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Leapfrog to an exciting world
EYE CATCHERS
CAREER ADVICE
NEWS BOARD
Happiness @ work
Right to competent management Careercature
Career Hotline
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Leapfrog to an exciting world
Jobs in biology traditionally fall into four areas — college and university employment; government jobs; medical related work; and zoological park or museum staff. More recently, industrial and medical biotechnology have emerged as areas with new and exciting opportunities for biological research. What all these jobs have in common is training in a field of biology. Herpetology is one such sub-field of biology that can add a different perspective to the work of a scientist. For example, a person might be trained in ecology and required to carry out environmental impact studies for the government. But a specialisation in herpetology will make him focus on reptiles and amphibians and these will be the animals that he will be studying to evaluate the changes in environment. A medical researcher with training in hematology might study blood of reptiles and amphibians. However, it is rare to find a job that considers someone to be a herpetologist first.
Way to go
Years ago it was possible for individuals to study amphibians and reptiles on their own, perhaps by maintaining large collections of animals or by studying them in the wild, and learn enough to get a position at a zoo or museum as a herpetologist. Today, however, techniques for conducting nearly any biological study have become so sophisticated, and competition for jobs has become so intense, that a college degree is a necessity in order to pursue this field. Often an advanced degree (masters or doctorate) in biology, anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, or some related field is required for almost any specialised job. The specific training required for a career in herpetology varies according to one's goals. In virtually all cases a BSc degree with a major in biology is required to land a job in this field. Courses in inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry, calculus, physics and/or earth science should be taken. As a great deal of herpetological research is conducted in other countries and proficiency in one or more foreign languages allows one to
follow such activities in other nations. As in other branches of science, computer literacy is indispensable and students should enroll in courses that provide training in computer use. Any college that provides a strong background in pure sciences, mathematics and English also provides the basis for a career in herpetology. But if you are seriously interested in pursuing
herpetology as a career, then you might want to attend a college that also offers a course in herpetology (or at least in natural history or vertebrate zoology) and has one or more faculty members conducting herpetological research. "Leads" to such institutions can best be obtained by studying several recent issues of herpetological journals such as Journal of Herpetology, Herpetological Review, Copeia, or Herpetological, and noting where some particularly interesting (to you) research is being conducted. You can then write to the institutions or authors and ask for further information about their programmes. Another reason to look at herpetological journals, which may be found in college or natural history museum libraries, is to give you some idea of the broad scope of herpetological research and to help you narrow down your areas of interest.
Employment opportunities
Following graduation from college with a bachelor's degree in biology, you may want to seek employment immediately. However, opportunities for employment with only a bachelor's degree are limited, both in terms of available positions and level of advancement. Students who continue their education through to the masters or doctorate degrees usually find employment where they have greater freedom to pursue their own interests, the salary is higher, and the responsibilities are greater. Most individuals with a Ph.D. work at a college or university where they teach and conduct research in their own area of interest. Many, if not most, herpetologists today are employed in colleges or universities and an advanced degree is usually a condition of employment at such institutions.
Field experience
Herpetological research is often conducted in the field, which involves the collection, marking or observation of organisms, or the analysis of environmental conditions associated with particular populations. However, other herpetologists have a strong interest in laboratory research and spend little time in the field. Studies in physiology, immunology, embryology, genetics, anatomy, and biochemistry are usually conducted in a laboratory, while research in ecology, behavior, population biology, systematic, reproductive biology, and biogeography involve significant amounts of field work. In all cases, however, data has to be analysed, summarised, and eventually published in a scientific journal. The main thing is -- if you want to be a herpetologist, try it! The study of animal biology can be a continuing interest and challenge for the rest of your life, and it will serve you well no matter what career you ultimately choose. The writer is Project Assistant, IIT, Ropar
Where to study
In India, the School for Herpetology was conceptualised by Prof. Sushil K. Dutta, North Orissa University with support from Science and Engineering Research Council, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The second school aims to train young biologists in India and its neighboring countries the field of herpetology. The Bombay Natural History Society, established by renowned ornithologist, Dr Salim Ali, offers a one-year correspondence course in herpetology, which is open to anyone interested in this field. This could serve as a good introduction for someone who simply wants to explore the field and see whether he/she would be interested in taking it further. Another way to test your interest is to join a local conservation/public education organisation and participate in their activities.
