Saturday, January 31, 2009

Follow-Up After the Job Interview

By being pro-active regarding follow-up, you stand to gain an edge over your competition for the position. A word of caution though - you want to appear enthusiastic, not desperate.

Start your follow-up work at the close of the interview by asking:

1) Will second interviews be a part of the process and if so, when?

2) When the employer expects to make a final decision.

During the interview, obtain the correct names and titles of all the people you speak with. Asking for business cards makes this job a lot easier. Within two business days, send a thank you note or email to each person involved in your interview. If you are writing notes to two or more people at the same company, tweak the wording of the notes slightly so it will appear you had each individual in mind as you composed the message. Also keep in mind, even if the job is not one you really want, you should still send a thank you note.

Be sure to alert your references about the possibility of a call from 'John Doe with Acme Finance' regarding the 'secretarial' position. This way they will not be caught off guard if the call comes through.

Depending on the time frame for the final decision mentioned in the interview, do a follow-up phone call to the employer within a week or ten days to see if a decision has been made. Use this opportunity to build additional rapport with the company and sell your strengths one more time.

Do be patient. Though you may be anxious to get to work and the employer may be anxious to get someone hired and move on with other things, the hiring process sometimes takes longer than either you or the employer might expect.

Even if the job goes to someone else, do not burn the bridge you just created through the interview. Consider asking the interviewer for referrals to other companies they know which may be hiring someone with your skills.

Do not stop looking. Just because you seem to be a perfect fit for one position, this is no reason to terminate your search. You may find another for which you are suited even more so than this one. So, until you hear the words, "You're hired," do not cease to explore all your options.
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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

H-1B Visa in the US

Introduction of H1-B Visa

H1-B Visa is a commonly known by temporary work visa. It is a nonimmigrant type of visa. H1-B visa is also known as an employer sponsored visa. H1-B visa allows U.S. employers to employ foreign temporary workers in specialty occupations. With the help of H1-B visa companies brings foreign born professional temporarily to the United States with lawful method.

Features of H1-B Visa

Time Limit of H1-B visa
Initially H1-B visa is issue for up to three years and it may be extend up to more three years. So maximum 6 year is a time limit for H1-B visa

For Getting Green Card

H1-B visa give convince for its holder to be eligible for getting permanent residency in USA
Changing Company. H1-B visa can be transferable for a new employee. Visa holder can start working after getting receipt of H1 transfer case. Family Status. Visa holder's wife and unmarried children (under the age of 21) are allowed to stay in USA under the H4 category for the same duration as the H1-B status. Eligible for buying property. H1-B holder can buy or sell real estate property or any other property in USA. Visa holder can buy lottery or win a lottery

Eligibility of H1-B Visa

To be eligible for H1-B visa below are the possibility. You must be full fill bellow's any of ONE criteria.
Any Bachelor's degree or higher degree in the specific area
At least 12 years progressive work experience in their specific area
A license to practice in the chosen occupation
A mix of further education and work experience to total 12 years

Benefits of H1-B Visa

Visa Holder Dependent can stay with you as long as you maintain your H1-B status. Visa holder children also eligible for attending a school.
Visa holder freely travel through the USA also out of the USA.

Documents required for the Applying H1-B Visa

The Expiration date on the passport must be more than 6 months away.
Reference Letters from previous employers
Appointment letter by your Employer
Tax Return Papers of the company
A copy of the official evaluation of your degrees
Degree certificate
Appoint and Relieving letters for all the companies where you claim employment and certificates of the company giving dates and duration of your service.
Any additional degree certificates
Latest Three passport size Color photographs

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US Visa Interview Tips

Various people are looking to reside in USA for which visa is required. The US Visa is issued at US Embassy located in important regions of different countries located in the world. The US Visa issued to the applicants on the basis of interview taken by the visa officer. The non refundable fee is charged for the interview to get conducted by Visa officer for permanent immigration in United States.

There are certain tips which need to be considered by visa applicant in order to increase the success chances for availing US Immigration Visa.

-The applicant need to mention the reason of immigration to Visa officer without any hesitation. He should prepare points which can be helpful to satisfy the concern of visa officer.

-Practice the answers for the possible questions to be asked by the visa officer at the time of interview. Take your own time and give the answers to consulate visa officer with confidence and clearly. Repeat the session again and gain which can help in regaining confidence in you which can prove to be fruitful at the time of interview.

-Approach the embassy on time before the start time of interview. Late entry in interview hall creates negative impact in the mind of visa officer. Wish him with a confident smile at the time of first meeting visa officer. There should not be any sign of nervousness, trembling, which can deduct your points. Answer all the questions looking in the eyes o the visa officer.

-The visa applicant need to wear a formal dress at the time of interview with visa officer. As the visa officer is an American, the applicant should come for interview wearing a tie. This creates a positive impact in the mind of visa officer as the Americans always like formal dress up of an individual.

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Friday, January 23, 2009

12 Job Interview Tips to Help You Ace Your Next Interview!

So you've written and re-written your resume and cover letter countless times...you've used every trick in the book to make your resume and cover letter stand out. You've finally sent them out to get your dream job and low and behold all that hard work has finally paid off...the phone rings and you get that call you've been waiting for...you have been asked to interview for the job of your dreams.

Congratulations...now don't mess it up!


It's important that all that hard work to get the interview doesn't go waste...the last thing you want to do is blow it on the interview.

Here are 12 job interview tips to help you get that job of your dreams...


1. Never be late for a job interview. Not only will arriving late not go over too well with your interviewer, but you should give yourself time to relax and gather your thoughts before the interview actually starts.

2. Do your research. Before the interview, try to find out as much as you can about the company. How else do you expect to answer the question, "Why do you want to work out [insert company name]?" Or, "Why do think you would be a good fit with [insert company]?" Or, a number of similar questions. If you don't know anything about the company you are not going to get hired.

3. Always carry extra copies of your resume to the interview. You never know if others will be called in to sit on the interview committee. You want to be able to give everyone on the committee his or her own copy of your resume.

4. Interviewers want to know that you are not just looking for "any" job, but that you are looking for the "right" job for you. Therefore, you should be prepared with a handful of questions that you would like ask of them. This will also make the interview seem more like a two-way conversation rather than a one-way interview.

5. Never pretend you know more than what you really do. Lying or misleading the interviewer will come back to haunt you.

6. Always dress properly for an interview. Your first impression could be your last one. When in doubt it is better to over dress than under dress.

7. Research the most common interview questions for the job you are seeking and practice your answers. Always try to be as specific as possible when answering questions. Use examples whenever possible.

8. Body language plays an important role in whether or not you get hired. You should greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and maintain eye contact during the interview. Watch out for any bad speaking habits you might have such too many hand gestures or biting your upper lip.

9. Show your passion for the job. Remember, passion is NOT something that can be taught...you either have it or you don't. Your employer wants to know that you have it.

10. Be attentive while the interview is going on. Listen to the question being asked. You can recollect your thoughts before answering the question and you can always ask for clarification in case you do not understand the question.

11. Answer the questions in a manner that shows that your strengths and experiences match those that are required by the job.

12. End the interview with another firm handshake and ask when you can expect to hear from them about the job.

Job interviews can be extremely stressful...especially when it is a job you really want. However, if you follow the job interview tips above you will enter your next job interview with much more confidence.

Now go out and ace your next job interview
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UK Visa Interview Tips

Lot of people desire to get settled in United kingdom but lack of right knowledge, which creates problems. You need to go through the interview process in order to avail the UK immigration visa. The interview is conducted by a UK visa consulate officer. The time period of interview process varies according to the performance of person at the introductory part of interview. The person is judged by visa officer according to his confidence as to how he creatively answers to the questions.

There are certain visa interview tips which should be helpful to the visa applicant:

1) The applicant needs to approach the visa consulate officer with confidence and positivity. If you are leaving a current job, mention the reason of leaving with positive intention and the opportunity that can enhance your career prospects.

