Common Interview Mistakes to Avoid

Getting a call for an interview is difficult because employers have access to suitable candidates worldwide, thanks to the job portals. If you are invited to a job interview, you should understand that the opportunity has to be utilized well.

The few minutes you get with your employer should be exploited thoroughly to prove that you are indeed the right person for the job. By avoiding common mistakes, you can outsmart your competition and grab your dream job.

Common Interview Mistakes to Avoid

1. Going unprepared

If you are a serious job seeker; you should prepare for the interview even before you receive an invitation. You should research about the company, services and products and everything about the job position.

Going unprepared will make you look lazy, and you can’t answer properly if you are not sure whether your interests align with the company.

2. Lying on your resume

Your resume gives away all the qualifications, skills, and experience you possess. Almost all job seekers pad their resumes a little bit, but outright lying won’t help you to get the job.

The interviewers will closely scan your resume before interviewing, and if you have lied about something, you won’t be comfortable during the interview, reducing your chances of getting hired.

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3. Showing up late

One of the worst mistakes you could make while appearing for an interview is making the interviewers wait for you. Whether you are called for a personal interview or Skype interview, always be on time and be available when your name is called.

There is no excuse to show up late if you are interested in getting the job.

4. Displaying lack of confidence

Creating the first impression is crucial to be successful at an interview. Have a firm handshake, smile politely and make eye contact to show off your confidence.

These are the common mistakes that candidates make during interviews. Prepare yourself well and remain calm during the interview to get the best results.

Forensics as a Career Option

Forensic science is an upcoming field with numerous high paying avenues and a wide range of careers to choose from. Forensic science is the study of crime scenes and various scientific angles to the evidence found at the scene. From forensic investigators to legal experts, there are a lot of options to choose from.

Fields you can work for

  • Analytical chemist
  • Biomedical scientist
  • Forensic scientist
  • Scientific laboratory technician
  • Teaching laboratory technician
  • Toxicologist
  • Face mapping expert

You need adequate practical exposure, which is centered around attention to detail, analytical ability and comfort with body fluids and viscera. You can work at a laboratory for gaining experience and also work with the police as a constable to get a better idea about crime scenes.

You can also avail internships with employers who can gradually start paying you after you’ve gained enough experience.

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Class of Employers

Since the government sector makes use of outsourced employees for forensic work, there is only scope in the private sector for a job based on forensic science. The Ministry of Defense, the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory, employs forensic scientists. You can also work in the academic sector, law enforcement and other branches.

Skill Set

You need the following qualities to excel at a forensic science job:

  • A penchant for detail.
  • Analytical and systematic approachable.
  • Patience and focus.
  • Ability to work for long hours.
  • You need to be an effective communicator, flexible with work hours and have a stoic approach to deal with unpleasant crime analysis.
  • Can do both teamwork and work independently.

You can opt for a Masters in Forensic Science after you’re done with your bachelors. Other fields where you can work include molecular biology and fire investigation. A PhD can be pursued in the field of the drug, perfume, and DNA analysis.

5 Things to Know About Joining the Police Force

From preventing crime to helping people out, the occupation of the police is rewarding indeed. But getting through the application process is tough- from written, oral, physical and psychological tests to sweating it out in order to match the specifications of an ideal recruit, it can be challenging. Here are a few tips for you if you want to be a police officer.

1. Learn what it takes to be a police officer

What are the qualities a police officer should possess? From a quick ability to think and act to upholding moral integrity and taking charge of the situation- a keen survival instinct and industrious thinking are required to be a police officer. 

The ability to survive in difficult situations and the ability to control your temper are important attributes. You can also join a Police Explorer program at the school level that helps train you for the job.

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2. Identify all the criteria and specifications

The hiring of police officials takes a lot of time and involves a thorough screening of the candidates to select the best of the lot. 

You need to be a lawful citizen of the concerned country, have a valid driver’s license and a high school certificate. Additional experience in the criminal field or a military service record will be helpful.

3. Understand factors that may be subject to disqualification

Previous criminal activity, felonies, drug addiction, drunk driving or any other criminal record will disqualify you from the recruitment process.

