5 Tips to enjoy your workplace

Many people dislike getting up everyday and trudge to office. This is surprising, especially when we spend more than one-third of our day at the workplace or an average of 40-50 hours a week. The workplace can be a place to spend your days with challenging projects, fun and cooperative colleagues and lots inspiration to bring out the best in you. Office should keep you so engaged that you don’t realize how time flies.

Now what can you do to make your office work engaging and not a daily chore? Here’s the solution, work would seem interesting and the organization would profit if it’s mutually rewarding.

Here’s a checklist of what you can do to change the office atmosphere and make work a more pleasant experience.

1.Try to get with the team

If you have survived your first day in a new job, work hard to be cordial with team-mates. It helps in having a harmonious team equation. Being in the good books of the team leader/manager helps, too. But no sycophancy, please. Real performance matters. Work hard and passionately, make your sincerity obvious.

2. Manage your workload

It’s but natural that you’ll have the urge accommodate the various request of your superiors/boss as they are the ones who will speak up for your performance and salary hike. Also, you don’t want to refuse them and be in their bad books as they can make or break your career. However, you also risk sabotaging your career by saying ‘yes’ all the time. Taking on more than you can chew could choke you. Do only what’s feasible for you and put across your point if you are not able to manage. Take up work that you can handle and not be compelled to do.

3. No office politics

This is a vital point. Your happiness depends on how will you handle office politics. Career success is not all about talent. If you want your career to flourish, never get involved in petty politics. Don’t be a party to gossip and never spread rumors. Try to be involved only with work and use coffee break as a forum to discuss outside interests.

4. Balance your work and personal life

Your aim is to be interested in your work, feel energetic about it and enjoy the workplace. After all they are interwined. If you like your work, you will enjoy the workplace as well. But you enjoy work only if it is well balanced with your personal life. It is important to have time to enjoy other aspects of your life-friends, hobbies and other interests. This enables you perform your best.

5. Be well-groomed

Being well-groomed makes you feel good; you ooze confidence. Have a working wardrobe so don’t have to worry about what to wear everyday, with a mix and match variety that gives a lot of options.

A confident you will undoubtedly find the workplace enjoyable. These little things can go a long way in making you love coming to office instead of despising it.

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5 E-mail Etiquette You Must Know

From memos and letters to answering machines, voice mail and now email, the last one is here to stay. Studies show that nearly two million emails are sent aroud the world every second. Of these, a large percentage are business related.

But because life is so fast-paced today and we have things to do and people to see nearly every five minutes, most emails are dashed off in a great hurry, poorly written. This, equally naturally, leaves the receiver of the email with the bad impression of the sender.

So how does one write that perfect email without actually spending hours composing?

1. The Right Purpose

First of all, you should know what exactly you are talking about. What is the purpose of the email? Be clear and to the point without being rude.

State your purpose right in the subject line. Don’t send an email either with no subject or with one that has nothing to do with the content of your message. People decide whether to delete or open an email based on the subject line.

2. The Right Length

Bear in mind that rambling emails make the recipient impatient. Also, remember that if you don’t have the time to write long pages to the recipient, the reader does not have the time to peruse you email completely.

Its the core of the email - the reason why you sent it in the first place - that matters. Therefore, the most effective emails place priority information towards the beginning, ideally in the first paragraph. A quick introduction should lead directly into everything the reader needs to know.

3. The Right Tone

Remember who you are writing to. If it’s some one you know, then base the email on the tone that the other person prefers. For instance, some people prefer to be formal while other like to be casual. if you don’t know the person, try to be as neutral as possible, without being either rude or sycophantic. If the relationship is to based on the email, then a good writing tone will build the foundation.

4. The Right Words

Don’t write sentences that are indirect and obtuse. Make sure your sentences are assertive and strong without being impolite. Nothing will confuse and irritate a reader more than a long, rambling sentence that needs s/he needs to read multiple time to decipher.

Keep you vocabulary skills out of cyberspace. Difficult words only end up making you sound pompous and unnatural.

Be brief and to the point. Try to fit your text onto one screen that would not require scrolling. Keep the email as individual as possible, by sending it to one person at a time, if you can. But if you are copying the eamil to anyone, make sure you only copy those people who are directly concerned with the topic of your email.

5. The Right Sign-Off

Always ask for a response. Thank the receiver in advance and say that you look forward to hearing from him or her. Let the receiver know that if s/he doesn’t respond you will follow up via the telephone.