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OFFICE MANTRA Most of us find it difficult to say 'no' whether it is helping a colleague with an assignment or organising a friends' party. We feel compelled to agree to every request and would rather juggle a million tasks than refuse to help. However, in our quest to please everyone we often overlook that we are being nice to others at the expense of ourselves. Saying 'no' does not necessarily mean being rude neither does it mean being disagreeable. In fact, it is about how to say it rather than the fact that it is being said, that affects the outcome. Refusing to do things out of guilt or false sense of
obligation will leave ample time for activities that are important and bring joy to yourself.
Never say yes
immediately
As is human nature, we often speak before thinking and repent later. Instead of saying 'yes' or 'no' to a request immediately buy some time to consider your options. Inform the person concerned that you will give it a thought and get back to him/her shortly with a response. However, be matter-of-fact and not too promising so as not to lead the person into believing that you are likely to say 'yes'. Not taking an on-the-spot
decision will help you to analyse how the request fits in with your current commitments but will also give
confidence to say 'no'. Nevertheless, say 'no' straight away, if you know that the request or favour is
completely unreasonable and not worth a thought.
Keep it simple
A simple and direct 'no' is one of the best techniques to refuse a task. Phrase the 'no' as simply as possible without over explaining or defending yourself. Let the person know that you cannot take up their offer and state the reason for refusing the request. Avoid elaborate justifications since they are unnecessary and also irrelevant to the requestor. Moreover, a lengthy explanation will not only bog down the other person with details, but also weaken your position. They may try to challenge your stance when all you want to do is to communicate a message of "No, thank you". Most importantly say 'no' in a confident and well-modulated voice to sound straightforward.
Be respectful
More than often we shy away from saying 'no' since we feel that it is impolite and disrespectful. However, it is the way we refuse which really matters rather than the 'no' itself. Listen to the request respectfully without interrupting the speaker with questions or comments. Start the conversation on a friendly note by thanking the person for considering you for the assignment. Then politely communicate your incapability to commit so as not to damage the relationship and keep doors open in the future. Refrain from raising your voice, using inappropriate language or cutting anyone down. An earnest and candid response will make the person concerned take the refusal in their stride without taking offence.
Stay firm
Use a sympathetic but firm tone while responding in negative to a person asking for a favour. Be unapologetic about guarding your time since saying 'no' is every individual's prerogative. Most reasonable people will accept this as an answer and back off. However, if someone keeps pressuring, just repeat your statement and change the subject. It is especially important to stick to your ground whilst dealing with pushy and manipulative people. Saying 'no' convincingly will make the requestor realise that you have made up your mind and will not re-consider. It is all about standing firm and truly recognising that your work-life balance comes first and foremost.
Provide an alternative
Although not necessary, refusal can be accompanied with plausible alternatives. Suggest someone who you feel would also be able to carry out the particular task effectively. Similarly, if you would like to be involved but are engaged at the moment with another assignment propose an alternate timing. Offering options like splitting up the task, getting extra help or rearranging dates is a tactful way of voicing refusal and not being perceived as unreasonable. Moreover, it will show that you are concerned about honoring the request even though you are actually saying "no". However, do it only as an act of goodwill without putting any pressure on yourself or feeling bad about the whole thing.
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EYE CATCHERS
With job market getting tougher and trickier day by day, job seekers are using ingenious routes to catch the eye of recruiters. One such new trend is of the online video resumes. These resumes are becoming popular. But if your plan is to simply record a video of yourself talking about your skills and your previous experience, then you might just send along a regular resume. No recruiter wants to sit through a video of you talking about yourself when they could just skim through a list of your previous experience - that's what interviews are for. That being said, if you are going for a creative position, creating a creative, original video resume could be your ticket to a brand spanking' new job (and your 15 minutes of internet fame). Video Resumes are really the latest and the most lucrative way to endorse oneself. The response that one gets is mind-blowing with offers of interest ranging from small start-up businesses all the way through to large multinational organisations. I've personally received requests to go work abroad and some high-profile individuals have suggested that I start-up on my own which was extremely flattering. If you're a young professional looking for a new job, I would ardently encourage you to create one for yourself. The subsequent makes you special from others:
Stand out from the crowd
90% of all resumes have the same format-dry verbiage and insipid, impersonal data. If yours is the only application for the position that included a link to a video resume, then what do you think the odds are that you set yourself apart from your competition? I'd say they're pretty darn good. A small percentage of applicants have been getting unique with paper resumes, using witty copy, images, or even a creative layout or font choice. Video is just a natural extension of that sort of thinking. And in the current economic climate, it's more important than ever to give yourself any advantage you can.
