How to prepare yourself before Interview

Learning acquired on the go in the respectively desired field is the best kind of learning. It not just helps you gain practical knowledge, but also teaches you ‘What not to do’. It trains you to adapt to situations and equips you with first hand experiences that will give you a better understanding for decision making.

The market has always been competitive across sectors. But today, even the jobs are competitive. Each job has its own set of set skills that it expects the employee to possess. Right from being able to multitask to being qualified and enthusiastic to sustain the job. Right from being a cultural fit to being actively updated on Social Media.

Suppose out of a hundred applicants, the company short-listed twenty, and you happen to be one of them. What would you do to ensure that you are their first choice?

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What is the current trend in trading? What is the company’s policy? What core values constitute the company’s reputation? In simple words – do your background research thoroughly. Just because you have applied for a position in sales and marketing, shouldn’t mean that you have no clue of how the other departments work. 

Live up to the impression

Companies look beyond the attire. Being well groomed is essential and so is nurturing your communication skills. But when you project yourself and interact with your prospective employers, be yourself. It shouldn’t be that one minute you are talking about being passionate about your job and the very next minute you are given a task, instead of analyzing

how to go about you, you begin to panic.

Experience and training

If you get the opportunity to intern in a company while you are still studying prior to applying for a full-time position, weigh your options. Is the company renowned? Can it add value to your existing knowledge? Will it help you learn the ropes and give you a firm grounding? Will it be beneficial in the future? Learning never goes waste, it is always advisable to attend workshops and interact with professionals from the industry.

They are watching

Much before you are shortlisted for an interview, befalls a screening process that sifts through the virtual media to weigh your potential. Being active on social media and being addicted are two different things. If you have a habit to practically post about every little incident on the media, chances are your prospective employers will consider you to be a threat to abiding by the company’s confidentiality.

Punctuality matters

The process of recruitment has multiple stages. If you walk into an interview five minutes after it has already began, you sub-consciously project a careless attitude. It says that there are higher chances of you walking in late on your first day of work as well.

Gestures, body language and eye contact portray your level of confidence. But if the confidence lasts only until you are questioned about current affairs and what would be your stand in certain situations, then is like owning a latest technology smart phone and not using it.

"WORK CULTURE TRENDS"

Trend setting is no piece of cake. It takes years of practice to set a trend in motion. And it requires an equal amount of perseverance to keep up with it. The first apprehension that any individual harbors while passing out from college is, how to land a good job. The second one that follows is; will I be able to adjust into the work culture?

Work culture – not just a term any more, but an influential implementation that acts as a deciding factor while choosing a job. Just about a decade ago, work was a rigid routine. Wake up in the morning, brush, go to work, work the entire day, no looking left, no talking to your right, just stay focused, finish your work and leave.

Over a period of time, things have improved. From being monotonous, a work life balance slowly seems to look promising. The term employee engagement has always existed, but at a mere level, where it was considered to be a formality. Today, organizations believe that it is the work force that drives the company’s growth and constantly strive to keep them happy.

Remember manually keeping logs and ledgers of accounts and data? Keeping up with the changing trends has always been a priority, talent is nurtured and so is technology. Today, from a bank to a stationery shop, every outlet will have a Personal Computer to keep a detailed and meticulous track of all the happenings. Corporates prefer candidates who can adapt to the fast changing trends and add value to the organization.

Gone are the days when office meant a four by four room surrounded with blank white walls and one single fan squeaking at the center of the room. Changing the décor can make a lot of difference; adding a little bit of creativity, personalizing your work desk, putting up witty anecdotes in certain corners or simply painting it all red – when it pleases the eyes it appeases to the brain.

Most corporates today are doing away with the barrier system - the cabins and cubicles. The layout of the office is such that everybody gets to see everybody. The offices get a much sober look just by doing away with the division; besides it lets the employees interact much freely.  

Not just that, corporates have taken it a notch higher and have begun introducing coffee machines, which in turn encourages the employees to take breaks during the work. It helps them think better and socialize. To further equip the staff to be competent in the industry and hence in their respective jobs, trainings are being made mandatory for every individual, irrespective of his designation.