Sign-off at the end of the email. The email has the advantage of helping you sign informatively with your name as well as a logo or a quick spotlight on the products/services you offer.

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How to grab the recruiter’s attention with your resume?

Did you know that the average recruiter spends about 8 to 10 seconds glancing at your resume before s/he moves on to the next? So, whether you can get that dream job or not is decided in 10 seconds.

You might wonder how to fit a 15 year long career into a page. It’s not hard to do. Stick to one or two pages at most for your resume.

Your review of your objective and background will be the most effective guides to selecting the best format for you. For instance, you could choose a chronological format, where your employment record reads like a job-by-job historical narrative of your work effectiveness.

You can also use a more functional format, where your skills, knowledge and related accomplishments are the primary organising principles as the proof of your ability to contribute.

Combining these two format is something that many people go for these days, as it recognises the flaws in both formats and tries to assimilate the good points into a whole.

Here, you retain the basic structure of key skills, knowledge and accomplishments.

Include vital points

Make sure that your resume has the following points:

1. A clearly stated job objective
2. Your educational qualifications
3. Your professional qualifications
4. Details of relevant skill sets and experience
5. A timeline of your work history

 

For your educational background, put down the names of the school(s) you attended, with the dates and credentials. Personal study in your field (classes, workshops and other informal ways you have learned) along with other relevant credentials won’t go amiss.

Next, work out a rough list of the jobs you have done. List the dates started and ended, your job title and the name and city of the company or organisation. Put these jobs in chronological order.

Compose a clearly stated job objective for yourself. Don’t ramble. Be as concise as you can while answering basic questions such as what you want to do, where do you want to do it, goals etc.

Once that’s done you can focus on identifying your skill sets. This might take some time, but the result will worth it, so don’t worry. Put everything together in the order you like and type a draft.

Always proofread and edit

Edit out irrelevant details (your marital status, hobbies etc) or information that might mar the image you wish to present.

Keep the CV to a page, but if runs into two, don’t staple them together. Place the pages side by sideso that it is easily viewable. This will set your resume apart from the rest and ensure that you catch the head-hunter’s attention.

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5 Qualities of a good manager

Many of you in the management arena will have one desire from your usual run-of-the-mill ambitions – to be a good manager. Rather, to be the best manager there ever was. Is this easy? Certainly not! To become a really successful manager, you have to have time and patient. You need not to go to the best business school to learn how to be an efficient manager. Management experts like to say that the best managers are born managers. But in fact management is the process that can be learned if you have a dream or vision for your organization.

1. Acknowledge your staff:

So how do you go for being a good manager to a great one? Start by acknowledging your colleagues, no matter how low down on the food chain they might be. A smile, a word of thanks or a little praise all go a long way in making your staff love and support you. So the next time, a staff member does something that grabs your attention, reward it. 

2. Don’t blast them:

There will be mistakes and slip-ups. People are human after all. But when annoyed, keep your cool as long as you are in public. It is never okay to humiliate someone. What you need to do is to create a work environment that has a positive attitude towards mistakes. Mistakes are the stepping stones to success and chances are that if you are not erring, you are not stretching yourself as much as you can. Make your group feel that making mistakes is not something to be ashamed of. 

3. Admit your mistakes:

The first to doing this is to admit your own mistake. Don’t project yourself as infallible. Your colleagues must be able to see a person who is as human and as prone to err as they are. 

4. The approachable:

This means being approachable. Be friendly and natural with your team. Treat them as people and not as vassals. Know who they are and what makes them tick. 

5. Listen to them:

When team members do open up to you, listen to them with full attention and empathy. If it is a bad time for you, then be honest about it rather than just pretending to be all ears. Ask them to come back another time to follow up yourself. Make sure you show people that you are willing to listen to what they have to say, that they are important and worthy of your time. Have a request? Ask politely and clearly, and it will work wonders. 

At the end of the day, a manager is only as good as how s/he behaves with the people around him/her.

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Never try to fake your Resume / CV

It’s easy to dream up qualifications & work experience that you think will bolster your CV. But, the repercussions of faking facts can be professionally devastating.

I’m sure we all remember our parents teaching us that lying was bad. Despite such early conditioning, adulthood has probably taught you to see things in slightly greyer tones.

