India’s success at ASIAD, CWG
A shot in the arm for budding players 
Usha Albuquerque

We have new heroes now — sportsmen and women who have won laurels for the country at the Asian Games in China and the Commonwealth Games in India. These victories have opened up great possibilities for sports in India and will give any youngster the motivation for taking up a career in sports.

With wide media attention and interest generated by these sporting events and more money coming into sports, those with potential and talent can now seriously consider a professional sporting career. Awards, rankings, prize money, sponsorships, scholarships, contracts, endorsements, revenue from TV telecasts have all boosted the prospects for career in sports.

Of course, there are a limited number of sports that provide the financial support that enables talented players to earn a living. While there is a huge amount of money in sports like cricket, lack of corporate sponsorships for games like boxing, athletics, hockey, football, archery, and the lack of marketing and awareness has restricted the field to just a few sporting activities. Even in fields such as cricket and tennis which receive the largest outlays of funds, limitations in financial support and facilities at the primary stage can retard progress and dampen enthusiasm. However, for many a career in sports can lead to jobs in the railways, state government departments, public sector undertakings and corporate houses.

So can you make a career in sports? Yes, if you have the talent and are willing to put in a great deal of effort and dedication. Moreover, there are some sports where opportunities for the gifted offer more promise. While cricket tops this list, some like golf, tennis and badminton have also had talented players become role models for aspiring youngsters.

The most well-known face in golf is Jeev Milkha Singh, the highest-ranked Indian golfer and the first to break into the top 50 in the world. Son of another gifted sportsperson, athlete Milkha Singh, Jeev has carved an independent career for himself in the highly competitive sport of golf. Arjun Atwal is another veteran Indian professional golfer, who gained nationwide recognition after becoming the first Indian golfer to make it to the highly prestigious US PGA Tour. He was the second Indian golfer, next to Jeev Milka Singh, to earn membership of the European Tour, in which he registered a few wins. Apart from that, he is well known both at the national and international golf competitions, for his career-best performance at the Asian PGA, which fetched him US $1 million - the highest in his career earnings.

Golf may be an expensive sport, but the rise of golfers like Jeev Milkha Singh and Arjun Atwal has helped popularise the sport and is generating a huge following among young people and children across all economic sections. Parents, too, are keen to encourage their children to become career golfers, and many junior players are regularly competing in tournaments, both in India and abroad.

While for most aspiring golfers the career revolves around the traditional club pro role, you can also consider coaching and training golfers, or opt for golf club management, refereeing or administration. Other avenues include golf marketing, manufacturing, equipment, technology and media-related options. With the growth of the PGA in India and the proliferation of golf clubs in India, maintaining and running a successful club, marketing the club to attract new members, organisation of competitions, is attracting a lot of talent, as also teaching and coaching golf and working with some of the world's best players.

Badminton is another sport that has received a spurt of renewed interest after the victory of the Indian badminton team led by Saina Nehwal at the Commonwealth games. Saina who has won countless tournaments and championships, including the Commonwealth and Asian Games, is one of the most promising sportspersons in India. Her popularity has led her to influence other young people to become interested in badminton.

Due to the lack of social and monetary support for an emerging player, badminton has not been a popular sport in India. Prakash Padukone, one of the top badminton players India has ever produced, has brought recognition to the game by winning the Danish and Swedish open championships and the All England Championships, besides winning a commonwealth gold medal. Pullela Gopichand is another player who followed Padukone's footsteps by winning the All England badminton title and four medals in 1998 Commonwealth Games. Thanks to the efforts of these Indian legends, the situation is slowly and surely changing for the better. 

Today,there are many more indoor badminton courts for players and coaches are on the lookout to spot talent at a young age. With our naturally inherited lean physique and quick reflexes, Indians can do a lot better in the world of badminton than the limited successes achieved so far. With inspiration from Saina and her teammates Ujjala and Ashwini, there is renewed promise for those looking for a professional badminton career. Among the well renowned academies for training are those set up by the two top players. The Tata Padukone Badminton Academy and the Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad have put badminton on a professional footing. Both academies with top-notch facilities as per international norms, sprung wooden floored courts and a faculty of the best badminton players provides execellent training and residential facilities for sportspersons and trainees. Saina Nehwal is a product of Gopichand's hard work and an inspiration for anyone with a talent for badminton.