2) Outline the valid reason for leaving the native country and your usefulness in UK. If you are from a technical background do mention that you would add tremendous value to the UK economy.

3) Give at least two references working presently in your organization. Give all the answers in a proper manner and to the point. Do not forget to describe the work profile in the companies with whom you have worked.

4) Try to answer all his questions without hesitation in the first attempt, which creates a positive impact in the mind of visa consulate officer. Try to reach before the scheduled time of interview and review all the answers for possible questions which will be asked by interviewer.

5) Approach the Visa consulate officer with a confident smile. Opt to wear formal dress at the time of interview which often impresses the interviewer, as he or she belongs to United Kingdom where formals are more appreciated in official meetings or interviews.

6) The most important attribute would be honesty in answering. If you try to deceive the officer you are more likely to get caught and that may end all your prospects of the UK Visa.

7) Try to show a strong Financial capability. But do remember it needs to be truth and not fabricated.

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Monday, January 19, 2009

Telephone Job Interview Preparation Tips

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW BACKGROUND

Telephone interviews are quite common in today's job market. They are offered for a variety of reasons including cost savings, screening of candidates and out-of-town applicants. To successfully navigate the phone interview, it is important to have a solid game plan in place for preparation.

The following 8 quick tips will help prepare yourself for a successful call.

8 QUICK TELEPHONE INTERVIEW PREPARATION TIPS

1. DO SOME RESEARCH

Try to find out who will be interviewing you. Will there be multiple people on the call? If possible get their names and titles. Become familiar with these before the call and you will have one less thing to worry about during the call. Try and get some background on the interviewer. Any insight you can gain about him/her will allow you to better tailor your responses to make the best possible impression.

2. ORGANIZE YOUR THOUGHTS

Make a list of your accomplishments, goals and strengths. On another list write out your weaknesses and what you are doing to overcome them. On a third sheet write down why you are interested in the company. Think carefully about all of these items as they often come up in interviews.

3. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Never forget that a telephone interview is still an interview. Take time to practice interview questions with friends or family. Ask them to provide honest feedback so you can improve your responses. Mock interview questions can easily be found on the internet or the bookstore. If you get stuck on a question, sample answers to these questions are often provided as well.

4. DO A SOUND CHECK

During the mock interview, have your friend ask you questions both over the phone and in person. Make sure that he/she listens not only for content, but also tone, rate and clarity of your speech. If possible, record yourself speaking. Are you speaking slowly and clearly? Can you easily be heard? Is your voice portraying you as a confident and enthusiastic candidate? If not continue to practice until you are comfortable.

5. FIND YOUR LOCATION

Stake out a quite space to occupy during your interview. Ideally, there should be a comfortable place to sit as well as a table to lay out your papers. Try and find a low-traffic spot where members of the household are un-likely to disturb you.

6. ORGANIZE YOUR PAPERS

Have a copy of your resume and cover letter close at hand. Take out those lists you made while organizing your thoughts. In addition keep any notes related to the company that you feel may be helpful during the call. Spread these items out across your table so they are easy to access. Only keep what is truly necessary. Too much paper can be a distraction.

7. GATHER YOUR WRITING TOOLS

Place a notepad and several pens or pencils on the table. These will be helpful in writing down notes, questions and most importantly, your interviewer's names.

8. ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS

As the appointed hour draws near, make sure that the television and the radio are turned off. Exit your email and turn off your computer screen. If possible, disable your call-waiting. Let your family or roommates know about the timing of the interview so they do not accidentally disturb you. Place a do not disturb sign on your door as a gentle reminder.

CONCLUSION

By following these 8 basic tips, you are making a great impression and on your way to the onsite interview. Remember, the phone interview is very important and you should plan and prepare for it carefully.

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Writing Great Cover Letters

Cover letters are an essential ingredient to your complete résumé package. This is the best opportunity for you to demonstrate your personal character, knowledge of the company and your business writing skills.

The following is a relatively generic format for creating your cover letter. Note that most cover letters are designed to target a specific company or at least a specific industry.

First Paragraph

You must spark the employer's interest. Focus on your unique characteristics, whether they are based on experience or personal traits that will benefit the company. Don't simply restate your résumé objective statement. You must command attention, not simply alert the employer that you are applying for a position (they already know that!).

Second Paragraph

Provide more detail about your professional qualifications or relevant educational background. Highlight your professional accomplishments and/or achievements, not responsibilities. Use active verbs when describing things that you have done and back it up with a statistic or concrete fact when possible. Tailor this paragraph to the position that you are applying for.

Third Paragraph

Demonstrate knowledge of the company, their industry, and the challenges that they may be facing. This is where you connect what the company needs in an employee and the skills that you bring to the table. You want to implicitly show your knowledge of the company without regurgitating something you read on the company's website. Alluding to general industry trends that are affecting the company will let the employer know that you can see the big picture and how your position affects the company's strategy.

Fourth Paragraph

This is the final paragraph of most cover letters. You should demonstrate your confidence and enthusiasm in working at the organization. Be sure to include a call to action, requesting an appointment with the decision maker (using the word appointment over the word interview helps make you sound more confident and professional). It is also recommended that you alert the employer that you will follow up with them, usually one week after sending your résumé package.

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How to Write a Simple Job Description

1.0 A timely reminder

In a recent decision in a New South Wales court it was found that an employee was psychologically injured and that contributing factors such as not having a job description and controlling management behaviours were responsible. The employee was subsequently awarded $500,000.00 for psychological injury.

Not having a clear job description can lead to significant expense, declining morale and uncertainty. In this is the case, you the employer is the party that will be penalised and the courts' will not display leniency for ignorance or busyness.

2.0 The Job description

A job is a collection of tasks and responsibilities that an employee is responsible to conduct. Job descriptions are lists of the general tasks and responsibilities of a position.

Typically, they also include to whom the position reports, specifications such as the key responsibilities and qualifications and experience needed by the person in the job and can sometimes includes the salary range for the position.

Job descriptions are usually developed by conducting a job analysis, which includes examining the key tasks necessary to perform the job. The analysis looks at the areas of knowledge and skills needed by the job. A typical job description is used for advertising to attract an employee to fill a position, or to set the boundaries and parameters of the particular position that you want filled.

However, many job descriptions are not framed well and this includes, not worded a job description in a manner such that the employee's performance can be measured and leaving out key flexibility clauses. It is not uncommon for a person to write a position description, hire the employee and then have the employee refuse to do the banking because banking was not incorporated in their job description.

In cases where the dispute has gone legal the employee has a good chance of winning. It's all in the documentation.

When drafting a job description it is paramount to include a flexibility clause that will allow the employer the right to direct the employee to perform other work that is within their recognized skill set.

3.0 What should I include in job description

Your job description is an important document that needs to set out a number of key matters.

3.1 Purpose of the position

The purpose of the position summarises the key reason the position exists within the organisation and a short paraphrase of duties the incumbent is required to understand and take responsibility for.

3.2 Position reports to

Having stated professional boundaries is an important part of the organisation and employees understanding in who they report to and what they are responsible for. This prevents any misunderstanding which in the event of dispute will work against you if you do not have it documented.

3.3 Key responsibilities

This section of the job description details the main tasks that the employee is accountable and responsible for.

It should include the macro items however some employers like to include the micro detail as well.

Of paramount importance is point four of the example (you may be required to undertake a variety of tasks, both skilled and semi-skilled, or carry out some other task which is not specifically within your traditional role provided the task is within your core skill competencies and legal requirements). This gives you flexibility to direct your employee to undertake other work not detailed in their job description. We are now living in an age of discontinuous change where today's tasks change tomorrow and this gives you the flexibility to grow with those changes.

3.4 Core Skills

Core skills are those skills and experience that the incumbent will need as a minimum to perform the job in a professional and responsible manner. As such, you need to take particular notice when interviewing a perspective employee in ensuring they really do have these attributes.