In a resume/CV, everyone wants to present his or her experience in the most attractive light possible, but information can’t be fiction. Whether you’re exaggerating job accomplishments or creating complete fabrications, lying is simply a bad idea. It might be one of the dumbest and most damaging things you could do in your career, but, surprisingly, a lot of people do it.

There’s nothing wrong with putting the best possible shine on your actual experience, but fabrications will eventually come back to haunt you. It’s stupid really. It just depends on how much a company wants to spend on checking backgrounds. Most people get by because companies don’t look that hard.

Aside from any moral or ethical implications, chances are that you will get caught when you lie.

Here’s how:

1. Your current employer can easily call your previous employers. It may be just to get information for transferring your provident fund, but if you have lied about your previous job profile or work experience, you’ll get busted.

2. Even though you’re changing jobs, you’re probably not changing industries. Companies in the same industry often have common forums. Employers often belong to the same professional associations or have common networks. An offhand mention that you were the sales executive, not the sales manager, and you’ll be cleaning out your desk.

3. If you lied about your degree, your company may check your college’s alumni list. Or someone at the new company will really be an alumnus and you’ll get busted.

4. If you think you are really creative and can invent previous experiences or employers, modern day information networks, investigation firms, reference checks make humiliating you quick, easy, and cost effective.

5. Most large companies use a third-party to do background checks. Most do degree confirmations and employment checks. Minor things are usually overlooked. For example, some employers will choose to overlook a lie about possessing advanced computer skills as long as that does not become a handicap in your job; but a fake degree or phoney job history will definitely get you busted.

Lying on your resume can come back to haunt you — sometimes even many years down the road. Don’t fall into that trap. Instead, reduce the issue by being creative about marketing yourself and don’t let perceived obstacles stall your search. So cheers to all those honest people out there who are sticking to facts and demonstrate integrity when it comes to applying for jobs.

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How to write a cover letter of your resume?

Add the finishing touch to your resume with a cover letter

Once your resume is a finished document, complete with an attractive design and comprehensive content, it’s time to add one last thing…a cover letter. While a resume is the bread and butter of who you are to a potential employer, a cover letter can be the personal touch that makes you stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Second in command

When preparing a cover letter, it’s important to remember that the resume is always the most important part of your application. In fact, most employers read the resume first, and then if they are still interested they will take the time to read your cover letter. So never rely on the cover letter alone to get you in the door–use it instead to give you an edge once your resume has gotten you through the first round.

Get personal

Always write your cover letter to the appropriate contact at the company. “To Whom It May Concern” does not cut it if you are serious about applying for a position. Take the time to find out whom you should send your resume to, and direct your letter to their attention. This gives you a specific contact with whom you can follow-up, and they will know you were interested enough to do some research on the company.

What you have to offer their company

Every cover letter you write should be customized for the specific company who will receive it. It is not enough to simply change names at the top of the letter. Research the company and address their specific needs; more specifically, concentrate on highlighting the benefits you can offer to the company. The cover letter is your chance to interpret the top skills on your resume and discuss why they make you the best candidate for the position.

The next step

At the end of your letter, make it clear that you are actively pursuing a position with the company, and not just sending out your resume to a long list of potential employers. Request an interview, and let the contact know that you will be in touch to further discuss your credentials and the open position if you haven’t heard from them by a certain date.

Final countdown

Once you are ready to send out your resume and cover letter, do a final edit! Mistakes on a cover letter are just as detrimental as they are on a resume. Your letter is an excellent indication of your communication skills, and a great opportunity to display just how well you can express yourself. A cover letter is usually not the first thing an employer reads, but it does have the power to make a more personal, customized pitch for your credentials. Be sure it’s customized for every company that receives it, make it clear that you are active in your pursuit of the job and edit it just as carefully as your resume. The cover letter is your chance to actually discuss your credentials, and serves as the first “conversation” with a potential employer, giving you a better chance of setting up your second conversation—an interview.

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The crucial first 5 minutes of an Interview

The first 5 minutes are crucial for any interview. And it is in these 5 minutes that the decision of hiring or not hiring you is made by the interviewer.

How, then do you ensure that the impression that you create is a favourable one?

 

Keep the following few things in mind for that:

1. Be punctual. It is better to arrive early than to rush in at the last moment. Allow extra time for traffic, parking and slow elevators.

2. Project a professional and enthusiastic image. Your aim is to convince the interviewer that you would be an asset to the company and not a liability.

