Tips to send Job Application via email.

Market Leaders use BrassRing to accept Job Applications, however there are so many entry level companies which accept the Job Application through an email.

The common queries about this application process are :
- What should I write in an email, while sending Job Application ?
- What is the best way to send Job Application ?
- How to develop recruiter's interest in the profile ?
- What exactly does a company expect from a candidate ?
& the list goes on .... Isn't it ?

The first step is to spend time in understanding the company's profile through website. Make a note of it's current projects.

1- Subject of the email :
It helps recruiters & the system to filter profiles according to the job hence selecting relevant subject matters a lot.
> Mention the job code in the subject (if any)
> If you don't know the job code so use subject like "Job Application" etc.. 

2- Greetings & Salutation :
Always remember that First impression is the last impression. 
If you're interested so you can greet the recruiter as well. Example "Greetings of the day !"
Begin your email with "Dear Mr./Mrs. Last Name" and if you don't know the last name so you can use "Dear Recruitment Manager"
> Salutation is always used with the last name. 

3- Introduction :
Begin by stating what job you are applying for. Explain where you heard about the job, particularly if you heard about it from a contact associated with the company.
Briefly mention how your skills and experience match the company and/or position; this will give the employer a preview of the rest of your letter.
Example : 
If the company deals in Unmanned Air Vehicle & you've made a project on it during your academics so mention it. 
If it deals in Antenna & Navigation and you've scored good marks in the Section-B paper of Radio so mention it.
(Mentioning the skills of CFD while applying for a job of "Pilot" or "Avionics Technician" will never help you.)
> It's very necessary to mention Job specific skills & experience. 
   
4- Closing :
Restate how your skills make you a strong fit for the company and/or position. State that you would like to interview and/or discuss employment opportunities.
Example : 
Looking forward for your positive response and to shake hands with the future projects. 
Looking forward for your positive response and to be a part of team-My AeSI asap. 
Looking forward for your positive response and a long term career with Himalya Group.

Key Points to remember :

1. An email Job Application should be no more than one page long.
2. Use a professional font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. The font size should be between 10 and 12 points.
3. It should be properly organized, formatted and spaced so it's readable and makes the best impression on the recruitment manager.
4. Attach a nicely crafted resume. (Resume differs from company to company. Always remember that mentioning relevant skills, experience, projects and achievements matter a lot)
5. Include your contact information at the end of the Job Application.

Cheers !

50 COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Well the following entry or post is in the category of gems of
OURAeSI so enjoy the great stuff given by thamizh thaen.

Well all i can say is keep it up thamizh thaen!!!

Review these typical interview questions and think
about how you would answer them. Read the questions listed; you will also
find some strategy suggestions with it.

1. Tell me about yourself:

The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to work-related items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing for. Start with the item farthest back and work up to the present.


2. Why did you leave your last job?

Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem with management and never speak ill of supervisors, co-workers or the organization. If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something special or other
forward-looking reasons.

3. What experience do you have in this field?

Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have specific experience, get as close as you can.

4. Do you consider yourself successful? You should always answer yes and briefly explain why.

A good explanation is that you have set goals, and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others.

5. What do co-workers say about you?

Be prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a specific statement or a paraphrase will work. Jill Clark, a co-worker at Smith Company, always said I was the hardest workers she had ever known. It is as powerful as Jill having said it at the interview herself.

6. What do you know about this organization?

This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview. Find out where they have been and where they are going. What are the current issues and who are the major players?

7. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?

Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention.

8. Are you applying for other jobs?

Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focus on this job and what you can do for this organization. Anything else is a distraction.

9. Why do you want to work for this organization?

This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the research you have done on the organization. Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be sensed. Relate it to your long-term career goals.

10. Do you know anyone who works for us? Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organization. This can affect your answer even though they asked about friends not relatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they are well thought of.

11. What kind of salary do you need?

A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, That's a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position? In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range.

12. Are you a team player?

You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence of your team attitude. Do not brag, just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point.

13. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?

Specifics here are not good. Something like this should work: I'd like it to be a long time. Or As long as we both feel I'm doing a good job.

14. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?

This is serious. Do not make light of it or in any way seem like you like to fire people. At the same time, you will do it when it is the right thing to do. When it comes to the organization versus the individual who has created a harmful situation, you will protect the organization. Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in force.

15. What is your philosophy towards work?

The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done? Yes. That's the type of answer that works best here. Short and positive, showing a benefit to the organization.

16. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?

Answer yes if you would. But since you need to work, this is the type of work you prefer. Do not say yes if you do not mean it.

17. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?

If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying negative things about the people or organization involved.

18. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization

You should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship.

19. Why should we hire you?

Point out how your assets meet what the organization needs. Do not mention any other candidates to make a comparison.

20. Tell me about a suggestion you have made

Have a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then considered successful. One related to the type of work applied for is a real plus.

21. What irritates you about co-workers?

This is a trap question. Think real hard but fail to come up with anything that irritates you. A short statement that you seem to get along with folks is great.

