Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Today's two minute job getting sure shot fundae - Part 3
Just one minute before you go for that interview.
Sit down. We need to talk.
See there are a couple things you must know before you actually go for your first interview with any company.
1. Get your facts straight. Always, always spend some time on the company's website and do a little bit of googling on the company before you set out with your certificates and all. This can help you immensely especially if you are going for one of those open ended interviews where the job, location and department are all undecided.
2. Take it one step further. See if you can google out the name of the guy you will be interviewing with. Sometimes you get a wealth of information about people from the net. Does the interviewer have a blog? What is his background and prior employment history? Any interviews with the person that talks about the type of employees he likes?
In addition to helping you get the job these searches might help you answer and even more fundamental issue: Should you take the job at all??!!
Sit down. We need to talk.
See there are a couple things you must know before you actually go for your first interview with any company.
1. Get your facts straight. Always, always spend some time on the company's website and do a little bit of googling on the company before you set out with your certificates and all. This can help you immensely especially if you are going for one of those open ended interviews where the job, location and department are all undecided.
2. Take it one step further. See if you can google out the name of the guy you will be interviewing with. Sometimes you get a wealth of information about people from the net. Does the interviewer have a blog? What is his background and prior employment history? Any interviews with the person that talks about the type of employees he likes?
In addition to helping you get the job these searches might help you answer and even more fundamental issue: Should you take the job at all??!!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
What's in a name?
'Climb up the Coconut way' read the recruitment ad. Alongside is a pic depicting man in suit climbing up a ladder hanging in the clouds.
You see Coconut Softwares Pvt Ltd is 'the fastest growing software products and services company', engaged in end to end implementation of ERP, SCM, CRM, SRM etc etc. I have no doubt they are doing v well because a chota mota company would not be putting a quarter page colour ad in Times of India Ascent.
However I couldn't help wonder: is the name 'Coconut' a liablity? The founders may have been inspired by foreign companies adopting tree-nams as company names. But 'Juniper' and 'Sycamore' are not your everyday trees. In fact most people probably aren't even aware of the tree connection.
Coconut on the other hand is well, coconut. I know they may have been inspired by 'Apple' but when you say 'Climb up the coconut way' the image that comes to mind is a wiry dhoti clad fella limbering up the tree trunk... to bring down a nariyal.
Now you can well imagine the folalowing conversation:
Aunty: Bete aap kahan kaam kr rahe hain?
Beta: Aunty, mein Coconut mein kaam kar raha hoon.
Aunty: HAIIN??!!
OK, slight exaggeration but I am sure every Coconut employee has had to explain what his company actually does to convince said auntyjis he/ she is in a respectable job. Which us an important motivator for people joining and sticking with the software industry in India.
A more 'IT' type name like 'Cocosys' or 'Cocosoft' would have made life easier!
P.S. Are coconuts served in the Coconut canteen, along with tea and coffee? Just wondering!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Today's two minute job getting sure shot fundae - Part 2
So your CV is perfect. Not a wrong spelling, not a grammatical error in sight. And it has been perfectly tailored for the job you are applying for.
According to you everything looks ok right?
Wrong!
Nothing irks a recruiter like getting a CV or email from an applicant who uses a wacky/weird email address. What using a ridiculous email id does is kill your chances even before the recruiter has had a chance to read a single word about you. Few things communicates a certain lack of professionalism to a recruiter as mush as "You can mail me at ilovebottomspank@yahoo.com".
So next time before you begin a round of job hunting get a good respectable email id that exudes sobriety.
According to you everything looks ok right?
Wrong!
Nothing irks a recruiter like getting a CV or email from an applicant who uses a wacky/weird email address. What using a ridiculous email id does is kill your chances even before the recruiter has had a chance to read a single word about you. Few things communicates a certain lack of professionalism to a recruiter as mush as "You can mail me at ilovebottomspank@yahoo.com".
So next time before you begin a round of job hunting get a good respectable email id that exudes sobriety.
Friday, July 13, 2007
The 'Best Job' in the World - 2
Sick and tired of desperate men interrupting their peaceful sunbathing exertions, the Italian women are lining up on the warm sands of the 50-mile stretch of coastline linking Rimini to Riccione, which has now become a first of its kind 'only female' beach.
The owner - Fausto Ravaglio puts it lucidly - "We have given the women their own world.''
But here's the catch. The beach does have one man.
"The lifeguard must be a man, you clearly need a man to save women in the sea. It's a question of muscles." says Ravalgio.
Is the job still up for grabs? Where do you send the CVs? The informed, please update the ignorant.
The owner - Fausto Ravaglio puts it lucidly - "We have given the women their own world.''
But here's the catch. The beach does have one man.
"The lifeguard must be a man, you clearly need a man to save women in the sea. It's a question of muscles." says Ravalgio.
Is the job still up for grabs? Where do you send the CVs? The informed, please update the ignorant.
Labels: Best Job
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Today's two minute job getting sure shot fundae - Part 1
Spell check your CV. It doesn’t matter if it is a single page or a double page or a magnum opus of a CV. A single spelling mistake, especially with something importnatnt will stick out like a sore thumb.
See?
So next time take a moment before you attach your CV to that email and shoot it out. Open it up one final time and do a quick spell check on it. Some tips:
1. Always make your CV in MS Word first. Activate spell check and grammar check. No, don't set that aside for later.
2. After there are no squiggly lines under any words, take a deep breath, or take a printout. Now go through every word of every line to make sure there is nothing off anywhere. MS Word can pick out words and dodgy grammar but not feet in mouth. Word will think perfectly well of something like "Strong Communication Kills." Oops!
3. Get someone to read it for you. Someone who preferably hasn't seen your CV before.
4. Then always make it a PDF document and email it off. This way even if there are some goofs that have slipped in it won't show up with pink squiggles on the employer's PC.
So there. Happy CV/Resume making and best of luck!
See?
So next time take a moment before you attach your CV to that email and shoot it out. Open it up one final time and do a quick spell check on it. Some tips:
1. Always make your CV in MS Word first. Activate spell check and grammar check. No, don't set that aside for later.
2. After there are no squiggly lines under any words, take a deep breath, or take a printout. Now go through every word of every line to make sure there is nothing off anywhere. MS Word can pick out words and dodgy grammar but not feet in mouth. Word will think perfectly well of something like "Strong Communication Kills." Oops!
3. Get someone to read it for you. Someone who preferably hasn't seen your CV before.
4. Then always make it a PDF document and email it off. This way even if there are some goofs that have slipped in it won't show up with pink squiggles on the employer's PC.
So there. Happy CV/Resume making and best of luck!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
IT jobs pay, but not 'that much'
A report in the Economic Times notes: IT sector is generally seen as among the best paymasters in India. Often, parents tell their kids that it is one of the faster ways to become a ‘lakhpati’. However, the reality is that only a minuscule number get into the magic circle with six figure monthly salaries.
Only 0.5% of the employees at TCS, Wipro and Infosys draw a salary of more than Rs 2 lakhs p.m. or Rs 24 lakhs per annum. Specifically, of 85, 582 employees at TCS 221 earn above Rs 2 lakhs p.m.
At Infosys of 72, 241 persons in FY07 531 (0.73%) belong to the 2 lakhs a month club. 32 Infoscions draw over Rs 50 lakhs (0.04% of the employee base).
Over and above salary high performers get ESOPs and bonuses which could be 40-50% in addition to salary.
Kya yeh kam hai?
The salary skews are actually not at all surprising. After all, these companies are very 'young'. They have bloated in size only recently.
In March 2005 TCS had a mere 36,000 employees. Around the same time Infosys had 49, 422.
All these companies have undertaken massive recruitment at entry level . The average age of the IT company employee is 26. Which means the average salary at an IT company - assuming people join at age 22 and get 12-15% increments a year - would be around Rs 5 lakhs.
The report estimates it will take 'more than a decade' to reach the 2 lakhs p.m. salary figure.
The use of those words is telling. Not 'only a decade' but more than a decade. As if doosri jagahon par people achieve 2 lakhs a month salaries in far less time.
Take even your average IIM MBA. Leave aside the guys who get placed abroad for dollar salaries, how many others can expect a 24 lakhs a month at age 26?
At IIM A - from campus placement - perhaps 2 or 3. These would be the studs who join private equity firms. And they would be around 28 years of age, most likely CAs or from an IIT.
The average IIM MBA would take 5-7 years to reach the 2 lakhs a month bracket. A bit earlier, if you're in banking, finance or with a major consulting company.
The bottomline is there is no quick and easy route to a 2 lakhs p.m. paycheck. Many different roads lead you there. It's also important that you enjoy the drive - and the scenery!
Only 0.5% of the employees at TCS, Wipro and Infosys draw a salary of more than Rs 2 lakhs p.m. or Rs 24 lakhs per annum. Specifically, of 85, 582 employees at TCS 221 earn above Rs 2 lakhs p.m.
At Infosys of 72, 241 persons in FY07 531 (0.73%) belong to the 2 lakhs a month club. 32 Infoscions draw over Rs 50 lakhs (0.04% of the employee base).
Over and above salary high performers get ESOPs and bonuses which could be 40-50% in addition to salary.
Kya yeh kam hai?
The salary skews are actually not at all surprising. After all, these companies are very 'young'. They have bloated in size only recently.
In March 2005 TCS had a mere 36,000 employees. Around the same time Infosys had 49, 422.
All these companies have undertaken massive recruitment at entry level . The average age of the IT company employee is 26. Which means the average salary at an IT company - assuming people join at age 22 and get 12-15% increments a year - would be around Rs 5 lakhs.
The report estimates it will take 'more than a decade' to reach the 2 lakhs p.m. salary figure.
The use of those words is telling. Not 'only a decade' but more than a decade. As if doosri jagahon par people achieve 2 lakhs a month salaries in far less time.
Take even your average IIM MBA. Leave aside the guys who get placed abroad for dollar salaries, how many others can expect a 24 lakhs a month at age 26?
At IIM A - from campus placement - perhaps 2 or 3. These would be the studs who join private equity firms. And they would be around 28 years of age, most likely CAs or from an IIT.
The average IIM MBA would take 5-7 years to reach the 2 lakhs a month bracket. A bit earlier, if you're in banking, finance or with a major consulting company.
The bottomline is there is no quick and easy route to a 2 lakhs p.m. paycheck. Many different roads lead you there. It's also important that you enjoy the drive - and the scenery!
Labels: IT, MBA. salaries
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
The 'best job' in the world?
It's being advertised as a 'sexecutive' position and requires no fancy degrees or qualifications. Durex Australia is seeking real life testers for its condoms.
The ad goes:"With this ad on your CV, it really will be a chance to brag to your mates about the special skills you possess..."
Cool. But unfortunately, the job is 'unpaid'. The 200 selected testers will only receive a free pack of Durex products, plus a bonus prize of A$1000 for one lucky winner.
Still, it gives the term 'on the job' new meaning!
The ad goes:"With this ad on your CV, it really will be a chance to brag to your mates about the special skills you possess..."
Cool. But unfortunately, the job is 'unpaid'. The 200 selected testers will only receive a free pack of Durex products, plus a bonus prize of A$1000 for one lucky winner.
Still, it gives the term 'on the job' new meaning!
Monday, July 9, 2007
Are women more loyal to their companies?
Reliance Retail will soon buy 40 cargo planes to ship its wares across India, reports TOI. However, pilots are in short supply these days. And, they aren't very loyal either.
Mukesh Ambani has a solution: hire only women. Already a dozen female pilots are on board. Mr Ambani believes that women are stickier employees, all other factors like salary and benefits being equal.
A survey carried out by the Delhi-based Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham), which polled 160 leading human resources (HR) heads in India Inc, found that the attrition rate is highest among employees in the 26-30 age group.
Employees with experience levels of two to four years are the most vulnerable to poaching by rivals. But women employees are five times more stable than men.
I wonder, however if this would hold true for younger women - age 21-26.
A Simmons study 570 professional women found that 55% of women under 34 aspired to top leadership, a higher percentage than the 45% of their older female colleagues.
In the long run women may be more loyal to a company because most of them scale down their ambitions to manage their commitment to family. Flying a cargo plane, for example, may be an attractive option due to more convenient timings and less taxing schedules. Even if it means comparatively less glamour and pay.
Will things change when today's young women reach their 30s? Honestly, I doubt it. A tiny fraction of women will be ambitious animals who will push to achieve the same 'success' as their male counterparts.
The majority will opt for a work-life balance, out of choice. Or circumstance!
Mukesh Ambani has a solution: hire only women. Already a dozen female pilots are on board. Mr Ambani believes that women are stickier employees, all other factors like salary and benefits being equal.
A survey carried out by the Delhi-based Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham), which polled 160 leading human resources (HR) heads in India Inc, found that the attrition rate is highest among employees in the 26-30 age group.
Employees with experience levels of two to four years are the most vulnerable to poaching by rivals. But women employees are five times more stable than men.
I wonder, however if this would hold true for younger women - age 21-26.
A Simmons study 570 professional women found that 55% of women under 34 aspired to top leadership, a higher percentage than the 45% of their older female colleagues.
In the long run women may be more loyal to a company because most of them scale down their ambitions to manage their commitment to family. Flying a cargo plane, for example, may be an attractive option due to more convenient timings and less taxing schedules. Even if it means comparatively less glamour and pay.
Will things change when today's young women reach their 30s? Honestly, I doubt it. A tiny fraction of women will be ambitious animals who will push to achieve the same 'success' as their male counterparts.
The majority will opt for a work-life balance, out of choice. Or circumstance!
Labels: women
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