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Cool Counsel
Computer revolution in Haryana schools
Expanding horizon
algorithmic and hft trading
What is Algorithmic trading?
Course cruising
Placements
smart strategy: art of rejecting job offer
MBA doesn’t mean employable
Be prepared for off-the-wall questions
Don’t let that smile deceive you
management tip
Happiness @ work
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Men for all seasons
There is more to a career in meteorology than sky- gazing and forecasting rain. IT IS AN EXCITING AND CHALLENGING FIELD WHERE NO TWO DAYS ARE THE SAME Gauri Chhabra If you enjoy everything from watching the red sky and deriving truths from it…, then meteorology is the career option for you. Meteorology is a sub-part of atmospheric science that mainly talks about weather processes and forecasting. It includes both weather and climate and is concerned with the physical and chemical state of the Earth’s atmosphere and interactions between the atmosphere and the Earth’s surface. A meteorologist is an individual with specialised education who uses scientific principles to observe understand, analyse or forecast the earth’s atmospheric phenomena and how the atmosphere affects the earth and life on the planet. As a meteorologist, one should be able to make use of equipment such as rain gauge, anemometer, thermometer, barometer, radiosondes, and remote-sensing instruments in order to measure temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed, rainfall and air quality. Meteorologists can be found all over the world doing some very interesting things! They study the ozone layer or air pollution, brief pilots at a busy airfield or take weather observations in Antarctica. They might analyse numerical models, monitor rainfall and issue river stage warnings or fly in aircrafts investigating hurricanes and predicting their occurrence. Weather is ubiquitous and so are weather men! Getting in As a student desirous of making a career in meteorology, you may opt for a BSc. or B.Tech soon after completing Plus II (Science). A number of universities, including IITs, offer undergraduate and post graduate programmes in meteorology. PG programmes i.e. MSc. or M.Tech can usually be completed in two years after the bachelor’s degree. The requirement for admission to this programme is usually an undergraduate degree in meteorology, physics, engineering, or related disciplines. In case you wish to carry out research work, you may go in for PhD, the minimum education qualification for which is a master’s degree in the relevant field. For those who want to take meteorology as a career option, effective communication and an eye for detail are the essential skills. Besides, one needs to have a very strong foundation in mathematics and science. Foreign languages such as German and French can be useful in keeping up with new international developments in atmospheric science. Course cursor That’s a lot of schooling to go through just so you can look up at the sky and try to figure out if it’s going to rain. Here are a few courses and their eligibility criteria:
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Diploma in Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences after MSc. in Meteorology
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B.Tech Meteorology/Atmospheric Science after Plus II science with physics, chemistry
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M.Tech Meteorology after BTech or MSc. in Meteorology or any other equivalent discipline
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PhD after master’s degree in meteorology. Institute scape To provide efficient and talented meteorologists to the organisations, several meteorological and technical institutes in India impart courses in meteorology.
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Punjabi University, Patiala, Diploma in Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics.
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Cochin University of Science and Technology, MSc. (Meteorology) & MTech after
MSc.
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MS University of Baroda, MSc. Meteorology
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Andhra University, MSc. Oceanography & Meteorology
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IIT, Kharagpur, MTech in Earth Science Eligibility: Master of Science in atmospheric science/ earth science/ geology/ geophysics/marine geology/ marine science/ mathematics/ physics. BE or equivalent in aerospace engineering/agriculture engineering/ civil engineering/ earthquake engineering/ environmental engineering/ocean engineering and naval architecture.
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Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, B.Tech and Pre PhD in Atmospheric Science Eligibility: Plus II Science for
B.Tech.