22. What is your greatest strength?

Numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples: Your ability to prioritize, Your problem-solving skills, Your ability to work under pressure, Your ability to focus on projects, Your professional expertise, Your leadership skills, Your positive attitude

23. Tell me about your dream job.

Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you are contending for is it, you strain credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with this position if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say something like: A job where I love the work, like the people,
can contribute and can't wait to get to work.

24. Why do you think you would do well at this job?
Give several reasons and include skills, experience and interest.

25. What are you looking for in a job?
See answer # 23

26. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?

Do not be trivial. It would take disloyalty to the organization, violence or lawbreaking to get you to object. Minor objections will label you as a whiner.

27. What is more important to you: the money or the work?

Money is always important, but the work is the most important. There is no better answer.

28. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?
There are numerous good possibilities: Loyalty, Energy, Positive attitude, Leadership, Team player, Expertise, Initiative, Patience, Hard work, Creativity, Problem solver

29. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor

Biggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. If you fall for it and tell about a problem with a former boss, you may well below the interview right there. Stay positive and develop a poor memory about any trouble with a supervisor.

30. What has disappointed you about a job?

Don't get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include: Not enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction Company did not win a contract, which would have given you more responsibility.

31. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.

You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relates to the type of position applied for.

32. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?

Probably this one. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more than this one.

33. What motivates you to do your best on the job?

This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are: Challenge, Achievement, Recognition

34. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights?Weekends?
This is up to you. Be totally honest.

35. How would you know you were successful on thisjob?

Several ways are good measures: You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a success.Your boss tell you that you are successful

36. Would you be willing to relocate if required?

You should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if you think there is a chance it may come up. Do not say yes just to get the job if the real answer is no. This can create a lot of problems later on in your career. Be honest at this point and save yourself future grief.

37. Are you willing to put the interests of theorganization ahead of your own?

This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about the deep ethical and philosophical implications. Just say yes.

38. Describe your management style.

Try to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like progressive, salesman or consensus, can have several meanings or descriptions depending on which management expert you listen to. The situational style is safe, because it says you will manage
according to the situation, instead of one size fits all.

39. What have you learned from mistakes on the job?

Here you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. Make it small, well intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. An example would be working too far ahead of colleagues on a project and thus throwing coordination off.

40. Do you have any blind spots?

Trick question. If you know about blind spots, they are no longer blind spots. Do not reveal any personal areas of concern here. Let them do their own discovery on your bad points. Do not hand it to them.

41. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?

Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have.

42. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?

Regardless of your qualifications, state that you are very well qualified for the position.

43. How do you propose to compensate for your lack ofexperience?

First, if you have experience that the interviewer does not know about, bring that up: Then, point out (if true) that you are a hard working quick learner.

44. What qualities do you look for in a boss?
Be generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable, a sense of humor, fair, loyal to subordinates and holder of high standards. All bosses think they have these traits.

45. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others.

Pick a specific incident. Concentrate on your problem solving technique and not the dispute you settled.

46. What position do you prefer on a team working on a project?
Be honest. If you are comfortable in different roles, point that out.

47. Describe your work ethic.
Emphasize benefits to the organization. Things like, determination to get the job done and work hard but enjoy your work are good.

48. What has been your biggest professional disappointment?
Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance and no negative feelings.

49. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.
Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the organization.

50. Do you have any questions for me?

Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to the organization are good. How soon will I be able to be productive? and What type of projects will I be able to assist on? are examples.

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50 common interview questions?

Importance of First Class Degree in Aerospace Job market - help me answer this question

Recently I got a mail from someone who has graduated from AeSI this semester. We had the following discussions on email. Now I want your help on this. So readers of this blog please pitch in and have your say to what he should do or not do?

Please read the whole of the discussion and chip in your comment at http://my-aesi.blogspot.com/

Hello Sir,

This result brought a new spark in my life as I 'finally' cleared my BE from AeSI (in Propulsion). Although I find this good news surrounded by mist.. I cleared my degree with 58%.
My confusion is, will 58% pose obstructions in growth of my career? Is it difficult to grab a good first job with less than 60%? Also, as of now I am not planning for post graduation.

Since you really hold good knowledge of Indian Aerospace job market.. I keenly seek your advice on this.
What should I do, should I get my degree in current status or should I wait & go for improvement (I'll have to take at least 2 subjects to make up for deficit). Although I am not very interested in delaying my degree by another 6 months, but nothing stands taller than requirements which are necessary for a good career.

I hope I was able to express myself well, plz let me know if there's anything more you need to know to advice me on this.
Waiting for your response...

Thanks & Regards

My reply.....

Hi

Congrats on Becoming an engineer!! Well the choices you are facing are similar to what I faced when I received my final mark sheet.

So what should you do? Frankly I don't know! Nor will anyone else know. It's your decision that you have to take. But here are some points that I can state to help you decide.