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4. File your application and appear for an entrance exam

Write an application for recruitment, fill out the necessary forms and register yourself for a written screening. This will be followed by a physical and psychological exam, and you need to be well prepared for it.

5. Enroll yourself in a Police Training Academy

If you make it to the list of selected candidates after passing all the tests and background checks, you will be enrolled in a police training academy. There, you will be trained in all aspects of your duties as an officer of the criminal law-community policing, training for firearms, investigation and defense methods.

3 Smartest Cities to Live in the UK

London is not the only city to settle in to live your British dream. London has become overpopulated. It is time to look at other cities, which are equally good and have great job opportunities.

The United Kingdom comprises England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. It is a good time to move to the United Kingdom because the population there is ageing, and it is a good opportunity to grab. Get your impending master’s degree and a good job after that.

Here are the three smartest cities to live in the UK:

1. Liverpool

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Home to the Liverpool Football Club, Liverpool is a city in northwest London ideal for raising a family. Cost of living is half of that in London and the groceries are cheaper too.

Liverpool is the home to the Beatles, so the music culture there is strong. The average salary of a person living in Liverpool is £23,980.

Median house price is £156,800: engineers, graphic designers, and healthcare professionals.

2. Manchester

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Another city in northwest England, Manchester is a hub for industrial jobs. It is the home to Manchester City Football Club. The average salary of a person living in Manchester is £26,532.

Engineers and healthcare professionals are in demand in Manchester. The median house price range in the city is £163,771. It is well-connected with rest of the country through rail network.

3. Edinburgh

The capital of Scotland is a happening place too. Famous for its Edinburgh Palace and Stone of Destiny, Scotland is ideal for immigrants to settle. Popular job fields in the capital city are financial services, banking, education, and construction. Average salary of a person living in Edinburgh is £28,132. Median house price range is around £175,000.

It is very easy for Indians to settle in the United Kingdom. Visa and immigration rules are Indian-friendly and straightforward.

So, plan ahead.

3 Most Exciting Attractions in Thailand

Thailand is on every traveller’s bucket list, a beautiful country in Southeast Asia, also lovingly called the Land of Smiles. With mesmerising beaches in the south mountainous villages in the north, Thailand is a backpacker’s dream.

If you are an Indian citizen, you don’t need a visa to travel to Thailand. You can stay there for up to 90 days. If you have to stay longer, you’ll need to apply for a visa.

Here are the three most exciting attractions in Thailand you should visit:

1. The Grand Palace

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Located in Bangkok, the Grand Palace is a precious attraction in Thailand. It is of great historical, artistic, and cultural importance to the country.

The palaces complex contains numerous royal halls, gardens, and the famous Wat Phra Kaeo, Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Since it is in Bangkok, where your flight will land, covering this attraction first will be a great start to your Thai trip.

2. Chiang Mai’s Sunday Night Walking Street

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There isn’t a single person who doesn’t love eating delicious food at very low prices. Thailand’s Chiang Mai’s Sunday Night Walking Street is famous for its tasty food. You’ll get to see the best foods of Thailand in the market, right from chicken satay to sweet rotis.

You can buy souvenirs for family and friends back home from here. They barely cost more than INR 130. Other than that, you will also find natural soaps, essential oils, hand-dyed textiles, and wall hangings.

3. Khao Yai National Park

Elephants are highly regarded in Thailand. Spend a day at Khao Yai National Park with the majestic creatures, bathe them, and ride them too. You will also come across an exciting range of rare birds. There are a lot of monkeys at the Khao Yai National Park. You can stay at the park for a one-night camp.

Best Places Indonesians Can Travel Without A Visa

Indonesia is a beautiful island nation in the Pacific Ocean. It is a Southeast Asian country known for its beaches, paddy rice fields, and Insta-worthy food and scenery. Indonesia passport has visa-free access to 56 countries around the world. It is the 72nd strongest passport in the world.

Are you an Indonesian looking forward to making an international trip? You are looking forward to experiencing something that you wouldn’t in your home country.