Abhinav Bindra won the Olympic gold for rifle shooting and put this sport too on the Indian map. From time immemorial hunting for animals has been regarded as a recreational activity, although mostly practised only by royalty and wealthy landlords. Over time due to government restrictions, those who used to hunt previously, resorted to target shooting as a sport leading to the setting up of the National Rifle Association of India and state rifle associations for the promotion of shooting sport in India. The construction of Dr Karni Singh Shooting Ranges, New Delhi, which was the first range in the country built as per international standards, has raised the standard of the game and brought the country national and international recognition. 

Following the medal haul at the Commonwealth Games, India's Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra, Gagan Narang and Sanjeev Rajput won the team silver in the men's 10 metre air rifle event at the Asian Games ensuring further interest in this precision-packed sport. Today schools and institutions have hundreds of students lining up for training in rifle shooting, looking at one more sport to excel in. 

Whatever may be the sport, those wanting to become professional sportspersons have to start young, In fact, often parents or teachers need to spot talent in the child early, so that adequate sporting facilities, a nutritious diet, and encouragement can be given to nurture this talent.

The Davis club tennis player Dev Burman, Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal started playing their respective sports at 3-4 years, and were already into national level sports by the age of 9-11. Vijay Amritraj was an asthmatic child and introduced to sports and tennis by his mother, with a strict regimen of four eggs and three laps a day around the stadium in Chennai to build up his stamina and lung power.

If you have the talent to make it to the national level, you can consider a professional career in sports, and acquire the necessary training. Not only for golf, badminton or rifle shooting, today there are academies and institutes that select and train talent for practically every sport. Privately run academies such as the Britania Amritraj Tennis Academy which launched Leander Paes, and the Krishnan Tennis Academy in Chennai, set up by Ramanathan Krishnan and his son Ramesh have encouraged and promoted many promising tennis players. MRF has been promoting and training cricketers through its Pace Foundation in Chennai. The Tata Football Academy, Calcutta, trains young soccer players, many of whom are now in the big league teams of Mohan Bagan and East Bengal. Some state associations have also instituted special academies, which have spread to others cities like Chandigarh and Pune too.

The National Golf Academy of India is the first accredited programme for teaching golf professionals in the country. The programme supported by the Indian Golf Union, The R&A and the PGA of Europe established it's first centre in Chandigarh in 2008. The programme, which is providing many young golfers the opportunity to learn the game correctly under the guidance of properly trained teaching professionals, offers training programmes to those who wish to teach the game of golf, through a system of testing and examination at all levels.

Alongside training facilities, sponsorships, endorsements and looser corporate purse strings have encouraged the growth of most sports. State governments have also chipped in with financial support, increased prize money and jobs for promising sportspersons. The boost given by the Haryana government to its boxers, wrestlers, archers and athletes has taken it to the top most position as a sporting state. The large medal haul at the Commonwealth Games has encouraged other states to follow suit.

According to a plan being worked upon by the Central government and the Jharkhand state government, the Rs 700-crore stadiums and facilities that were built for the 34th National Games near Ranchi are to be converted to India's first central sports university.

From just six golf courses in the 1960s, there are about 250 now, with another 50 being built across India. Golf is also getting a boost from real estate developers, who are building luxury residences alongside golf courses, such as the Arnold Palmer-designed course at the DLF Golf & Country Club in Gurgaon. 