1. 60% is absolutely necessary if you want government job. They still insist on it. Rules are bend now on then but not always.

2. Very very few people get a job just after graduating. Even if you are above 60% you might have to wait for couple of months to get a job.

3. Skills are more important than the degree. If you have the skills there is no way people can restrict you in any company.

4. There are lot of AeSI graduates in every aerospace organisation in India so AeSI folks are all accepted in companies. Remove a shadow of doubt that AeSI and low percentage marks can hinder you.

5. Yes having percentage will open more options but it's the skills that will help you soar in your career. If you have the skills. You will get a job in days.

As I see it from this side.

A career is like a hot air balloon. Your degree gives you the permit to fly, and the percentage is just the volume of the balloon. What really matters is the hot air. If you can pump enough of it , no one can stop your balloon to reach the sky. This hot air is your abilities, your skills, your initiative.

So its up to you now, do you want increase the volume of your balloon or pump it up with hot air to begin your journey as an engineer.

Good luck!!

Hello Sir,

Thanks for your reply (specially when you wrote all this from your mobile) :)

I do understand that skills hold a very important position but fear from situation when at few places people won't even agree to look at my CV as I am ineligible according to their rules!!

"1. 60% is absolutely necessary if you want government job. They still insist on it. Rules are bend now on then but not always."
- What % does govt jobs constitute among all? Can a person be still in a comfortable position for fetching a job if he is not eligible to apply to govt jobs due to 60% rule. I don't have much idea on this. Please comment...

Also, are private firms not much concerned about this fact or is it like they tend to ignore it if otherwise you posses a good profile?

What did you decide at your time? :) Where are you working these days?

There's one more thing sir, In the job market, is there really a difference in jobs for Propulsion or Aerodynamics engineer? I mean like this job is for Aero & this is for Prop. Should a person just grab whatever is coming his way, prop based or aero based (sometimes getting a job becomes more important than field of interest)?

I hope I am not troubling you much with my never ending questions... :)

Thanks & regards

I know I have lot of readers who have lot to say on this topic, with this blog post, I want to invite all the past and present AeSI graduates to share their experience and advice with him. So now its your turn, come forward and have your say. Write in your comment at http://my-aesi.blogspot.com

How AeSI trainees can improve their chances of getting a job?

5 very specific things that all guys in training can do to improve
your changes of getting a job.

Update and upload your keyword rich but brief resume on a job
websites. Be brief and use specific keywords. Once the call comes send
in your full blown but optimised resume for the interview call.

Survey the job portal. See the jobs posting there and answer to
yourself honestly which is the most likely job that you can get with
your current skills in the resume. Answer this truthfully and half of
your job worries are over. Its not about what you want, it's about
what the Market has in offer for you. So decide this first!

Once you have found the job you likely fit in. Grab a book of the
topic that is the most sought after skill required by that
requirement. Start studying it one hour a day every day from that day
onward. Modifying your resume, sending your resume are tasks that you
will eventually do but first make a commitment to yourself to be
knowledgeable in the specific skill that is required.

Now optimise your resume for that specific job. Go through your
projects and skills and find connections to the job you are studying
for. If you find a project that has a connection, optimize it
otherwise nuke the project from your resume.

Same goes for skills. If it adds value to the requirement keep it or
else nuke it. Kill it. Treat your resume as telegrams. Do keep only
the stuff that is relevant and that matters.

Research the conpany and make a good unique cover letter to accompany
the resume. Highlight your skills relevant to the job.

Last of all send the resume to the firm direct. Find an email address
to send and send it direct. That's it.

If you can accomplish all these steps, you are few steps closure to
your job!!

Good luck

Job Searching and Preparation for Job Interview

Job searching and preparation for the job interview should go hand in hand.

When you are searching for a job? Begin your preparation at the same time or well ahead of time. Sometime the short notice and a quick call can ruin the interview if you aren't well prepared.

Now you will ask how can I prepare if I don't know for which job I am preparing for?

Well use your resume as the job preparation guide. Its the one document from which your interview will begin and it is the place where the whole discussion technical or otherwise will hover around.

So begin your preparation from your resume. This not only focuses your actions but is much better than waiting for the interview call.

So if you are planning to get to the interviews in a month or two time then, get your resume updated and begin your interview preparation based on that resume.

Subscribe to AeSI by Email

• Confidence + degree + skills = job
• Questions they ask in GE interview

7 questions that you should answer about your first job

Here's 7 questions you need to answer yourself regarding your first job.

1. Is this the job that I really want?
2. Whom will I report? Is he/she known for his work?
3. Where does this job fit in my career?
4. What are my three quantitative goals for this job?
5. If I am not paid, will I do this work?
6. What really made them select me?
7. Am I really happy with the job offer?

From my experience, if you have got a job offer be it your first or
one of the many then these are the questions you need to answer
yourself to gain clarity.

Take a paper or a word processor and answer these questions. More
clarity and sense will be the outcome!

Cheers.

