behavioral issues which are reasons for your moving, it’s important you are careful while talking about them to potential employers.
hrd asked, how to negotiate for the best salary, if you are eligible for the right job and profile
Amit Bansal answers, Negotiating an unreasonably amount may not work even if you are the right candidate. Study the market scenario and see what is being offered by competitors. Negotiations should be based on some valid reasons.
raj asked, how to prepare to get better job in accounts?
Amit Bansal answers, Is there a specific profile you are planning to apply for? I suggest study the job description and then align your knowledge skills and attitude to the job description. That’s the best way to prepare for any job.
sohit asked, hi i found prom to speak in front of people who is taking my interview even I have knowledge in my field but I unable to speak in front of people
Amit Bansal answers, Lack of confidence can be easily taken care of. You must do mock interview practice with friends. I also suggest that just to overcome this problem you can even attend some random interviews without looking for a job offer.
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Source: www.rediff.com
Chat Date: 13 January, 2012
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