Career Hotline
Pervin Malhotra
The writer is a noted career expert and director, Career Guidance India (CARING). Please send in your queries with your full name, complete address and academic qualifications to: The Editor, Jobs and Careers, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160030, or at careers @tribunemail.com 
Financial aid for becoming pilot

Q. I want to be a commercial pilot but due to financial problems, I would need a scholarship or bank loan to finance my education. Please guide me?
— Tarun Chaube 

A. That depends on whether you are looking at pursuing a course in India or abroad. In either case, you must be prepared to shell out a minimum of Rs 25-30 lakh (IGRUA fees are Rs 24.60 lakh plus Rs 5000 boarding & lodging). 

A bank will pay upto Rs 12 lakh or so for study abroad provided you come up with the necessary collateral. 

The slowdown in the aviation industry is beginning to lift, but there are thousands of jobless CPL holders in the queue. 

From what I gather, aviation courses are classified as career training and not professional education for the purpose of acquiring a loan and thus banks charge a higher rate of interest from student borrowers. 

As the situation in the aviation sector is relatively uncertain, banks are somewhat cautious about granting financial assistance for such courses. Do check with your bank, though. 

The Minority Commission provides financial assistance to SC/ST candidates for pursuing courses at IGRUA, but you have to pay the full fee in instalments for the course. Watch out for their notification in April-May. Incidentally, IGRUA is the only institute in India to offer a BSc (Aviation) (the degree is awarded by CSJM Kanpur University) along with the CPL training. 

I’m not sure of any specific scholarships at this point of time for these courses, although IGRUA does offer. 

Job of detective for girls

Q. I am a science graduate. Instead of pursuing MCA or MBA like everybody else, I want to do something different. I’m very fascinated by the thought of pursuing detective-related work. But people say that it’s not a good field for girls. Is that so? 
— Meneka Agnihotri 

A. Forgive them, for they know not what they say! Private investigation no longer remains a male bastion. In a profession earlier dominated by men, the army of Indian women sleuths has been increasing steadily over the years. 

In the big cities, they are not just working as private eyes, but even heading all-women outfits. Almost all 60 detective agencies in Delhi have a sizeable number of women, while six are run by women alone. 

In fact in certain cases especially matrimonial and child custody, women PIs have often proved to be more effective than their male counterparts. A woman’s innate inquisitiveness and attention to detail makes her an ideal candidate for surveillance activities, interviewing subjects, and conducting telephonic enquiries. The greatest advantage that a woman investigator has is that nobody is suspicious of being shadowed by a woman undercover agent. 

Also you’ll find it naturally easier to access information. You can work either with the police department or with a private detective company. In the police department, detectives are plainclothes investigators who gather facts and collect evidence for criminal cases. Besides handling undercover operations, interviews, examining records and shadowing or keeping an eye on the activities of suspects, PIs offer many other services such as pre-employment verification, surveillance, investigating corporate fraud and individual background profiles. 

If you are familiar with gadgets like mini cameras, voice recorders etc you can get started with a few thousand bucks.. 

There are no formal academic requirements for most private detective jobs, although a college degree is essential. 

Most companies will train you on the job. Stating out with simpler assignments, you will advance to more challenging assignments as you gain confidence. 

Many private detectives enter the field after serving in government intelligence, defence or law enforcement jobs. 

However, let me warn you: A career in this field may not be as adventurous and romantic as novels and films make it out to be. Although it is certainly a ‘ hatke ‘profession, it’s a tough job requiring long hours, patience, intelligence, common sense, tenacity, the ability to improvise and keen observation. 

Profile of research engineers

Q. I am a student of class 12 (PCB). I know a little about the various branches of engineering, but please tell me something about what research engineers and design engineers do?

— Yogesh Bisht

A. Every field of engineering requires research and design engineers.

Research engineers traditionally work in the R&D lab testing / or inventing new products and processes in their field (electronic, mechanical, computer, aerospace, whatever). They often utilize their creativity and curiosity to reach the discovery stage of a new breakthrough in the field.

Design engineers, on the other hand, work on the application or of a new product or process, once it has been invented. Using sophisticated computer simulation, they test the new innovation, to visualize as many possible scenarios for application or troubleshooting. This way they are able to “foresee” how a new innovation could impact the future of the industry. 