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Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune Career pathways Meteorology is a niche field and the number of vacancies virtually orchestrates with the number of graduates looking for a career. There is wide range to choose from — entry-level data collectors, who may be responsible for reading weather maps and satellite information, to more highly educated and experienced meteorologists. Some of them supervise weather observers; others issue weather warnings, prepare forecasts for a diversity of agencies or media, predict both long and short term weather reports and ultimately run our weather and control centres. As a meteorologist, you may find jobs mainly in the government sector. However, some private companies also recruit atmospheric scientists for environmental pollution control. A country’s military operations such as troop movements, airplane flights, missile launches, and ship movements rely on accurate weather information. A meteorology degree or a degree in related marine science qualifies an individual to perform many weather-related jobs. There are also good opportunities for overseas assignment in military bases and outposts throughout the world. Space application centers also recruit meteorologists as the launching of satellite also depends on weather conditions. The Indian meteorological department has its branches all over India, hence meteorologists are absorbed there. Roles While not ubiquitous, a number of roles await the meteorologist in the following fields: Observation and forecasting An observer takes hourly weather observations and may launch weather balloons. An Operational Forecaster analyses weather conditions and issues forecasts or alerts the public of severe weather Research A research meteorologist studies effects like global warming, climate change analysis, or the atmospheric causes of severe weather. Military In the military, your career may take you from space to the ocean's depths, providing observations and forecasts for air, sea, and land operational missions in India and around the globe. Business applications Businesses and utilities, such as electric and petroleum companies and public work departments, rely on the forecasts prepared by meteorologists and climatologists to plan projects and make operational decisions. Media Radio and television stations need meteorologists, both behind the scenes and on the air, to analyse weather data and present local and regional information and severe weather alerts to audiences. Newspapers and other publications employ meteorologists to create weather maps and write forecasts for their circulation area. Education Colleges and universities hire meteorologists to teach weather in the classroom and conduct research. As a meteorologist, you'll also find your skills suited to junior and high school physical science. Other areas include being a forensic meteorologist, who researches and evaluates past weather events for insurance companies and public utilities, exploring the way weather affects people in biometeorology, working for a weather Pay package Very few people opt for this course. However, the career is challenging and rewarding. Salary of a meteorologist depends on his qualification and experience. The Indian Government offers handsome salary to qualified meteorologists from Rs 10,000-25,000 for an entry level position. The road ahead is full of opportunities as there are many roles that are still untapped. For those who want to make a career in meteorology, gear up and pull up your socks… Meteorology is a challenging 24x7 job making so true the statement by Hugo Emil Hergesell …the icy layers of the upper atmosphere contain conundrums enough to be worthy of humanity’s greatest efforts. It’s almost as if the weather never takes a day off… The writer is a Ludhiana-based career consultant
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Career Hotline
I want to be a journalist A. While you can pursue an UG course in journalism/mass communication and several universities do offer these; it is certainly not the ONLY route to a career in journalism. In fact, your graduation can be in any stream — science/commerce/humanities - and still make a career in journalism as long as you have good writing communication skills and some of the personal attributes required to be a journalist - nose for news, work well under pressure, not unfazed by deadlines, aggressive, don’t give up easily, are inquisitive and curious about things. While doing your graduation, try and intern with a local newspaper, or even a magazine; write for your college magazine; set-up a blog; and also submit articles to publications. After completing your graduation, join a PG course in Journalism/Mass Communication where you will the basics and the 'rules' and techniques in different types of journalism.
Is MPhil through corresponce still banned?
A.
Heeding widespread protests by various open universities like IGNOU etc, UGC lifted the two-year-old ban on distance MPhil and PhD courses last year. An open university can conduct MPhil/PhD programmes through distant education mode As long as it strictly complies with the provisions of the UGC Regulations. Although, UGC has lifted the ban, it has put another condition for PhD — the principal guide should be from the open university. Inadequate infrastructure of many open universities is a matter of concern for carrying out research work.
Railways on a hiring spree
A. There’s some great news for you and all those who have their eyes set on a job in the Railways... The country’s largest employer is on track to hire 1.17 lakh personnel this year, in its critical Group C & D posts. These cover jobs ranging from station masters to technical and track supervisors to train drivers and vital safety staff. This is a quantum jump from the 95,000-odd
personnel hired over the last two years in these categories. And a fresh recruitment process has also been set in motion
for future vacancies which are likely to arise in the next two years. The modality of the exam has
been improved. The 40,000-odd employees who retire/die/superannuate every year they need to be replaced. Instead of taking the exam at multiple locations you can opt for a centre nearest home. Around 1.2 crore candidates are expected to take the exams this year. So competition will be there, but that's to be expected, no! Watch out for notifications in Employment News, and websites
of the Railways Recruitment Boards.
Teaching special children
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That’s absolutely wonderful! Here are some institutes you could contact rightaway: Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped, Northern Regional Centre, Kasturba Niketan, LPN II, New Delhi-1100224. (www.ayjnihh.org), Courses: BEd Spln Ed (Hearing Impairment) Selection: Entrance Exam/Interview. IGNOU’s Indian Sign Language Research & Training Centre (ISLRTC) is launching courses in Hearing disabilities in a phased manner. BA in Applied Sign Language Studies (BAASLS) To train educators who can educate and empower millions of hearing and speech-impaired people. Graduates of the course can become sign language teachers, professionals in support for deaf people, teaching assistants in deaf education, and interpreter trainers. Designed specifically to be accessible for deaf students, the course is taught through sign language. “Learning by doing” is included in work placements, lab work, and experiential modules. Deaf students without standard secondary school qualifications can take a one-year preparatory course (Certificate of Achievement) and continue with the BA course afterwards. The Certificate of Achievement and BASLS degree have been developed at the International Institute for Sign Languages & Deaf Studies in the UK. Details: www.ignou.ac.in. Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) offers a brief Orientation Course (2-week) for existing users/interpreters of sign language after which they can take the relevant A/BC level exams to pursue higher level courses. For details, contact the RCI, 23-A Shivaji Marg, New Delhi 110015 or log on to the RCI website: www.rehabcouncil.org.