By the way, more job related advice can be accessed by clicking this
link http://my-aesi.blogspot.com/search?q=job

Subscribe my-aesi via email by hitting http://feeds.feedburner.com/myaesi

"Can you offer a job to me?"

Yesterday someone emailed me this question, "Can you offer a job to me?"  Frankly when I received it, I politely asked the person what is his background and why he hasn't been able to get a job one, but this is what went through my mind after I shot my reply to him.

 

"Can you offer a job to me?"  The answer is NO? I don't have a company that I can you place you in. Even if I had, I am sorry I won't be helping you in the company. You know the rules. It’s not what you have or what you don't have, it’s not about the fellowship that you feel for your own kind. It’s not about both of us coming from AeSI. If I had a company, I will recruit only that person who is suitable for the job, and who can demonstrate that he/she brings something that I need for that particular position.

 

So fulfill that need and you have the job.

 

This is the mantra for all the job listing that you see and will see in future.

 

A friend of mine will be conducting interviews for requirement in his company. Now he is looking for competent propulsion guys and his main aim is to get one guy who fits the bill and brings what he wants. He can recruit you? But he might not? He might call you for the interview since you are an aesi guy!! You might get the first preference since this pleasure he can bestow on you being an AeSI fellow like him, but that doesn't guarantee your recruitment.....  However lenient and helpful he might be, and however genuine your needing-a-break is..... His work, project and client requirements are the first thing that he will consider once he and you are in the interview room. So don’t bet you chances on being an aesi guy or on sympathy. That only works for politicians.... For you, there is just one mantra.......   Show him what you are bringing to him and how your skills will help him develop his business. How little training you will need? And How much value you will bring to his clients and increase his productivity.

 

 

If you can do this my friend, you are recruited.

 

Related post: 50 common interview questions

 

Nobody owes you a job

Nobody owes you a job

Received many résumés from graduates who has passed out a year ago but their resumes says nothing. It looks like the résumé of a freshly minted graduate.

No applied projects or demonstration of knowledge and skill? Just a mere listing of the subjects, software and skills.

No one owes you a job? Just because you graduated doesn't mean you will get a job.

The recipe to get a job is simple. Give something of value.

Skills + Knowledge = job

Your graduation gives you the latter but you need to acquire skills.

Skills just mentioned do not have the same value as the skills that have been applied.

Mention of an applied project related to ANSYS fairs far better than just the mention of ANSYS in the software known section.

Mention of Catia in the project related to uav modelling carries more weight than Catia mentioned in software known section of the résumé.

Projects, academics or professional, using varies softwares gets more attentions than the mere mention of their name.

Some might say, I learnt the software from an institute but didn't get an opportunity to use it. Who stopped you?

If the world doesn't give you an opportunity, if you are really interested, no one is stopping you to do an open source project or something on your own.

The web is an opportunity. Not many utilise it.

So if you are a fresher, instead of shooting "Can I get a job?" emails to 10 random seniors, survey the landscape where you want to work. Identify the technical skills that are sought by the industry.

Cook up a project related to those skills and start learning. And keep at it for 90 days and then send your resumes.

There is no other way.

On a side note, registration for the placement drive is still on. This is an excellent opportunity for freshers and experienced aeronautical engineers, so If you haven't registered yet, do so now.

Click this link to register.
http://my-aesi.blogspot.in/2014/04/aesiaa-placement-drive.html

Best of MyAeSI 2009 – Career and Job related

To mark the end of this year, for next few posts, I will list out the best of 2009 posts of MyAeSI. The posts will be arranged in the following categories.

• Study related
• Training and Skills
• Career and Job related

This one deals with Career and Job related . Please enjoy the posts

1. 8 things that I will tell all pass outs of AeSI
2. Walk-in : Be the first
3. Building a better Aerospace Engineer
4. Kind of Questions that Aerospace Engineers can exp...
5. How to Write Great Cover Letter?
6. Tips on How to Answers Interview Questions
7. Follow your passion
8. Secret of being a successful designer, analyst and engineeer
9. What preparing tea can teach you about enjoying life and job...
10. 8 things that you can immediately do on your resume for a better job...
11. Is your resume shouting ' I am fresher !'
12. Start your interview preparation with this question...
13. Importance of First Class Degree in Aerospace Job ...
14. 101 technical interview questions to prepare yourself 
15. 7 questions that you should answer about your first job?
16. How to answer interview questions?
17. Three steps to successful career
18. 20 questions that you will be asked in any CAD interview...
19. 12 CAE interview questions to prepare for
20. How to answer interview questions?
21. Some Aerodynamics Interview questions
22. 2 things you can do today to have a great career ahead...
23. Entropy and what it teaches on how to prepare for interview?

Bonus

• Put the bloody weapon down!

Please pass this on to your friends who might benefit from this information.

Subscribe to MyAeSI via  rss or email http://feeds.feedburner.com/myaesi

Test your resume!!