About BSc (IT) & BE

Q. Could you please tell me something about BSc (IT) and BE. Please guide me about the difference between the two and their scope.

— Anup Biswas

A. BSc (IT) is a 3-year course, after which you generally need to do MCA or MSc (IT) or go for some good certifications like CCNA, Java etc to be able to get a good job in IT.

BE and BTech are 4-year engineering degrees that enable you to get a job in the industry – including as a software engineer – particularly if you do it from a good engineering college.

Lately however, a number of leading IT companies have begun to recruit bright BSc (IT) grads for software development jobs. They come somewhat cheaper (they are inducted at a band lower than their BTech counterparts). And after the requisite initial training they do the same work, and perform equally well. So if you don’t make it to a good engineering college, I feel the BSc option may be worth considering. 

Choosing NGO for charity work

Q. I am a lecturer. I am interested in doing some charity work in my spare time. How do I go about choosing a good NGO which can provide me exposure to the social sector?

— Fauzia Khan

A. Over the last decade, NGOs have proliferated in India, while remaining relatively unregulated. There are over 12 lakh NGOs, over half of which are based in 6 lakh villages. Many do good work, but lack of accountability and transparency or voluntary code of conduct has allowed the less-credible ones to undermine the work of the credible ones, leading to a dilution of trust between donors and beneficiaries. Many of them have been found to have abysmal standards of accounting and reporting. Few put up their financial accounts on their websites. While it’s not fair to paint the whole sector black, it’s important to sift the grain from the chaff.

Working in an NGO is certainly a good option if you are passionate about charity work. However be careful about the NGO’s bona fides and credibility. Before tearing out a leaf from your check book, make sure you check if the institution is genuine and committed.

The Council for Advancement of People’s Action & Rural Technology (CAPART) has blacklisted hundreds of NGOs (770+) for indulging in unscrupulous activities. These NGOs have misused the funds sanctioned by the government, indulged in financial mismanagement and even submitted forged documents.

Make sure you also check the governance structure of the NGO.

A genuine NGO would have a systematic structure with an active set 
of trustees.

Another way to check the credentials of an NGO is to visit the centre to get a first-hand peep into what and how it is carrying out the social activity.

Apart from organizations like CAPART there are others like Give Foundation , Karmayog and Concern India that run independent checks on the credibility of NGOs. Use these resources, besides speaking to friends and experienced social workers to zero-in on a befitting place. 

University education needs paradigm shift
Certain institutions in the region are making conscious efforts to make higher education comparable to international standards, writes Charandeep Singh

University education in India is not in right shape. Educationists feel that our university education has to undergo a paradigm shift if we want our homegrown resources to compete globally. More so in regard to professional courses as the scenario there is pathetic. There is a huge gap between what the industry demands and what is being taught in B-School lectures.

Sanjay Modi, senior dean at Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, feels, "Professional education in India is not at all matching the level of education in developed countries. There is a huge difference in the pedagogy as well as in the focus". Echoing similar sentiments is Mohit Chitkara, vice-president, Chitkara University, who has himself done a leadership course from Harvard Business School, says, "In terms of systems and curriculum, the established universities are A-Class. Our system of administering higher education is no match to them, and if we continue with the same processes, we would never be able to match them".

So the moot question is what should be done? How should we rectify all the maladies that plague our system of higher education?

What is ailing university education?

"All along in my interaction with the students of various institutes, what I have found out is that the course curriculum or the syllabi which is being taught is incongruent to the needs of market demand. I was astonished to know that burning subjects like infrastructure and retail are not even part of the course curriculum" says Sharat Pathak who is the director of 5th Quarter, which conducts workshops on business communication for the MBA students. The course curriculum which is being taught needs to be upgraded. "We don't even understand what is teachable and what is not teachable. It is a total loss. Institutes of higher education have just become certificate distribution centers. This is not the way how it should be", observes Dr Vijay Gupta, vice-chancellor of Lovely Professional University. The slant of the syllabi should more towards analysis.