Show your personality
If you've ever been the hiring manager at any of your jobs, as I have been, then you know that after the first handful of resumes or job applications, you eyes just gloss over the rest. They all run together after a while, and you're left with 50 pieces of paper that have no clear distinction among them. Video shows a potential employer what you look like, sound like, and act like. It's almost like an initial screening interview. Just like email can never reproduce the nuances of nonverbal communication or vocal inflection, a paper resume can only show employers a small portion of what you have to offer. Video, however, can give a much
clearer picture.
Demonstration
If you're applying for a skill-based job, video gives you a chance to actively demonstrate your abilities. A traditional resume only lets you brag about yourself. Since YouTube changed the game in 2005, the application of video technology to the recruitment industry has been the next big thing. It hasn't happened. Despite its obvious utility, Video CV's remain very much on the fringes of the debate in the big recruitment tent. I've come up with three reasons
It's a school disco
I think the video CV market is like a school disco. The music is on, but no one wants to go first on the dance floor. Not the employers who could be running video CV only recruitment campaigns, not the recruiters who won't spend on tech if they don't have to, not the job seekers who see little point when there is no overt demand from the other two. The video CV market is waiting for a decisive first mover, and for that mover to be quickly followed by the market they are addressing.
Production vs consumption mismatch
CV's are marketing collateral and consequently, they need to look good. So far, every attempt at video CV's has failed in this regard. It makes massive difference that we live in a media saturated age where we are inundated with HD and 3D quality videos - we now have enormously high expectations of what a good video needs to looks like. In effect, we have an asymmetry between production and consumption - we consume a far better class of video quality than we can produce ourselves. It's not here yet, but it's got to happen at some stage. The quality of candidate information captured through rich media is clearly more compelling than that conveyed by a two page text based document.
— The writer is Director Planman Consulting
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FIRST PERSON
How can proficiency in a foreign language help in career growth? All of us live in a highly competitive world today, where, as Darwin has said, "survival of the fittest" is the mantra" whether its social, economic, political, biological or professional context we take into consideration. Following such trends one has to have an edge over his/her contemporaries in order to do excel. The world today stands on the threshold of one global economy. Most of the companies, today, have either expanded beyond the territorial borders or are willing to do so in the near future. This approach of looking out for business opportunities not only expands a company's horizons but also gives it access to the potential markets in a foreign land or provide services to their client base. Need analysis reveals that, apart from having a highly competent and efficient human resource, the company also has to have linguistically well-equipped and culturally adapted mind sets. A foreign language serves the purpose and also adds a flavor to the curriculum vitae. What makes French a good choice for those wanting to learn a foreign language for better career opportunities? Being the second most spoken language after English, French, enjoys a "popular choice" status. Spoken in almost 82 countries, with 77 million first language speakers and other 51 million second language speakers, French is also widely used in various international organisations like United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO,) African Union (AU) , World Trade Organisation (WTO), Amnesty International etc. To be able to speak French, increases your job opportunities and also makes your CV more attractive to the recruiters. Its gives an edge. Recruiters prefer candidates who speak foreign languages. These people if recruited can communicate their interests to their French clients and also head international projects in France or those countries where French would be required. What are the benefits of learning a foreign language? Language learning increases your knowledge base. Learning a second language is always easier since you have already learnt one language and you are familiar with the various intricacies that one has to consider while learning a new language. Other benefits include: Communication: The major benefit of learning a foreign language is to be able to communicate in that language. This might be concerned with the people that you encounter while travelling or the people whom you meet in your own countries or communicate on business or personal terms. Knowing the other person's language shows that you respect their language and also puts the speaker at ease with you. Cultural understanding: Speaking a new language doesn't confine to being familiar with the words, diction, and grammar but also exposes the learner to the cultural connotations of those countries and culture and language share a symbiotic relationship. Be it proverbs, idioms, popular phrases or the colloquial words enrich the learners understanding and open the mind to new way of thinking and understanding. Addition to that the learner gets to enjoy the literature, cinema, music etc Stress buster: Learning a new skill engages the person mentally and emotionally and brings about a positive change. It also reduces stress levels as you get a break from the daily chores. Thus have positive effect on your personality. A sense of accomplishment also seeps in and also brings about appreciation from the peers Linguistic skills:
Studies have revealed that people who study a foreign language have increased level of understanding, are open to changes, have higher standardised scores in maths, critical reasoning, verbal ability etc. the patience level and self-discipline increases when a person learns a foreign language, as it is new language and requires time and practice. Where can one learn French from? Online: Click On French (www.clickonfrench.com). It's a project of the French Embassy. The course material has been developed by the teachers of Alliance Françoise. The website supports over 3000+ sound files, 200+ exercises to practice French. You can Sign up for the free trial and see if it works for you. Classroom learning:
Alliance Française,which is an educational unit of the French Embassy, has centres all over the country where students can enroll for different certificate
programmes. — As told to Geetu Vaid
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The select sense
MBA/PGDM schools have mushroomed, of late, making it more difficult for choosing the right B-school. MBA and IIM’s were synonymous 25 years ago. However, some good B schools have now emerged both in the private sector as well as in the universities. This has made it very difficult both for the students and their parents to decide which is a good institution. There are no laid down norms for making a choice. However, based on past experience certain broad parameters are listed below which might make taking a decision easier.
Accreditation
One must look out for an institute that is approved by the AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education ) since all institutes are not approved by it. Moreover, the approval has to be got renewed from AICTE annually. Verify the latest approval letter and visit the website of AICTE – www.aicte-india.org and satisfy yourself. Further look out for B Schools that are NBA (National Board of Accreditation) and AIU (Association of Indian Universities) accredited since the PGDM programme is recognised as equivalent to an MBA by them. Please bear in mind that very few B- Schools have got this accreditation which again is valid for three to five years. Without accreditation an institute is not eligible to give PhD or engage in research projects, eligible to participate in government-student assistance programmes and is NOT acceptable to recruiters, especially the public sector.
Standing
How long has the institute been in existence? How many batches of students have passed out? What is its market reputation? These are some of the points which should be absolutely cleared by the aspiring students.
Infrastructure
A fully equipped campus, library, computer centre, and classrooms are some of the facilities that a good B school will provide to its students.
Intellectual capital
It is essential that an institute has well qualified (post PhD) and experienced faculty. Industry-experienced faculty is the icing on the cake. Recruiters get attracted to students who are taught by this class of faculty. Does the institute rely heavily on visiting faculty? If so, beware. An institute with core faculty is a big plus for the students as they are available for guidance and consultation regularly vis-a-vis “suitcase or visiting faculty”. The biggest challenge being faced by B schools is the lack of good faculty who can churn out managers and not university students. A B School that is able to hire and retain faculty fares much better than the others. Of course this comes with a price which explains why some B schools charge higher fees! Pedagogy and curriculum is the heart and soul of education. In recent years, there has been a significant shift in the teaching methodology. The emphasis is to make management courses relevant to the real world. Theoretical teaching is being replaced by practical exposure. Curriculum needs to be revised in consultation with experts from the industry and experienced faculty on a yearly basis so as to bridge the gap between what is being taught and what the industry needs. Ultimately the student should be “industry ready” at the end of a two-year programme. Pedagogy should combine lectures-cum-discussions, case studies, simulations and games, brain storming, industry visits, lectures from industry experts, projects, presentation etc. E Cell – All the students who pass out do not necessarily want to do a 9 to 5 job. They wish to be entrepreneurs and do something different for themselves. An institute that has an E-Cell can better prepare the students to develop e skills. Such institutes’ E cell works in collaboration with NEN – “National Entrepreneurship Network” which organises meets with entrepreneurs and holds annual conferences.
Summer Internships (SIP)
Does the Institute arrange for summer internship for all its students or do they have to fend for themselves? Some B-schools permit students to undergo their SIP in their native places. Ideally, the SIP should result in final pacement of the students.