Well, we’ve made a list of the best places you can travel without a visa:

1. Armenia

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Armenia is a beautiful country in the mountainous Caucasus region between Europe and Asia. It is one of the first places of Christian civilization.

The country has an overflowing bucket of natural beauty, history, and wildlife. When in Armenia, definitely try its national food – mante, gata, and khorovats. Some of the places to visit in the country are Lake Sevan, Temple of Garni, Khor Virap, and Geghard. Armenia offers a 120-day visa on arrival to Indonesian citizens.

2. Japan

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Another island nation in the Pacific Ocean, Japan, is a perfect blend of history and modern technology. It has some of the best gardens in the world. Foods to try in Japan other than sushi are tempura, unagi, and tonkatsu.

In Japan, visit Mount Fuji, Tokyo DisneySea, Himeji Castle, Tokyo Imperial Palace, Shinjuku Gyoen, and Historic Villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama. Japan offers a 15-day free visa to Indonesian citizens.

3. Tanzania

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This East African country is known for its wilderness. It is populated by the ‘big five’ – elephants, leopards, lions, buffalo, and rhino. If you love wildlife and are looking for an unconventional adventure-filled vacation, definitely visit Tanzania.

Some of the places to visit are Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Lake Manyara National Park. Tanzania offers a 30-day visa on arrival for Indonesian citizens.

Well, now you know your options. So get going.

5 Reasons Why a Postgraduate Degree is Important

This is the age of cut-throat competition and scarcity of jobs. So you have to have the edge to qualify for that dream job and have a little extra, so the employer has no reason to reject your application. 

A postgraduate degree is indispensable in today’s times due to higher skill and expertise requirements and the increased amount of saturation of bachelor degree holders. Here’s how a master’s degree can help enhance your job prospects.

1. Enhances your resume

You need to stand out and appear more experienced and proficient to the employer. Recruiters will always prefer master degree holders to bachelor degree holders for the most desirable positions. This addition to your resume will surely make you stand out.

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2. Networking

Having an advanced degree means greater industry exposure and stronger connections with peers and experienced people in the industry, which help secure great job offers that help you in the long run. The interactions born out of these associations will also enhance your knowledge and prepare you better for the professional world.

3. Build your skillset

While a bachelor’s degree focuses more on theoretical concepts, a master’s degree will help you apply those concepts practically. Moreover, the deeper studies in these subjects at the masters level help gain professional skills as opposed to the basic knowledge you gained in your bachelor’s course, which helps expand your skillset.

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4. Earn Better

A master’s degree means earning better prospects at the workplace and qualifying for higher positions. When you hold a bachelor’s degree, you can still reach a higher position, but that will take more time and involve more hard work. On the other hand, a master’s degree helps you climb the ladder much more easily.

5. All-round development

A master’s degree course involves more handwork than a bachelor degree which helps you learn to cope with workplace pressures and challenges. This also helps you become multi-faceted and develop life skills and interpersonal skills.

Does Chess Benefit Your Work Life

Chess is a popular game for rulers and high-profile people alike. Exuding royalty and wit, this game requires a lot of tact, level-headedness and shrewdness, which is not the norm in many forms of combat sports.

The popularity of this game is unfazed despite today’s video game and PlayStation culture, and this game can help you perform better at work too. Here are a few benefits of chess you should not ignore.

1. Improved brain function

Chess can stimulate your brain cells due to the extensive amount of exercise and brainstorming required in the game. The left hemisphere of the brain is responsible for object recognition, which helps identify the pawns and the horses and the elephant in the game, and the right hemisphere will help you differentiate further with patterns. 

This game helps you utilize and exercise both hemispheres, helping your brain develop more. You can also improve your mental age by 14 years by playing chess.\\

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2. Enhanced memory

Chess has been known to prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s. The rules of the game help improve your memory and retention skills. From strategies to moves, memorizing every single aspect of the game can go a long way in increasing your memory for other life activities and work commitments too.

3. Cognitive skill development

From operational skills to motor abilities, this game helps achieve all. You need space orientation, visualization and linguistic abilities- all faculties of the brain get improved by playing chess which helps you perform better at work and aids in healthy mental exercise.