Problem finding and then giving solutions to the problem should be the core of professional education in India. The students should be given practical orientation. "Unfortunately what we have been doing all along is that we teach a student 26 subjects like QT, BSRM etc. during the programme, but the practical component is missing. We should ideally lay more stress on case studies and live projects", says Col Dr SPS Bedi, executive director, Chandigarh Group of Colleges. But what comes to mind is that, how the students would come to know what are the requirements of industry till the time they don't hear it from the 'horse's mouth'.

Interface of students with the mandarins of corporate world is very important. Seminars and presentations should form the fulcrum of the programme. But unfortunately, this is missing. "10 million IT graduates are required by the IT sector by 2020. So the demand is there. But there is complete gap between the supply of resources and expected demand. Nobody is even making an effort to plug this gap. Vigorous interaction with industry is the need of the hour if the educational institutes want to churn out graduates who are employable", feels Dr Sandeep Kaura, AMD, Rayat and Bahra Group.

To some extent a need is felt that teaching methodology also has to be changed. Our teaching style is more or less obsolete and not at par with the international standards. More participative pedagogy should be encouraged rather than, giving lectures. "Over a period of time, government has withdrawn the financial support. Lot of investment and continuous flow of funds is required for the expansion and timely upgradation of professional programmes. So most of the universities these days are in a fix, because of paucity of funds at their disposal", informs Dr A S Chawla, head, School of Management Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala.

International standards being inculcated

"Faculty development programme", a capsule course which is very popular in the established universities has started finding its feet in India. LPU, Jalandhar, has started with the concept of "Master Teacher". A senior faculty member will first teach the topic to the teachers before it is taken up for class room teaching in subsequent days. Adds Sandip Kaura, "When the new faculty joins we ensure that first of all we train them for three months at our residential campus and then we introduce him/her to our students". Another transition being seen in the university system these days is the adoption of

grading system. LPU, Jalandhar, Chitkara University and Rayat and Bahra college besides a few others are following this pattern. "In the grading system you tend to broad band the students. Like all the students having A+ grades are good. This also eradicates the false sense of superiority which the students used to have earlier on the basis of some extra marks. It is certainly a better way of education" feels Mohit Chitkara.

As followed in the education system of developed countries 'trimester' system has come into place replacing the old 'bimester' system. More stress is being laid on analytical teaching and analytical question papers. Management courses these days are taking measures to groom the students and special emphasis is being laid on their developmental

aptitude, the spirit of team work, eloquence of their presentations, how much participative they were in group discussions and so on, and this is in sync with the western 'Ivy League institutions'. For this "case-based teaching" method is being adopted. Teachers only discuss the case and the student are made to understand a concept from the deductions drawn from the case.

Another innovation in the Indian system of education as a consequence to its international success was starting with the system of credits. "At LPU we have started the system of giving credits. A student who is doing his major in management can pursue a course in journalism side by side. And he would get credits for clearing different stages of the course and a set number of credits make a student eligible to get a certificate for the second course. Similarly a student doing engineering can do a certified course in sports", says Dr Modi. The credit system ensures that a student not only gets a chance to pursue his talent or hobby in academic circles but because of his flexible academic qualification his chances are brighter in the job market also.

Other new practices

Since there is demand for good resources in the industry, in order to give "tailor made" product to the corporate world 'Academic-Industry' partnership has to be forged. "We have devised a model which is a win win situation for the industry as well as the universities. We would be setting up 'Centers of Excellence' in partnership with the industry. Educational institutions will bear the cost of civil infrastructure as per the demand of the industry, and the industry would be investing in training the trainers, devising the curriculum as per their own standards and employment. Our first such centre would be coming up Mohali, and would be exclusively focused on churning out graduates as per the requirements of the automobile sector for which we have inked an MoU with Maruti, Volkswagon, Volvo and 40 other companies" informs Dr Kaura. A lot of emphasis is being given to make our teaching more practical as well. The institutes should make the students attempt live projects in every semester, rather than doing one project in two years. "I have started 'earn while you learn', programme on my campus. Every student must do some kind of a part time job for four hours in the evening. For this we have tie-ups also, and this practice would ensure that students get experience, some kind of job training and this would be a massive boost to his confidence once they start earning money", adds Dr Bedi.