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Cultivate courage
D. C. Sharma
The potential to succeed is in everyone. And yet the number of those who frequently fail is almost always more than the number of those who virtually succeed! Sigmund Freud once said, "I have discovered long since that it only needs a little courage to fulfill wishes which till then have been regarded as unobtainable." Courage can be cultivated through the following route: Company matters Always remember that if you join the sheep, you can't act like a lion. To act like a lion you have to keep the company of lions. Your colleagues who dare to achieve their goals are the 'lions' in the real sense of the term. If you keep their company consistently then your mental set up will change soon and the hibernating giant of courage inside you will wake up leading to success in all your ventures. Come out of comfort zone In order to awaken your innate courage it is very important to break free of the comfort zone that you have created around you. You can't act like a lion while simply lying in your bed and imagining that you are succeeding with flying colours! To realise your goal you have to swim against the current. Try and do things differently and innovatively rather than toeing someone's line. Initiative and innovation are the two important angles of success. Let your individuality bloom and don't be scared to be different. It goes against us when we fear failure and can't dare to venture into the unknown. Remember that every field of activity was unknown to man at one time and we are at this juncture because of the men who had the courage to be different and explore and question things as these were. Dare to be different Feeling shy that others might laugh at you if you act in a different way is nothing but cowardice. 'Cowards die many times before their death, a valiant taste of death but once', Shakespeare has authentically asserted. What he meant was that those who can't dare to venture into the unknown to achieve their coveted goals fail time and again at useless and unworthy ventures. It is only the real achiever who works with the sweat of his brow and wins the goal that not only brings him real satisfaction, but also changes his fortune, even bringing him name and fame. Peter Kummer has a lot to tell those who can dare to win. He advises not to beg but to dare to deserve. He says, "Abandon your role as a beggar at the door of abundance and prosperity." In case you have the begging psyche, you will develop a feeling of inferiority. Such feelings of inferiority are not lion like. Work like a lion, and dare to ask for your reward like a lion. Your courageous potential will never land you in trouble. Power talk People form the first impression of you on the basis of how you talk. Earlier psychologists thought how employees were judged from the way they appeared. Now they have been analysing with tremendous success how the employees who talk well succeed well. — The writer is a psychologist and a career expert
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Computer revolution in Haryana schools
NComputing, an end-to-end virtual desktop and computing solution provider, has successful ly launched high-performance and green computer labs in 2,622 government schools in Haryana as part of the Haryana government’s education initiative called the ‘ICT in Education’ project. The system provides revolutionary desktop virtualisation solution that requires 75 per cent less maintenance and saves upto 90 per cent energy by using 1 watt of electricity as compared to the traditional PC that consumes 120-150 watts.
Today’s PCs are so powerful that the vast majority of students only use a small fraction (approx. 10 per cent) of the computer’s capacity. The rest of it is wasted. NComputing desktop virtualization solution taps into this unused capacity so that it can be simultaneously used by many students. Each student connects his/her own monitor, keyboard and mouse to an NComputing device, which is then connected to the shared PC. With desktop virtualization technology, each student gets access to the full PC experience. Each of the 2,622 schools has a 22 seat computing lab comprising 20 NComputing ’s X550 virtual desktops, two desktop PCs, one UPS, and two printers. Each system runs C-DAC’s EduBOSS (a customised version of BOSS Linux for school education), pre-loaded with various educational applications, which are being used to teach computer skills and facilitate and enrich learning of various subjects. The initiative, which is aimed to introduce each and every student of the state to the world of computing, will benefit over 1 million government school students across all districts of the state. Apart from Haryana, over 7 lakh NComputing virtual desktops have already been deployed in states like, Punjab, Maharashtra etc.
