Yes! Its true. Most people change jobs because they are bored of what they are doing. Or what in more proper HR parlance might be called job dissatisfaction.
What do I mean by job dissatisfaction? Is it that I am not happy with what I have been given, more often than not - it means I have been given nothing new to do and I am bored of doing the same thing day in and day out for the last couple of years. It means my work is no longer a challenge and does not require me to push myself mentally anymore. In other words my job makes me yawn!
In theory it may seem that knowing everything about your job and going through the daily routine with no sweat involved should keep me happy; but in reality it actually bores the life out of me and also gives me the time and bandwidth to think of jobs outside!
So HR managers and top management please note the importance of job rotation. Also the importance of keeping things moving and on the go. Make sure you are handing out new tasks to all employees equally and making each one feel challenged at work. As managers we often fall into the trap of handing out new projects to our pet protegees, so failing to give other employees a chance to get challenged and prove themselves. A sure way to lose employees with potential.
So make sure your employees have enough to do and of course that they are doing things in line with their skills and interests. You can't expect a content writer to feel elated at a sales job can you? So make sure you set your thinking cap on and work out how best you can leverage each employee. Get going and take up the challenge!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Body Language in a Job Interview
I was interviewing this guy for a marketing job, and his body language just put me off. Yes, its true, your non-verbal communication does effect the outcome of your interview. He was sitting with his one ankle placed on his knee, hands raised above and joined at the back of his head. The posture showed a condescending attitude and that was exactly what he projected. He knew his job well and fitted the profile in all ways - but this superior attitude really put me off.
And it wasn't just me, others on the Board too felt the same. No one really wanted a person who carried this I-know-it-all attitude around, even though it meant delaying a hire.
So see guys how important it is to get your body language and attitude right when at a job interview. Some quick tips on how to present yourself...
1. Sit up straight, with feet planted firmly on the floor. Do not cross your legs or sit with legs too far apart. Sitting casually with ankle on the knee is an absolute no-no as already discussed.
2. Maintain eye contact in a friendly manner. Do not over-do it and bore your eyes into the interviewer!!
3. A firm handshake at the start and close of the session conveys confidence. No limp handshakes please - that goes for you too ladies!
4. Let your hands fall naturally. Do not clench your fists or play with your hands and certainly don't crack your knuckles.
So if you want to land that job, make sure you get your body language right. All the best!
(Also read my blog : http://lifeworkplace.blogspot.com/ - A look at the lighter side of life at the workplace!)
And it wasn't just me, others on the Board too felt the same. No one really wanted a person who carried this I-know-it-all attitude around, even though it meant delaying a hire.
So see guys how important it is to get your body language and attitude right when at a job interview. Some quick tips on how to present yourself...
1. Sit up straight, with feet planted firmly on the floor. Do not cross your legs or sit with legs too far apart. Sitting casually with ankle on the knee is an absolute no-no as already discussed.
2. Maintain eye contact in a friendly manner. Do not over-do it and bore your eyes into the interviewer!!
3. A firm handshake at the start and close of the session conveys confidence. No limp handshakes please - that goes for you too ladies!
4. Let your hands fall naturally. Do not clench your fists or play with your hands and certainly don't crack your knuckles.
So if you want to land that job, make sure you get your body language right. All the best!
(Also read my blog : http://lifeworkplace.blogspot.com/ - A look at the lighter side of life at the workplace!)
Friday, May 7, 2010
On making Career Choices
My niece, Tanvi has just completed her graduation and like many others is wondering what to do next. Which would be the best career for her? Perhaps a job in media her mum suggests as she is an avid reader, a friend of hers insists a job in airlines would be perfect for her, as she has the height and looks, her dad thinks a job in textile would be right, as it is a well-paid one and has good growth prospects. She herself is not sure of the answers.
Making career choices is not easy. There are a number of psychometric tests these days to help you assess your potential and interest. There are counsellors too to counsel you, but eventually you need to assess yourself and decide.
I think it is a good idea to do some tests or consult a counseller, but it is more important to do some deep introspection and think things out for yourself. It is important for you to try and figure out your area of interest. Talk to people who have similar interests as yours and find out what they are doing. Are they happy with what they are doing? What are the choices they feel they missed out on.
Of course, the new gen is lucky to be living in the times of internet explosion, where at least there is no dearth of information for those who seek it. The internet brings the world to you on the click of a mouse. Research on new courses and career options coming up - careers in clinical research, cosmetology, animation, technical writing etc. If going for the tried and tested fields, still make sure to research on what exactly these jobs entail eg Bank jobs and new trends in this field eg investment banking, art investors. Again government jobs have numerous options, there are so many fields besides civil services, eg ONGC, Indian Oil Corporation. So research and look out for the not so well-known options.
If you want to read more, check 5 tips to a great career. Get going and all the best!!
Making career choices is not easy. There are a number of psychometric tests these days to help you assess your potential and interest. There are counsellors too to counsel you, but eventually you need to assess yourself and decide.
I think it is a good idea to do some tests or consult a counseller, but it is more important to do some deep introspection and think things out for yourself. It is important for you to try and figure out your area of interest. Talk to people who have similar interests as yours and find out what they are doing. Are they happy with what they are doing? What are the choices they feel they missed out on.
Of course, the new gen is lucky to be living in the times of internet explosion, where at least there is no dearth of information for those who seek it. The internet brings the world to you on the click of a mouse. Research on new courses and career options coming up - careers in clinical research, cosmetology, animation, technical writing etc. If going for the tried and tested fields, still make sure to research on what exactly these jobs entail eg Bank jobs and new trends in this field eg investment banking, art investors. Again government jobs have numerous options, there are so many fields besides civil services, eg ONGC, Indian Oil Corporation. So research and look out for the not so well-known options.
If you want to read more, check 5 tips to a great career. Get going and all the best!!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Getting your Resume Right
'Just got that long-awaited call for a job from Airtel, was floundered then, as didn't have my cv ready!!' That was the distress email I just got from a dear friend, who wanted me to quickly spruce up her cv and send it 'under emergency conditions' to her, as she put it.
Having just finished doing that, i wondered if anyone else out there was also facing a tough time trying to write out their resume? Or CV - as a lot of us call it.
I know it's not easy for most of us to distance ourselves from our work objectively enough to view and review all we have been doing. Nevertheless a good resume writer can do a lot of good for you in this matter. But for those confident of doing it themselves, or perhaps just too short on time to get a professional cv done, let me share some quick CV tips:
1. Keep it to two pages (even if you are a senior IT guy with lists of projects - add those as annexure, which just key ones, as most relevant to the job at hand in the main resume)
2. Do a chronological listing of work experience, starting with most recent first, same goes for educational qualifications.
3. Start the resume with your name and contact details, followed by a brief - and that means brief - summary statement of your key functions, area of interest, and skills + education qualification as relevant to these.
4. Keep the language simple and NO grammatical errors or spelling mistakes. That really creates a bad impression.
Still want to learn more - check articles on resume writing
Of course all jobs may not call for a cv - for example if applying for indian government jobs you need to patiently fill in pages of forms, but don't have to worry about a cv at least!! But generally its good to have your cv ready and waiting, especially as jobs are coming up and fast just now!
(Also read my blog : http://lifeworkplace.blogspot.com/ - a look at the lighter side of life at the workplace!)
Having just finished doing that, i wondered if anyone else out there was also facing a tough time trying to write out their resume? Or CV - as a lot of us call it.
I know it's not easy for most of us to distance ourselves from our work objectively enough to view and review all we have been doing. Nevertheless a good resume writer can do a lot of good for you in this matter. But for those confident of doing it themselves, or perhaps just too short on time to get a professional cv done, let me share some quick CV tips:
1. Keep it to two pages (even if you are a senior IT guy with lists of projects - add those as annexure, which just key ones, as most relevant to the job at hand in the main resume)
2. Do a chronological listing of work experience, starting with most recent first, same goes for educational qualifications.
3. Start the resume with your name and contact details, followed by a brief - and that means brief - summary statement of your key functions, area of interest, and skills + education qualification as relevant to these.
4. Keep the language simple and NO grammatical errors or spelling mistakes. That really creates a bad impression.
Still want to learn more - check articles on resume writing
Of course all jobs may not call for a cv - for example if applying for indian government jobs you need to patiently fill in pages of forms, but don't have to worry about a cv at least!! But generally its good to have your cv ready and waiting, especially as jobs are coming up and fast just now!
(Also read my blog : http://lifeworkplace.blogspot.com/ - a look at the lighter side of life at the workplace!)
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