Then, need is also being felt to fine tune the course curriculum. We should make or content more crisp and relative to the needs of the market. "We should always have tie ups with foreign universities as we are not very strong in content development. These tie ups would ensure that our students would be having access to their content and the faculty exchange programme would ensure that our teachers get the requisite exposure and devise methodology more in sync with the international standards. It would be a sure shot value addition for both the students and the teachers," feels Dr Modi.

academic notes
IAF, IGNOU sign MoU

Meeting the higher learning certification needs of its air warriors, the IAF has signed an agreement with IGNOU and launched a community college project under which its personnel will be awarded a Bachelors degree after eight years of in-service training.

The project, Akashdeep, would register the serving airmen and non-combatants for awarding of the degree between their eighth year and 13th year of service and provide them degree certificates. IAF's Air Officer-in-Charge (Personnel) Air Marshal K J Mathews signed the memorandum of understanding in this regard with IGNOU Vice Chancellor Prof V N Rajasekharan Pillai in the presence of IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik here.

Under the arrangements, the two modules of the Joint Basic Phase Training will enable airmen to earn credit points that would be transferred to IGNOU for completing their certificates, diplomas and associate degrees in Arts, Science, Commerce, Business Administration, Hotel Management, Hospitality Services, Medical Services, Para Medical Sciences, Office Management, Automobile Trade, Performing Skill and Music.

Subsequently, an airman can enrol for a one-year distance learning programme with IGNOU leading to the award of Bachelor's degree.

For non-combatants, the basic trade training imparted at IAF Training Institutes will make them eligible for award of certificates in their respective trade by IGNOU.

"The launch of the project will immediately benefit nearly one lakh IAF personnel who will, on completion of the syllabus receive a degree from the National University that has the potential to transform their post-retirement life besides helping them prepare for competitive jobs," an IAF press release said. At present, the entry level qualification requirements for airmen in IAF is 10+2 in Group-X and Y trades (Technical and non-technical trades), and Class-X for Group-Z trade (Musicians).

For non-combatants (enlisted), the minimum educational qualification requirement is also Class-X. However, individuals, who did not complete 10+2 examination prior to joining the IAF, can undergo a bridge programme of one semester before qualifying for registration to the associate degree.

"Better qualified human resources will help IAF in gainful utilisation of its resources. The programme, while validating IAF training curriculum, is also one among the several welfare measures for its personnel. Project Akashdeep also signifies IAF's association with sky and its quest for knowledge," the release added. — PTI

University of Missouri-LPU tie-up

In a step further towards its internationalisation strategy, Lovely Professional University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with University of Missouri, Columbia. This MoU was signed between the Engineering departments of both the universities with a vision of providing the students the opportunity to study in each other's campus and learn the workings of foreign universities.

Both the universities are prominent names in the field of education in their respective countries and are considered to be pioneers of quality education at international level. Missouri University is considered one of the nation's top-tier institutions of the world and has a reputation of excellence in teaching and research while LPU has earned the stature of largest University in India. The twinning arrangement programmes offered by LPU have a major say in the curriculum and pedagogy of the University and this prompts the foreign universities to come in collaboration with it. 

Preparing for job interview

An interview is a formal meeting between a job seeker and an employer. The employer will ask questions to determine whether the job seeker is an appropriate fit for the job and for the company. The job seeker will ask the employer questions to obtain enough information about the job to decide if the job and the company is the right fit.

The job market is highly competitive so one should always maintain a high standard of professionalism. This is guaranteed to impress your potential employer, as it will show focus and maturity.

What is Professionalism?

Professionalism is: Presentation, Punctuality and Preparation.

