How to prepare a Resume to Work in India

This is a short guide to help you. How to prepare a resume to work in India.

The Indian CV / Resume should be typed maximum two pages.

The key focus of your Indian Resume / CV should be to persuade the employer to invite you for an interview. Therefore, your Indian Resume / CV is a marketing tool, which should be adapted to the market in which you intend to use it.

Include your name, address, e-mail and phone number at the top, but never include place of birth, race or religion.

A daytime phone number, with the international access code and e-mail are most important.

Your Indian Resume should be in Chronological order.

Start with your first job and ending with your most recent position.

Describe your ‘Education’. Include examination grades giving dates of attendance, study emphases, diplomas and degrees.

It’s important to include additional courses or training and special skills such as computer programs in which you are proficient.

Mention your native tongue and describe level of fluency for the other languages with reference to the spoken and written levels.

List responsibilities you had in each job with dates, their locations and your titles.

Add projects and any other activities you deem relevant. provid examples to illustrate your achievements.

Discrimination laws are not as stringent in India as they are elsewhere in the world.

Exclude anything that might give prospective employers a chance to discriminate against you.

You can include an application letter with your Resume, but never attach other documents, like diplomas or testimonials.

It is more common in India to apply for a job through the Internet.

Work permits in India

• To work in India, you must have an employment visa. To obtain one, your employer has to send an invitation letter addressed to the Indian consular services, a contract with the details of your salary and a letter justifying why the company needs to hire a foreigner rather than an Indian national.
• If your spouse wishes to work in India as well, he/she has to apply for an employment visa independently.
• You need an employment visa to open a bank account in India.

Always contact the Indian embassy in your home country to find out more about obtaining work permits.

The application procedure in India

• Your first interview may be the introduction to a series of interviews with senior personnel.
• Always bring copies of documents, like educational degrees and visa documents, to the interview.

The application letter in India

• The letter itself should be very brief and written in a very polite and formal style.
• It is no problem to write in English, although some knowledge of the Indian language is expected for most positions.
• Include a line at the top of your letter explaining the subject of the letter.
• Finish your letter formally with a sentence that shows that you are willing to come to an interview.

Dos

• Look interested – ask questions.
• Ask for clarification if you don’t understand the question you have been asked.
• Pay attention to a formal appearance in India.
• Be able to provide examples to illustrate your achievements.

Don’ts

• Be surprised or frustrated that punctuality is not an issue in India - delays are accepted to a great extent.
• Sit until invited in an Indian application interview.
• Criticise former employers.
• Go over the top – stay calm and stick to the facts.

Management culture in India

• The Indian culture is characterised by a strong need for hierarchy. Every role is connected to certain responsibilities.
• Indian people work for their manager rather than for the company – it is not unheard of for employees to leave the organisation if their boss is leaving.
• Meetings are generally unstructured and a lot of time is spent on networking and personal conversations.

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