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After College What?
Career Hotline Get set for GRE
Cool Counsel
Peace fellowships
Put your future in good shape
different strokes: ethical hacking Courses in ethical hacking have become popular among youngsters in India over the past three years as there has been a significant increase in the number of students enrolling for these.
course cruising smart strategy: negotiate successfully
HCL among most democratic workplaces
food for thought
Send work emails packing to bust stress
hiring trends
Happiness @ work
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After College What?
“So, what are you going to do after your graduation?” Every well-meaning aunt and uncle will be bombarding you with this question (not to mention your concerned parents and their friends). Relatives aside, it makes a lot of sense to have some idea about where you're headed before you leave college. You should by now have a fair idea of the kind of work you would like to do and the level of education or professional training you will need. In today's highly competitive job market it's always a good idea to go in for higher education, if possible. However, many students opt for further study only to postpone facing the job hunt. Either way, the decision to work or study is closely woven into your interests and the sort of future you want for yourself. Ask yourself
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Do I know the kind of work I want to do?
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How much do I know about the industry that I want to find work in?
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How do people usually enter this industry?
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Do they start at entry level and work their way up?
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Do they tend to have an apprenticeship, traineeship or university qualifications? There are some industries where practical experience and initiative are more valued than formal education. Talk to people. Read up. Ask around. If you want to go into a specific trade for example, you'll need to do your homework well in advance. Find out when apprentice or trainee-level positions are advertised and what age and educational qualifications are preferred. Apply for positions while you are still in college. Remember, higher education means at least two years of further study. And the better professional courses can cost quite a packet. However, if you can't wait to join the workforce, start talking to people and applying for work early. Just chatting with people about your interests can often open a lot of doors. It's amazing how the 'friendly' referrals still work in India. Use these to your advantage to get your foot in the door. But what if you really, really don't know what you want to do? Consider a course in computing, business administration or mass communication. These courses provide skills that are highly 'transferable' which might give you some time to ponder upon your special interests. Scanning jobsites on the web and appointment pages in your newspaper will also give you an idea of the range of jobs people do. You may even find a personality description that fits you exactly. However, one thing is for sure: Whatever career path you follow, you will find that study and work are not mutually exclusive. If you are studying you can probably do some form of part-time work to fund your studies and gain some insights into the world of work. And if you are working, you'll have to keep pace with the new developments in your field on a continuous basis. Upgrading your skills and mastering new techniques is the only way to keep afloat in today's fast moving scenario. Whatever you do, keep your options open. While your core interests would remain fairly consistent, your personality and your knowledge of the world will expand in time. With more awareness comes a whole new range of possibilities. Further study If you're considering further study, there's a lot to think about. The higher education system in India offers a much wider range of choices today than you had at school or in college. In fact, higher education has become so diverse and varied over the past few years that it makes the process of decision-making pretty tough. But on the flip side it also expands your options. A little thought and some careful research should see you doing the course that's just right for you. Universities Universities offer a wide range of recognised courses in different disciplines. The courses tend to have a scholarly approach. The basic unit of university education is the degree. You start as a bachelor's degree holder and a master's degree will normally take two or three years to complete. Courses vary from the more generalist degrees, such as Master's in Mass Communication or Business Administration to more specific degrees, like a Master's in Computer Applications or Hospital Administration. A generalist degree will give you a wide range of skills in gathering information and problem solving that can be transferred to many different types of jobs. A more specific degree may lead directly to a vocation like a Master's in Architecture or Biotechnology. Universities also offer several shorter duration PG diploma and certificate courses. Many of these can even be done along with a job, particularly in the case of correspondence or part-time courses. Private colleges There has been a tremendous growth in the number of Deemed Universities and private institutions over the past few years. Many of them offer courses with built-in training in areas such as hospitality, fashion, insurance, business and computers. You may have to pay through your nose for some of these courses, but they do cater for several areas, which are simply not covered by universities. Look around and check out your options. Make sure the course is accredited by a statutory body. If you are in doubt, contact the AICTE or AIU to check the bonafides of these technical, management or computer related courses before you sign up. —
The writer is Career Coach, Career Guidance India (CARING), New Delhi Which course? It is important to understand the kinds of courses available and consider those best suited to your needs. Your answers to the following questions may provide a starting point:
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How much educational qualification do I want?
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Do I want a course based on theory or practice?
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What level of academic study am I comfortable with?
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How far I am prepared to travel for the course that I want?
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Where will I study? Once you have an idea of the kind of training you want, it's time to consider where you will get it. There are two main options in the higher education system in India: universities and private colleges. Each has different strengths and emphasis.
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Is it wise to change job?
Pervin Malhotra email your queries to careers@tribunemail.com ...