Research has discovered that up to 35% of qualifications, memberships and experience written on a resumes are false. This includes Masters and PhD degrees.

Before giving the position to someone reference check carefully. Recently we assisted an Accountant whose employee warranted they had the skills and passed probation and then after probation dropped the ball.

If a perspective employee signs off to say they have these skills and afterwards displays the contrary you have common law and industrial rights that protect you.

3.5 Occupational Health and Safety

Occupational health and safety is a big ticket item of the industrial agenda today. To many lives lost, over 500 lives lost each year to industrial accidents.

Most job descriptions do not contain reference to the employer and employee working within the framework of health and safety and do so to their peril.

By including this clause, by induction and training you are able to demonstrate your commitment to health ad safety.

3.6 Sign off

Sign off demonstrates that the employee has the core skills, experience, and safety awareness to carry out key responsibilities. In the vent of a dispute this is critical.

You can find more information at www.biz-momentum.com

EXAMPLE

ABC ACCOUNTS

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Senior Receptionist

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

To effectively and in a timely manner undertake the duties of senior receptionist providing secretarial, clerical, financial & administration services to ABC Accounts. To assist with other duties as directed by your Manager.

POSITION REPORTS TO: Administration Manager

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

NO: DUTIES

1. Perform reception duties including answering the telephone in a timely manner, directing client queries to the correct person, screening calls and representing the company in a professional manner.

2. Provide support to the Manager as required including compiling letters, memorandum and reports, screening incoming correspondence and arranging appointments for clients.

3. Process cheques and payment advice associated with the organisation's creditors, debtors and invoices and other accounts payable and receivable in a timely manner.

4. In addition, you may be required to undertake a variety of tasks, both skilled and semi-skilled, or carry out some other task which is not specifically within your traditional role provided the task is within your core skill competencies and legal requirements.

CORE SKILLS:

1. Minimum of 4 years experience in an accounting firm

2. Minimum of Advanced Diploma of Accounting or other professional education approved by ABC Accounts.

3. Display a professional and courteous manner in representing the organisations core value of excellence in customer service.

4. Ability to remain calm under pressure and effectively manage multiple tasks and deadlines.

5. Experience in compiling letters, memorandum and reports, making appointments and dealing with sensitive organisational issues with confidentiality and discretion.

6. Able to demonstrate a high level of experience and literacy in computer software applications such as Microsoft Office and computerised accounting software.

7. Able to work within the policies and procedures of ABC Accounts.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY STATEMENT

Assist the ORGANISATION to create a safe and healthy working environment by working safely, using equipment provided and following instructions given for health and safety purposes and immediately reporting any unsafe working practices or hazardous working conditions.

I certify that I have read this Position Description have the core skills to carry out these duties contained herein and have had any questions or concerned answered to my satisfaction.

EMPLOYEE SIGNATURE: ___________________ DATE: _____________________

EMPLOYER SIGNATURE: ___________________ DATE: _____________________

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Best Tips For Fresher to Making Money Online


Apart from selling things on eBay and other such sites, which need constant updating, hassles of packing and couriers, if you are actually interested in making money online, become a freelancer. Being a freelancer has its own good points as you are your own boss and can make money sitting at home.

There are a lot of online services that can be provided by freelancers and some of them include building sites-doing the web site design and web content writing, programming, providing tutorial services. If you really need to look professional, make yourself a good profile and start your job hunt. There are many services that a freelancer can provide some of them are specific such as:

• Web Hosting and Development
There are many people who have no clue about building websites and where to put them up. Your services may be required for a lay out of the site design, or you will be paid to design the logo, business kit and other essential of a company. If you are good at hosting or even designing, animations and other graphic layouts, there is a bright new career awaiting you online.

• Content Writing
Copywriting, commercial scripts, press releases and simple article writing all are in demand. Even if you are a fresher looking to make money online, freelance writing is a good option and all you need is to have a good command over the language. From simple articles to product reviews and blogging, there is no dearth of freelance jobs some which pay well according to experience, while for newbie pay is reasonable.