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4. Strategy building skills

Chess is a game based on strategies- how you move the pawn or the queen to demolish the opposite king or how to protect your king from an attack. This game can significantly help you navigate problems at the workplace and indulge in troubleshooting which can gain you brownie points at the office.

5. Improved attention span

With more and more people getting diagnosed with disorders like ADHD and decreased attention spans which deter progress at work- a few hours of chess can help center your focus on one thing and help you perform better at work without paying heed to distractions. Lack of focus will lead you to lose the game, and as you try to get rid of this problem, it will show in your work.

5 Careers for You if You Love Adventure Sports

From life-threatening situations to adventure trips, the high and the rush of adrenaline is something everyone needs to experience at least once in their lifetime. But if you want to spend all your life living the rush, adventure sports is the field for you. 

If you’re not desperate for money and have a lust for life, check out these fabulous career choices which will turn your passion into your livelihood.

Mountaineering

Many mountaineers have set world records and emerged victorious in their missions to be awarded by governments of their countries- from Edmund Hillary, Tenzin Norgay and Bachendri Pal to many other pioneers in this field. You can also launch your mountaineering expeditions and guide other mountain climbers to scale new heights.

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Trekking

If exploring nature and walking past rugged terrains is your passion, you should get into trekking. You can be a trekking instructor or an organizer. You can organize treks only if you have a good knowledge of trekking spots and hiking expeditions. This will surely pay a lot now, with the rising popularity of this hassle-free sport amongst nature lovers.

Skiing

From snow-clad peaks to avalanche-prone areas, you can scale any of these areas for a quick adrenaline rush. There are tonnes of skiing competitions and initiatives at holiday spots. So while you enhance the tourism prospects in an area, you can also fulfil your lust for adventure.

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Air Sports:

Everyone loves bungee jumping, sky diving and paragliding- you can soar high in the sky and fly like a bird to experience the excitement in a new avatar. You could be a skydiving trainer and can also organize paragliding and bungee jumping drives in holiday spots during the season to earn a quick buck as there is no dearth of adventure junkies wanting to experience the same high.

Water Sports:

From Shivpuri to Nepal, the passion for river rafting is a rage. Also, Yacht Racing, Snorkeling and Kayaking are other options you can choose from. Have your fleet of boats, kayaks and canoes and help other people explore this wild side of the water while earning a ton of money.

4 Ways to Deal with Sexist Co-workers

When sexism seeps into the workplace despite years of progress, it does dishearten quite a bit. Women weren’t allowed to vote or drive or own the property once upon a time. 

And yet the old adage of, ‘women belong in the kitchen’ doesn’t seem to die out. This outlook needs to change. Now, even men are discriminated against unfairly. We all battle with casual sexism at the workplace, and it gets frustrating at times. 

Here are a few ways to handle sexist co-workers.

1. Take a stand

Whenever you encounter a co-worker making a highly sexist and offensive statement, even as a joke, make sure to voice your disapproval with the same. Point out the sexism. 

You may come across as salty and overly sensitive, but this will ensure that everyone knows you won’t tolerate this behavior. 

Taking a stand and raising a voice against sexism at the workplace goes a long way in preventing further trouble. The reason for most workplaces to report increased instances of sexism is because we all dismiss them as harmless banter.

2. Just leave

If you want to avoid any confrontation, just walk away. You don’t have to be a part of such toxic conversations. Your silence will go a long way in voicing your protest.

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3. Comebacks!

Sarcasm is the deadliest weapon to tear someone down. If you notice any of your co-workers making a sexist slur, just shut them down with a sarcastic comeback that they won’t be able to beat. 

This will avoid confrontation and will also leave everyone speechless, so they would think twice before making any degrading statement in front of you.

4. Take help of the law

You need to know that sexism at the workplace is not tolerated anywhere, so as soon as you bring this to the notice of HR when you feel you can’t take it anymore, necessary steps will be taken. 

Make sure to save any emails, text messages or recordings because you may find it difficult to find witnesses for your complaints. It is a part of your duty to make your workplace more sensitive and inclusive.