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Expanding horizon
This branch of medicine works on the principle of “similia similbus currenter” which means like cures like. The science believes that each human being is different and the same disease in two different people may show different symptoms like two persons may be having headache, but the symptoms may be different as one may be having pain in the right side and other in the left. Or the pain of one person may get better by applying pressure, while that of the other gets aggravated even by touch. Therefore, it is very important to know each patient thoroughly and choose the right medicine for them. Therefore, a homeopathy doctor or physician takes long sessions to gather minute details of a patient and his ailment ranging from his medical history to temperament to family background to diet preferences and emotional state etc. Homeopathy doctors also include chiropractors, veterinarians, dentists, nurses, physician assistants, acupuncturists and certified midwives. Work schedule Homeopath physicians mostly have predictable schedules as they rarely work in crisis or emergency situations. They generally work in private or group practice. They are also involved in national, state and/or local homeopathic awareness and advocacy programmes and may work with community agencies. They must focus on keeping the environment free of distractions or stress, as wanting to become more stress-free is a big part of why people turn to this method of healing and medicine. Remuneration Homeopathy is an enriching career option where one can earn money as well as reputation. The starting salary of doctors in government hospitals varies from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per month, while in private hospitals it starts from Rs 12,000 per month. With an experience of 1-2 years one can earn in between Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 per month and depending on the expertise of an individual. Skills required In order to become a successful homeopath, one must have counselling and good communication skills; good diagnosing ability; ablity to handle lengthy communications and a strong concentration power Foothold A graduate degree, BHMS or a diploma in homeopathy science is a must to enter this field. Homeopathy is offered at both UG and PG level in many universities across India. Full-time degree is BHMS- Bachelor of Homeopathy Medicine and Surgery. Duration: Five-and-a-half years, including one-year internship Graduates can opt for the following courses after BHMS:
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Master of Science in Regenerative Medicine n
Master of Science in Psychiatry n Master of Science in Epidemiology n
Master of Science in Endocrinology n Master of Hospital Management
(MHM) n Doctor of Medicine in Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy n
Doctor of Medicine in Homeopathic Practice of Medicine n
Doctor of Medicine in Homeopathic Pharmacy n
Doctor of Medicine in Homoeopathy n Doctor of Medicine in Homoeopathic Psychiatry n
Doctor of Medicine in Homoeopathic Pediatrics Career routes after completing BHMS Many say that there is not much scope in homeopathy but the fact is that there are a lot of job opportunities in this field both in India and abroad. A trained homoeopathic practitioner can get employment as Medical Officer/doctor at various private homoeopathic hospitals. Apart from these they can also opt for their own private practice. Homoeopathic doctors can work in different industries engaged in homoeopathic preparations. These doctors can a make a good career as a professor in homoeopathic colleges or undertake research work. After some years of experience, a BHMS degree holder can also open up his own pharmacy.
— The writer is homeopath at Cosmetic Skin and Homeo Clinic, New Delhi
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Driven by technology
Arun Singh
Some strategies offer the possibility of a risk-free profit at zero cost. The increasing complexity of financial market is putting growing demands on the quality of education of finance professionals. Algo and HFT trading — a technology-driven pre-programmed mathematical model-based trading, which currently accounts for more than half the average daily turnover on some of the bourses in developed countries, has gained immense momentum in India over the past few years. With international financial giants, who rely heavily on automated trading for optimum fund management, setting up operations in the country and an ever-increasing number of domestic traders beginning to adopt this internationally popular format, the demand for talented professionals who possess the specialised skills is growing at an unprecedented rate. Furthermore, there is a sharp rise in the number of banks and financial institutions in India that are customising their algos to differentiate from their competitors. The increased market fragmentation and expansion of cross-asset trading is laying the foundation for next generation trading in India. Scope and skill set A course in Algorithmic trading makes you eligible for over a million high paid job opportunities across the world in sectors like Fund Management and Consultancy, Advisory, Equity market, Derivatives, Currency, Commodities and Research houses. The competencies, skills and knowledge that you acquire allow you to vie for some of the best paid jobs in the financial world. Reduced cost of transactions, high-frequency trading option, greater liquidity, increased transparency, greater competition and tighter spreads combined with the ability to monitor and respond to multiple liquidity pools across various asset classes are some of the key reasons behind the increasing popularity of algorithmic trading. With world class training and comprehensive programmes now available in the country, students can learn practical skills from successful corporate leaders and experts, including seasoned professionals and alumni of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), John Hopkins University (JHU), HSBC, Barclay’s, University of Chicago Business School (UCBS) and Indian School of Business (ISB). Ranging from six-week industrial training programmes for executives to a one-year comprehensive course, the duration of the course taken up depends on the student’s competency levels. It focuses specifically on financial technology trends, challenges, and their solutions. It provides insights on the fundamentals of electronic trading and the technological solutions for implementing them. Eligibility Students with economics, commerce, BE, B.Tech or MBA background grasp the nuances of this type of trading better. Basic knowledge of finance, accounting and valuation concepts is helpful as are basic programming skills, analytical and quantitative skills. Opportunities Proprietary Trader, Professional Trader, Dealer (Client Trading), Arbitrageurs, Relationship Manager, BDM, Operations (Surveillance, Accounts, Compliance, Co-ordination), Advisory/Research (Technical Analyst, Fundamental Analyst, Portfolio Management) — The writer is Director, Indian Operations, Modrika.