• Translation
With a click of the mouse, the world is at your fingers and there are many nations that need to be addressed. Although English has become a universal language, there are millions out there, who would like to read the website in their own language, so comes in the freelance translation services. From business translations to translating websites, technical translations and even social letters, there are innumerable telecommuting jobs for multilingual people.

• Coding
If you are good at coding or programming, freelance options translate into a good money making venue. Companies like to outsource programming and coding projects as taking on freelancers is less expensive than hiring full time software professionals.
These may be some of the broad categorization of online freelance jobs but you can also work as an online tutor, business consultant, affiliate marketer, pay per click advertising and filling out surveys also.

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Friday, January 16, 2009

If We Are to Succeed, We Must Change

If we are not happy with the way our lives are going the secret is TO CHANGE IT, that's right we have to change. If you nothing about it you will be exactly where you are right now, ten years from now. You will have not moved to inch from where you are now. One of the reasons why this is so, is because so many of us major on minor things. I can just hear you say, hey I have to pay my bills, feed myself etc. These are minor things and as such should be dealt with and then move on.

1: What do you want:

The clearer you can get this into your mind, the more it will empower you, physically, mentally, and financially.

2: Take Action. This is where a lot of people come unstuck, I often hear things like I do not know what to do. Where do I start? What if it doesn't work? Well if it doesn't work at least you have got an education, you now know what does not work. Many people fail at this early point, it's not that they don't know what they want because they do. For some reason they put this step on the back burner and say some day I will do that. Let me tell you right now, someday is right now. The road to someday leads to a town called nowhere.

You may be saying to yourself, but how do I take action. One simple word DECIDE To take action, decide to never settle for second best again. Decide you are to valuable to settle for less. You are a unique human being, there is only one of you. Be the best you can be at whatever you take on. Start demanding from yourself more than you have ever done, more than anybody can imagine. As soon as you start taking action you immediately Empower yourself and that power will see you through the toughest of time. It is said the best way to fight fear is to face it. Many people will not even start because of the word. FEAR. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of success. Face you fear head on and you will see it disappear. Fear is only fear as long as it is unknown, get to know that fear and it no longer exists. It is not what can or can not do in life that makes the difference, it is what we WILL do. That is the key to taking action and empowering yourself and your mind.

3: Know what you are getting from your action:

Do you ever fail? Of course you do. The most successful people in the world have failed more times than we would every believe, but that's why they are successful. The trick is to make failure your teacher, learn from it and move on. But above all take notice of your results, are they the one you want? Do not get locked into a tunnel vision mind set, make you actions flexible enough so you can alter your course as you go.

4: Change:
If it is not working change it, no matter how many times you have to do this. Do we give a our children a certain amount of time to learn to walk and then shut them down. Are we CRAZY, no we let them keep trying until they do learn to walk. That's why most of us walk today. Translate this into what you are doing right now. Do not ever give up, it is not in your best interest to succumb to failure.

Twelve Principles For Managing Change

1. Thought processes and relationship dynamics are fundamental if change is to be successful.

2. Change only happens when each person makes a decision to implement the change.

3. People fear change it "happens" to them.

4. Given the freedom to do so, people will build quality into their work as a matter of personal pride.

5. Traditional organisational systems treat people like children and expect them to act like adults.

6. "Truth" is more important during periods of change and uncertainty than "good news."

7. Trust is earned by those who demonstrate consistent behavior and clearly defined values.

8. People who work are capable of doing much more than they are doing.

9. The intrinsic rewards of a project are often more important than the material rewards and recognition.

10. A clearly defined vision of the end result enables all the people to define the most efficient path for accomplishing the results.

11. The more input people have into defining the changes that will affect their work, the more they will take ownership for the results.

12. To change the individual, change the system.

In # 10 A clearly defined vision of the end result enables all the people to define the most efficient path for accomplishing the results.