Presentation: Presentation is not just the clothes you wear, but your general presentation during the interview. Dress for success, formal attire is the best option. Look the part and you will be more likely to get it. Body language such as eye contact and how you greet your interviewer are important. Shaking hands is a sign of confidence and respect so is making regular eye contact. Always be polite not just during the interview but to any one you may have contact with in the office or work environment.

Punctuality: Being on time is essential to a successful interview. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination, map out a route if you are unsure in any way. Being early gives you time to relax and prepare for your interview. If you are going to be late or unable to attend for any unforeseeable reason call ahead and let them know. This will show them that you are serious and that you take your commitments seriously.

Preparation: Get to know the company you are hoping to work for. A little background information can go a long way. You should research the company well before applying to it. You must be prepared to discuss the industry, the company's relative size within that industry and show that you know who the major players and competitors are.

Here are some 15 toughest questions which can help you to be selected at even hours of interviews.

1. Why this industry?

Bad answer

"I love _____. I a huge fan of _____and find this job for change very inspiring."

Don't just say you like it. Anyone can do that. Focus instead on your history with organization and especially in that agency, and if you can, tell a success story.

Good answer

"I am fascinated by the way this organization works to accomplish change. In light of recent events and the movements, I am already seeing how much this organization can accomplish when the right people and resources are utilized. When I worked at my previous employer, I initiated efforts to create a more "green" office - decreasing paper and electricity use by 25% after three months - saving the company Rs10, 00,000 that year. I know I could take this type of project to the next level. I would find career and personal fulfillment in that."

2. Tell us about yourself.

Bad Answer

"I graduated four years ago from the University, with a Bachelor's in Biology - but I decided that wasn't the right path for me. So I switched gears and got my first job, working in sales for a startup. After that, I took a few months off to travel. Finally, I came back and worked in government and legal work. And now, here I am, looking for a more challenging role."

Instead of giving a chronological work history, focus on your strengths and how they pertain to the role. If possible, illustrate with examples.

Good answer

"I'm really energetic, and a great communicator. Working in sales for two years helped me build confidence, and taught me the importance of customer loyalty. I've also got a track record of success. In my last role, I launched a company newsletter, which helped us build on our existing relationships and create new ones. Because of this, we ended up seeing a revenue increase of 10% over two years. I'm also really interested in how companies can use web tools to better market themselves, and would be committed to building on your existing platform."

3. Tell something about your previous boss.

Bad answer

"He was completely incompetent, and a nightmare to work with, which is why I have moved on."

Remember: if you get the job, the person interviewing you will someday be your previous boss. The last thing they want is to hire someone who they know is going to badmouth them some day. Instead of trashing your former employer, stay positive, and focus on what you learned from him (no matter how awful he really was).

Good answer

"My last boss taught me the importance of time management - he didn't pull any punches, and was extremely deadline-driven. His no-nonsense attitude pushed me to work harder, and to meet deadlines I never even thought were possible."

4. Why are you leaving your current job?

Bad answer

"I can't stand my boss, or the work I'm doing."

Again, stay away from badmouthing your job or employer. Focus on the positive.

Good answer

"I've learned a lot from my current role, but now I'm looking for a new challenge, to broaden my horizons and to gain a new skill-set - all of which, I see the potential for in this job."

5. Where do you see yourself in next two years?

Bad answer

"Relaxing on a beach in Goa," or "Doing your job."

There's really no right answer to this question, but the interviewer wants to know that you're ambitious, career-oriented, and committed to a future with the company. So instead of sharing your dream for early retirement, or trying to be funny, give them an answer that illustrates your drive and commitment.

Good answer

"In five years I'd like to have an even better understanding of how this agency works. Also, I really love working with people. Ultimately, I'd like to be in some type of managerial role at this agency, where I can use my people skills and department knowledge to benefit the people working for me, and the agency as a whole

6. Tell us your greatest weakness?

Bad answer

"I work too hard," or for the comedian, "Blondes."

This question is a great opportunity to put a positive spin on something negative, but you don't want your answer to be cliché - joking or not. Instead, try to use a real example of a weakness you have learned to overcome.