Placement
An institute should normally assist in 100 per cent placement of its students. Find out the details of the companies that visit the campus. Ideally, the companies need to be from diverse verticals and should preferably visit the institute annually. Management Development Programme (MDP) establishes good relations between the corporate and academics. They are a good indicator of future placements. Most B schools boast of 100 per cent placement since inception. Check out the facts on your own. Compare the intake of students of the institute and number of students placed. Remember the larger the intake, more will be the difficulty in quality placement. See the ROI. Good institutes make the aspirants visit their placement cell to dispel any doubts they may be harbouring. Talk to seniors and alumni. See if there are enough alumni of your interest. If not take a call. All the Best
! The writer is Assistant Professor and Chairman-Admissions department at Asia Pacific Institute of Management, Delhi.
Points to ponder
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CAREER ADVICE As per some recent news reports some of the students who appeared in the interview of the prestigious management programme of the Panjab University were quite at a loss to answer the basic GK questions such as the name of the Finance Minister of India. This is not surprising, as most young people, when asked about their career choice, answer in predictable ways: I want to earn “lots of money,” it should be a comfortable job, it should make me famous and independent. All these are commendable objectives no doubt, but ignore the very reason for which one chooses a career. After all, one can make money in any profession, and also become famous in it if one is good. These answers, thus, do not address the question directly. For instance, if we re-phrase the question as follows: what do you want to do in life? Then these answers are obviously off the mark. Yet, young people chase impossible dreams of making money and achieving fame, ignoring the fact that in order to achieve either, one has to really do something worthwhile in life. One must have the requisite education and skills to contribute something to the organisation that one works for. It is here that a mismatch arises. The employer wants to know what you can do, and you answer that you only want to make money. That is why many industry leaders say that students coming out of colleges and universities these days are “unemployable.” Think beyond the system: To think of building a career thus means that we have to develop ourselves outside the education system as well. We have to develop skills that will help us to be considered seriously by the outside world and to become better human beings. These skills are not taught in our schools and colleges, so they will have to be acquired by the individual himself. But these are essential skills. Know your subject: Going to college means getting an education, so the time should be used in knowing one’s subject. Unfortunately, many students waste it by enjoying themselves with their friends. It is hardly surprising that 77 per cent of engineering students are unable to pass a simple test conducted by a software company. Unless you want to be in the ignorant 77 per cent, use your time in college to get a good education, otherwise your degree will be worthless. Learn about the world: A good doctor, manager, engineer or just about any professional, should know what is going on in the rest of the world. Awareness of current affairs becomes important. Yet college students seldom read newspapers or magazines. Watching television is limited to films and music shows. Long-term career planning can hardly be done if you do not know and understand the trends in society. Learn to communicate: College is also a time that a student must prepare himself to face the world. Fashionable slang that youngsters use must start replacing formal language. It is surprising – and also sad – that a majority of college graduates cannot take part in formal group discussions and cut a sorry figure in interviews. In a classroom, many students lack confidence even to ask a question from a teacher. Spoken and written English is essential to communicate. Regretfully, regional politics and misplaced patriotism have caused many schools not to teach English properly. As a result, every year lakhs of students pass their college exams without being able to speak or write basic English. When they go for jobs, they find themselves unqualified to get in. RIGHT ETIQUETTE: Related to the art of conversation is how one conducts himself/herself. Surprisingly, more than 80 per cent young people are found lacking in basic manners. For example, city-bred fast talking youngsters think nothing of chatting on the cell phone in class or in front of a senior, but this behaviour is unacceptable in formal offices. Encouraged by reality shows on television, students become rude and arrogant. The culture of “everything goes” is fine when you are dealing with friends but certainly not when you are with elders or seniors. So, learn some manners while you
can! — The writer is Professor and Career Consultant
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NEWS BOARD
Indian telecom sector will provide employment to around one crore people by 2012, a study by PwC has said.
The telecom industry will provide about 28 lakh direct jobs and around 70 indirect jobs by 2012, the study commissioned by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) and done by PwC said. The mobile telephony industry in India witnessed unprecedented growth of more than 700 per cent, from having less than 10 lakh subscribers in 1998 to over 75.2 crore subscribers in 2010, the study titled ‘Indian Mobile Services Sector: Struggling to Maintain Sustainable Growth’ said. The industry has also played a vital role in India’s growth story and the industry today contributes nearly 2 per cent to the GDP, the study said. The study, however, indicated that though the industry had taken significant strides in the past decade, the task of providing access to mobile services at affordable rates across the hinterlands remained incomplete. The urban tele-density at 154 per cent is far ahead of the rural tele-density of 34 per cent. While this spells opportunity for the industry, significant investments will be required in order to increase reach in the rural areas. Similarly, India’s internet and broadband penetration are only around 1.6 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively. This can be explained by inadequate wireline infrastructure.