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Course cruising
Eligibility: A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, psychology, social work, special education, occupational therapy etc will be given preference. Selection procedure: Online written test will be held on January 13, 2013 in more than 25 centres in all parts of the country. How to
apply: Online. Ph D programme
Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT), Rae Bareli, offers Ph.D programmes in a wide range of areas in engineering, science and social sciences. The broad objective of the Ph.D programme is to contribute to the development of respective fields by conducting front-end research. Disciplines of Ph. D. Programme : Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy#, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Geology, Geophysics, Geoinformatics, Management and English Literature. Eligibility: Candidates having bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical, chemical, production and civil engineering are eligible to apply n
First class or 60 per cent marks (55% marks for SC/ST)/CGPA or CPI of 6.5 in master’s degree in engineering/technology (ME/M.Tech.) or equivalent n
First class or 60% marks (55% marks for SC/ST) )/CGPA or CPI of 6.5 in master’s degree in science or a first class or 60% marks (55% marks for SC/ST)/CGPA or CPI of 6.5 in bachelor’s degree in engineering/technology (BE/B.Tech.). Candidates meeting this requirement MUST also fulfill one of the following additional requirements: n
Valid Gate Score: Valid CSIR /UGC / NBHM / DBT / DST Inspire Award or Fellowship. n
Minimum of 2 years of professional work experience (for externally/self funded candidates, see more details in A 4) Selection procedure: Interview How to apply: Admission forms can be filled up in the specified Deadline: November 25, 2012. World tour management course
The course: It is a three-month part-time course for working professionals between the age group of 26-45 years. Conducted by senior tour managers from Thomas Cook (India) Ltd, the course will cover all international tourist destinations and itineraries for group tours as well as roles, responsibilities and challenges faced by a tour manager. Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. would provide 100 per cent placement assistance to the students selected for the course. Check out: http// col.thomascook.in
MBA in media and communication
Duration: Two-year full-time residential
programme. BSc in Management
UK-based University of Southampton’s School of Management is inviting applications for its BSc Management with Entrepreneurship programme (3 years). The programme aims to provide a broad appreciation of management theory and practice from a number of different perspectives, combined with specialist knowledge of entrepreneurship. The School of Management offers opportunities to study abroad for second year students of BSc Management and BSc Management with Entrepreneurship. This includes Erasmus scheme and the School's own exchange opportunities where students are able to undertake a period of study at an overseas university. The programme is of modular structure and students will cover eight modules in each of the three years of the degree, divided equally between the semesters. Eligibility: The candidates should have 80% overall in the CBSE/ICSE Class XII (Commerce Stream). Students with a slightly lower average, but with extremely high grades in mathematics are welcome to apply. n
English language requirements are at IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any component, or equivalent. The programme commences in September 2013 Deadline: January 15, 2013.
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Placements
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has seen a surge in the number of pre-placement offers (PPOs) and pre-placement internships (PPIs) offered this year. The number has increased to 35 PPOs/PPIs till date. Industry stalwarts like Colgate Palmolive, Goldman Sachs, GCPl, Flipkart, CEB etc, have already released PPOs this year.
Dr. Surajit Mitra, Director, IIFT, said, “Summer Internship is an important and integral part of the Post-Graduate programme at IIFT. PPOs/PPIs offer big opportunity to students.” 110 LPU students get HCL offer Leading IT firm HCL Technologies has recruited 110 students from LPU on a salary package of Rs 2.75 lakh per annum. The recruitment took place from B.Tech /B.E Electronics and Communication and Computer Engineering streams. The selected students will join HCL from July 2013 as Graduate Engineer Trainees.
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smart strategy: art of rejecting job offer Ragini Gulati
Act promptly Subsequent to making the decision to turn down an offer, inform the organisation concerned immediately. Delaying response is not only unprofessional but also creates a bad impression. Most companies allow for a few days’ deliberation before the stipulated joining date. However, rather than waiting till the last moment call the interviewer or hiring manger right away. During the conversation briefly but politely decline the position offered to you. Timely response will give the organisation enough time to resume the search and contact other eligible candidates. Moreover, they will not have to re-advertise, giving the other short listed candidates another chance. Most importantly it will keep the door open for you to explore future work opportunities with them. Write a formal letter While declining a position verbally is acceptable, follow-up with a formal letter or e-mail. It will ensure that the company has a written record that you have turned down their offer. Start by thanking the employers for their time and express gratitude for the opportunity to interview. Refer to the telephonic conversation and reaffirm your decision to decline the job. Briefly state the reason for refusal in a way that is genuine and respectful to the company. Close by wishing the organisation success and hoping to stay in touch with the interviewer. Keep the tone non-apologetic and positive by choosing the vocabulary carefully. Also proof read to ensure that the content is free of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Give reason A selected candidate is under no obligation to give explanations for refusing to take up a job offer. However, stating the rationale may tone down the decline and make it sound more humane. As a consequence it is important to share at least one reason for not accepting the offer. Tactfully give as much information to the employer as you feel necessary and comfortable. Stay away from negative reasons such as a low salary or a potential personality clash. Instead say that you have been offered another position that is more in line with your career