Good answer

"I've never been very comfortable with public speaking - which as you know, can be a hindrance in the workplace. Realizing this was a problem, I asked my previous employer if I could enroll in a speech workshop. He said "yes." I took the class, and was able to overcome my lifelong fear. Since then, I've given lots of presentations to audiences of over a 100 high level executives - I still don't love it, but no one else can tell!"

The writer is Preetinder Kaur, Project Assistant, IIT, ROPAR

Happiness @ work
Gems of ancient wisdom
Don’t compare happiness

Each one of us is unique. As our personalities, circumstances and efforts are unique, so would our happiness. So don’t unsuccessfully try and be happy like someone else, find your own combination of happiness.

Even after Albert Einstein became assistant professor at the University of Zurich, he would wear a shabby suit to office. He told his wife Mileva, “I am comfortable in these clothes. What a mistake it would be if the bag were more valuable than the meat in it.”

While Bharata, son of Rishabhadeva — the first of the 24 Jain Tirthankaras, went on a world-conquering spree and even subdued his brothers, his stepbrother Bahubali chose to do penance in the forest. He attained nirvana and thousands worship him even today at Shravana Belagola, Karnataka.

As the Yadavas were equally close to the Kauravas and Pandavas, Balarama decided to keep away from the Mahabharata war and went on a pilgrimage. Krishna, on the other hand, split his resources into two and took part in the war.

When Narada came to know that Savitri had chosen Satyavan, son of exiled king Dyumatsena of Salva, as her husband, he clarified that he had only one year to live. She passed the year spending many a happy moment with her husband and dutifully serving her parents-in-law.

Parvati chose the ascetic Shiva, who lives on ice-clad mountains and smears ash on his body and has animals for company, as her lord. Sita preferred going with Rama to the forest than staying back at the palaces of Ayodhya.

Siddharth found his calling not in material pursuits, but in finding the cause of misery. Having found the four noble truths, he, as the Buddha, also gave the eightfold path to come out of it.

Hanuman found no pleasure in the pearl necklace than Sita gave him as ‘it bore no Rama’. He instead found pleasure in smearing himself with sindoor which Sita said would give Rama long life. 

— Sai R. Vaidyanathan

The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com 

Fortnightly Quiz-377

1. Which city in Mexico recently hosted the UN climate change summit?

2. Name the three sessions of Parliament that are held in a year.

3. Which day is celebrated as Vijay Diwas annually to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war?

4. Who is the Prime Minister of China?

5. Which legendary actor of Hindi films, popularly known as the Bollywood’s original He Man, turned 75 recently?

6. Name the Chancellor of Germany.

7. Where is the 57-foot-high statue of Lord Gomateswara, said to be among the world’s tallest monolithic statues, situated?

8. Name the Indian shuttler who recently won the Hong Kong Open Super series.

9. In which year did Sachin Tendulkar make his Test debut?

10. Which iconic Indian batsman’s record-breaking one-day international double century has found a place in the Time magazine’s top 10 sports moments of the year?

— Tarun Sharma

Solid faith

Winners of quiz 376: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Manu Verma, class IX-B, VR Public School, Phase I&II, HBC Baddi, district Solan, Himachal Pradesh, Pin Code – 173205

Second: Lovish Garg, class IX-C, DAV Public School, BRS Nagar, C-Block, Ludhiana, Pin Code – 141001

Third: Amandeep Singh, class XII-B, Sainik School Kunjpura, Karnal (Haryana), Pin Code – 132023

Answers to quiz 376: Twenty; 12; China; Nicole Faria; 1953; 2.5 million; Legs (generally); Peter Siddle; 14 gold, 17 silver, 33 bronze; Incheon (South Korea)

Cash awards of Rs 400, 300 and 200 are given to the first, second and third prize winners, respectively. These are sent directly at the school address.

Note: Kindly mention the pincode of your place to facilitate the delivery of the prize money.

Answers can also be sent at quiz@tribunemail.com