Whatever be the reason/s, make sure you have a thorough understanding of the industry and what it takes, before you decide to take the final decision to switch careers. For some reason, the grass always looks greener on the other side. But remember, not everything is a bed of roses. Along with the plusses, even your new career option would come with certain disadvantages. And gone are the times where companies (advertising included) offered job security. That's a thing of the past. So do weigh all the consequences of your decision carefully. You might even want to get some advice from a professional career counsellor or someone from the field you are planning to get into. Sure, changing careers is a risky job but once you've made the decision, do give it your best shot to make the most of it. In the fitness of things
Since you have already done a degree-level course in physical education, you are pretty much equipped to get going. However, if you think you need some more grooming, there are several reputed courses like the Instructor Certification Course offered by Reebok India or Nike or Talwalkar's that prepare you to be a fitness trainer. On finishing the course you can start with assisting a senior aerobics instructor in a health club or gym before you start taking your own classes or become a personal trainer. Corporate fitness programmes are also gaining in popularity these days. Treat the course as a mere kick-off point. Keep reading up on fitness and experiment continuously - there's no end to learning in this field as new research and equipment keeps hitting the headlines. Incorporate elements of yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, dancercise, (even bhangra) to infuse an
element of variety in Which course should I do after MBA?
Go for B.Ed at present
Q. I have done my MA in Hindi, now I am confused whether I should do MBA or B.Ed. My English is not very good, which is necessary for doing MBA. What is the requirement for B.Ed and what percentage it needed? Also tell me when the admission process starts? —Jivika
Gupta A. Given that MBA admissions are now more or less over for the next academic session and require considerable preparation to score well enough to get into a decent B-school, a B.Ed may be more doable. Typically, selection to B.Ed courses is on the basis of an entrance exam. The minimum eligibility for admission is a bachelor's degree (50%). You can start teaching in school and subsequently, give the MBA a shot a couple of years down the line.
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Set your house in order first
D. C. Sharma ... Q. I have been working in a multinational company for the past two years. However, for the past few months I have been feeling very uncomfortable at my workplace basically because of the attitude of my boss. Even though I have got two years’ experience, my boss has been finding faults with my work as if I am a novice. Often he even rebukes me in front of other colleagues. I have made up my mind to leave this job, and actually I want to leave without even informing my boss. Will it be right? I have already had a word with another company about my next assignment. — J. l. kansal A. Your idea to leave the job this way will be very irrational. Probably you are taking things a bit carelessly. True, your boss’ rebuking you in front of other colleagues is derogatory, and does not behove his status. But are you sure that his behaviour is unreasonable and without any basis. An experience of two years doesn’t mean that you can’t make any mistakes. It is quite possible that your boss is trying to improve your performance and productivity. But leaving the job without informing your boss is neither logical nor ethical and such a step may affect your career badly later on. So analyse the whole situation with a cool and calculated mind. Even if you decide to leave the job, there is a procedure that you must follow. You have to serve a notice beforehand. You are also required to get the relieving slip and the work experience certificate which will prove beneficial in your next place of work. Friendly advice
Q. Is it necessary to have workplace friends? In my previous job I had some friends who interfered in my personal affairs and all this affected my performance and reputation at workplace very badly. So how should I choose good workplace friends?
— Rohni dikshit A. As employees spend most of their time at work, having friends there often becomes a dire necessity. Research has shown that even at workplace like-minded people attract each other and that’s how friendships develop. But one must be careful about developing friendships with colleagues. Firstly one must be very cautious about being pally with persons of the opposite sex and even among colleagues of the same gender, it would be wise if you draw a line between personal and official at the very outset. Never forget that workplace equations keep on changing. Research stands a witness that 57 per cent of workplace relations turn sour when one colleague fails to accommodate the other.
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Get set for GRE First of all it is important to understand what the test measures The Analytical Writing section measures your ability to sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion, articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively, support your ideas with relevant examples, and examine claims and accompanying evidence. There is one Analytical Writing section in the test, with two 30-minute separately timed tasks: “Analyse an Issue” and “Analyse an Argument.” The Analytical Writing score is reported on a 0–6 score scale, in half-point increments. The Verbal Reasoning section measures your ability to analyse and draw conclusions from discourse, understand multiple levels of meaning, select important points, and understand the meanings of sentences and entire texts. There are two 30-minute Verbal Reasoning sections in the test, each containing about 20 questions. The Verbal Reasoning score is reported on a 130–170 score scale, in 1-point increments. The Quantitative Reasoning section measures your ability to interpret and analyse quantitative information and use mathematical skills such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, probability and statistics to solve problems. There are two 35-minute Quantitative Reasoning sections in the test, each containing about 20 questions. The Quantitative Reasoning score is reported on a 130–170 score scale, in 1-point increments. Know the format The total time allowed for the computer-based GRE revised General Test is 3 hours and 45 minutes, and has six sections with a 10-minute break after the third section. The directions at the beginning of each section specify the total number of questions in the section and