goals. Keeping the focus on yourself rather than the organisation will make the excuse more acceptable. Express gratitude No matter how unsuitable a job offer is, express gratitude to the organisation for the opportunity. Thank the employer for selecting you from amongst the potential candidates who were also seeking the same position. Make sure to convey your respect for the organisation as well as the interviewer. Be polite and gracious while communicating the reason for rejection. Refrain from being rude or discourteous just because you got a better option. Moreover, don’t make it seem as though the company or the offer was beneath you. Let the employer know that you have given the situation much consideration. A gracious denial will leave a lasting impression and allow you to maintain a positive relationship with the organisation. Keep doors open Irrespective of the seniority level, professional networking is a great way to scale the corporate ladder. Despite declining the job offer keep the lines of communication open for future. Let the hiring manager know that you intend to maintain a positive working relationship. Follow-up with each contact you made within the organisation including the interviewer. Within a week of joining the new position send an e-mail to everyone with your coordinates. Another option is to connect with them on networking websites like LinkedIn. Not only will it expand your professional network but will also reinforce the rapport that you have established with the company. Moreover, it will make the interviewer feel that you have rejected the offer and not them. Recommend someone Another way to close the issue on a positive note is by recommending someone else for the position. Refer an acquaintance with the required expertise who could be considered a possible candidate. Mention the person's name to the hiring manager and also provide his contact information. Put in a good word with regard to the referrals skill and knowledge. However, make sure to speak to the individual concerned prior to suggesting his name. The gesture will not only be appreciated by the employer but also the individual referred. Moreover, if the hiring does take place, the company will forget about any disappointment whatsoever. In fact, they would be grateful to you for suggesting someone who could fit the role.
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MBA doesn’t mean employable
Employability of management students remains below 10 per cent for any functional role in the field of HR, marketing or finance, a survey has revealed.
According to the National Employability Report by Aspiring Minds, employability of management graduates is at dismal low levels particularly in the field of business consulting, followed by analyst and functional roles.
“There is an urgent need to audit whether we are training industry-ready individuals,” employability assessment company, Aspiring Minds COO and CTO Varun Aggarwal said. Though there has been a remarkable focus and success on building capacity in management education in India, the same cannot be said for building the employability quotient of the candidates, the report based on graduate class of 2011 covering 32,000 students from over 220 MBA schools said. “The low employability figures show that management students and colleges need personalised employability feedback and guidance to take the right corrective steps,” Aggarwal added. Management education in India has witnessed a mushrooming growth from just about 200 MBA colleges in the early nineties to around 3,300 MBA colleges today. The analysis pointed out that employability for males and females is similar across most functions except HR roles where females are more employable. Employability of MBA graduates is exceptionally low (2.52 per cent) in business consulting whereas it is just 7.98 per cent for the analyst function, the report said. The report found that employability in corporate sales (B2B) was 10.56 per cent was almost half of that in consumer (B2C) sales (21.72 per cent). Moreover, the employability for customer service roles is 16.01 per cent.
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Be prepared for off-the-wall questions
“I always give graduating students two primary suggestions. Expect the unexpected and be aware that you might get an off-the-wall question like this,” Wright said. “And realise that no one’s really looking for a right answer, because so many of these questions are really more geared toward gauging your thought process,” he said. Puzzle questions are especially popular in the tech and financial industries, where hiring managers see them as a good way to measure creativity, flexibility, critical thinking and the ability to work in novel and sometimes uncomfortable situations. But Wright and colleagues have discovered that people generally see the questions as unfair and unrelated to job skills and performance, compared to traditional interview questions about past work performance and goals. They videotaped mock interviews with both types of questions, and asked undergraduate students to watch the interviews and rate both the interview’s content and the job seeker’s performance. The puzzle interviews got mostly negative reactions from the undergraduates, even when they were told that the job applicant was interviewing for a position like software engineer or financial analyst. But in an intriguing twist, the students said the applicant performed better in the puzzle interview than in the traditional interview. Wright thinks that the puzzle interview “may have seemed so off-the-wall” to the students that they were impressed by the poise and “relatively decent answers” given by the applicant. Real-life job applicants also tend to dislike these puzzle questions, the researchers note, which poses a problem for industries that rely on them in their recruitment and hiring. Qualified applicants who don’t like or trust the interview style might avoid companies that use puzzle questions, they suggest. “And then there’s still the question hanging out there, which is do these puzzles actually measure anything?” Wright said. “I think there’s a feeling that these types of questions measure broad constructs like intelligence, but that there might be a lot better tools out there to measure this,” he added. Some employers moved to puzzle interviews because they felt that applicants were too well-prepared for the traditional questions, having found the “right” answers through career Web sites and other sources. However, Wright said that job seekers can now prep for the puzzles as well, using sites like My Tech Interviews and others. Puzzles may be unpopular, but companies like Google, Microsoft and others still include them in their interviews, and graduates need to know how to handle them.