— PTI
MoU signed
The Capital School of Business and Management (CSBM), UK, has signed an MoU with IEC Group of Institutions to offer Management and Hospitality programmes through various progression channels. CSBM is an approved TIER4 sponsor accredited by numerous awarding bodies to deliver their programmes. These awarding bodies provide progressive educational advancement up to the attainment of a UK undergraduate degree (BA(Hons) or B Sc) and thereafter immediate entry on to Post Graduate Diploma, Masters and MBA programmes at most of the Universities in the UK. Both the Institutions will work together to provide pathway progression model for undergraduate and post-graduate students. The programmes will be offered on campus in IEC CAMPUS, Greater Noida and IEC Campus, Baddi, backed by lectures from experts from UK through virtual classrooms and WebCT. Prospective students will have the option of completing their final year in UK.
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Happiness @ work
Millionaire Booty was over the moon. Shirdi Sai Baba had told him that he would come and stay at his building. But on October 15, 1918, Baba told his devotees, “I am going. Bury me at Booty’s building.” The building came to be known as Samadhi Mandir. Pundits of Varanasi wanted Tulsidas to drown his Ramcharitmanas in the Ganga as it was not in Sanskrit, but Tulsidas didn’t agree. So they placed the Ramcharitmanas, along with other books, near the Shivalinga at the Vishwanath Temple for the Lord to decide on the issue. Next morning, when they opened the door, Ramcharitmanas emerged triumphant as it was on top of the pile! Nothing could have gone wrong for Parvati. She had been dutifully taking care of Lord Shiva’s meditation needs; she was beautiful; and love was in the air due to the presence of god of love Kama, his wife Rati and his friend Vasanta (spring). But the three-eyed lord burnt up Kama and left for the Himalayas. “Outer beauty has no meaning for a mahayogi like Shiva. Only inner beauty matters to him,” advised Narada. So Parvati meditated on the lord till he accepted her as his wife. There seemed no end to Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang’s woes. His horse died a few days after he left home. The ruler of Turfan didn’t want to let him go. Then he encountered a snowstorm in Bamiyan. Later, he bumped into three sets of robbers near the Indus, Beas and at Prayag. Finally, three years later, he reached Nalanda. Arul Mozhi Verman, the second son of Parantaka Chola II, wouldn’t have dreamt of becoming one of the greatest rulers in the medieval India. Both Parantaka’s cousin Uttama and Arul’s elder brother Aditya Karikalan wanted the throne. When Aditya was killed in the tussle for the crown, Arul didn’t offer any hindrance to Uttama’s coronation. Twelve years later, Uttama, on his deathbed, crowned Arul as King Raja Raja Chola. Witch Nur Shah in the Kamrup district of Assam had vanquished many ascetics either with her sorcery or her physical charms. When she heard about Guru Nanak’s arrival, she hypnotised the master’s companion Mardana and made him bleat like a lamb. She then tried all her charms on the master. When she failed, she fell at the guru’s feet. Tough times don’t last, tough people
do! — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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Right to competent management
Managers have no trouble making demands of their employees, but it’s time for those individuals to make sure they are laying the groundwork for those staff members to succeed, says Harvard Business Review. “If an employee’s success is intricately linked to how good his boss is, shouldn’t everyone have the right to competent management? Give your direct reports what they deserve by being a boss who is the following three things: Trustworthy: Trust is grounded in competence and character. You should know what to do and how to do it. And, you should always do what you say you will. Influential: Your people rely on others to get their jobs done. Therefore, you need to cultivate relationships with those beyond your immediate group who make your people productive. Team-focused: A good boss knows that a team is better than the sum of its parts. To bring your group together, give them a compelling purpose, clear goals and plans, and a culture of ‘we’ not
‘I.’” — Management tip adapted from The Right to Management Competence by Linda Hill & Kent
Lineback.