Without a vision a plan cannot be made in order for change to take place. If everyone in the business or organization can see the vision and the 'big picture' they can make their goals according to the vision. Keeping physical reminders at the workplace can engrave the goals made on the person's consciousness and be very motivating.

In #1 Thought processes and relationship dynamics are fundamental if change is to be successful. Initially and foremost proper mindset is most important in the success of any person in the workplace. There's nothing worse than working with someone who has a bad attitude. This rubs off on others and if everyone does their job with a great attitude towards it, the results can be quite phenomenal. In regards to change the cooperation of others is essential. It's not easy when someone resists and does not 'go with the flow' Communication is key here in making sure everyone knows what is going on and understands so that if there are any questions, they can be answered, accordingly.

In #4 Given the freedom to do so, people will build quality into their work as a matter of personal pride. If there isn't any freedom to be creative and there is too much stress people react differently but I would gather to say that this would cause strife in the work environment and the quality of work will go down. If the company is relying on a product to be produced it will more than likely end up getting complaints from the consumer.

Of course, I am speaking in general terms but tried to give an example here of what taking away someone's freedom can cause, to happen in a business or organisation. I know for myself, the stricter the rules or regulations are set down the less you can think about the tasks but worry about breaking codes or freshly established rules. In a business place I'd want my personnel to concentrate on what they do best and what they were hired for in the first place. People do have their personal pride and know their work produced reflects that. If an person is going to get criticism for the work he produces then it doesn't help their ego or self-esteem. People love to be praised and rewarded for what they do well, even if it's just seeing something of perfection done by one's own hands.

"In general, people and teams are stimulated by being given responsibility. Having ownership of an identifiable block of work is a long-held tenet of motivation in groups. Responsibility can be tricky, however. Implied in this concept is the understanding that the responsibility comes along with authority to make the necessary changes. Teams that have both the responsibility and authority tend to maintain motivation over longer periods of time.

Responsibility can be de-motivating if the consequences of error or failure are too great. If the organisation, for example, has a history of punishing mistakes, then the giving of responsibility is viewed more as a negative. The short-term performance may be good (remember fear is a Motivator), but long-term motivation will suffer. It is difficult to sustain high performance when energy is being sapped by fear".(Team Motivation)

So here in essence it be-hooves anyone in management to keep in mind the delicate balance that must be kept in regards to how they are going to lead a group. There must be flexibility in management to give the team their own responsibility to their own work. In the end the benefits will be obvious in letting everyone be responsible for their own work but being there if necessary to make changes that will make things better not worse.

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Wednesday, January 7, 2009

How to Prepare For an Interview As a Fresh Candidate!

Every year thousands of promising talents walk out of colleges and start looking for a job to fulfill their dreams. Some lucky people get a job through campus interviews and some people need to find a job in the hard way. Are you one of them?

I have a question for you. Why should the interviewer select you for the available position rather than selecting your friend or any other graduate from another college?

You may be saying that you are the best person for that post or you have the best academic record to be selected for that post. However, unless you are appearing for an academician's posts, the interviewer will definitely look for something more than your academic record.

Say for example, jobs in entertainment industry and jobs in advertisement industry have different requirements. Thus, they will definitely look for different people who can also fulfill those requirements. Again, there are different positions in every organization and that require specific mindset or skills. For example, think about a company that is looking for marketing professionals. Do you really think that they will be very interested in your academic qualification? They will rather look for how well you communicate with another person, or, what you did in your student life other than reading books.

In addition, this is not just about companies. If you think that your academic records are your best assets that means, you will be able to offer better results if you take academics as your career option. In this situation, there is hardly any need for you to go for an interview conducted by an advertising agency. There is hardly any need to mention that you will not be motivated enough to participate in such interviews. Your natural screening will restrict you from applying for those positions.

Some people are conscious about what they want to do and they prepare accordingly. However, some people do not have any specific or clear idea about what they want to do in future. They are often carried away by the opportunities at hand. And by the time, their dreams start taking shape, it is often too late for them to prepare.

Anyways, how do you prepare yourself to face an interview board?