If you have your resume on the web. It's high chance that you might be
getting few job offers in your email from the job portal.

If they are matching to your skills and are relevant. Then you are on
the right track. But if your resume is attacting buchers job from
Dubai, cad operator in chennai or trainee at Bangalore. Then it's the
sign that something is wrong with the resume and your skills are not
aligned properly to the job you want to attract!!

This is a simple test. So once you have made your resume upload it to
a job portal and wait for a week. You will have a greater idea on
where you stand in the market!!

Test your resume, a lot will be revealed.

for more job hunting tips click the following link

http://my-aesi.blogspot.com/search?q=job+search

Getting maximum out of job portals

You have your resume uploaded in online job portals and still don't
receive the right right job offers.

Here's a 3 steps that you should do to get maximum benefit from the
job portals.

Regularly update your profile with relevant skills. This widens your
chances for more job matches.

Upload your latest resume and ensure your correct contact details
(email ID / mobile number) are entered on the site. This ensures you
are contactable and can be reached by the prospective employers.

Log in to the job portals at regular intervals and apply to relevant
jobs to increase your chances of getting the next big break.

Ensuring these 3 steps will help you get maximum out of the job portals.

Procedure for Job search

A few weeks ago someone asked this question on ouraesi yahoo club and Mr. Shashank as usual had great thoughtful response.

I am relishing it here for everyone's benefit.

Thanks Shashank !!

Bala Sekar,

Searching for company that can hone you skills should be pursued in following ways:

(1) Post your job profile in various job websites. Jobsahead.com, naukri.com, monster.com.

(2) Keep a close watch on upcomming job requirements in newspaper. Also wherever possible, try alligning your candidature with job requirements by enhancing your skills-set.

(3) Remain in touch with various job-posting on trustworthy yahoo/gmail groups.

(4) Be connected with your seniors/friends, with whom you can get ready job-informations of their respective employers.

(5) Lastly, freshen up your subjective knowledge to crack the interviews/discussions.

Regards
Shashank Sharma

This post is part of gems of ouraesi club. Find more at http://my-aesi.blogspot.com/search?q=ouraesi

Good luck!!

Confidence + degree + skills = job

In my earlier post I have mentioned the above formula and said after AeSI, this is the recipe for landing a job. I ventured that if one can develop this 3 while studying for AeSI then you need no training and he or she is ready for the job,

In this post I would like to talk more about it and go in depth of what I meant by each of the term.


Confidence!

What is confidence? Confidence is your belief in yourself. It’s the belief that you are able to take on the work assigned to you. It’s the belief that you are able to apply your knowledge to get results. So how can an AeSI student build his confidence? First it’s passing his or her degree, that's one major confidence booster. IF you have passed with honest effort, you are already on your way of being confidence. It comes with preparation.

For me passing 4 subjects at one go was a major boost to my confidence. In section B, first semester I took up propulsion 1, 2, 3 and aerodynamics 1 as my subjects and studied for them, and did a marathon study along with Natrajan sir!!! And after my last semester, without waiting for the results to be announced I came to Bangalore and joined NAL as an unpaid training. This was best decision that I took in regards to AeSI and it really paved and concreted my confidence. It showed me the knowledge that AeSI has imparted us.

Confidence comes by preparation. By honestly studying for the exams, and getting all fundamentals and basics in your fingertips. Confidence comes with seeing the results of your efforts.

Wikipedia has a good post regarding how to build confidence. Read it and most importantly apply the points!!


The one I liked most is
"Try to make yourself talk positively at all times. When you hear yourself saying you can't do something, stop and say you can. Unless you try, you will never know whether you are able to or not."

Degree
The next part of the equation is degree. Complete the AMAeSI degree. It will enable you to say that you are one of the best aeronautical engineer in india!! Yes Read it here, here and here. It is this degree that enables these persons to say that they are best in the world. And then we all have the biggest inspiration Mr. Bishnujee Singh. He began from AeSI degree. As Shah Rukh Khan says in the recent HP advertisements, think big. Once you have made your mind that you are pursuing the AMAeSI degree. Forget the fact how tactless, careless, unsympathetic AeSI folks are . Be proud of your degree. It’s the only thing that should matter. As I said in my earlier post “tips for getting employed in the aerospace boom”, taking pride in your degree is the most important thing IF you don't respect it NOBODY else will.

Skills.
A company requires person who are not only knowledgeable but the one who can apply that knowledge to some practical work out of which the company benefits. And this is where your skills came. So as mentioned in post titled “things to do in your last semester”, make it a point to know what are the skills that the companies are looking for and began building them in your AeSI days. This is the most important area that you have to work for. In my case I have begun earlier, I knew I had a knack of programming so I began with that skill and set a daily 30 minutes goal for that. I developed it so that it became my prime reason for getting the project trainee job in NAL. I didn't have access to CATIA or other design and analysis software like NASTRAN, ANSYS then, but if I had I am sure I would have chalked out a similar plan for that... So most important thing AeSI students can do first know what skills are needed and when they are in last or 2nd last semester of AeSI, they should begin developing them. Set small challenge and daily goals to accomplish them.


