Sunday, September 4 2005 14:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ahmedabad: When a company scans through the crisp curriculum vitae and educational background of a job aspirant, it wants to be sure that the potential candidate has in him what the job demands and that he is not a round peg in a square hole.

To help the companies achieve this objective, a city-based astrologer has found out an unusual way of offering his services by asking the companies to give the 'janam kundali' of the candidate to find out whether the stars are favourably disposed towards him in the specific field.

This is because excellent academic qualifications may not necessarily indicate the inner bent, inclination and proclivities of the candidate, which could make him a round peg in a square hole, according to astrologer Maulik Bhatt who is providing his services to a number of companies.

Explaining the use of astrology as a science in searching for the right candidate, Bhatt told sources "People use astrology to find the correct match and time for wedding. Astrology is also used for any auspicious venture by Hindus. In the same manner I feel that a person's astrological chart can be the guiding road to the right employment."

Bhatt, who comes from a family of astrologers and is a science student, began this concept a year ago after his friends, who ran their own businesses began consulting him when it came to appointing staff.

Confident that his predictions about the candidate have been 70 per cent accurate, Bhatt said he consults the candidate's 'ascending chart', 'dasha', 'gocha' (all planetary positions) before he gives his opinion to his clients about the qualities and drawbacks of the candidate.

Businessman Kamal Varma depends entirely on astrology when it comes to choosing the right man for the job and is confident that the stars tell more than the bio-data of the candidate.

"Bhatt is my official consultant and he has been accurate till now. His reading of the astrological chart of candidates who have come seeking jobs has been correct and most have grown with the job," Varma said.

Vaishnav Jain is another businessman who depends entirely on astrology when it comes to starting ventures and appointing employees for his new businesses.

"Astrology has always been my guiding path in every venture in life. Then, why not in choosing the correct employee?" says the businessman who also consults Bhatt.

A leading job consultant in the city is, however, of the opinion that though astrology cannot be brushed aside, it should not be depended upon to choose appropriate candidates.

"A skilled recruiter knows what to look for in a person who comes for a job. Though I do not rubbish consulting an astrologer for this, my personal opinion is that it need not be included," said Rakesh Shreshta who runs the job placement firm.