the time allowed for the section. The ‘Analytical Writing’ section is always the first section, while the ‘Verbal Reasoning’ and ‘Quantitative Reasoning’ sections can appear in any order. An unidentified unscored section that does not count towards a score may be included and may appear in any order. An identified research section that is not scored may be included, and it will always be at the end of the test. The questions in the GRE revised General Test have a variety of formats. Some require you to select a single answer choice, others require you to select one or more answer choices, and still others require you to enter a numeric answer. Before answering a question, make sure you understand what type of response is required. This test offers you a friendlier, more technically advanced test that is designed to provide graduate and business schools with even more useful results. Understand test-taking strategies On the ‘Analytical Writing’ measure, it is important to budget your time. Within the 30-minute time limit for each task, you’ll need to allow sufficient time to think about the topic, plan a response and compose your essay. Save a few minutes at the end of each timed task to check for obvious errors. Although an occasional typographical, spelling or grammatical error will not affect your score, severe or persistent errors will detract from the overall effectiveness of your writing and lower your score. Your ‘Verbal Reasoning’ and ‘Quantitative Reasoning’ raw scores are determined by the number of questions you answer correctly. Nothing is subtracted from a score if you answer a question incorrectly. Therefore, to maximise your scores it is best to answer every question. Work as rapidly as you can without being careless. Since no question carries greater weight than any other, do not waste time pondering individual questions that you find extremely difficult or unfamiliar. You may want to go through each timed section rapidly first, stopping only to answer questions you can answer with certainty. Then go back and answer the questions that require greater thought, concluding with the difficult questions if you have time. Practice, practice Practice taking the test. Make use of the free materials that are available at www.takethegre.com/prep. Download the POWERPREP® II Software to experience a simulated test-taking experience, take a practice test, and become familiar with the test directions, question types, on-screen calculator, testing software and test design. Connect with other test takers Visit the GRE page on Facebook and interact with other GRE test takers to exchange ideas. Sign up to get official test-taker updates at www.takethegre.com/signup. —
The writer is Director of Communications and Services for the GRE Programme,
ETS.
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scholarship roundup
The Rotary Foundation is offering Rotary Peace Fellowship in International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution, 2013.
Study Subject(s): International studies in peace and conflict resolution Course Level: Master's, Professional Development Certificate (PDC) Scholarship can be taken at: Rotary Peace Centers Eligibility: A strong commitment to international understanding and peace demonstrated through their professional and academic achievements and personal and community service n
A bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field, with strong grades at the time of application n
Minimum five years' relevant work experience with current full-time employment in a mid- to upper-level position for the certificate program n
Minimum three years' combined paid or unpaid full-time relevant work experience for the master's degree program n
Proficiency in English and a second language (master's program) or in English (certificate
programme) n
Excellent leadership skills Details: The Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution programme support the mission of The Rotary Foundation to further world understanding and peace. The Rotary Peace Centers programme is intended for individuals who have chosen a career related to international relations, peace, and conflict resolution, who already have work experience in these areas, and who have real potential to positively impact our world. Candidates should consider these objectives carefully before applying and should be prepared to explain in their written statement and interviews how they would support these programme objectives. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to community or international humanitarian service, and working for peace. Duration: Master's degree - 15 to 24 months Professional Development Certificate - 3 months Fellowships on offer: Master's course - 10 Professional Development Certificate - 25 How to apply: online Deadline: July 1, 2012 Check out: www.rotary.org PhD scholarship programme Students planning to go in for PhD can check out the Shiv Nadar University's PhD Subjects: Engineering, natural sciences, humanities and social sciences. Amount: Under this programme, PhD scholars would be entitled to scholarships between Rs 6 lakh to Rs 9.4 lakh for four years and Research Fellowship worth Rs 5.45 lakh per annum. Who can apply: All students who are selected for the PhD programmes at the university will be awarded a scholarship that covers their tuition fee and special fee expenses for the entire duration of their programme of study. Doctoral students will also receive an internationally competitive Research Fellowship of Rs 5.45 lakh per annum for 4 years for working as a research or teaching associate of SNU faculty Deadline: June 15 Check out: www.snu.edu.in.
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Put your future in good shape
When not busy on their mobiles or I Pods, young people today are working out in gyms, health clubs, dance classes and the like. Not young people alone - from fitness freaks pumping iron and working on their abs, to rotund middle aged mothers dancing in unison to the latest rock video, being fit has never been so popular. With the mushrooming of gyms, health clubs, aerobic and yoga centres, personal fitness trainers and a range of massage and spa therapies, the fitness industry is possibly among the fastest growing in the country. This is not only because looking good is in fashion like never before, but also because being fit is a necessity too, as millions of people realise that they need to lose weight and get in shape if they want to lead healthy and productive lives. In the past couple of years there has been a shift from exercising to lose weight to the more holistic concept of wellness and healthy living. As a result there is greater awareness about nutrition and diet, organic foods and a general leaning towards professional help and training for staying healthy.