Well this completes the recipe.. If you have all the 3 you are job ready and can hit send to send your resumes along with cover letters and I am sure there's nothing that can stop you from getting that job.

What are your thoughts to this? Do you think there is some other ingredient to it that I missed? Please do share your opinions in the comments.

Worries and confusions during training

Today someone emailed me with this following content..... Since it's the end of my project so I am pretty busy, so I forwarded the mail to my good friend kishore for the query. And he has exactly expressed my sentiments on the matter.

I am posting this email and kishore's reply so that any other person in the same situation should have the right guidance at that time.

Respected sir,

I have given my last paper of propulsion stream and I am waiting for my result. And i am working in National Aerospace laboratories as project trainee and my project is Design a single stage of transonic compressor and generate a blade profile. for this i am using Fortran95 and I developed a small program for rotor .


so I want to know whether there is scope of such coding in fortran and if I completed my graduation this time then is there opportunities to work in coding . Whether companies use to consider such a predgree experience. kindly suggest me some of the companies where I can apply.

Other thing is I got selected in InfoTech Bangalore as a Assistant design engineer

But they want me to work in Technical Publication as they have Pratt & Whitney engine.

I have to sign a bond of 3 years and they said depending upon performance they may send to Canada for on job work. so I need your suggestion which way is better whether its good to work as trainee here in NAL or grab the job.

I am in confused state of mind and unable to make decision so kindly help to make decision

Thanking you

Kishore replies.....

Dear ankush,

Well first of , I would like to wish u all the very best for your results. Now coming to your mail , well you asked 2-3 questions , your first question is that whether there is enough scope for FORTRAN coding these days or not.

First of all by going through what you have written in ur mail , I believe you are doing some decent work in NAL as project trainee. Another thing is that although FORTRAN is considered as a old scientific programming language but in the recent time , during last two years I have seen loads of requirements of FORTRAN Programmers. Mainly for the development of simulation software's used in aerospace and other engineering domains.

But I would like to add one thing from my own experience here that just having some idea about FORTRAN language and understanding FORTRAN programming are two different things. Let me tell u one thing , if u r sure that u have a sound understanding of not only FORTRAN but also the programming concept and not just the language , there are enough opportunities available outside. Just remember this same thing applies not just to Fortran but to everything u r doing.

I believe the combination of work u r doing (i.e. turbomachinery + programming ) is in much demand , just be very confident about whatever u r saying u know. If u r working on turbomachinery like compressors then try to expand ur understanding of it and atleast be very confident about the basics.

Next thing is that ask one question to urself that if the money factor is removed then are you happy with the kind of work you r doing in NAL and do u think that u r learning something new. If yes then my personal opinion is that please spend some time in NAL and complete your learning process because after NAL u will not get much opportunity to learn so don't worry about the predegree experience thing , just concentrate on what u r doing and learn it fully, use ur time in NAL, don't waste a single hour coz this time in NAL will take u to places in future. I have seen many previous students just like u who did the same kind of project which u r doing in NAL , they worked hard and impressed everyone with their efforts and today all of them are well settled and doing very well and offcourse earning very well also.

So stop worrying and don't get confused. U r about to become an engineer, so be very confident n try to feel the work u r doing.

Now as far as joining InfoTech for technical documentation is concerned then there are ways of looking at this . if u r in a very serious financial crisis and the situation is like u need money at any cost then u can join anything offcourse technical documentation also and earn money . but if r not in that kind of situation then I would advise u not to join infotech for technical documentation and spend some more time in NAL. After doing ur project in NAL successfully u will definitely get much better opportunities , I m sure about that.

If InfoTech offers u job in any other domain like engine division or design department then I can say ok join but in my opinion don't go for technical documentation now. I believe u still have time to give ur future a much better shape.

Look a job is a job but technical documentation is certainly not a very creative type of job. And in longer run I can tell u from my experience that no matter how much u earn but it is the kind of work u do which brings the satisfaction. If u r not doing the job which u feel is exciting and interesting then u may loose ur energy and confidence and even u may loose respect among your peers.

So u r at the right stage to decide what kind of work u want to do in future , just imagine urself in that environment and start working towards the realization of that environment. If u put a little effort everyday, u will definitely get it.

The companies in which u can try for (Fortran + turbomachinery )are:

1: GE

2: Geometric softwares

3: NOUS infosystems (though not in turbo machinery)

4: Honeywell (mainly ask for C programmers + turbomachinery knowledge)

5: Infotech

6: SAFRAN and many others.

Another suggestion is that keep track of market requirements and start preparing urself don't wait for any call , prepare urself in every aspect in which an engineer should be prepared.

Again I wish u all the very best for all ur future adventures.