Some elements are very common. For example, you must be well dressed (presentable), and must carry a resume at the interview board. However, that is not all. You need to do a lot of things to win the job.

Resume Writing: As a fresh candidate, your focus should be on your academic record and extracurricular activities. Write your resume carefully so that it places you as the right candidate for that post. Read the advertisement carefully and prepare the resume accordingly.

Check Company Background: Do some research on the company and types of work they do. This will give you some idea about what they are actually looking for in a prospective employee. Once you get some idea about what they are actually looking for, it will be easy for you to face the interview board comfortably.

Get Some References: References or recommendations from renowned people or professionals in the same field will offer some added advantage in the interview. Try to get some recommendations.

Be confident when you appear for the interview and take it seriously.

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Check Your Attitude!

ATTITUDE - what a profound difference it can make in our lives. The word was drummed into me daily as a young military pilot: Attitude! Attitude! Attitude! My instructor did not mean mental attitude, although that also came up now and then. He meant the nose attitude of the aircraft.

Each flying manoeuvre and configuration requires a specific speed, determined by how much the nose of the aircraft is pointing above or below the horizon. This is called the nose attitude of the aircraft. If you keep your attention on maintaining the appropriate nose attitude, the speed will automatically come right. Because of a delay in the airspeed dial settling at the correct indication, if you try to set your speed by watching the dial you often end up chasing the needle back and forth. Then you wallow across the sky like a flying dolphin!

Communications, psychology and personal growth have some amusing parallels to flying. Over the years I have seen how attitudes towards people and situations affect our lives. People's nose attitudes indicate their state of mind: from the extremes of walking with heads bowed to holding their noses high in the air. Our attitudes are important. If I believe that other people's opinions are more valid than what my heart tells me, it causes uncertainty, self-doubt and a kind of mental sea-sickness. It reminds me of "dolphining" across the sky as a pupil pilot.

To change our habits requires a change in attitude. And yet attitude is just a matter of thought. Education and experience can soon change our beliefs if we are open minded and keen to progress in the schoolroom of life. If you have to do some house cleaning and you reckon it's a pain in the neck, then you'll likely have a lousy time doing it. A friend of mine just accepts the task as one of the things that need doing and actually loves doing it, even though she is just as busy as I am. And she does a much better job than I do!

If your attitude towards friends is that they will stick with you only as long as they can't see your bad side, then you're likely to get stressed out trying to hide your "bad" qualities. And if you make a mistake or hurt their feelings by being honest, they might leave you, which can be scary. But not so scary if you ask yourself whether that fair-weather friend was really worthwhile. Plus, if you hold a more understanding and accepting attitude towards them, they will feel more comfortable around you, and may be more accepting of you as well. Like attracts like. Always be yourself. Sincerity attracts true friends. This very attitude changes the way we act. It attracts better friends into our lives.

How about evolution? If your attitude is that you are on earth purely by evolving from animals, and that your one shot at life works only by the survival of the fittest, then unless you are a cross between Charles Atlas and Rambo, you are liable to have quite a stressful life. Especially compared to one who believes that they are an immortal spirit using this temporary body to learn lessons and fulfill a mission on earth that is unfolding with cosmic order. Just as an aside, if there is no ultimate proof that the later is wrong or impossible, it might be worth trying out. If it turns out to be true, and you took the animal evolution option instead, you would have missed a big boat!

Here's another one. Much of our entertainment is taken up with the good guys versus thebad guys. If my attitude is that evil is just the temporary effect of a lack of Light or high frequency in that area, then my attitude towards it can remain positive and confident. Dark thoughts and feelings, including fear, lower our frequency, therefore attracting that which we fear, as like attracts like.

So check your horizon, check your attitude, then check your airspeed. Know the difference between angels and bandits. Adjust your attitude. Like my nose attitude, when I set it properly, my desired airspeed settles down quickly, instead of chasing the needle. It makes my flight path look less like a dolphin across the horizon, and prevents my instructor shouting: "Check your attitude!"

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