This rapid growth in the fitness arena with the number of new spas, gyms and health clubs doubling every year, is driving the requirement for professionally qualified practitioners like aerobics instructors, personal and corporate trainers, yoga instructors, spa therapist, and the like. Workscape Fitness trainers work with clients to assess their level of physical fitness and to help them set and reach fitness goals. They also plan and design specific programmes for different people - keeping in mind their age, lifestyle and health parameters. They instruct groups or individuals in various exercise routines such as aerobic exercises, weights, and flexibility training, and the correct use of various training apparatus and gadgets such as trampolines, weights, rowing machines, etc. Some fitness trainers also check and monitor BMI (body mass index) and cardiovascular level, and give their clients' basic advice on health and nutrition. Often gyms and health clubs offer a whole variety of exercise routines such as aerobics, weightlifting, karate, kickboxing, spin cycling, yoga, pilates or tai chi, and fitness trainers can choose to specialise in a particular exercise, or offer a range of them. Fitness specialists are in great demand, especially as personal trainers who work with many sportspersons, film stars and celebrities as their own personal instructors, or for those suffering from a specific health problem. Personal trainers work with clients on a one-on-one basis, either at a gym or at a client's home. The workout is specially tailored to suit the client's specific health and fitness requirements. Fitness trainers can also be called upon to organise workplace wellness and fitness programmes for large companies. Increasingly, companies such as Infosys, Wipro, GE and others are laying as much emphasis on physical fitness as on fiscal fitness and offer their employees the facility of a well-equipped company gym with a fitness trainer setting up individual fitness programmes. With some years of experience, fitness specialists also establish their own gymnasiums, fitness and health care centers. In India, yoga has gained popularity and experts of yoga and naturopathy therapies work in hospitals as consultants or instructors, or conduct classes at gyms and resorts. Getting in Anyone who wants to get into this field has to not only to be fit but should also love to exercise. You do not need any special academic qualifications, but you must be energetic and athletic, have a good physique, and enjoy fitness training. You will also need to have a good knowledge of the human anatomy, diet, nutrition and other health and fitness related matters and keep abreast of the latest developments in health science - every day there is new information about fitness and a range of new equipment to stretch the body to its limits. If you are managing a gym or health club, you must also have good communication skills as you will be handling people of all age groups and walks of life and need to keep motivating them to stay with the fitness programme. This also requires you to be innovative and creative in preparing the exercise routine to avoid monotony. You can learn the basics from a professional training programme, but it is important to do your own self study and be prepared to keep exercising and experimenting with new movements and techniques. There are short courses and certification programmes run by private gyms and health clubs like Talwalkar's in Mumbai, to train fitness experts. Companies like Reebok and Nike also offer professional courses in some major cities. The Reebok Instructor Certification programme covers theory and practical sessions for 2-3 months, after which you qualify with a training certification. The basic course is for 80 hours, with around 30 hours of theory and the remaining made up of practical sessions. There are numerous private centres as well for a number of different exercise regimes such as Kung-fu, Karate, Judo, yoga etc. and it is important to ensure that the trainers are "belted" or certified trainer/experts. In addition, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) offers courses in Sports and Athletics Coaching in a large number of disciplines at its various branches. A number of institutions and universities impart physical education at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. i.e. Bachelor's in Physical Education (BPEd) and Master's in Physical Education (MPEd). You can even opt for a bachelor's degree in yoga and naturopathy (5½ yrs) or a one-year diploma in yoga and naturopathy (DYN) which is approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. There are also professional courses in spa therapies where students can learn about the various types of massage and spa therapies, how to treat cellulite, how to administer heat therapy, body wraps, mud wraps, body polishes and salt exfoliation and so on. You can also learn the Kerala massage techniques, reflexology, muscle stimulation, remedial exercises and different techniques of massage, aromatherapy and so on. Scope There is a growing demand for trained fitness experts to work in gyms, big hotels, health clubs, fitness centres, spas, tourist resorts and even cruise-liners. Fitness professionals can work schools, colleges, sports authorities, corporate offices and other recreational institutions. There is also an increasing interest in new exercise routines such as kickboxing, Pilates, Tai Chi and so on, as also a range of fitness equipment to deal with almost all parts of the body. More and more people are setting up gyms at home also and require the services of a personal trainer. Some fitness trainers have even made a name for themselves writing books or conducting fitness programmes on TV. With the increasing stresses of the modern lifestyle, there is also a growing awareness of the need to stay fit and healthy with the subsequent demand for qualified instructors going up sharply. So if you are a fitness freak, and love to stay in shape - you can not only power yourself into a worthwhile career but help others shape up too! The writer is a career expert Institute watch n
Symbiosis Department of Health Sciences, Pune n
Reebok Fitness Training in several cities www.reebok- training.com n
GFFI Fitness training Institute, Mumbai www.gffi- fitness.org n
Gold"s Gym India www.goldsgymindia.com n
Ananda Spa Institute www.anandaspainstitute.com
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different strokes: ethical hacking
In the past 10 years the usage of internet has increased manifold. Governments, companies and private citizens around the world are anxious to be a part of this revolution. But the comfort of technology is accompanied with 'criminal hackers'. There has been an alarming increase in the number of cyber crime cases in recent years, be it hacking email accounts, stealing sensitive data, copying the address book, intercepting data, password attacks, Trojan attacks or espionage. Cyber crime has become serious and it is threatening personal, societal, and national security.