Related links that you might like
What is NASTRAN?
What is catia?
Catia vs Solidworks
EDST launches catia and enovia training center
Where can i learn NASTRAN and CATIA
Some do and don't for the upcoming AeSI exams
How to pass exams?
When is june 2008 aesi exams?
Ebooks for aerospace
Wealth of knowledge in OURAeSI file section
Aerodynamics ebook on net
5 tips for studying for exams

Take that risk

If you want great things in your life, the choice is clear. It’s time to step up to the plate and take that risk. – The Simple Dollar

To grow in any department of life taking the leap is important. Taking the courage is the first thing you have to take. Be it the choice of your stream in section B or the choice of training or the choice of opting for job instead of higher education or the choice of changing your job.

If you are given two choices staying put and not deciding is not a choice. Higher rewards come with risks. So if you are faced with a decision. Take stock and decide. Decision is the choice that you will make. If you don’t decide then you are at the risk that you will follow the decisions other people or circumstances will make for you.

As I was working in NAL as project engineer, I had this opportunity at a software firm to code in Fortran, that was one decision I needed to make that time. My mentor at NAL wanted me to go for an aerospace related job, mine inclination wanted the freedom that comes with earning decent money and the ability to explore the field of software development that I was passionate about.  I was torn between working in an engineering service related jobs many of my friends were joining and the lure of developing software that made all this possible. My natural inclination that time was to delay the decision but fortunately I couldn’t and i decided to go with the job and opted it. And I am happy I did so because I shined in that job and when I left the company after two years I was the revered team member of team and had the invaluable experience of working in a software company.

It was unique and had helped me grow and learn. That time I knew I was taking a risk of migrating to software where I had studied for aerospace engineering but I wanted that experience and I am glad I did it and now at a new job my skills and the experience is helping me a lot.

To achieve great things, the choice is simple take the leap.

In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.   Roosevelt, Theodore

In the moment of decision, a choice whether wrong or right is much better than no decision at all.

General structure of a cover letter

Resume without cover letter is like indian cricket team without sachin, hindi movie without song, job without a pay. So you see its incomplete. just like an hindi movie is incomplete without song, indian team is incomplete without sachin.... You are not doing job if you aren't getting paid...

Same is true with a resume, a resume without an accompanying cover letter just doesn't have the punch. Just like presence of sachin gives confidence to the indian team, a cover letter increase your resumes's success rate.

So increase your chances by attaching a good well written cover letter with all the resumes that you shoot off from your email.

Here i will show a sample cover letter and discuss the structure.
An effective cover letter must have an catchy introduction, professional main body and memorable conclusion.

{intro, write from where you have got the information of the job and it should also mention for which post you are applying for}

{highlight your experience relevant to the post you are applying, if the job is for catia, highlight the experience relevant to it, if its for propulsion highlight that one}

{Highlight one skill that is relevant to the post and the skills that you want the recruiter to notice while browsing through your resume.}

{Conclude showing you know about the organization. Research the company you are applying for and mention something in your conclutions that shows that you know about the company.}

Here's one sample cover letter.

I am interested in working as an {the post name} in your organization and applying for the job listed at naukri.com. I am a graduate of aeronautical engineering from aeronautical society of india, New Delhi.

I am a good learner with relevant experience as trainee in NAL & Indian airlines. I have worked on {write here things relevant to post you are applying}. Additionally i have been involved in the project related to {the things that you don't have so much idea but are relevant to the job you are applying}

As you will see in my resume, {write the things that you want to highlight in your resume, it might be the the extra skills combination, or any experience }

I have enclosed my resume as a first step in exploring the possibilities of employment with your organization, which is { write something relevant about the organization} { This step will show that you have done research on the company}

As an aeronautical engineer with your organization, I would bring a focus on quality and ease of use to your system development and performances of the work delivered to me. furthermore, I work well with others.

I would appreciate your keeping this inquiry confidential. I am really thankful to you to give me your precious time. Thank you for your time and consideration. Hope to receive a call from you.

Thank you
Faithfully,

Job portals - how an AeSI graduate can use it optimally

As Seema Bhatia, former HR professional explains, "Job portals are quite useful when we have to recruit employees. Now, we don't have to wait for employees to send us their resumes, we can simply log on to the website, put in our criteria and get a list of the employees that we want. We often use the portals to target a mass audience."

The important bit in the above text is " put in our criteria"! Yes that's the whole thing.

The criteria are the keywords. If your resume have them, your resume will bubble up to the top. That's the secret there is in all online job portals.

Are you using this effectively?

Are you filling the job portal form with some afterthought?

Are you enriching your resume with keywords, describing your profile, experience and education?

Are you placing your target job specific words in your resume?

Hope this thoughts will trigger and help you use online job portals in a much better way.

Good luck!

Two kinds of job

There are always two kinds of jobs.

One that teaches you a lot but pays ok and the other which pays a lot
but teaches you little.

When you start, it always better to be in the former and as you gain
experience, you will automatically get pushed towards the latter.

