How to’s and benefits of Job Fairs in recession

Job Fairs are especially effective in today’s current global scenario because they provide a cost-effective, and very convenient way to contact many recruiters in a surprisingly short amount of time. Another benefit is that they are all under one roof. Job fairs can be extremely beneficial provided you know how to make them work to your advantage.

When choosing to attend a job fair, it’s very important that now – more than ever with the job crunch – that you make yourself stand out as a candidate. Researching on various companies that are attending will show your interest and ‘tell’ them that you are proactive and right for the job.

Begin with getting a list of attending companies from the job fair organizers. Then, just choose out the companies that you are personally interested in working for and get to work on researching them.

Once you have completed your list, make sure you take note of the smaller details as well. Write it down. A short pencil is better then a long memory!

After your lister is done, make sure that your resume is up to par. If you want your job fair experience to be productive now that the market crash is here, you need to ensure that not only your research but that your resume shows you can stand out of the average. If it doesn’t, get it fixed.

Companies will not even bother to read through lengthy, badly worded resumes in the short amount of time they have with hundreds of potential employees. Your time is short, make it count.

Online Job Search

Just because you’re using the internet does not mean it’s going to be easy. The internet has everything readily available, but the catch is that it’s always there if you know where to look.

Google is fantastic when it comes to top of the line searches conducted, and I myself am an absolute fan of the Google search engine and their other internet services (like Gmail, Gtalk, Google Chrome, etc). But no matter how fantastic Google may be, if you don’t know how to do an internet job search for your job employment options, you will get little further then seeing an excellent search-engine at work to the best of its abilities.

When it comes to doing a career job search, there are job websites galore and many, articles on how to do a job search, and still there are a few simple steps one must follow in order to ensure their job hunting success.

The first step is to decide on what type of job employment you are looking for. Are you a fan of books? Maybe you would suit a job as a librarian. Do you just love learning new programs and designing software? Maybe you would suit being Software Engineer. Choices in the market are limitless; it is just the job logistics you need to finalize.

The second step is to understand what makes the job search complete and workable. Unfortunately, there are many who believe that by solely reading the classifieds they would be able to get quick results and are often disappointed with the slow progress they seem to be making. In all of that, they end up spending all their effort on very few results.

You and I both know that we live in a very modern world, and much of our daily interaction with others, our jobs, lifestyle, etc relies on none other then the internet. There are many job sites as I’ve said before, and you can log on to just about any one of them in order to receive job availabilities, but my advice would be to look for the ones which have resume services as they normally have some combo packages for both making your resume and opening your account. Some even have job

Remember that there is no use in putting all your eggs in one basket so to speak, and you will get the most results if you apply to more then one website that caters to the local area in which you live, or as per your job location needs.

An important thing about searching for jobs on the internet is that it never takes a holiday and is ALWAYS available to you…unless of course – true to Hollywood style – America (God save her) is going down and the rest of the world with her.

But internet or no, we’ve already established the need to not ‘put all your eggs’ in the same basket, and that includes not giving up on those oh so faithful classifieds.

All the best with your search for jobs, good luck!

Recruitments methods that succeed in financial crisis

As is widely known, the recruitment industry has taken a nose dive in these past months. Thanks to the recession and the falling global market, recruitment agencies have had to deal with not only a greater amount of stress, but a shrinking market as well. Many are battling just to survive.

Here are some steps you can take to help your recruitment succeed:

1. You don’t need to sit out the storm. Take measures into your own hands and get proactive! Success will not come to you, you have to go out, grab it by the hand and do so proactively.

2. Expect no less than the best. Expect accountability from yourself and those on your team. Focus on changing your environment to one that is positive and moving forward.

3. Focus on closing monitoring the ever changing industries.

4. Note how other recruitment agencies are effectively getting the job done. Study their successful trends and incorporate the same as much as you can.

5. And finally, build a good relationship with your clients. They are key to keeping you in business and making you a success.

Using these tips should help improve your recruitment strategies. Improve your techniques and gain greater business in times of recession! Good Luck!

Do let us know your take on the same and share your ideas with the users.

Does the “Quality of work Life” affect the working climate of an organization?

The QWL or Quality of Work Life in an organization is essential to the smooth running and the success of its employees. The Work – Life balance must be maintained effectively to ensure that all employees are running at their peak potential and free from stress and strain.