No wonder there has been an increased concern for security from criminal hacking in cyberspace among companies, big or small, private or public. It is this concern that has given an immeasurable boost to the career of 'ethical hackers'. Ethical hacking is where a person hacks to find weaknesses in a system and then seals them. Hacking is simply exploring a computer's designed features, and learning how to exploit or take advantage of those features. Opportunities Ethical hackers are the white hat people who use their knowledge in a constructive manner to help organisations, companies, government, etc. to secure documents and secret information on the internet. Ethical hacker hacks with legal permission to strengthen systems and makes them penetration-proof unlike the cracker who purposely indulges in cyber crime. To test a security system, ethical hackers use the same methods as criminal hackers, but instead of taking advantage of them, they work against them/report problems to their owners. The ethical hacking process is also known as the intrusion testing, penetration testing or red teaming. Hacking is not legal in India and this particular way, we can segregate good hacking from the bad one easily after being certified as a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). To become an ethical hacker, being computer savvy and gadget friendly are important pre-requisites. A recent report confirms that cyber crime has surpassed illegal trafficking as the leading criminal money maker. With higher returns, low risk and difficulty of obtaining evidence, computer and networks have become the fastest growing technology tools favoured by criminals. Such situations have created enormous need for IT professionals who can understand the mindset of cyber criminals and hunt down their illegal activities. Careers in Information Security and Ethical Hacking n
Network Security Systems Manager n
Network Security Systems Administrator n
Network Security Engineer n
Systems/Applications Security Executive n
Web Security Administrator n
Web Security Manager n
Security Auditor n
Ethical Hacker n
Data Security Specialist n
Chief Information Security Officer Getting in A science background in Plus II level is preferred for students willing to enroll in different degree and diploma courses. If one is a plain science or commerce graduate, but wants to work as an engineer then one should be trained in a particular computer application and manufacturing process. A course in this field helps a person to learn the tricks of the trade. Ethical hackers are technically skilled IT professionals with a strong desire to solve problems and prevent malicious hackers from causing damage to network systems. To be a professional ethical hacker you require motivation, dedication, initiative, self-education and formal training in ethical hacking. Further, an ethical hacker needs in-depth networking knowledge, including what "normal" packets look like. By using this knowledge and various programmes, a hacker can craft custom packets that assist in information gathering and compromising the network. When combined with the ability to write programmes like C, C++, Perl, Python, and Ruby, an ethical hacker can build any tools necessary for the task at hand. An ethical hacker also should have a basic understanding of TCP/IP protocols such as SMTP, ICMP and HTTP. This allows ethical hackers to confirm the results from automated scans instead of just relying on what the automated test says. This is essential for ensuring accurate reports. In demand Every organisation today is facing risk in cyber crimes and after seeing this major percentage increase and hidden criminals behind it, they require designated well-trained security professionals who will trace, reduce or eliminate key security risks being faced by them. The trend of people going for such courses picked up three years back when no one was there in the market. Still the demand for such professionals in the country is larger than trained professionals available. That is why job opportunity for ethical hackers is aplenty in the country. The course is also very apt and important to upgrade your skills and get your promotion and salary hike in the organisation. Remuneration Although the starting salary for ethical hackers in India ranges from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4.2 lakh per annum, with 5 years of experience one can get upto 10-12 lakh per annum. Computer security is a global issue and it's the job of an ethical hacker to make the cyber space safe, now and forever. The writer is Vice-President, Comguard Networks Soft skills The most important skill, however, is adaptability. When testing software and systems, ethical hackers never know what will come up, so the ability to be resourceful and flexible is vital. One should be technology-driven and have a profound love for working with computers. One should have strong mathematical skills. Ability to think critically and analytically and the ability to reason logically are the other qualities required in this field. Certifications like CISA (Certified Information System Auditor), CISM (Certified Information Security Management) and CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professionals) would help a person to start a career in Cyber security. Other vendor specific certifications like CCSP (Cisco Certified Security Professional) and MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) also help.
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Hone your financial acumen
The financial sector will create more than one crore jobs, before the end of this decade and the National Stock exchange (NSE) is keen to bridge the skill deficit in this sector. Thus in a tie up with the National Institute of Financial Management ( NIFM, which was set up by the Finance Ministry, Government of India), NSE is starting a one-year, full time, post graduate course in financial markets and a one year, weekend post graduate course for working professionals, in financial markets. Courses: These courses will be a combination of classroom training and training to trade on simulated market software, specially designed by NSE, called NSE Learn to Trade or NLT. The idea is to make both students and working professionals adept at investment and trading skills. Apart from upgrading their skills, in tune with latest technology, this training will open up job opportunities for students and executives in investment banks, research firms, mutual funds, brokerages and knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) centres. For the Executive course, classes and practical training will be held partly at the NSE office in Delhi and partly at the NIFM institute in Faridabad (part of the NCR region), every weekend. The full-time course will require hostel stay at the NIFM Faridabad institute. Both these courses will start from July and will be jointly certified by NSE and NIFM. Eligibility: For the full-time course, students will have to appear for an online test, unless they have valid scores from CAT, MAT or XAT. For the executive programme, they need a graduation degree from a recognized university and two years of work experience. Test centres: The online tests will be held in 12 cities including the metros, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Indore, Jammu, Jaipur, Chandigarh and Lucknow. Check out: www.nseindia.com and www.nifm.ac.in. Apparel Management The Institute of Apparel Management has announced the admission to MA in Apparel Production Management course. The course: The PG programme allows students from diverse backgrounds to gain basic concepts and knowledge in core subjects related to the apparel product and industry, business, and allied studies related to a focused specialisation in apparel production management. The programme emphasises on intensive theoretical and applied training in core areas of apparel production, supply chain management, textiles, apparel merchandising and computer applications. Eligibility: Applicant should be graduate or have an equivalent degree from a recognised university/ institution in any discipline. Selection Procedure: The online IAM aptitude test is conducted as a single window selection exam, no GD/PI is held for BA/MA programmes. Duration: Four-semesters. Deadline for Application: May 31, 2012 No. of Seats: 25 Entrance Test: June 10, 2012 Check out: www.iamindia.in
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smart strategy: negotiate successfully
The bargaining process before an agreement is arrived at, is called negotiation. Negotiation is a skill that comes into practice not only in a business setting but also almost every day in most of social interactions. Socially, we use it to decide on a movie or a restaurant to go to. In a business context, negotiation can be used for taking loans and transactions purchasing, selling, contracts for staff and so on. Negotiation may be carried out face-to-face or even remotely through telephonic conferences, video conferences or even in writing. It may also involve more than two interested parties. Successful negotiation generally results in a contract between the parties. Negotiation is mostly thought to be a compromise to settle an argument to benefit ourselves to the maximum. Though the best variety of negotiation is “win-win” which means both parties are satisfied with the end result.
Correct and optimum communication is the key to any successful negotiation. There may be many reasons why you may want to negotiate and there are several ways to approach the process. Ultimately one’s aim must be to move towards a win-win solution wherein all the involved parties benefit to a certain extent. After all, good negotiation also paves the way for mutual co-operation and further alliances. It is uncommon though not rare to see a negotiation process which is much more friendly and amicable, this is known as ‘integrative negotiation’. In such a situation all the parties stand to gain the maximum. But to arrive at a ‘win-win’ situation in a conflict of interest is where a manager’s negotiation skills are tested to the hilt. More productive business enterprise is borne out of successful negotiation; one that avoids conflicts and moves towards a resolution.To begin with, the basics that one must know include “what is one’s Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement” or BATNA. One’s BATNA is the least one can do or achieve in case an agreement is not arrived at. One must always have this in mind as one doesn’t want to accept anything lower than this limit. This keeps a check on your compromise limit. Here are some tips on successful negotiation: Body language Albert Mehrabian of UCLA propounded in his study of human communication that all our communication takes place in the following ratios, 7 per cent- words, 38 per cent tone of the voice, 55 per cent-body language. Therefore, it is important to be aware of one’s body language. Maintaining eye contact with the other party is one way of successful negotiation. Your body language should convey an alert, aware, interested and an enthusiastic approach. Preparation is the key Before jumping head on into a negotiation, make certain that you are crystal clear on the end result that you have marked. Do your homework well. The facts and figures of the issue at hand should be clear to you as you don’t want to be caught making false and facetious assertions. Your queries, stratagem, options on offer have to be planned to the T before you take on the other party. Pre-empt the offers and suggestions that the other party is likely to make. It is a good idea to do a detailed background search on the party across the table. Find out about their short and long-term goals, their business interests, their negotiation techniques and also their success and failure rate. Listen, not hear Listen more and talk optimally to create a successful, positive and a beneficial two-way communication. Exhibit genuine interest in what the party has to offer you and show concern and interest in the same. A common ground understanding and effective listening is a great start to a successful negotiation process. Use silence to your advantage. Shouting and screaming will only work against you and your organisation, so stay calm. Don’t try to fill pauses with unnecessary meaningless words. Stop, pause and ponder and then pick up from where you left. This will have a greater impact and also give time to the other party to reflect over what you said. Be generous Be it a CEO or the HR manager, a successful negotiator takes his team along and gives credit to the team member for an idea or a suggestion at the negotiator’s table! Confident negotiators give cues and encourage their team members to take the argument further to its fruition. There is no greatness in claiming victory for a successful negotiation all by yourself. A little praise from a proficient negotiator not only mentors upcoming executives but also enhances the team spirit of an organisation. Clear communication In order to avoid confusion between your conceived meaning and the perceived message, your communication should be clear. Change your communication style with the opposite parties’ style as everyone has a different way of communicating. Conciliation Have your kitty of alternative suggestions and offers full. Depending on how the negotiation is progressing, don’t be afraid to make a compromise here and there for the greater good. Remember ends justify the means. Be flexible and not rigid in your official stance as the same is expected of the other party too. A ‘win-win’ situation is possible only if you do what is expected of the other party too. Before calling it a day and patting your back on having done a good job at the negotiator’s desk, be sure to discuss all points covered at the meeting. Ensure that everyone is aware of the final draft of agreement. It is a good idea to debrief your team on the highs and lows of the negotiation process and prepare for the next one.
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HCL among most democratic workplaces
Leading global IT service provider HCL Technologies has been named to the WorldBlu List of Democratic Workplaces 2012 for the fourth consecutive year.
The WorldBlu List of Most Democratic Workplaces 2012 comprises only 48 organisations selected from a vast breadth of industries, including technology, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, services and energy. The combined annual revenue of World Blu certified companies is more than $17 billion. These organisations are recognised annually for demonstrating exemplary democratic workplace practices contributing to high performance, engagement, innovation and profitability. “HCL continues to innovate organisationally around the powerful ‘Employees First, Customers Second’ approach, which is very much aligned with WorldBlu’s philosophy, said Traci Fenton, Founder and CEO, WorldBlu. “At WorldBlu, we applaud HCL for creating a world-class democratic business and for recognising the importance of giving power to the people, which ultimately impacts performance, employee engagement and the bottom line.” HCL was selected to the list after an extensive employee survey, the WorldBlu Scorecard which was sent to a random sample of its worldwide employee base. HCL’s organisational practices were evaluated on the WorldBlu 10 Principles of Organisational Democracy, including transparency, integrity, accountability and dialogue and listening. Developed by WorldBlu, this survey is based on a decade of research into what makes a world-class democratic organisation. — TNS
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food for thought
Staying in a job that you hate just for the sake of loyalty or for lack of alternatives is bad both for you and your employer, a new study has claimed.
Researchers from the Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business in Canada have found that those who stay on out of misguided loyalty experience exhaustion, then burn out and often leave the company without warning. “Employees often stay with their organisation because they feel that they have no other option,” said the study co-author Alexandra Panaccio. “Then they are more likely to experience emotional exhaustion. This feeling, in turn, may lead them to leave the organisation,” Panaccio was quoted by the Daily Mail. Instead, the researchers suggested, companies should focus on training and moving staff within an organisation so that fewer of their staff are staying on simply because they ‘feel they should’. “Our study examined whether some forms of commitment to a company could have detrimental effects, such as emotional exhaustion and, eventually, turnover,” Panaccio said. “The implication is that employers should try to minimise this ‘lack of alternatives’ type of commitment among employees by developing their competencies, thus increasing their feeling of mobility and, paradoxically, contributing to them wanting to stay with the organisation.” Panaccio and her colleagues surveyed 260 workers from various industries, including information technology, health services, engineering and architecture. Participants were, on average, 34 years old; 33 per cent held managerial positions, while 50 per cent worked in the public sector. The researchers, who reported their study in the journal Human Relations, measured various types of organisational commitments like whether employees identified with a company’s goals and values and whether they felt an obligation to stay. — Agencies
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Send work emails packing to bust stress
Being cut off from work email considerably reduces stress and lets employees to focus far better, according to a new study.
In a new study by UC Irvine and US Army researchers, heart rate monitors were attached to computer users in a suburban office setting, while software sensors detected how often they switched windows. People who read email changed screens twice as often and were in a steady “high alert” state, with more constant heart rates. Those removed from email for five days experienced more natural, variable heart rates. “We found that when you remove email from workers’ lives, they multi-task less and experience less stress,” said UCI informatics professor Gloria Mark. Participants of the study were computer-dependent civilian employees at the Army’s Natick Soldier Systems Centre outside Boston. Those with no email reported feeling better able to do their jobs and stay on task, with fewer stressful and time-wasting interruptions. Measurements bore that out, Mark said. People with email switched windows an average of 37 times per hour. Those without changed screens half as often — about 18 times in an hour. She said the findings could be useful for boosting productivity and suggested that controlling email login times, batching messages or other strategies might be helpful. “Email vacations on the job may be a good idea,” she noted. — ANI
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hiring trends
The first month of the new financial quarter started on a positive note with hiring activity in April, 2012 being 12 per cent higher when compared to April, 2011 as per the naukri.com’s job index for April.
Although, there are some sectors that are still on the path of recovery, hiring in sectors like IT- Software and Banking are surging ahead strongly. The index for the IT sector in April, 2012 at 1400 is the highest since inception (Jul-08) and hiring activity is 18% higher when compared to March, 2012. “While hiring in certain sectors has slowed down, most companies are still cautiously optimistic as good talent is difficult to find. Therefore, we do not expect hiring to slow down in the coming months” said Hitesh Oberoi, Managing Director and CEO, Info Edge India. The job index for sectors like IT, Banking, Pharma and Auto has seen positive movement over the last few months and their indices are well above the 1000 level. On the flip side, the indices for Insurance, Construction, Telecom and BPO sector are 75, 38, 19 and 16 per cent lower than JulY, 2008 levels. However, both Telecom and Insurance sectors have started showing positive movement in hiring activity over the last three months. — TNS
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Happiness @ work
In uninspiring times, an easy way to pep yourself and others up is to talk about the deeds of heroes — historical or mythological, national or international, past or present. Anecdotes of leaders in one’s own profession may also do the trick.