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Career Hotline
Q. I am a graduate working with a BPO and also preparing for my MBA exams. The night shifts are proving to be an inconvenience as I am too sleepy during the day to concentrate on my studies. Are there any BPO jobs available during the day? Are there non-voice BPOs? — Manisha Thareja All you need to do is scan the job openings section of newspapers and the “Career Section” on websites of the major BPOs and you are sure to find something that will match your requirements. To answer your second question, there are several companies like ICICI Onesource, EcomEnable, MsourcE, Tricom India Ltd that hire graduates and undergrads who have a good command on English and are conversant with computers for their non-voice operations (your typing speed should be at least 30 wpm). These include litigation coding, electronic data discovery, indexing, remittance processing, drafting mortgage documents, claims processing, e-publishing etc. Banking, finance, legal, insurance, pharmaceutical and logistics are some of the companies that need offline services. The new Knowledge based or KPO non-voice segment does not require you to flaunt a fake foreign accent, which is a deterrent for many BPO aspirants. The best part is that you get to work day shifts, as there is no direct interaction with irate, overseas clients. Non-voice BPOs account for 35 per cent of the BPO-ITeS industry and not surprisingly the attrition rates are also much lower. Most of the companies offer in house training so you don’t need to enrol for expensive courses.
Focus on abilities
I feel very embarrassed to talk about my stuttering. As it’s never prevented me from holding onto a job, do I still need to bring it up? Also, I hate being labeled as a stutterer, or worse still, be thought of as being retarded (which I'm not). But there are times during an interview, when I start stuttering and worry if the interviewer notices it. The truth is that my stuttering can, at times, be very severe, especially on the telephone. It has caused me a lot of embarrassment and heartache, like any disability can. — Rahul Bist A.
Agreed, stuttering is a terribly frustrating and often misunderstood disability. The strange thing about it is that sometimes a person can be perfectly fluent one day, and be very not-so-fluent the next. Doctors are now saying that stuttering is caused by a neurological reason, not because we're nervous, or scared. Slowing down and thinking before we talk also doesn’t always help. But if it impacts the job, then it needs to be addressed so the issue can be properly handled. If it doesn’t, then it is irrelevant. NEVER, NEVER "highlight" your problem (disability issue) during any interview. Highlight your abilities and experience instead. If an interviewer asks you unreasonable questions about your disabilities (in other words, they focus on your "problems" instead of focusing on your abilities, experience and education), remind them that you are here to talk about your capabilities for the job. They’re NOT medical doctors to decide whether or not you are able to do the job. If you KNOW you can handle it, then apply for the job and don’t ask the interviewer to decide if you can do it or not. Nor do you want them to treat you differently.
Part-time option not good
— Sheetal Sahni A. There are hundreds of institutes that offer MBA through the distance learning mode. But as a thumb-rule, a regular full-time MBA from a reputed B-school offers far better job prospects by way of over-all exposure and on-campus recruitment. MBA courses offered through distance learning are OK for working professionals to upgrade their qualifications for bettering their growth prospects, particularly those working in the government sector. Not for a fresh graduate like you. Moreover, since no placement facilities are offered for students of part-time or distance learning programmes, you’ll have to look for a job using your own initiative. If you can leverage your work experience adequately, well and good; else, you’ll find it tough to compete with your full-time MBA counterparts. You’ll gain in professional knowledge but miss out on classroom interaction, dissection of case studies and the opportunity of networking with your peers, professors and visiting faculty which form an essential core of a regular MBA programme. Management is essentially a practical hands-on discipline rather than a mere academic field of
study.
JNU’s language courses
Q. I have heard that JNU offers direct admission to the second year of its undergraduate language courses. What is the eligibility for this? I’m presently doing BA in Persian at Jamia Millia Islamia. — Tariq Ahmed A. Yes, JNU does offer entry points to both first and second year of BA (hons) language courses in Persian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Russian and Spanish. While the minimum eligibility for admission to B.A. (Hons) first year is: Plus II or equivalent (45%), that for admission to B.A. (Hons) second year is: First year of Bachelor's degree or an exam recognised as equivalent with at least 45% under the 10+2+3 pattern with proficiency in the concerned language. JNU conducts a separate entrance test for students seeking admission to the second year of BA (Hons) courses in foreign languages. Students of Jamia Millia pursuing BA Arabic and Persian make a beeline for these courses for several reasons: JNU offers good hostel facilities. Also, students from certain madrassas are eligible for admission to undergraduate courses in both these languages at Jamia, but not for admission to the first year at JNU. So they move into JNU in the second year. At JNU the first year covers only the basics of the language. Those who have done language courses from recognised institutes like the Iran Cultural Centre, also seek direct admission to the second year at JNU after clearing the entrance exam.
