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June 13, 2010

Biodata, resume or curriculum Vittae (part 1)

How many times have we heard the word bio-data, resume, or curriculum Vittae and wondered what it means. Many jokes are cracked about the word bio-data. He carries his bio-data in his pocket. His bio-data is updated every week etc. Let us see what is a bio-data and how is it useful.

Bio-data is the person's identity card or the first application that introduces the person to the company or the person who is interested. The different types of bio-data are job bio-data, marriage bio-data, social bio-data etc. What ever is the type of bio-data the basic objectives of any bio-data is to introduce the person.

Let us remember that in the modern dog eat dog world the competition is very severe and cut throat. Some famous companies get thousands of bio-data in the course of a single day. So one has to consciously work to make one's bio-data as attractive as possible.

It is relevant to mention an example here. Knowing that many people are applying for a coveted job an applicant applying for a post in a famous advertising agency sent a potato as his bio-data saying very crispy "I want to be a potato in your organization". He was called to the interview and he was asked as to what he means by that outrageous statement. The candidate replied" Sure sir, A potato is a very versatile vegetable, it can be used in any dish, it can be used to enrich any dish and it gives lots of energy. So like a potato you will find me very versatile and I would fit into any department and I would be very versatile". Needless to say he got the job.

One more innovative way of introducing oneself was tried out in the USA where a bright youngster booked time on the cable television and dressed himself and showed himself on the TV talking about his strengths and weaknesses and so on.

But for most of the time we have to limit ourselves to the old and trusted printed bio-data. The company that invites applications for any post usually gets a very large number of applications for the post. So what is the basis of filtration? Let us face the first shock. Nearly 75% to 80% of the bio-data are rejected outright on the following basis.

Candidates submitting bio-data filled on ready made forms available at stationery shops. Submitting of Biodata on ready made forms indicate very low level of interest from the candidate side.

Badly photocopied bio-data. photocopied bio-data are an indication of multiple applications being sent out

Not adhering to the standards being set by the company. Not sending the photograph when asked for, not submitting the photocopy of marks sheets or not sending testimonials or not getting the photocopies attested.

Not sending a covering letter. A covering letter is very important and it personalizes the application.

Making silly mistakes. The usual ones are the wrongly spelt out names of the company or the person to whom the letter is addressed etc. Don't expect the company to send you a call letter when you can't even spell the company's name properly.

The cover enclosing the bio-data is stuck with too much gum and this irritates the person who is opening the bio-data and this might result in a torn bio-data.

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