To bring the people of various communities together, Bal Gangadhar Tilak not only started the tradition of publicly celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi, but also invoked Chhatrapati Shivaji on his birth anniversary in Raigad, the erstwhile capital of the Marathas. While Shivaji’s mother Jijabai told the brave lad stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, Shivaji’s guide Samarth Ramdas’ inspiration was the mighty Hanuman. As a little boy, he had hurt himself emulating Hanuman’s jump from the Indian coast to Lanka. The bump that he got that day remained on his forehead all his life. For a revolution to be successful, the masses have to be aroused. But patriot Bhagat Singh knew that the multitude has no patience for speeches. So he started acting in ‘Rana Pratap’, a play staged by the National Dramatic Club. Later, the Nav Jawan Bharat Sabha, the association that he and his revolutionary friends had formed, observed Martyrs’ Day in the memory of Ramprasad Bismil and Ashfaqullah Khan who had been hanged by the government. The song that Bhagat usually had on his lips had been the favourite of his hero Kartar Singh Sarabha, who died a martyr at the age of 20. Legend has it that Babur, at the age of five and stationed in Andijan in Central Asia, would tell his tutor to repeatedly relate his ancestor Timur-i-Lang’s exploits in India. Chennamma was in deep trouble: her husband King Somashekhara Nayak of Keladi had been poisoned; Commander-in-Chief Thimmanna refused to accept her as ruler and had walked out; and the Bijapur army under Jannopant was on its way to attack Keladi. Chennamma evoked the memory of the great Shivappa Nayak, the most celebrated ruler of Keladi, to boost her soldiers’ morale. Later, Chennamma’s forces won back the kingdom after the return of Thimmanna into the fold. In 1671, Chennamma was crowned Queen. Biophysicist Jagadis Chandra Bose had a fascination for Mahabharata hero Karna and made his mother Bamasundari tell the tale time and again. The story inspired him to fight off a bully in school. When Harishena, son of military chief of Magadha Dhruvabhuti, heard that Kacha, elder brother of Emperor Samudragupta, had rebelled, he knew that convincing the Emperor to fight his own brother would be hard. So he recounted Krishna and Arjuna’s conversation in the Gita to make him rise and fight. Use the moral of the story to raise the morale of — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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“So, what are you going to do after your graduation?”
First of all it is important to understand what the test measures.
The Analytical Writing section measures your ability to sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion, articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively, support your ideas with relevant examples, and examine claims and accompanying evidence. There is one Analytical Writing section in the test, with two 30-minute separately timed tasks: “Analyse an Issue” and “Analyse an Argument.” The Analytical Writing score is reported on a 0–6 score scale, in half-point increments.
When not busy on their mobiles or I Pods, young people today are working out in gyms, health clubs, dance classes and the like. Not young people alone - from fitness freaks pumping iron and working on their abs, to rotund middle aged mothers dancing in unison to the latest rock video, being fit has never been so popular. With the mushrooming of gyms, health clubs, aerobic and yoga centres, personal fitness trainers and a range of massage and spa therapies, the fitness industry is possibly among the fastest growing in the country. This is not only because looking good is in fashion like never before, but also because being fit is a necessity too, as millions of people realise that they need to lose weight and get in shape if they want to lead healthy and productive lives.
In the past 10 years the usage of internet has increased manifold. Governments, companies and private citizens around the world are anxious to be a part of this revolution. But the comfort of technology is accompanied with 'criminal hackers'. There has been an alarming increase in the number of cyber crime cases in recent
years
The financial sector will create more than one crore jobs, before the end of this decade and the National Stock exchange (NSE) is keen to bridge the skill deficit in this sector. Thus in a tie up with the National Institute of Financial Management ( NIFM, which was set up by the Finance Ministry, Government of India), NSE is starting a one-year, full time, post graduate course in financial markets and a one year, weekend post graduate course for working professionals, in financial markets.
The bargaining process before an agreement is arrived at, is called negotiation. Negotiation is a skill that comes into practice not only in a business setting but also almost every day in most of social interactions. Socially, we use it to decide on a movie or a restaurant to go to. In a business context, negotiation can be used for taking loans and transactions purchasing, selling, contracts for staff and so on. Negotiation may be carried out face-to-face or even remotely through telephonic conferences, video conferences or even in writing. It may also involve more than two interested parties.
A. There is a wide variety of reasons that make people switch jobs - better opportunities, better pay, better work environment, boredom or lack of challenge - the list is endless. So what is it that is prompting you to make this switch?
A. With models and stars like Hrithik Roshan, Kareena and Aishwariya, flaunting perfectly toned abs, the craze is to consult / hire a fitness trainer. And the fitness craze runs across age groups and categories of people - from housewives to corporate honchos
A.
There is no point doing one course after another without a clear direction or purpose. Courses are not always equal to career. It's your work experience, capability and enthusiasm that you bring to the table. I would suggest you to focus on getting whatever work experience you can manage. Work on your English and basic computer skills, if they need polishing. And since you are doing your MBA through distance learning, make sure you are thorough with your concepts.
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SAI, Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala 
In addition to technical skills, an ethical hacker needs a number of soft skills also. The ability to write effectively is a basic necessity, which is critical when writing reports that summarise the results of a penetration test or writing the details of new exploits. Ethical hackers also need critical-thinking skills. They must follow precise methodologies in their work and thoroughly analyze data. This practice helps to ensure consistency and accuracy of results obtained.