3. You can’t change the way you look. However, you can ensure that you project a clean and well groomed appearance. Dress comfortably, but immaculately. Shoes should be polished, pants/skirts and shirts pressed.

4. Make eye contact when you speak. Stand straight, move confidently and sit slightly forward in your chair. Body language is important and people notice it more than you think.

5. Shake hands firmly. A firm handshake projects confidence and leaves a lasting impression.

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Rejected in an Interview? Don't Lose Your Heart

Have you been searching hard and rigorously applying for jobs but nothing seems to be materializing? You’re probably setting wrong standards for your self and applying for posts junior to your qualifications that will not facilitate interview chances for you.

Let’s see some ways to improve your chances:

Plan smart

Have more plans before the interview, you will avoid disappointment. Make sure your resume satisfies their job requirement and the moment they have a glance at your resume, they should see you as prospective candidate. Try to understand why are they looking forward to hiring?

Don’t wait to send the next application

Rejection is as natural as acception. They probably rejected you because you were more qualified than the job requirement. Stop brooding over the spilt milk and immediately look ahead.

Don’t burn your bridges!

The company may have in store your dream job some years later. Learn to accept their decision and don’t ever argue. Always call for feedback and respect their opinion.

Act to Improve

Every word of feedback can give you an edge in the next interview you face. Condition applied; you work to improve your shortfalls.

Believe in your self

Concentrate on your achievements as they are the building blocks of your present. Stay confident, rejection is just a situation and will pass away with one right move!

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6 FAQ’s in an interview

No way can you foresee each and every question you might be asked in an interview but you can be smart by preparing sturdy, crisp responses to usually asked questions. Nearly all interviewers ask analogous questions to get acquainted with candidate’s abilities & experience and evaluate his capability to do justice with the job.

1. Introduce yourself

This is over and over again the first question in an interview. It’s the most complicated one if you’re not all set. Keep in mind, the interviewer does not want to hear about your hobbies. Its time for one-minute gist of your years of experience and skills in the context to the job you are looking forward to get. Sell your professional self.

2. Why should we hire you?

Most people answer generally, so you need something substantial to stand out. Give genuine examples that demonstrate you as the best-suited for the position. Highlight your achievements and undertakings that are relevant to get the job.

3. Why do you want this job?

Use this occasion to demonstrate how much you know about the company and, most prominently, how you fit best. Concentrate on challenges in the job and organization to show your comprehensive knowledge. Spot out things you have done in past job to take care of the similar issues.

4. What are your weaknesses?

Answer this question to your benefit. “I would turn my weaknesses into strengths,” For example, if my weakness is lack of tolerance I would counter it by saying; I have learned particular measures to make sure I remain composed and considerate.” Don’t pretend that you do not have a weakness.

5. Why did you quit your previous job?

Never evaluate your previous company, the boss, or colleagues. You should have a fine perceptive of the job you’re applying to twist this question. You may say that, you really enjoyed various aspects of your previous job and spotlight on how this new job will give you the chance to contribute meticulously on areas that are essential for the current position.

6. Where would you be five years from today?

Don’t get swayed away by your five-year plan. You are expected to speak about goals related to the job. This will reveal that you know the industry, the organization and you are looking forward to grow here.

Remember the interviewer is trying to find if you can play a positive role in the organization!

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5 ways to get into the good books of the boss

Just about everyone wants to look good in the eyes of the boss. But it’s not about being a yes-man as much as it is about working hard.

Here’s a look at 5 ways to get into the good books of the boss.

1. Exceed your boss’s expectations

The easiest way to impress your boss is to be competent in the area where you work. Be disciplined, be proactive, and help your boss in all situations, especially the more challenging assignments. Making sure you have your facts right, being well-prepared, delivering and then communicating to your boss about the good work you’ve done. Always be around to take responsibility and go beyond his/her expectations.

2. Punctuality goes a long way

Another no-brainer, but it’s often ignored. Whether it’s attending meetings on schedule, finishing projects on time or meeting timelines and time commitments, this is something that gets you into your boss’ good books. When you complete a project, thank your boss for his inputs and support. At the same time, show that you genuinely value them, rather than just trying to massage his ego.

3. Give credit and earn good-will

If your boss gives you an assignment, treat it as top priority, even if it means pushing yourself to complete it.

4. Show initiative

Take ownership and responsibility of your own tasks.Put timelines and find solutions. The use of initiative is very important for a boss to realise your full potential.