Eligibility issues
Q. I will be appearing for my Class XII exam in 2012 in Dubai. Please tell me if I will be eligible to apply for DASA 2012-13? When should I submit my qualifying exam marks-sheet? — Aamir Akhtar A. If you’re appearing for the qualifying exam in 2012, you can apply for admissions through DASA 2012-13. However, you will need to submit the marks-sheet of the qualifying exam by June 29, 2012. If the marks-sheet is not issued by then, you can submit a letter duly signed by your school authorities, indicating the probable date of issue of marks-sheet. However, the institute in which you have been allotted a seat (if selected) may admit you provisionally, subject to your fulfilling the minimum requirements and submitting the marks-sheet by the due date (perhaps in August) specified by them.
Law in CSE
— Reeth Bedi A.
Yes, you can opt for law as your optional paper for the Civil Services exam. However, you’ll have to show proof of passing the LLB exam before appearing in the Mains. The prelims score has no bearing on determining the final merit list of candidates selected for the Civil Services. 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
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FORTNIGHTLY QUIZ-394
2. Name NASA’s billion dollar solar-powered spacecraft launched recently to study the solar system’s biggest planet Jupiter. 3. Which is the country’s largest para-military force? 4. In which state is Bellary district situated? 5. Name the Panamian cargo ship that sank off the Mumbai coast recently, spilling oil. 6. What is the salt intake recommended by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) for the packaged industry as per the new guidelines? 7. Which American luxury motorcycle maker’s model is named Fat-Boy? 8. Where are the 2012 Olympic Games to be organised? 9. With which sport are Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa associated? 10. Which country occupies the top position in Test cricket
rankings? — Tarun Sharma
Winners of quiz 393: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Mitali Saini, class IX-B, Hillock Model School, Dadour, district Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), PO Dhaban Pin Code – 175027 Second: Ankit Bathla, class V-B, DAV Edward Ganj Senior Secondary Public School, Tehsil Road, Malout, Pin Code – 152107 Third: Himakshi, class VII-B, Our Lady of Fatima Convent School, Patiala, Punjab, Pin Code – 147001 Answers to quiz 393: Nileema Mishra and Harish Hande ; Hina Rabbani Khar; Atlantis; Manas National Park (Assam); National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research; It is burnt; Cycling; Lord’s; Stuart Broad; Uruguay Cash awards of Rs 400, 300 and 200 are given to the first, second and third prize winners, respectively. These are sent at the school address. Note: Kindly mention the pincode of your place on the letter/postcard to facilitate the delivery of the prize money. Answers can also be sent at
quiz@tribunemail.com
Name……………….………….................................. Class
....………….......….……............................. School address
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OFFICE MANTRA
FIRST PERSON
Proficiency in a foreign language can go a long way in making your CV stand out apart from opening new career opportunities. Kevin Muller, CEO clickonfrench.com, a project of the Embassy of France, talks about the ways in which the knowledge of a foreign language can make you a much sought after candidate in the job market.
If you are stuck in a bad situation, don’t fret. Nothing is constant but change. Highwayman Angulimal was waiting for his 100th victim to complete his necklace of fingers, but Gautam Buddha came that way. He not only made Angulimal repent his past acts but also made him join the sangha.
Daytime BPO jobs
A.
You are in luck. Working with BPOs no longer means having to keep erratic hours. There are plenty of BPOs that offer day shift jobs. For example, domestic BPOs essentially operate during the day and recruit graduates and (even undergraduates). Similarly, the advert of a company carries the tag line – “Don’t lose your sleep to earn a living”. Genpact is yet another BPO major, which does not compel its employees to work night shifts.
Q. Please tell me whether it’s necessary to reveal a handicap to a potential employer during a job interview? I have a speech problem (stuttering).
Q. At present I am doing BSc. Further I want to MBA through correspondence mode. But I have come to know that there is no value of this mode of learning. Please tell me something about this.
Q. I am doing my LLB. Can I take up law as an optional paper in the Civil Services exam? Will the marks obtained in the prelims be counted in the final merit list?
1. Name the Prime Minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile.