Mistakes that may get your CV trashed

In the current situation, it is very necessary for people to know the mistakes than can cost them an interview call. In an article published on Rediff, Kshpira Singh highlighted the five most common errors. These are outlined below:

A cluttered CV

CVs where people simply put all possible information and expect recruiters to scroll through them to find out relevant details. The only destiny these CVs have is getting the 'delete' key pressed and landing up in the trash bins.



HR people get hundreds of applications for a single position. They don't have the time to sift through your CV and see if each candidate suits their purpose. So, it is your job to make your CV as user-friendly, so that they can find the information they are looking for in a single glance.

Grammatical and spelling mistakes

Grammatical errors and spelling mistakes not only look shabby, but they reveal a lot about one?s attitude. If a HR manager receives a business proposal with grammar and spelling mistakes, the first thing he would think is, "Is this person really serious about the business?"

Similarly, a CV with grammatical errors and spelling mistakes will suggest that he does not care enough for this opportunity, you are lazy and you do not have an eye for detail. Nobody wants to hire an employee with any of these characteristics. So it's a given that such CVs are headed to the rejected pile.

Past failures and/or health problems

Your CV is not the place for you to talk about past failures or health problems, so keep them off paper. Some people may argue that almost everybody has the sense not to write about failures and health problems on CVs and while I agree with them, it's been known to happen.
So this pointer is for those who do commit this mistake. Take a look at your CV again and if you have addressed any of these problems directly or indirectly, it is wise to edit them out.

Current or expected CTC

Many people have developed the habit of writing about their current salary or expected salary on a CV, as they assume that all prospective employers are going to ask about it, or that most job notifications require it. It is advised not to mention it on the CV, unless specifically asked to do so.

Vague/unclear contact details

Picture this situation -- you have a menu card from a nearby restaurant in front of you. You like the dishes they serve and the price is right too. You are impressed by the fact that they deliver within 10 minutes. You pick up the phone to make a call, but are not able to find the telephone number on the menu card. You look a second time, but you are still not able to find it. You're hungry and there's another menu card from another restaurant right in front of you, which looks equally good.

What will you do? Won't you immediately place an order with the restaurant that offers a number and ask them to send the food ASAP? Later, you may realise that there was a phone number on the first menu card, hidden somewhere in a corner, but the opportunity is gone now. You may land up in a similar situation if your contact details are not clear or not easy to find for employers. Some other things to note here are:

? Provide a phone number where potential employers can talk to you directly and don't have to go through your parents or friends.
? Keep the e-mail addresses formal - mostly a combination of your first and last name
? Keep the e-mail address small and uncomplicated to avoid any typing mistakes if employers decide to contact you online.

Writing a CV is not a difficult task. The best person to do it is you. The only thing you need is to analyse your candidature properly and present it well. You will need to draft and re-draft your CV many times before you are finally happy with it.

Kshipra Singh is a contributor to CareerRide.com, a website that offers a common platform for employers and candidates to discuss career opportunities.

Seven New Bishops of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

Fr. Dr. George Pulikkottil (42) BSc, GST, BD, M.Th, PhD
DOB: 17 May 1967
Member of St. Mathias South Cross Parish, Kunnamkulam. Parents: Late Mr. P. V. Pavu and Mrs. K. V. Anna, Present Address: STOTS, Nagpur, Post Doctoral Research Fellow. Diplomas in Sanskrit, Hebrew, Greek, Latin and German Languages. Priest since 1992 and served in different parishes under Dioceses of Kunnamkulam, Kottayam, Madras, UK Europe, and Canada and Diocese of America. Lecturer/Professor at OTS Kottayam & Nagpur since 1994. Served as Registrar of Divyabodhanam, Program Secretary of Sophia Centre – Centre for Inter-religious Dialogue and Cultural Studies, Resource Person for Oriental Studies, Associate Secretary of the Kerala Council of Churches, Member of the Association of Professors and Research Scholars in Germany for Study of Religions, since 2002. Authored more than 10 publications.

Fr. Dr. John Mathews (57) MRE., PhD.
DOB: 18 December 1952
Member of St. Thomas Cathedral, Kollam. Son of Samuel Mathews, Pulimoottil, Kollam. B.A. from Kerala University, M.R.E from America, Ph.D from Fordham University U.S.A, Serves as Professor of New Testament, Orthodox Seminary, Kottayam, Registrar of Divyabodhanam English Section, Secretary of Orthodox Vaidika Sanghom, Secretary of Inter- Church Relationship Committee of the Orthodox Church. Author of Gospel According to St. Mark – An Interpretation.