5. Never badmouth your boss

Don’t talk behind your boss’ back. If you have something you don’t like about him/her, keep it to yourself. Otherwise, it might end up reaching his/her ears one day. So save your criticisms, and say good things about your boss.

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5 Reasons to Quit Your Job

Not enjoying what you do is probably the first indication that you should quit your job. However, it sometimes so happens that you can’t quite put your finger on what’s wrong though you know something is not right.

Here are some signs that indicate you need to chuck your job.

1. Low salary

Your workload has increased but your salary hasn’t. This is definitely not a good thing, especially if you find it difficult to survive on your current wages.

 

If you find yourself staying back at work without any commensurate travel or food allowance, it’s time to change your job.

2. No satisfaction

Zero job satisfaction will demotivate you, which will reflect badly on your performance. Don’t wait till you get fired. If your job does not appeal to you, what are you still slogging for?

Find yourself another job that will satisfy your drive and ambition.

3. Discrimination

If you feel that your progress is being hindered because of your gender, age or background, do not hesitate at all to change your job.

 

4. Bad boss/ Tough colleagues

Working with people you don’t like can be tough. This can be worse if your boss is absolutely incompetent. If you really cannot work with your current boss or colleagues anymore, it’s time you moved on to something else. A good team and working environment could make you more productive too.

 

5. Better offer

They made you an offer you can’t refuse/ resist. Remember, a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity could mean you’re landed. Don’t let go of it out of a sense of loyalty to your current employers. After all, you are just another employee to them!

 

The only thing that should probably keep you back is an even better offer from your boss.

The end of one job signifies the beginning of another. So, embrace change!

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3 Things to keep in mind while you quit your job

There might be fifty ways to leave your lover, but there are also at least three tips to keep in mind when you are thinking of leaving your job.

If you’re thinking about leaving your job, remember that how you quit can be just as important as where you go next. Here are three tips for gracefully making your departure:

1. Be Positive

• When you give the news to your boss, avoid ranting and raving.
• You may feel better but it won’t help your career.
• If you do have constructive feedback, schedule a separate meeting to discuss it.

2. Find your replacement

• Don’t leave your team or manager in the lurch.
• Do what you can to find someone qualified.
• Offer to stay on to help that person transition into the position

3. Keep in touch

• Don’t sever all ties with the company even if you had a bad experience.
• Former colleagues and managers may be assets to you in the future.
• Write a sweet good bye email to all your colleagues by mentioning your good experience and your contact details like phone number, personal email id, skype id, facebook/twitter/linkedin address.

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Planning a job change? Tips to negotiate salary

Are you planning a job change? Have you accepted the offer or still in the negotiation phase? The outcome of this phase can leave a candidate feeling wanted or devalued. You may want to read this article for a better looking offer letter, even in a tight job market situation.

Firstly, it is essential to understand that making the salary pitch too early or asking for too many changes in the counteroffer are some of the biggest goof-ups that a candidate can do. It is highly discouraged by HR professionals to make the interview process a platform for only negotiations or even starting the interview discussion with this topic.

It is important for aspirants to understand that the HR professional is at the table to recruit talented people, and not discourage or demean candidates.

Do your homework – go through salary surveys, and research through your industry association, network of contacts of people in the same industry/profession or recruitment consultants. Keep in mind that there could be variations based on the number of years experience, region or the type of company -start up vs. well established.

Focus should be on the value you add or will add to the company, which should be much more than the salary you are looking for. It is like presenting a business case on yourself to your employer, justifying what is the compensation you deserve.

Ideal approach would be to understand the current level of compensation and broad expectations at the very outset. It is better if compensation is taken as a topic for discussion after there has been a good meeting point on other aspects. Also it is important to gauge the key drivers for the change and relative importance of compensation.

In all circumstances, it should be remembered that the basic principles of good negotiation is – be flexible and realistic. Candidates should not get too fixated on the one number in their minds. And, figure out in advance on how much you are willing to compromise, and what is your strategy if the offer is below your expectations.

In totality, while fixing comp one has to be very fair and close it at a level which is win-win for both. For the prospective employee it should be fixed at a level that keeps them excited, and at the same time for the organization it should provide enough head room for growth without upsetting internal parity.

Watch Outs

> Don’t overemphasize on compensation: it is short term, and loses impact after the first pay cycle

> Be open and transparent: Offer only what can be honored. While every organization emphasizes the confidential nature of Compensation it never stays confidential

> Don’t over price it: It is neither good for the organization or for the prospective employee

> Finally, compensation is like water – it finds it own level. Ultimately, the market will determine the right compensation for an employee and will adjust any abnormalities in the medium term

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5 ways to handle an interview over a video call

In today’s corporate world, companies are taking help of technology to erase geographical barriers. Many now conduct job interviews through video conference or over Skype. This also has made preparing for such interviews in advance essential. One wrong step and a candidate can end up losing a great job.

1. Core remains the same

Prepare for this interview like any other. Read about the company, do some research about the management, figure out what the job entails, what the company is looking out for in the person they will hire and get an idea about those who would be interviewing you. The basics of an interview don’t change. The medium changes, but not the purpose.

2. Get tech-savvy

Technology can be unpredictable, and it’s important to be prepared in advance to avoid any disruption. Learn how video conferencing equipments work. If you are planning to take the interview from home, check to see if the equipment is functioning. Practice on Skype or with video capsules. Ask a friend to review it. Spend time setting the right projection. Camera angle, light and sound should be perfect. The conversation can get disrupted if these things are not taken care of. It can spoil the entire exercise.

3. Dress for the occasion

Dressing casually for the interview might suggest to your potential employers that you are not serious about the process. Wear bright colours that would be distinguished on camera. Do not go in for stripes as monitors tend to create fluctuating patterns. Don’t fidget, and look into the camera constantly.

4. Cut the noise levels

The microphone can pick up the smallest of sounds, so try and give the interview in a sound-free environment. Also, keep your phone switched off or on silent mode and avoid checking your phone messages or e-mails, even during a break. Keep a notebook handy, take down quick notes if there a series of complex queries. Reply to them slowly but don’t read out from the note pad. Pay close attention to the conversation.

5. Keep to time limit

Be aware of the time and make sure to cover your agenda and ask relevant questions in the allotted interview time. Don’t request information which is already available on the company website. Keep your queries precise. Remember to focus on your goals during the interview. You might just bag a great job offer.

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List of 8 job interview goof-ups

If you think that wearing the perfect dress or bragging about your academic pursuits will help you nail the job interview, you are mistaken. Here is a list of eight job interview goof-ups , usually overlooked by candidates.

1. The Art of Rambling

Rambling , interrupting the interviewer, and answering a simple question with a fifteen-minute reply – all of these can be avoided if you have thought through and practiced what you want to communicate. Keep your answers succinct, tothe-point , focused and don’t ramble – simply answer the question. At the same time, it is hard to communicate with someone who answers a question with a word or two. So, even though you shouldn’t talk too much, you do want to be responsive and fully answer the question as best you can.

2. Weaknesses and Strengths

Only you can recognise your most valuable strengths and hurtful weaknesses . Your weaknesses, if such must come up, should be turned around to positives. Interviewers are always willing to consider imperfect candidates . No candidate ever has everything the search committee wants. However, they are never inclined to consider applicants who are imperfect but think they are the best thing going. If you are missing a key skill or some years of experience, own the weakness, but then describe how your other skills and experiences will help you compensate or catch up quickly.

3. ‘I am Capable of much more’

Overselling skills causes candidates to struggle once they are on-thejob , as they are unable to cope with the expectations from it or causes the interview to go downhill quickly. It is better to commit only to what you have delivered in your previous roles. This will result in deliveries being stronger, if you do get the job and the fear of failure not being imminent. You should be able to clearly learn on a new job, as all businesses are different and there is always learning that can happen.

4. Great Expectations

Today, candidates do not pay much consideration to the job role and industry , as they apply for jobs. Their consideration is the brand and salary package (average) that they read about through the media. This results in expectations not being met, as they are disappointed with the offer.

5. Private Affairs

Keep it professional, not personal. Don’t let business decorum disappear even if the interview is in a casual setting. Refrain from discussing over-the-top personal issues and focus on the position and what you bring to the table.

6. Benefits and more

Some candidates in their first meeting enquire and emphasise a lot about the policies (leave policy, 5/6 day working, office timings, conveyance, etc), and this creates a wrong and tardy image of the candidate with the interviewer and the race is lost before it actually begins.

There is no harm in enquiring about the policies, working culture, office timing or the compensation strategy of the organisation but as it is rightly said, “Cross the bridge when you come to it”.