There are open house brainstorming sessions as opposed to everybody either writing down their ideas into the suggestion box. The managers and authorities take time off their busy schedules to personally interact with the staff one-on-one; it proves to be an inspiration and a feel good factor that keeps the employees motivated to give in their 100%.

IF ONLY OUR OFFICE DESK SPOKE TO US. . !

Impossible! Inanimate objects don’t talk! They are always stationary, right where you left them, waiting for you to manually make changes. In fact, over a period of time, they even begin to get on your nerves. Slowly they tend to dominate your work place and even your work desks, because they are all over the place.

To reach the floor of your office there is either the elevator that gives you a funny feeling in your tummy or the stairs that make you sweat a bit. You reach the office and there is that large door looming over you that makes you feel puny. You walk through the aisles, pass all the cabins and cubicles with all the name tags staring at you and finally settle down on your beloved work desk, where yet another unpleasant sight awaits you.

Stapler, punch, paper clips, board pins, pens, notepads, post its, sheets of unfilled papers and folders, practically most of the office stationary scattered across your desk. Oh, and of course, the stains of the mayonnaise burger that you had the other day.

Whereas, on the other hand; your desk doesn't have a speck of dust or a bit of paper lying out of place. But, you are a workaholic. Alone in the office, when you tend to put in over time, it is your desk that becomes your silent companion. It bears your memories, it tolerates all those cups of coffee that you gulp down to stay awake and it supports you like your best friend.

Have you ever stopped to give it a thought? That may be your work desk is actually trying to communicate something? To indicate that there are ‘to do’ lists that you haven’t yet checked, or bills that you haven’t yet filed, or there is a heap of new information to be included in the PowerPoint presentation for the next week, or its simply time for you to compartmentalize your work priorities and create a work life balance. In short, it tries to tell you that you need to take a break!

The cleaner your desk, the easier it becomes for you to work. Imagine making notes on post-its and sticking it all over the wall of your cubicle. When time comes to actually piece them together you will neither be able to identify the head nor be able to conclude where it ends. It begins to replicate the scenario like that at home; where we are used to making a mess on our beds, throwing the clothes haphazardly instead of putting them neatly on a hanger.

At home it is our mother who keeps a tab, at work it is our boss. There is a very wise saying ‘Seeing is believing’ - Imagine your boss making his weekly rounds to see if everything is under control and he notices that your desk is practically a pigs sty. It will create an impression that you are either not adept for the job or you are too lazy to be organized. Your desk definitely doesn't need a voice to convey that.

The only way to ensure that you feel like working, is to create an environment and a ‘work space’ that allows you a visually appealing as well as convenient space to work. If it has to be a mess, why not personalize it with a few quirky magnets or anecdotes or even paintings. Let your desk too feel honored to belong to you. In return, it will give you a sense of satisfaction to work, even if it means going the extra mile.

How to Cope with Work pressure during Festive Season...!

If it is a team project, take responsibility for your set of to do’s and divide the rest of it. Take help and assistance when you need it and return the favor when you can. Completing work for the sake of completion reflects badly on the organizations’ image. If you are already neck deep in two projects, and you have the opportunity to opt out of the third one, why not?

Plates full of meethai and bowls of namkeen! Thoughts wandering to those delicious treats that you are soon going to devour? Your tongue begins to salivate and you heave a sigh of pure bliss. Just then the boss enters and you are reminded that a presentation is due in the next twenty minutes and you have been day dreaming again.

Getting back to work, your mind automatically begins calculating the number of days until celebration time. But then it also strikes you that it means the deadlines will be a bit tricky to execute. Have you made provisions to accommodate that or will you be working from home during a holiday?

Diwali is a time that every individual looks forwards to - preparing delicacies, shopping for new attire, meeting up with friends, spending time with the family, lighting diyas and having some time off from work. However, at the work front, things tend to pile up.

Client too has vacation so you need to finish your work much in advance, or if you happen to be in the middle of a new project, you have to get things arranged before everybody breaks out for a holiday. Too much to do and too less time, maintaining a work life balance becomes a task.

How can one dodge being overburdened? Simple; take preventive measures.