Fr. Dr. Sabu Kuriakose (43) B.Sc., BD., M.Th., D.Th.
DOB: 11 March 1966
Principal Secretary to H.H The Catholicose and working as Lecturer in the Dept. of Religion and Culture, OTS, Kottayam. Home Parish: Chungathara St. George, Malabar Diocese , Permanent Address:Tachiruparampil, Chungathara, P. O Malappuram Pastoral Work: Vicar- St. George Cathedral, Kozhikkodu, Asst. Vicar- Mar Gregorios, Salem, Asst. Vicar- St Thomas, Bangalore and St. Gregorios, Tumkur, Vicar- St. Gregorios, Nilambur,Vicar, St.Stephens, Karappurum, Vicar- St. Marys, Akampadam, Vicar, St. Marys, Shornur, Vicar, St. Thomas, Nattassery . Present Vicar of Thazhathangady Mar Baselios & Mar Gregorios

Fr. Yuhanon Ramban (47) MA., B.D., MTh.
DOB: 8 Oct 1962
Parents: (Late) Sri. P.Mathai and Thankamma Mathai,Nediyavilayil House, Pandalam, Superior of Holy Trinity Ashram, Ranni, Home Diocese: Chengannur, Home Parish :Kurampala St. Thomas, MA Sociology (Kerala), GST (OTS, Kottayam) B.D (Serampore), S.T.M (in Patristic Studies) from General Theological Seminary, New York, USA M. Th. (Spiritual Theology) Course completed from Indian Institute of Spirituality, Bangalore, Served the parishes in the Dioceses of Trivandrum (1987-92), America (1992-2003) and Madras (2006-07), Served as Secretary to: (Late) H.G. Geevarghese Mar Dioscorus (1981-’82 & 1988-’92) at Trivandrum and H.G.Mathews Mar Barnabas(1992-2003) at New York and as the Diocesan Office Secretary at New York. Attended various conferences of NCCA in 2000 and 2001 as delegate of the American Diocese. Member of NAMS since 1984. Author of the Book: Baptism Eucharist Ministry. Chief Editor: of “Diocesan Voice”, a quarterly publication of the American Diocese.

Fr.Dr.Nathanael Remban (57) BA., BD., M.Th., D.Th.
DOB: 10 February 1953
Superior of St. Paul’s Ashram, Puthuppady, Principal of St.Paul’s Mission Training Centre, Mavelikara, Son of M. George & Thankamma George, Thoppil, Vazhuvady Thazhakkara, Mavelikara, Parent Parish – Mar Baselios, Vazhuvady, Mavelikara, B.A. (Economics). M.A (Philosophy) Osmania University, BD, M.Th & D.Th (Serampore), Secretary, Orthodox Church Mission Society & Mission Board. Governing member of: St. Gregorios Balagram, Yacharam, St. George Balikagram, Pune, St. Paul’s Balagram, Ittarsi, Kalahandi Development Project., St. Gregorios Dayabhavan & Palliative Care Centre Kunigal, Bangalore, Mar Osthathios Sharing Trust. Written & Published 12 Books in the area of Theology, Philosophy & Spirituality. Published more than 30 research papers and 3 Thesis, Managing Editor – Doothan Tri Magazine

Fr. Dr. V. M. Abraham (40) BD., M.Th., D.Min.
DOB: 28 December 1969
Member: St. Basil Dayara, Pathanamthitta, Home: Vadutala, Mathoor, Pathanamthitta, Home Parish: St. George Valiya Palli, Thumpamon Erom. Education: B.Sc., M.G University, B.D., (Serampore) from OTS, Kottayam, M.Th., Dharmaram College, Bangalore, Pastoral Counseling, Elmhurst Hospital, Elmhurst, IL, Doctor of Ministry – Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL, General Secretary – MGOCSM since 2005, Sabha Managing Committee Member since 2006, Governing Board member Thadagam Ashram since 2005, Sabha Mission Board member since 2005, Mar Eusebius Memorial Project Director Board member since 2009,Kerala Council of Churches delegate since 2007, Director, St. Gregorios Shanthinilayam Counseling Center(1997-2000), Secretary to L/L HG Philipos Mar Eusebius (94-95). Parishes Served: St. Gregorios, Tumkur, Karnataka St. Mary’s, Thirumuttom, St. Basil Dayara Chapel, St George, Mukkaluman, Thumpamon, St. George, Angadical, St. Gregorios, Oak Park, IL, USA

Fr. V. M. James (56) GST., BD., M.Th.
DOB: 24 February 1953
Member of Budhannur St. Elias Orthodox Church, Chenganoor Diocese, Son of late T. K. Mathew, Budhanoor, M. A from Kerala University. B. D and M. Th from Serampore University, Served as Vicar St. Thomas Kollam, St.Gregorios, London., Higher Studies in Eastern Spirituality and Monasticism in England. Now Director of St. Basil Bible School and Orientation Centre, Sasthamkotta. Superior Mt. Horeb Ashram, Sasthamkotta. Member of Dr. C. T. Eapen Trust. Author of Pravachaka Sandesam in Divya Bodhanam Series.

Seven more Metropolitans to the Malankara Church. Malankara Association Members gave an over whelming and standing ovation with heaven breaking applause to seven Metropolitan elects, when the Malankara Metropolitan declared their names as winners of the Episcopal election 2010 at Mathews II Nagar (Mount Horeb Ashram), Sasthamkotta at 9.00 pm local time.

Some of the Association members, who were in an ecstatic mood, were literally elevating their loved candidates, who have been confirmed by their mother Church as befitting candidates to lead them deep into the 21st Century!

Fr. Dr. George Pulikkottil (714 – 1677) = 2391, Fr. Dr. John Mathews (769 – 1475) = 2244, Fr. Dr. Sabu Kuriakose (701 – 1536) = 2237, Fr. Yuhanon Ramban (599 – 1619) = 2218, Fr. Dr. Nathaniel Ramban (611 – 1510) = 2121, Fr. Dr. V. M. Abraham (544 – 1384) = 1928 and Fr. V. M. James (497 – 1184) = 1681 are the seven priests, who have won the Episcopal election.

When the Malankara Syrian Christian Association President, Malankara Metropolitan and Catholicose Baselios Didymos Marthoma I declared their names and invited them to the stage to garland and congratulate, children of the Malankara Church all around the globe had also approved their accord with pleasure.

The Association concluded with prayer and apostolic benediction by the Supreme Head of the Malankara Church, the Catholicos.

The home parishioners and loved ones of the Metropolitan elects from their respective dioceses received the Metropolitan elects with delight and have led them to their residences with motorcade accompaniment. On their way home prominent parishes of Malankara will also extend their joy and love to them by extending warm welcome.

“It is the second time in the history of Malankara Church that the desired number of candidates has been elected to the bishopricate. This reflects the depth of prayerful and saintly stature of His Holiness,” the priest trustee Fr. Dr. Jones Abraham Konatt said to IOH. He went on to reflect that the prayers and blessings of His Holiness’ predecessors, especially Baselios Marthoma Mathews II, whose mortal remains rests to the second coming of the Lord at the Association venue, have visibly reflected in the proceedings.

10 mistakes that bosses make

Calling the boss H - Hitler, A - Arrogant, R - Rascal and I - Idiot caught everyone's attention in Naukri's TV commercial, would you do the same if given an opportunity? Even though it was just an advertisement, it did reflect the plight of employees in the IT industry. After receiving interesting comments on "10 reasons why people quit jobs in IT industry", we decided to take it a step further to analyze what exactly is going wrong. We conducted a survey to find out top ten mistakes that even good managers and bosses make.

So I am listing below the top ten mistakes which are very common amongst bosses.

1 - Micro-management
Sometimes when bosses assign work to an employee they don't completely trust that employee will be capable of completing the work. They underestimate the ability of the people they hire and end up offending the employee. "According to me, the number one mistake is, not effectively identifying the strengths of the employee, thereby micro managing or not delegating or not trusting the employee's judgment. A good boss is one who brings out the best in the employee," says Sharda Balaji, Founder of NovoJuris Services.

2 - Using improper mode of communication
Some bosses have this weird sense that since they are boss they should order people around and create a military kind of environment. They feel the stricter the things are the better things are organized. If an employee is late for some deadline, then the boss starts labeling the work or the employee himself.

3 - Leading through intimidation
This is one of the worst kind of mistake that bosses make. They feel that if an employee is threatened to work they will perform better. What the boss does not realize is that employee under such pressure end up losing interest in work and will meet the deadline just for the heck of it. Such employees then would only do what is asked from them and will never happily give hundred percent to do something good for the company.

4 - Lacking empathy for employee's situation
There are sometimes when employees do make excuses to take leave or when they come late. But not every reason is an excuse. Bosses end up thinking that their employees are always making excuses and do not showing any consideration for employee's situation

5 - Becoming inaccessible to your employees
An employee wants to contact his boss for something important but he is busy with other things and does not give any weightage to employee's problem and hence he is scared to approach his bosss.