7. Watch that nerve

Companies look for future leaders in the people that they hire. The interviewees who lose their composure and panic when tested with difficult questions or put under stressful situations, often lose the recruiter’s faith. It is important to be confident.

8. Incomplete Homework

While we expect the interviewees to come well-prepared for the interviews, it is humanly not possible for a candidate to know everything. Rather than making up things, it is always appreciated to be honest about what a prospective employee knows and what he/she doesn’t , what he/she can do and what he/she can’t .

Honesty and integrity are the two virtues that we strongly value and look forward to on-boarding the people who demonstrate these qualities.

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Anatomy of the commonly asked interview question “Tell me about yourself”

Many say that the ‘tell me about yourself’ question is something that an interviewer asks when they are out of things to ask you about or say. Many times an interviewer may simply be asking you this just because they have not yet had a chance to look through your resume yet.

Assuming your interviewer is in this position, you can make the most of it by relating how your specific skills and talents coincides with the needs of the organization. Having read up on what kind of candidate they’re looking for helps when using this approach to get the job.

Other reasons that interviewers ask this type of question are because they want to:

1. Hear your thought pattern
2. See what’s important to you, by assessing what topics you talk about
3. Assess your language and grammatical skills
4. Buy time while they look over your CV
5. Confirming what you have already written in your CV
6. Look for loopholes in your resume
7. Gauge your personality, etc.

Remember that this question can make or break your interview. Answer it by summarizing your accomplishments and academic achievements in a chronological way.

Be yourself and stick to the truth. You can’t go wrong if you follow these guidelines.

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Use Social Networking Sites To Groom Your Career

Today, almost everyone who is connected to the internet, is present on at least one networking Website, be it Facebook, Twitter or Myspace. For workaholics, the most popular professional networking site is LinkedIn. Realising the vast number of candidates that can be easily tapped on these portals, companies and head hunters have begun to rely on them to find potential employees.

Here are some tips that can help you leverage networking sites :

Join specific groups

All networking sites have groups formed by people with specific skills or in a particular industry. You should join these as it will help to expand your network and tap these contacts when you need to start a job search. Also, recruiters often post vacancies on the pages of such groups.

However, don’t think that once you join a group, you will be flooded with job offers instantly. It will take time to build a network as well as rapport with the members. After all, it is difficult to trust someone whom you have never met personally.

Keep an active profile

You should post a detailed profile as this is the first thing that a potential employer will read about you. Highlight your professional capabilities and skills, but be brief about personal information. The headline or ‘about me’ information should be succinct and interesting. For instance, don’t just say ‘marketing professional’. Write adjectives to enhance this, such as ‘innovator’, ‘problem solver’ or ‘result-oriented’. Use keywords which will help your profile to pop up when someone is trawling the site looking for a candidate. Contact information should be updated so that recruiters can easily get in touch with you.

Be active on the site. Give solutions to enquiries posted by people and regularly post news about what’s happening in your industry. If you are looking for a job, frequently post messages regarding your search as this will keep it fresh in the minds of people within your network.

Most networks are linked to each other, which helps to further expand your pool of contacts. For instance, what you Tweet can appear on Facebook and LinkedIn, while on your Twitter site, you can have a link to a video resume on YouTube.

Recommendations

Your profile should carry positive feedback about your work. Recruiters prefer it if the recommendations are written by senior colleagues. These are considered as good as verbal or written references. While requesting a colleague to write one for you, ask him to focus on the positive aspects and achievements in the past one to five years. Don’t ask someone who has known you for less than this period as it will come across as a biased view.

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How important is grooming in professional life?

How important is grooming? Do people really judge you by the way you dress and carry yourself? You know why people say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? Because most people do.

What I am getting at is not that one should only wear expensive clothes. But wearing one’s best professional attire to work is expected. If you are serious about your career then you need to take personal grooming a little more seriously. Here are some fun tips which will not only get heads to turn, but will also add an extra edge to your confidence and enthusiasm.

NEAT FOOTWEAR

Walking to office in flip-flops, crocs or worn-out footwear is not acceptable, no matter what designation you hold. If you are not comfortable in professional shoes and stilettos all day, carry a change of flipflops but don’t be caught as though you just got out of bed and into work.

SMART FORMALS

If you don’t have a formal wardrobe, it’s time you made one. Investing in your attire is an investment in your career. Upgrade your style as you move up. Don’t buy by what your designation demands; always keep your standards three rungs above your current position. No matter what, your wardrobe must include smart formals for daily wear, at least one smart formal for party wear and one smart formal for a board meeting. You may not see the need today, but when the day arrives you may not have the time, money or accessibility to dress up for the occasion.

