Filling Up Mains Application Part 2

The most important area in the application form is the one where you show to the interview panel your previous achievements. This reveals to them to an extent, how much you suit to the job applied for.

There are 4 sub-headings:
1] Particulars of prizes, medals, scholarships, etc.
2] Team/Games/Sports/N.C.C.
3] Positions of Distinction/Leadership held in School/College
4] Other extracurricular activities and interests (Hobbies, etc.)

* Never do the Himalayan mistake of leaving all columns blank because you do not have any.

* Write the detail for which you have certificates to support. Not needed for demonstrable skills (like oratory, singing, dancing, pencil sketching, mimicry, etc.)

* Do not overlap the same achievement in more than one column. Also do not re-word a single achievement in an attempt to seem more meritorious. Example- Writing NCC 'C' Certificate for [2] and writing Rank of Sergeant in NCC for [3]

* Arrange them in order either latest-first or chronologically (I personally, prefer the former)

* Prizes won in Academics can be written in [1] and those won for sports can be given in [2] though it may be prize, it comes under sports. If you have no medals, etc. for Academics, rewards for sports can be mentioned in [1] itself and for [2], just mention the name of the event.

* For [3], avoid repeating NCC rank if you have mentioned it in [2], because a NCC member is inevitably expected to show fine leadership qualities. You can mention School first or college second in academics/sports, etc., all-rounder awards, any posts in college like Sports/cultural secretary, etc.

* People with no notable achievements to write in [3] can think back whether they held any class monitor/representative posts in school/college. If other columns are full enough, leaving [3] blank will not have a great effect.

* [4] is where questions may probably nailed upon, especially for the first few minutes of the interview. Include any computer courses, diploma courses (not mentioned in details of education), other languages learnt, craftworks, skills. Be true about hobbies - PLEASE DO NOT WRITE 'READING BOOKS' UNLESS YOU REALLY DO IT. This is the commonest hobby I have come across, others being listening to music, watching TV/cricket/match. Serious candidates, please do not give silly hobbies like chatting with friends, discussing politics, sleeping, etc.

* Female candidates think twice before writing 'COOKING' as a hobby. Men can manage with it however, given our societal conditions. 'EXERCISING, DOING YOGA' and 'BODY BUILDING' are not hobbies. They are part of your daily activities. Nature lovers who write 'BIRD WATCHING, STAR GAZING, ADMIRING NATURE, STARING AT SCENARIES' must be well versed in what they see.

* Those who write ASTROLOGY, NUMEROLOGY, etc. may get difficult questions if you are not really well-versed with those areas. For those who write 'WRITING ESSAYS, POEMS, HAIKUS' expect a mock topic on which you have to express your ideas.

* Finally, NOT ONLY FOR THIS COLUMN, BUT THROUGHOUT YOUR APPLICATION, BE CAREFUL ABOUT YOUR SPELLINGS. If wrong, they really really damage your image even before you enter the interview hall.

DOUBTS WELCOME!