Step 01 – Make a planner.

Not just day wise, but plan the entire month, time and date submission wise. This is only because one festivity tends to impact the functioning of all other commitments. Plus there is always the last minute slot that needs to be adjusted in the already crammed schedule. Making a note of all the deliverables and executions will give you an idea of the work pending and will help in chalking out the plan of action accordingly.

Step 02 – Say yes selectively

Undertake work that you can handle. If you already have a prior social engagement, avoid taking a project that clash. Being unable to do justice to either is unfair. If there is a project that needs to be completed on an urgent basis, but at the same time you have to ensure that all the bills are raised, the cheques paid; make a mental note of how much time each task will take and work towards doing it right.Step 03 – Delegate work

During strenuous times it is advisable to work collaboratively as a team. Do all the ground work and keep a draft ready before you finalize the elements of the project. Lend a helping hand if you see somebody working tirelessly at completing a project.

Work Life Balance can only be achieved when you are focused at completing the tasks at hand without compromising on quality. And this habit will be more rewarding when you mind sub-consciously keeps wandering.

For more updates and interesting blogs visit - http://acreatymanagement.blogspot.in/

MY WORK IS NOT JUST MY COMPANY'S WORK.

There has always been a thin line of differentiation between personal and professional work. But more often, the two tend to get entangled. Yet somehow, majority of the times it so happens that we consciously end up picking personal over professional.

Take for instance, it is the fifth anniversary of your organization and at the same time, it is your wedding anniversary too. Wouldn’t you first have a mini celebration at home and then head to the office function to make a guest appearance? Or would you rather skip that all together and claim to be feeling unwell?

We subconsciously tend to prioritize our personal work over the company’s. We give preference to things that give us gain rather than those that act as a value add to the organization, indirectly portraying a much laid back attitude towards work life.

 
Take for example, you are in the midst of a new project and you have to send across a proposal for a pitch by the end of the day. You work hard the entire morning, focused and determined to get this done before the clients’ expectations; and then comes the lunch break!

Three fourths of your proposal is ready, all you need to do is fine tune it a bit and add in the commercials. But after a deliciously heavy lunch the mind begins to become numb and you crave to grab a quick nap. An hour down, two hours before the submission and you receive a call from home about a dinner party you would be attending at night.

You are in a hurry to get home, the focus begins to waver and you somehow put off the proposal completion for yet another hour. In the last slot, you have to attend a meeting to plan a schedule for the next day. In the interim, two more things come up and the proposal takes a back seat, not forgotten but with no sense of urgency either. 

Time’s up and yet again you are more excited about meeting your friends over dinner than sending across the proposal. You decide to take it home and work over it at night. By the time the client receives the proposal in his inbox the next morning, the pitch has already gone to somebody else.

This was an extreme situation. But at times, procrastinating at work and then working from home to meet deadlines, the wheel of work life balance undoubtedly goes for a complete toss. Take a few minutes to reckon, we spend most of our waking hours at work. Isn’t it only fair that we adopt a more professional attitude towards our work life? Adhere to the norms – when at work, the work at hand should be given priority unless an emergency occurs.

Consider the company to be your family, take ownership, show initiative, and be proactive. Live by the philosophy of ‘under commit, over deliver’ and you will notice your work life balance improving as well as your work interestingly becoming more likable.

REALITY CHECK FOR MBA GRADUATES SEEKING JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

Sifting through the newspaper classifieds for a job, is no longer the way to find oneself a suitable job. Technology has changed the way we view the job hunt process. With social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn advertising jobs, graduates from all streams prefer uploading their profiles to have larger playing field.

Even with such an enormous playing field, why is that, a MBA graduate still faces the crisis of finding a suitable job. What and where do things go wrong?  Are you able to convince the employer of your worthiness? 

‘Jack of all, master of none’ versus ‘Multi-tasking all-rounder’.

Employers prefer candidates having credible knowledge of their products along with being well versed with changing trends and the growth factor of the company.  Being the jack of all may not earn you any brownie points with the employer as compared to a candidate who is well-versed with his subject.

Begin young.

Having a well-rounded personality, is an added advantage. Being focused on the task and the growth if the company is as important as having interests outside the workplace. Being part of team sports, teaches the ropes of team work also helping you build contacts for the future.

Be apt to adapt.

When it comes to facing a challenge and making spontaneous decisions, your certification can only add theoretical value. Interacting, communicating and engaging with individuals, represents your proactive approach and validates your potential of being an asset to the company. Your degree will not be able to sustain your progress unless you have a hands-on experience in the field.

Nurture the right professional attitude.

Be your own critique, ensure that you have conducted a self S.W.O.T. analysis and are constantly working upon how to better yourself. Choose a field of specialization that encourages your aptitude and enhances your personality. Take a calculated decision rather than a hasty one and don’t let the pay scale be your choosing factor. Chose a job that allows you to grow as an individual as well as gain appropriate knowledge of the chosen field.

Every industry has its own set of pros and cons. The decision to make the appropriate moves regarding their profession depends on the perspective of the individual. If your interest lies in marketing but you specialized in HR, it doesn't matter; that shouldn't stop you pursuing your areas of interest. Is it your confidence? Or is it your credentials?

Life after graduation is a rat race where competition takes the lead and participation takes a back seat. Acquiring a job is not a piece of cake. You need to work hard and be determined along with the right qualification to establish a successful career. Not just the degree, but also the institute – its affiliations and accreditations. 

"HOW TO INVITE BEST JOB OPPORTUNITIES BY STAYING ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA"

Like we spoke last time about "how companies are looking for candidates over social media extensively", hence we thought why don't we share our views how anyone who is looking to attract the employers through social media be more successful.. We would like to know more about your views.. 

Right from promoting the undertaking of a new project to announcing the completion of a certified course, from blogging about a trip to the States, to tweeting about the events attended, interactions with celebrities, reviews and ratings, social awareness, traffic and weather updates; practically every incident, every occasion, every accomplishment is shared online. The world today is going social and not merely in terms of lifestyle but many other professional aspects as well.

What we do not realize is that this plethora of information can actually work to our benefit in terms of yielding a stable flow of income in the future. Social media indirectly acts as our online resume, and a presence across all platforms will only add to our credentials.

Social media and job opportunities.

When a company declares an opening, there are heaps of applications that flow in. Screening through the lot and scheduling for interviews becomes tiresome. Besides, why take so much effort when a glance at the candidate’s profile can resolve half of the issues?

Be your own critique.

Cleaning up and updating your profile before approaching employers is a must. If you have recently acquired a diploma, update it in your profile. If you are aware that being tagged in certain posts on your timeline can prove to be a hindrance for your image while seeking a job, why take a risk?

Display your enthusiasm in the right places.

When a candidate conducts his/her behavior in the virtual world with grace and precaution, it goes to show how they will interact with the clients or maintain the company’s professional stature in the future. An individual whose profile houses indecent photographs, has comments with the use of slang or has even shared inappropriate information, has high chances of being rejected outright.

Do you portray yourself as a meek follower or a strong leader?

The way you communicate, the kind of posts you share, the pictures that you upload, the groups that you follow, the grammatically correct and informative tweets that you generate – your activeness on social media sub-consciously acts as a contributing factor to your personality.

Facebook account - Check! Twitter handle - Check! LinkedIn? What is that required for?

Imagine getting a virtually visible testimonial from the Vice President of your company for your hard work and good managerial skills. Linked In is a medium for professional networking, but online. An opportunity to pave your way into an organization via connecting with the right people, not just for entrepreneurs but also individuals seeking for a change in their jobs.

Be opinionated not self-promotional.

Employers seek for individuals who prefer being a part of the solution rather than being the cause for a problem. Even if the online world doesn't allow for a face-to-face conversation, the way you put forth your views speaks for your confidence levels.

A proactively social approach can open doors to many opportunities that you never even knew existed. Employers love it when the candidate has already liked their page on Facebook, has favorite a few of their tweets and follows their group discussions on Linked In. This shows that the candidate has a keen interest in the company’s happenings and wishes to stay updated, making the decision of whether or not to hire him - much simpler.