If you are unlucky (or lucky depending on your point of view) and you
get the high paying, low learning job at the onset, it might boost
your short term happiness but has the potential to ruin you long term.

In my over 6+ years in work life, I have seen countless examples of
this trap. Be it NAL or other private sector, the job that teaches you
more is always pays better in long term.

When it comes to choosing between working at a job that pays highly,
but teaches little, and a job that pays little, but teaches you a lot,
which one will you choose?

Liked this. There's more at http://my-aesi.blogspot.com/search?q=job

I am doing training in NAL but still confused!

A week back someone who is working in NAL as a trainee sent me this query!

I got my degree certificates and presently am in C-CADD working on aerodynamics calculations,am here in NAL since April 15, please guide me what should I do now as further am not getting clear way what to do now? Hope u will guide me as per your experience..........

Now what can I advice him?  I don’t have all the answers. If you are reading this please share your opinion in comments.

See just working on aerodynamic calculation is not enough. when you are in training know you goal. Ultimately its all for the job. So have a clear goal while entering into the training phase. Know what kind of work you want to do? or at least have an idea of the work you will like. Pick up software tools, software skills that might be needed and most of all have your resume uploaded in two of the popular job portals.

So my practical advice to him will be these 3 points.

• He still has time so take stock and decide what you want from training? why you are doing it. Does the training helps in the work he intends to do? Answer this honestly.
  
• Secondly make a resume. Post it on at least two job portals. Register and fill in all the details make them visible. And then wait for the job listing to come to you. See what jobs interests you. if something is good. follow through. This exercise will help you see what skills are needed and what your current resume calls for. So take stock and build those skills and aim for that job.
• Learn some software. They are necessary. I know I always say that software's are just tools, but still  software is one of the reason AeSI folks go for training. Yes even if you choose no design or analysis job you need to learn ms office especially excel and word. So learn them.

Don't make any excuse... its your career you have to ride it to the destination!!!!   Well this are 3 things I will tell an AeSI guy doing training. What is your opinion?

Some job hunting tips

A few days back, Mr Anuj Jha emailed me a list of resume and job search tips that he wanted to share with all of you.

As always they are great and recent AeSI graduates should pay heed to them while doing their job hunting..

So without any delay, the collection of tips follows.

Thanks Anuj!!

Using personal pronouns and articles
A resume is a form of business communication, so it should be concise and written in a telegraphic style. There should be no mentions of "I" or "me" and a minimal use of articles.

Listing unnecessary information
You should only include your interests and hobbies if they’re related to the job. For example, if you’re applying to become a nurse manager, you can include that you’ve volunteered at hospitals throughout college. More after the break...

Not including a summary
Include a summary of your experiences that demonstrates your skills and achievements directly related to the position you want (This may not be applicable in all cases unless you have extensive work experience).

Font Size
The font size for resume content should be 12 points.

File Type
Your resume should be saved in a plain/rich text format. Do NOT save it as in the form of a PDF file type because it could exceed the maximum file size of 200 kilobytes accepted by many email severs.


Cultural Tips and Tricks

Salary Negotiation
Although negotiating salary, may be common in some places it is not recommended for the UAE market. It may give the potential employer a negative impression about the candidate.

Work Environment
Typically, the work environment follows a fun and laidback attitude. It’s not a typical North American culture where an average individual works five days a week from 9-5pm. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself working overtime without overtime pay.

You can't get a job without at least one interview.

1. Greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and a smile, address your interviewer by name, and make eye contact.

2. Never sit until asked to do so.

3. Ensure you are informed about the position and the organization before your interview. Wherever possible get a job description or review the details of the position. Go to their web site. You should know approximately what the salary range is for the position (particularly if going through an agency). Research the organization and affiliations. Be aware of all products or services.

4. Make sure you are familiar with all dates and information on your resume. Be prepared to go into detail and to give examples of various difficult work situations you have successfully handled.

5. Make sure you know the exact location and how to get there. Get there five to ten minutes early.

6. Dress should be appropriate, businesslike and conservative. Always look successful.

7. You may be asked to talk about yourself, but keep your entire life history for non-business situations! An interviewer is interested in how you and your experience best suit the position and the company. Do not take notes, and do not be concerned if your interviewer takes notes. Never speak negatively about present or previous work situations.

8. At the end of the interview you may have an opportunity to ask questions. Express enthusiasm and interest in the company and the position. Thank the interviewer for their time. You may ask what the next step would be in their hiring process. Do not discuss money/salary during the interview, or ask about benefits and vacation, unless the interviewer brings these subjects up for discussion. End the interview with a handshake.

9. A follow-up note or thank you letter sent after the interview, if you are particularly interested in the position and organization, is a good way to keep your name visible. A follow-up call within a week is a good idea, if you have not been contacted.

10. If an agency arranged the interview for you, call them immediately. It is important for the agency to get your response about the position, before they talk to the employer. A positive response from you can often lead to a positive response from the employer. Keep in touch with your agency.