ACCESSORISE

Accessories add zing to your appearance. Cuff links over button-up sleeves, earrings to match your clothes, a branded watch, neatly painted nails, a scarf to go with your shirt, all add an extra spark to your dressing and make you stand out.

SMELL GOOD

Investing in a deodorant, perfume and even some tic tac is a good way to keep yourself smelling fresh. There is no greater turn off than body odour and bad breath.

Where I have found slack in personal grooming, I have also found a slack in self confidence. When people take their appearance and their grooming seriously, it shows up in their attitude, and reflects in the way they talk and the way they think about their goals. Don’t let your designation decide your dressing for you; let your grooming be led by your vision. Put your best foot forward in everything you do, including your appearance.

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7 Questions to Ask in Your Appraisal Meeting

April is the time most of us get a reality check (thanks to the appraisals). While many focus their energies on convincing their boss that they deserve a promotion/ salary hike, they often forget to ask some very crucial questions. Keeping in mind the purpose of the whole activity, we give you a list of seven questions you must ask during your performance review meeting.

1. What can I do to improve my performance rating?

Often a question ignored by those with a ME (Meets Expectations) rating, this one is actually for everyone with a rating below DE (Demonstrates Excellence). Just because you meet or even exceed expectations doesn’t mean that there isn’t any room for improvement. Who knows, your boss’ advice might just help you get that elusive excellent rating the next time around.

2. How can I increase my contribution to this department/ company?

As an employee, it is vital that your job profile contributes to the company’s progress. At no point do you want your boss to find you dispensable and god forbid, hand you the pink slip. Showing interest in the company’s advancement will definitely gain you brownie points.

3. What would make me eligible for XYZ post/ a promotion?

This is one of the most important questions to ask during your performance review meeting. Keeping your nose to the grindstone all year long only to have someone else swoop in and take that promotion can’t feel good. Make sure you know what to focus your energies on to achieve that goal. Do what is expected of you and may be a little more and you can be sure of that promotion!

4. Can I be enrolled for XYZ training?

It’s always good to improve your skill set; and why not have the company pay for it? Whether it’s a company training programme or a certified course you want to do, now’s the best time to ask your boss if it’s possible for him to arrange for it. Just make sure the course will actually improve your performance at work.

5. How can I assist others in the team?

If you find your appraisal meeting going rather well and you are sure of a decent rating, it would be a good idea to suggest assisting others of the team. Bosses are always on the lookout for team players to assume mentoring roles. This move might just help you get promoted faster.

6. What are my goals for the next year?

The point of an appraisal is not just to review your past performance but also to set goals for the future. Apart from asking your boss what your goals will be, also ask for clarity on targets as well as how he wants you to go about achieving them.

7. What salary hike can one expect with this rating?

Aah! Finally that questions everyone wants the answer to. Try to be tactful when asking this question as you don’t want your boss to think that the salary is the only reason you are interested in the appraisal. Keep the question more generic by asking what kind of percentage-wise hike is the company offering to employees with such a rating.

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5 ways to handle workload at your workplace

With bigger workloads, tighter deadlines and more pressure, the temptation to pack in as many tasks as possible is hard to resist. But juggling too many things at once can lead to more mistakes and stress, along with loss of productivity. Here are few tips to multitask efficiently at the workplace:

1. Get Organized

Make a list of the things that you need to accomplish. With so much technology at one’s fingertips, it’s become easier. One should use these gadgets to schedule tasks.

2. Prioritize your Tasks

List the tasks you need to get done and classify them in order of importance, impending deadlines and the like. Also learn to recognise when a particular task is so important that you need to put multitasking on hold and give it your undivided attention.

3. Don’t Procrastinate

As your responsibilities increase, you need to resist procrastination. If you have an agenda, plan early and address it as soon as possible. Otherwise if you keep tasks on hold, they tend to pile up, affecting the quality of your work.

4. Eliminate Distractions

Resist the urge to peek at your blinking smartphone or answering your email when you’re working on something. Keep those tasks for later and don’t let them waste your time.

5. Don’t Overcommit

Multitasking has its advantages, but don’t take on too much or set yourself unrealistic targets. It’s all very well to impress your bosses but don’t end up becoming a victim of burnout.

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