Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Measures to Improve Personality Development

Telephone Interviews
Telephone interviews have become a popular method for screening applicants. Use these strategies to excel in a telephonic interview. Telephone interviews are becoming an important part of the recruitment process. They are now used frequently by many organizations, as the first stage in selecting a candidate. Telephone interviews save time.

Group Discussion (GD)
Group Discussion is normally 2nd or 3rd round in most of the companies to check the capabilities of candidates. GDs are good indicators of managerial ability. Use these tips to improve your performance at a Group Discussion. Passed the written test for the first job? Managed to talk your way through ...

Toughest Interview Questions
Question. Tell me about yourself. Answer. Beware, about 90% of all interviews begin with this “innocent” question. Many candidates, unprepared for the question, skewer themselves by rambling, recapping their life story, delving into ancient work history or personal matters. This innocent sounding question is one of the hardest interview questions to answer.

General Guidelines in Answering Interview Questions
Everyone is nervous on interviews. If you simply allow yourself to feel nervous, you'll do much better. Remember also that it's difficult for the interviewer as well. In general, be upbeat and positive. Never be negative! Rehearse your answers and time them. Never talk for more than 2 minutes straight.

Inspirational Quotations
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work"- Thomas Edison "Life is full of ups and downs but if you believe in yourself, you will always come through with flying colours" "Whatever happens is not as important as how you react to whatever happens"- ...

Mistakes
There are no mistakes in life; they are just lessons. Whenever something happens, there's a chance to learn. Always be thankful for your mistakes. Mistakes always teach you a valuable lesson. Mistakes are painful when they happen, but years later a collection of mistakes is what is called an experience. ...
Happiness
Happiness is a state of mind or feeling such as satisfaction, pleasure, enjoyment, contentment. Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence. If you are happy in every circumstance, then your life will become so smooth and simple.

Self Motivation
Self motivation is the ability to motivate yourself, to find a reason and the necessary strength to do something, without the need of being influenced to do so by another person. Working in a careful and persistent manner without giving up.

Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is how we feel about ourselves. Our opinion of ourselves critically influences everything, from our performance at work, our relationships, and our role as a parent to our accomplishments in life. Self esteem is a major component in determining success or failure. High self-esteem leads to a happy, gratifying life.

Motivation
Motivation is something that encourages action or feeling. To motivate means to encourage and inspire. Motivation can also mean to turn on or ignite the feeling or action. Motivation is powerful. It can persuade, convince and propel you into action. In other words, motivation can be defined as motive for action. ...

Submitted by- Divik Rastogi, Kuldeep Sharma, Devarrat, Jitender Kumar-I

Tips to crack tricky questions in an interview

Don't blame others
There are many tough questions that put pressure on you or create stress. What if you are asked: "Why did you leave your last job?", or "Why have you had so many jobs?" If you say your last boss was an idiot, or all your jobs have been terrible, you'll be seen as someone who blames others and fails to take responsibility for your own actions and decision.

Moreover why would employers want to employ someone who doesn't take responsibility and come up with answers, not problems? Employers don't want to employ people who blame others.

"Always express positive reasons and answers when given an opportunity to express the negative. Never blame anyone or anything else," says Amy Lightfoot who teaches 'Interview skills' as part of Spoken English at British Council India, Delhi.

"I was ready for more challenge", or "Each job offered a better opportunity, which I took...," such responses are better.

Sell yourself
Remember, the job interview is a platform to market yourself. It is a strategic conversation with a purpose. Your goal is to persuade the employer that you have the skills, background and ability to do the job and that you can comfortably fit into the organisation and its culture.

Keep your praise & observations credible & realistic
"The best technique to handle such question is to praise your past employers. However, keep your praise and observations credible, realistic and relevant. Try to mention attributes that your interviewer and prospective new employer w, which, combined with determination and positive approach, should ensure that I'd be a very good ill identify and agree with. This will build association and commonality between you and the interviewer, which is normally vital for successful interview outcomes," explains Lightfoot.

However, there can be real tough ones: "Why should we appoint you?" or "What can you do for us that other people cannot?"