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Don’t let that smile deceive you
Does your boss smile back at you when he passes by? It might not always be a friendly gesture! According to a new study, those who feel powerful tend not to smile back at important people, saving their smiles instead for those below them in the hierarchy.
Participants were then hooked up to equipment that measures the activity of key facial muscles, and were asked to watch short video clips of people with jobs with different levels of prestige, who were smiling or frowning at them. As they watched, the equipment measured the activity of the zygomaticus major — the ‘smiling muscle’ that raises the corner of the mouth. It also gave readouts for the corrugator supercilii, the ‘frowning muscle’ that furrows the brow and is frozen by botox. The results showed that the volunteers were more likely to scowl in response to a frown from a doctor or someone in a position of power. The men and women who felt powerful tended not to smile back at high-fliers. However, they did return the smiles of those who were lower down the pecking order – and their smiles were bigger. Those who felt powerless smiled at everyone, regardless of their rank, the study found. The researchers believe that people who feel powerful try to exert their dominance by not appearing too friendly to those who might be a threat. They have no such qualms about appearing approachable to those who lack authority. "Our interpretation of this is that when you are feeling powerful and see a low-status person, you are almost throwing them a bone, thinking ‘Oh, I should smile at this person because I'm better than them,” said researcher Evan Carr. Changes in the volunteers’ expressions were too small to be seen by the eye but Carr said clearly visible smiles may follow the same pattern. He added it is likely that the decision to suppress or return a smile occurs subconsciously. The study was presented in the Society for Neuroscience's annual conference in New Orleans. — Agencies
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Change your culture in stages
Many leaders try to change their company’s culture in tandem with new strategies, such as mergers or turnarounds. But most cultures are so entrenched that wholesale change is near impossible. Instead, choose your battles and focus on a few critical shifts. n First observe the behaviours prevalent in your organisation now. Then compare that to how people would act in an ideal state where their actions supported the new business objectives. n Prioritise the behaviours that will have the greatest impact on your company's ability to implement its strategy. n Choose ones that will be widely visible to others and are most likely to be emulated. n Emphasising just a few will allow you to move the needle on culture change much more easily. — Adapted from Culture Change that Sticks by Jon R. Katzenbach, Ilona Steffen, and Caroline Kronley.
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Happiness @ work What better way to beat the tension of targets and deadlines than to throw a party.
Due to the tussle between his son Sambhaji and his second wife Soyrabai, Chhatrapati Shivaji sent Sambhaji to far-off Shringarpur. Away from the melee, Sambhaji found time to study mythology, history and political science and composed a Sanskrit work Budhabhooshan. As Asoka, one of his 101 sons, had proved his calibre time and again, King Bindusara sent him regularly quell rebellions in different parts of the realm. But after crushing the revolt in Ujjaini, Asoka took a break — he married Vidisha, daughter of a Buddhist merchant, and fathered two children Mahendra and Sanghamitra. To interrupt this blissful time, came a bloody battle for succession. When Mughal Emperor Humayun died in 1556, his son Akbar was just 13 years old. He was crowned and had won the Second Battle of Panipat, defeated Sikandar Shah and Adil Shah within the next 18 months. Then the lad — wanting a break — let his able General Bairam Khan take charge for the next four years. Akbar spent his time hunting tigers and riding elephants. On re-assuming power, he gradually grew out of the wings of his guardian Bairam Khan and governess Maham Anga. But do remember to keep the breaks small. After ensuring seven successive defeats of Shahabuddin Ghori of Ghazni, King Prithviraj Chauhan of Delhi married Kannauj princess Samyogita. While the couple was busy in their honeymoon, Ghori was getting ready to strike the eighth blow and the royal preceptor even wrote to Prithviraj reminding him of his duties. But Prithviraj paid little heed and lost and was taken prisoner. After the conquest of Samana and Sirhind in 1710, Banda Bahadur took it too easy. He crowned himself, struck coins in his name, married two women and had many children. This good time ended when he and his men were encircled at Gurdaspur by Mughal Emperor Farrukh Siyar’s men. On June 19, 1716, Banda was executed. Take a break and recharge your batteries but keep your antennas alert for warning signals. — Sai R. Vaidyanathan
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1. Which organisation has been given the Nobel Peace Prize this year?