"I have had some experiences at one of the company I worked with, where the manager was just not approachable and accessible. I could not expect any kind of guidance from him. It would not be wrong if I say that he was too busy caught with meetings (not accessible). He was also not approachable at the same time because of bad temperament and everything depended on his mood," said Prashant Honnavar, who is a Manager of HR at NextBiT Computing.

6 - Not providing guidance or motivating employees
An employee should always have something to look forward to. A good manager knows how to motivate employees to make them perform better but for this they have to spend some time with their team. In today's IT work environment many of the managers have no time to spend with the team due to day long meetings. As a result they miss out on understanding a team member's problem at work and providing the right support and solutions for the same. Failing to support and understanding a team member will lead to recipe of resignation. A manager should always have the practice of having one on one to know more about the team member, and then provide right feedback at the same time to motivate with the right attitude.

7 - Not providing a clear picture - Transparency
Many times work is assigned by bosses to employees without clearly telling them the complete picture. Boss should always maintain transparency with their employee to make them understand what exactly they are doing. "If bosses start informing their team about the correct scenarios and maintain transparency about a project, then the employees will work more willingly and meeting the deadline will no longer be a concern of the boss alone," said Juilee Joshi, who worked as a Technical Support analyst at BMC software.

8 - Insecurity about their post
Some bosses prefer to do things alone rather than taking teams help as they are unsecure that someone will provide better solution, and thus they get a sense of insecurity about their post. "There is something unique about Indian bosses. They get this superiority complex about their position and I fail to understand why. There are many extremely capable folks who like to remain in the 'individual contributors' role because they do not enjoy people management," said Balaji. "You can deal with an egoistic boss, a demanding boss, an impatient boss... but the worst kind is the one who is insecure."

9 - Trying to be friend as well as boss or showing partiality
This is the trickiest part of the boss-employee relationship. Some of the bosses try to maintain a perfect balance between professionalism and friendship but it does not always work well for the company. Employees might become lenient in submitting at deadline or boss might start expecting too much from employees since they are good friend as well.

Another part of this equation can be showing partiality or favoring certain employees over others which create negative vibes in the team.

10 - Making fake promises
In order to motivate employees many time managers make fake promises of promotion or goodies but when the time comes they just stall it. This de-motivates an employee a great deal and might backfire badly on the company.

There are many other mistakes that bosses commit but we felt that these are the top ten reasons. You may think differently and have your own reasons. We would like to hear the top mistakes that your boss makes. Do let us know.

By Ojas Sharma
You can mail us at: editor@siliconindia.com

Tips for good sleep

Stick to a schedule. Erratic bedtimes do not allow for your body to align to the proper circadian rhythms. Mum was right when she set a time we always had to go to sleep as kids. Also, make sure you try to keep the same schedule on weekends too, otherwise the next morning, you’d wake later and feel overly tired.

Sleep only at night. Avoid daytime sleep if possible. Daytime naps steal hours from nighttime slumber. Limit daytime sleep to 20-minute, power naps.

Exercise. It’s actually known to help you sleep better. Your body uses the sleep period to recover its muscles and joints that have been exercised. Twenty to thirty minutes of exercise every day can help you sleep, but be sure to exercise in the morning or afternoon. Exercise stimulates the body and aerobic activity before bedtime may make falling asleep more difficult.

Taking a hot shower or bath before bed helps bring on sleep because they can relax tense muscles.

Avoid eating just before bed. Avoid eat large meals or spicy foods before bedtime. Give yourself at least 2 hours from when you eat to when you sleep. This allows for digestion to happen (or at least start) well before you go to sleep so your body can rest well during the night, rather than churning away your food.

Avoid caffeine. It keeps you awake and that’s now what you want for a good nights sleep. We all know that.

Read a fiction book. It takes you to a whole new world if you really get into it. And then take some time to ponder over the book as you fall asleep. I find as I read more and more, regardless of the book, I get more tired at night and so find it easier to fall asleep. Different for others?

Have the room slightly cooler. I prefer this to a hot room. I prefer to turn off the heat and allow the coolness to circulate in and out of the windows. If I get cold, I wear warmer clothes. It also saves on the bills as you’re not going to require the heat all night long.

Sleep in silence. I find sleeping with no music or TV on more easy and restful. I guess others are different, but sleep with no distractions is best for a clearer mind.

Avoid alcohol before bedtime. It’s a depressant; although it may make it easier to fall asleep, it causes you to wake up during the night. As alcohol is digested your body goes into withdrawal from the alcohol, causing nighttime awakenings and often nightmares for some people.