The Quality of Work Life can affect such things as: an employees timings, his or her work output, his or her available leaves, etc.

An organization’s HR department assumes responsibility for the effective running of the Quality of Work Life for their employees.

Quality of Work Life helps employees to feel secure and like they’re being thought of and cared for by the organization in which they work. Is QWL important? Yes, it certainly is! What do you feel about it?? Do share with us.

Get interview success

Most people go to interviews hoping to be questioned and assessed by an interviewer(s). They go anxious and worried, wondering whether they would get the job. People who get successful are different. They go well-prepared to demonstrate how they would fit into employer’s needs and bring value to their business. They go as a value provider, not as a job seeker..

Would you also like to impress your would be employer? If yes, the next time when you get an interview call, don’t lose any time and get prepared. Here is a road map…

1. Know the employer
Go to the company’s Web site and learn about its products and services. What initiatives this company is taking? Who are its competitors, and what challenges this company is facing? Read the “news” section to pick up the latest happenings there.

2. Review the job
Next, zero down to the job that you are pursuing. What are employer’s expectations in terms of responsibilities, actions and goals? Also note the job requirements–qualifications, experience and skills–employer is expecting the right candidate to satisfy.

3. Review yourself
Look at your resume and review the assets you have: your experience, education, achievements, skills, knowledge and strengths.

4. Prepare a presentation
Having done the homework, now it’s time to prepare a short PowerPoint presentation. The presentation should essentially comprise the following parts:

Part 1: About yourself
Prepare a short introduction of yours in terms of education, experience and achievements.

Part 2: Employer’s business
This part is about showing your understanding of company’s business: products, services, markets, competition, etc.

Part 3: Employer’s needs
In this part, list all of employer’s expectations-responsibilities, actions and goals—you will be expected to meet. Also talk about the challenges you will be facing in the job.

Part 4: How would you deliver?
This is the heart of your presentation where you would demonstrate how you would tackle the challenges and go on not just to meet employer’s expectations, but exceed them. To make it credible, share actual examples from your past experience and use quantitative information.

On the whole, keep your presentation limited to 10 slides and 15 minutes long.

5. Practice & Go in Prepared
The last and final step is to practice delivering the presentation. More you practice, more relaxed, confident and convincing you will be during the interview. Go in prepared; it’s your turn to enjoy success at interview!

Dealing with a credit-stealing boss

You’ve Worked Weekends, put in the longest hours and gone over every last detail time and again to ensure that your project presentation is as perfect as it can be. And right on schedule, you’ve handed it to your superior to present on your behalf at the board meeting. But even as you sit back, confident of the compliments pouring in, your boss saunters out beaming, as the company’s top brass congratulate him on a job well-done. You, on the other hand, don’t even merit a mention!

Surprised? Fuming with anger? Like many others out there, it’s been your misfortune to be saddled with a boss of the type better known as a credit stealer. A common enough situation… But nonetheless, still a mighty hard cross to bear. Specially when your boss is a master at never giving credit to subordinates and declares every good idea, as his own!

So, what does one do in a situation like this? The first instinct, naturally, would be to blow a fuse. But that’s obviously not the smartest option. Not if you want to continue in the same workplace, that is. It’s far better to try and resolve things in a tactful manner, so you don’t end up pushing the wrong buttons, and yet get credit where credit is due. Here are some quick fixes on how to handle him!

Protect Your Work…
Get together with other colleagues whose ideas he steals and try and come up with solutions. For instance, instead of sharing ideas with your boss in private, you could present them at meetings where the minutes are recorded. Alternatively, you could write memos about ideas you have discussed and forward copies to the overall boss as well as other colleagues. Or keep things in writing, be it on paper or e-mail. So you can forward the original to your superior and another copy to his boss. That way, there’s no risk of your ideas not being credited to you.

Play it Smart…
Your ideas are obviously good, which is why the boss is stealing them. But it also means that he is probably insecure about his own abilities and may feel that you pose a threat. Try and turn this situation to your own advantage. Your boss is obviously not getting enough praise for his own ideas. Make it a point to admire your boss’ work and ask him for suggestions on how you can polish up your own and deliver better results. Showing him some respect may just throw him pleasantly off balance and turn the situation into a less combative one.

Develop a Rapport…
Try and develop a rapport with the boss by finding out areas where the two of you can relate to each other. Create a situation wherein you make him understand that good work on your part makes him look good as well. Especially when you regularly emphasise, how encouraging your Boss is!

Report to Bosses Boss…
It’s surely the last resort. But things may get to that point where no other methods work, and your boss continues to palm off your ideas as his own. In this case, you may have to report your boss’ behaviour to his supervisor. And then hope for the best. There are a few organisations which are open to taking proactive action but be prepared for the possibility of getting branded as a trouble-maker.

If you have faced such situation in your career, how you dealt with it? Let other know and benefit from your experience..

Leadership is really just common sense!

Yes, leadership is nothing but common sense. It is nothing mysterious or something that one must study for years to attain to. In fact, the best leaders are those who have had practical, hands-on experience in being one.

Leadership is a combination of common sense, practical skills and certain behavior that can be discovered and learned.

Roger Fulton wrote a book on Common Sense Leadership which gives solid advice combined with the wise sayings and findings of experts throughout history in aid of those looking to take up, or continue on in a leadership position.

Here are some excerpts from his book and quote selections he used:
Leaders know and understand their people. They treat them with dignity and respect.
Leaders recognize good work as quickly as they recognize poor work.
The best leaders become cooler when the heat is turned up. Crisis is the true test of a person’s leadership ability.
The employer generally gets the employees he deserves.—Sir Walter Gibley
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.—Martin Luther King, Jr.
The deepest principle of human nature is the craving to be appreciated.—William James

Leadership is common sense, yes, but it also take practical thinking to positively apply the common sense one has got. Throw the light of your common sense on this topic and let the light spread

You Are What You Wear

Rightly said, ‘Our attire, appearance and conduct is reflective of the corporate image’. If you are concerned about your career, you will be more concerned with looking professional than looking fashionable or decked out.

In today’s world of cut-throat competition and spirited professionals, office wear doesn’t mean just the formal wear. One has to carefully pick the right attire for all office related events, be it product launches, office parties, business lunches or office picnic.

Getting dressed for the office doesn’t mean leaving your personal style behind; yet it is important not to be a fashion victim at work. Make sure your attire is pleasing and in accordance with your functional imperatives.

Your everyday work wear speaks volumes about your attitude and commitment to work. Your goal to getting dressed for work is to project a professional, competent image, regardless of your employment level or career path. While formal attire helps present a sharp, smart and service oriented executive; needless to say, casual wear reflects a nonchalant laidback attitude.

Some organisations encourage employees to dress as well or better than their customers, especially for employees who meet clients. It doesn’t come as a surprise that more and more companies are joining the bandwagon of ‘uniform for employees’.

Best bet: Formal trousers/pants, button-down shirts with tie, belt and shoes that are in good condition, neatly groomed hair. Sarees, salwar suits, churidar kurta, trouser with striped shirts, scarf, manicured nails, conservative hair, jewellery and makeup for her.

Career killer: Not wearing a belt, mismatched pair of socks, wornout shoes, shirts showing gap between buttonholes, body odour, etc.

What is a perfect ‘meet the client’ outfit? The answer lies in taking extra care to dress up when you are heading for a business meet. Select clean, pressed and wrinkle-free clothes for formal business attire.

Your outfit should communicate professionalism. Make sure you pick good quality clothes that boost your confidence and determination. It helps to know which look gives you a polished, professional look.

Best bet: Formal attire, pantsuits, blazers or jackets, tie, belt, business shoes, etc. Indian wear or western formals which include formal pants or skirts (formal, knee length or longer) with smart shirts/tops for her.

Career killer: Shabby appearance, stained or wrinkled clothes, florescent colours, wild prints, athletic shoes, sleeves foldedup, loud make-up, messy hair-dos, etc.

While professionals and organisation are still grappling to give a definition to Friday Dressing, the first and foremost concern is professionalism.

Casual Friday is a welcome change, with employees getting a chance to put aside their formal trousers and tie to slip into corduroys or Khaki pants. Though denim, T-shirts and flip-flops are acceptable only in the most casual of work environments, more and more offices are accepting trendy wear.

But before you dress casual, check to make sure you don’t have any meetings that require formal business attire. Shweta S, a media professional says, “For Friday dressing I ask myself if I can meet the CEO today without being embarrassed about what I’m wearing?”

Best bet: Smart casuals which include trousers/corduroys/skirts. Company logo polo and jeans. Dressy pants and a blouse, sleek jersey knits, skirts and tops, matching accessories.

Career killer: Capri/threefourths, Bermudas, silver sneakers, revealing clothes, slogan T-shirts, miniskirts, spaghetti straps

A party is a party but an official party has a professional and a formal look attached with it. Office party is time to go bling but keep in mind that you don’t overdo it.

“Official parties are a great way to interact with your co-workers and to know them more closely; one must take care of things that can make you the topic of discussion,” says Kunal Shroff, a sales manager.

Office parties are a time to relax and rejuvenate. What you wear for an office party should be carefully selected to accentuate your personality. The key is to look graceful yet professional.

Best bet: Safest bet is to wear black; jeans and stylish t-shirt/top, matching accessories.

Career killer: Sexy outfits, revealing clothes, loud streaked hair, clothes you can’t carry, your nightclub-avatar.

Time to flaunt your colourful tees and sporty footwear! You can easily be yourself during office picnics but don’t go over-the-top.

“Many employees tend to get too casual in their attitude when they are away from the formal office environ and face flak for their activities,” says S Ram, an HR professional.

Best bet: Comfortable clothes, jeans and tees, jacket, caps, sneakers, etc.

Career killer: See-through tops, crop tops, miniskirts, etc.

Coping with being jobless during recession

Being jobless can be really gloomy. As time passes by without having any luck with a job search, your sense of self-worth slips and you begin to question your capabilities. Your accolades in the past will just wipe off from your memory and continue to sulk.

If you have been fired, or have been asked to leave, it doesn’t mean failure in the eyes of everyone else, even though you may feel depressed. If you lose a job, there are some steps you should take.

The most dangerous things one can feel being unemployed is the feeling of worthlessness. This can trigger deep depression. A person can get crazy and/or suicidal because of this. But this can be fought with doses of positive thinking and optimism.

It is normal to feel sad if you suddenly find yourself unemployed. Set a grieving period but as soon as it ends, think of only the now and the future. There’s much to be done and never let the past bog you down.

Don’t be a bum..A typical coping mechanism is just loafing on the couch, drinking brews and watching games and reruns of whatever program there is to watch. While you are missing out on possible job opportunities, you are also letting your health deteriorate.
Start a job search, now.

Just like when you’re starting out, job search do have some downtime in between interviews so try to do things that would lift up your spirits. Take on a hobby or some volunteer work. Exercise. Physical activity helps pump happy chemicals in your body that would help you boost your morale.

If there is an issue with money, list down your financial assets – your cash, deposits, and investments – and make a budget for the tough month/s up ahead. If you will be short on paying the utility and other bills, ask your creditors for some help during this tough time.

If you aren’t having any luck securing a stable long-term work, try exploring other options like consultancy and freelancing. There’s a lot of freelance work available. While it doesn’t present that long-term security, at least you’ll have something to tide you over for the time being.

Consider a career shift. The economy may have an effect on the viability of your field so why not try out other career paths. Who knows? Your current skill sets can be. Try consulting a career counselor for some precious advice.

Formula for Success: Timely + helpful = getting paid

I had to book some tickets for a trip I was making. Researching the net, I finally came to Sulekha.com and added my number for travel agents in the area.

Sure enough, true to form, not more than 10 second later, I get a call from an agent who though not perfect in English, made the attempt for my lack of knowing the local language. In his broken English, we got along and I was soon nearing the end of my booking time.

I had gotten three missed calls from another number that had tried to buzz not even a few seconds after my first call began. Naturally, since I was on call, I ignored the tiny beep on the background of my phone. The agent I spoke to was helpful, and within minutes I had my booked tickets in my email.

Why had he gotten the business and the lady who later called didn’t? It was because he was prompt in responding to my query for help. And even after I hung up the call with the travel agent, the woman who had tried calling earlier was hardly helpful. When I asked her to speak in English, she simply hung up.

In my opinion, a formula for success is: timely + being helpful = getting paid and getting the job done! Kudos to that agent, may we all be as efficient and helpful as he.