2. How many years ago did China invade India? 3. Who recently became the first woman and first Briton to win the coveted Man Booker Prize twice? 4. By what name is the Karnataka Secretariat known? 5. Which anniversary of the Indian Air Force was celebrated recently? 6. Name the 14-year-old Pakistani girl and the first recipient of that country’s National Peace Award who was fired at recently by militants recently. 7. To which Indian state does the traditional martial art sqay belong? 8. Name the abode of the one-horned rhinoceros in Assam. 9. Name the Indian shuttler who won the Denmark Open Super Series recently. 10. For what amount was a pair of lunar rocks sold at a meteorite auction in New York recently? — Tarun Sharma Winners of quiz 423: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Mohit Goyal, class 10th -B, Sarvhitkari Senior Secondary Vidyamandir
Rambagh Road, Barnala -148101 Second: Muskan Chauhan, class 8th Orchid, Convent of Jesus and Mary, Chelsea, Navbahar, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Pin Code - 171002 Third: Parth Grover, Class - 5 “C”, Bhavan
Vidyalaya, Sector 15 Panchkula, Pin Code – 134113 Answers to quiz 423: Lahore; Raid de Himalaya; Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat; Fifty; JK Rowling; 350 km; India; Cuba; Olivia Manning; West Indies 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……………….………
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meteorology
n
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology
Q. After doing my MCom, I’m working in a CA firm. However, I’m very keen to pursue further studies
(MPhil and thereafter PhD). But I cannot attend a regular course. Is MPhil through corresponce still banned? —
Umesh Gupta 
Q. I’m very keen to work in the Railways. Could you please tell me how to become a Station Master?
Q. I teach in a government school. As a teacher I’ve always wanted to make my contribution towards the education of disabled children especially speech and hearing impaired but I didn't know how to start. I have done B.Ed. I want to know about the courses in the education of speech and hearing impaired children. I am even willing to change my regular teaching field to the education of disabled children. I would be grateful if you could tell me about the courses in this field. —
Kavita Chandra 
Courage is surely one thing which most of the employees seem to lack when it comes to chasing goals. In the present competitive scenario each one of us wants to rise high, but at the same time everyone is scared to take any risk. We all want to do the work that guarantees success, but this 'no-risk attitude' leads either to no tangible success, or just a moderate success.
Homeopathy has come a long way since it was first established 200 years ago as an effective form of healing. It has also gained from the fact that more and more people nowadays are hesitant to use allopathic medicines because of the side effects and strong doses that upset the body's equilibrium. Homeopathic medicines are cheaper, safe and easy to use, which has made homeopathy popular among the masses.
Institute watch
Coping with the sheer volume of data surrounding a trader and using it effectively in today’s competitive scenario often takes more than just the human brain. Electronic trading solutions empower traders to implement strategies which not only tap the data explosions and manage greater trading volumes but do so within timeframes in the order of milliseconds.
Also called automated trading or black-box trading, algo trading is the use of electronic platforms for entering trading orders with an algorithm deciding on aspects of the order such as the timing, price, or quantity of the order, or in many cases initiating the order without human intervention.
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai has announced admission to the 2013-15 batch for the full-time PG degree programmes (MA, MSc, MHA, MPH) offered from Mumbai, Tuljapur, Guwahati and Hyderabad campuses
Centre of Learning, the educational wing of Thomas Cook (India) Limited, has introduced a ‘Certificate Course in World Tour Management’ for those passionate about entering the travel and tourism industry. The course will be available at the Centre of Learning Outlets in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Ahemdabad and Chennai.
Admissions are on for MBA in Communication Management course offered by Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication, Bengaluru. 
Searching for a job is a daunting task for any professional especially during the current economic downturn. As a consequence most of us apply for multiple positions to increase our chances of employability. Whilst landing a job is exciting it is accompanied with weighing the pros and cons before taking the final decision. Making a choice between more than one offers, suitability of role, salary etc are a few criterion that are taken into consideration. Irrespective of the reason a situation may arise wherein it may become necessary to decline a job offer. However, it is not easy to do this as one has to ensure that relationship with the organisation is not damaged. So after you have made up your mind, gracefully communicate the rejection to the organisation concerned.
New job-hunters need to be prepared for ‘puzzle interview’ questions like why are manholes round or how many barbershops are there in San Francisco, researchers say. According to SF State researcher Chris Wright, candidates need to be prepared for such questions even though they may consider them to be unfair or irrelevant.
Researchers from the University of California asked 55 young men and women to write about a time when they felt powerful — such as leaving home to go to university — or powerless, the Daily Mail reported.
The Vaanara search teams from the north, east and west had returned without any news of Sita. The south-bound group was lucky to have met mighty eagle Sampati on the seashore. Plus, they were fortunate to have Hanuman in their midst. As Hanuman had jumped over to Lanka, met Sita and returned, the group decided to party. So the Vaanara warriors began feasting on the fruits and honey that garden Madhuvana offered. King Sugriva — wisely — let the party go on. When Marya Sklodovska aka Marie Curie won the gold medal in her school passing-out exam, her father knew she deserved a holiday. For the first and last time in her life, Marya spent a year holidaying in the countryside.