Nevertheless, Shiv Khera author of bestseller "You Can Win" explains, "Candidate has a choice here as to how to play this: he can either go for it strongly, re-stating his relevant strengths -- behaviour, experience and skills, or he can quietly confidently suggest: I don't know the other applicants, so it would be wrong for me to dismiss their claims. However, I am sure that I have all the main attributes the role requires choice."

Be positive
He further says that the candidate should be positive in saying, "I don't know the other applicants, but generally I excel at..." and pick up strengths that most fit with what they're seeking.

Maintain calmness
Most of the candidates fail due to fear and tension. Rajeev Vaid, CEO, Smart Hiring, Delhi says, "A candidate's resume may be good, he may have good IQ but a successful interview depends also on emotional quotient. How well he handles the pressure questions. However, one should maintain calmness even if the interviewer howls."

Do your homework well
The only way to handle such situation is to be confident, credible and constructive (accentuate the positive) in your answers. And more important is 'preparation for the interview'. Plan and rehearse your 'verbal resume'. You will almost always be asked, "Please tell us about yourself," so be prepared with a good response, tailored to the job at hand. Prepare a written list of likely interview questions and job requirements. Prepare key points you need to make to demonstrate your specific accomplishments in each area.

Why did you leave your last job?
Why have you had so many jobs?
Why do you want this job?
What qualities do you think are required for this job?
Why should we appoint you? 6. What can you do for us that other people cannot?
What can we offer you that your previous company cannot?
What are your greatest achievements within and outside the workplace?
What are your great strengths and weaknesses?
How has your experience prepared you for this position?
If you are asked what questions you have, and you don't have any, the interviewer may get the impression you haven't done your homework, or aren't seriously interested in the position. Prepare your questions in advance and phrase them to demonstrate your insight and ability to handle the position. "Often, the most successful applicants are those who simply out-work their competition," points out Khera.

Communication is the key skill
Develop your verbal communications skills. Having great management or technical skills and a strong record of accomplishment is not helpful if you can't verbally convey you successes.

Answer questions directly
Then elaborate with examples. Choose examples that highlight past successes and relate it to the projects or issues that interviewer is facing, but avoid excessively lengthy responses. The purpose of tough interview questions is to encourage interviewees to think about themselves and to give the interviewer clear and revealing information as to the interviewee's suitability for the job. One key to success is to use every means at your disposal to develop effective interviewing skills, including selective presentation of your background, thoughtful answers to typical interview questions, well-researched questions about the organization, and an effective strategy to market yourself. There is no magic to interviewing. It is a skill that can be learned and developed with practice.




BY-GROOMERS P.G.D.M. 1st Sem

Monday, August 31, 2009

How to Reduce Job Interview Stress



Preparation is the key to minimizing job interview nervousness. If you prepare everything possible at least the day before the interview, you’ll be able to focus on the answering interview questions well and avoid worrying about anything else on that day.

1. Collect all of your job search documents. Gather together and make several copies of any job search documents you want to bring to the job interview. This may include your resume, cover letter, reference pages, performance reviews, reference letters, diplomas and anything other documents the employer may ask to see.

2. Gather together and try on all of the clothes that you’ll wear to the interview. Ensure that your job interview attire fits well and is in good condition. Discovering a stain on your best pair of pants on the day of the interview is a source of stress that is completely avoidable. Trying on all of your clothes well in advance so you’ll have time to fix any problems before the day of the interview will eliminate a potential source of job interview stress.

3. Go to the location where the interview will be held, particularly if you have never been there. Use whatever transportation you will use to get to the interview and try to go at about the same time of day as your job interview is scheduled. If you do this, you’ll know what traffic is like at that time of day, how long it will take to get there, where to park, whether you need money for parking meters if you’re driving, or which, if any transfers you’ll have to make if you are taking public transportation. You don’t want to worry about those things on the day of the interview, so work all of that out before your interview.

4. Research the company. Have a look at the company website or promotional materials, or, better yet, if you know someone who works there already, ask that person about the company. Try to get a sense of the company’s priorities and, if possible, try to understand what, exactly, the company is looking for in new staff members.

5. Practice answering interview questions. Require yourself to come up with good answers for the questions that you find most difficult. Sit with a supportive friend or family member and run through a mock interview so you can practice saying your answers to tough job interview questions out loud.

6. Set aside plenty of time for the interview. If the receptionist told you that the interview would be approximately 30 minutes, set aside at least 60 minute for the interview. Avoid scheduling any important meetings immediately after the interview. If a job interview goes long, that’s a good sign. You don’t want to be worried about picking up a child from school or getting to an appointment on time while you are in the middle of your interview.

7. Keep things in perspective. Remember, the employer wants to get this position filled, and he or she is hoping that you will be the right person for the job. You are not going there begging for a job, you are going there help them solve a problem for the employer. That is, if the company is hiring, that means there is an important role that is not currently filled; you are going there to show them that you have all of the skills and experience required to meet their needs. You will probably never completely eliminate nervousness before a job interview, and that’s fine. Employers expect a certain amount of nervousness. However, if you prepare everything you can in advance , you will avoid plenty of distractions and common sources of job interview stress and minimize your feelings of nervousness.

Proper Table Manners & Dinner Etiquette : Using a Knife Continental Style

Friday, August 28, 2009

How to Tie a Tie - Expert Instructions on How to Tie a Tie

How To Overcome Shyness
























Shyness is usually experienced when one is in a tight situation like facing strangers and having to speak in public. There are no instant cures for shyness. Shy people can overcome shyness by managing shyness.
Practice self-therapy by writing down thoughts and fears. Examine your diary for the root of your shyness. It may be due to a situation. This is situational shyness and can be managed by finding ways to deal with the situation so that the stress is diffused and the shyness is elevated. Dealing with the causes of shyness removes the situation where shyness was.
Another way of managing shyness is to create a you who isn't shy. Forget about yourself to forget your self-conscious shyness. Prepare your speech and actions for any up-coming stressful event. Preparation will boost your confidence and remove or reduce shyness.
Make a list of conversational topics for coffee table talk. Its good to keep the talk going on neutral grounds that you feel safe on. You can talk about areas which you are knowledgeable in. Shy people can talk about their hobbies or other pet topics. It breaks the ice for them.
Shy people frighten off prospective friends. They tend to be quiet and withdrawn and this creates the wrong impression of aloofness. Manage this by remembering to smile, shake hands, listen and respond to people. Even if you can't find common ground to join into the conversation, nod your head or say some engaging remarks to agree with the other person and encourage him to talk on. Ask questions about the other person to keep the focus away from yourself.
When you find that you can trust the other person, explain that you're shy. Others will only be too eager to help you out in social situations. In fact, most people will become protective of their shy ward.
Set realistic goals to overcome shyness. It can't be overcome in a single day. As small steps and realistic goals are accomplished, the tip of the iceberg is cracked and slowly, shyness will melt away. It takes work to overcome shyness but the rewards are life enriching.
Contributed by ZakiAnwar PGDM Sem-III

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Get Ahead with 'The 10 Step Interview Guide'...

'The 10 Step Interview Guide' Was Written By A Seasoned Recruitment Professional Who Has Interviewed Many 100s Of Candidates And Employed Well Over 200 People Over The Last 15 Years.

His Knowledge Is Condensed Concisely Into This Handbook In An Interesting, Friendly And Compelling Manner Which Will, Without Doubt, Significantly Improve Your Chance Of Success In Any Interview Situation. The Subjects Covered Include:

The Interview Process
Research: The Importance Of It And How To Do It
Being Positive And Confident
Preparation - The Day Before
Preparation - On The Day
How To Handle The Interview
Your 'Presentation'
Interview Questions (Yours And Theirs)
Closing The Interview
Your Follow Up
Interview Rules-
You hear all sorts of rules about job interviews:
• People decide about you in the first 10 seconds
• You have to make a good first impression
• Always ask insightful questions
• Learn as much as you can about the company
• They'll probably ask questions designed to trip you up
• Have some quick answers to interview questions at the ready