Articles

Shift work is becoming increasingly popular in today’s working culture. This is more common in the health care industry, media, hospitality sector, BPOs and some areas of IT sector. It is important that shift workers manage their lifestyle in such a way that their physical and mental well being is not threatened by working in odd hours.

Boredom is basically a mindset when an individual is fed up of what is happening around him or the lack of it. Employee boredom is a major challenge for organizations across the world, yet this is one of the most neglected areas. It can be aggravated to such an extent that it can even lead to loss of productivity.

It is pretty much like the chicken or egg syndrome... which will you place first - the money you make or the joy you find in following your passion? It is not a simple decision to make. Primarily because life changes and along the way so do your priorities. So somewhere along the line, if our need graph is not strongly monitored, we tend to veer towards the more salary syndrome.

The new emerging world economy has thrown up new opportunities as well as new challenges for the young working population of today. There is a visible paradigm shift that seems to be taking place between a job-oriented approach and a career oriented approach.

The rise of the Internet phenomenon has changed the world in many ways. In India, one of the key benefits of the Internet technology has been the creation of a new vista of career opportunities that are supported by this technology. The Internet has been able to bring the world closer than ever before, and has provided global access for jobs to competitive & labour-intensive countries like India.

Reference checking can be a valuable human resource management tool for gathering information on past performance of applicants. Past performance may be a strong predictor of future performance. A reference check can also serve as a method for preventing discrimination, harassment or violence in the workplace, and for promoting a safe work environment for current and future employees.

Human kind, where on one hand is always curious to learn more and more about others life, be it personal or professional, on the other hand does not like others intruding their own privacy. Here, we will be mainly emphasizing on professional privacy concerns, that is, employee’s privacy at work.

Any new product in the market needs to create a place for itself among its competitors. Similarly, a professional needs to create a place for him/ her in the organization one works in. When you see a certain brand of product you can automatically identify the various features and characteristics of that product. Similarly, in the work place it is very essential for people to know you, not just by your name and department, but also by your skills, your attitude and your work.

The most common dilemma faced when it comes to your resume is whether or not to ask a professional to draft it. Though most people feel that a professionally drafted resume can seem nonspecific and generic, it is a fact that cannot be overlooked that writing your own resume can never always be good for you. Yes, a lot of people have the skills to draft their own resume, but predominantly people struggle to make a good impression, since they miss out addressing a lot of key factors. For instance, grammatical errors have no place in a resume and unfortunately most self-written resumes are not thoroughly proof-read to avoid them.

Work takes up most part of the day leaving very little time for work-outs. But with more and more young professionals falling victim to stress-related health problems, it is about time you took up exercising, not just as a reason to shape-up but firstly to stay healthy and alive!

Here are some tips to help you get healthier at work.

There's opportunity in every sector, but the IT sector still continues to gain steady momentum every year. This phenomenon is chiefly due to the plethora of new skills that sprout every once in awhile. With the demand for IT services and solutions growing rapidly to meet today's business needs, acquiring candidates with strong technological expertise has become more a business necessity. The constantly soaring hot market for IT now witnessing a greater deluge of opportunities, recruiters today are keen to yank even students who posses reasonable IT skills, since they can be trained on the job.

Indianism refers to a word or a phrase in English that is most commonly used only in India and not necessarily in other parts of the globe. There are certain kinds of expressions which are used predominantly by Indians in their day to day conversations. Although these are acceptable in India, as most people use them, they should be avoided as it showcases a person's lack of exposure to correct sentence formation. Moreover most of the common Indian phrases are grammatically incorrect, which makes it a definite no-no in a business environment. You will also have to keep in mind that such words or expressions shouldn't be used while communicating with native speakers, as they would find it difficult to understand.

Office Gossip could be fun if it isn't salacious. It usually only turns out to be damaging when you harm someone's reputation.

After all no one likes the idea of being the target of gossip so it's certainly important that you watch your words before you talk about your personal lives to colleague. Who knows who could turn out to be a gossip monger, who would invariably start spreading rumors about you!

Space constrains have made cubicles our office abode. With office spaces being taken on rent based on the number of seats, it is but obvious that more and more people will be cramped into very little space. Quite a great option for teams to work together, cubicles always have their share of drawbacks. Yes, it is easier for your boss to spot you and keep track of what you're up to. But that's not really such a bad thing as having a bad neighbour who can make your work life hell!

Every organisation ensures that it keeps it's valuable and loyal customer happy. They go the extra mile to please their customers, since they are essentially the backbone of every business. Moreover, in the business world it's incredibly important that you retain faithful customers, if you want to sustain growth, especially because patrons are beyond price.
An organisation is noticed by its customer service, so if you provide excellent customer service there are chances of you attracting more of them. However unfortunately if your customers are not happy with your service it can tear down your business.

Tell me about yourself

The most classic question that you are bound to be asked in the beginning of your interview is to tell something about yourself. Definitely an important question, when asked all that interviewers expect you to give is a snapshot about yourself and nothing more. So make sure you never verbally catalog your academic qualifications when you reply to this question. Just remember that it's always better to tell something that relates to your resume.

Our Mother tongue's influence gives many of us a strong Indian accent, which is prominently distinctive. Speaking with an Indian accent can prove to be quite a frustrating experience, especially when your accent is not neutral, as it can make it difficult for you to interact with customers who are native speakers. If you are aiming to get a job in a BPO, it's always important that you neutralise your accent than try to put on a fake one, as this will not help you in the long run. Moreover, instead of blatantly imitating the accent of a native speaker it would always be better for you to try and fine-tune it, as it has always proven to give better results. By learning step-by-step the nuances of sounds and also understanding the difference between stressed and unstressed words and syllables you can make sure that you pronounce right, which invariably will give you the accent you're hoping for.

All of us would have been plagued with this dilemma at least once in our careers. With celebrations becoming a routine nowadays, buying gifts for co-workers is a regular phenomenon. However how do you go about it if it is your boss? Employees who go around gifting their superiors are most of the times considered apple-polishers, making it imperative to be careful about flaunting ones gifting side. And unless there is an occasion or a reason, frequently buying presents for your superiors can even jeopardise your job.

With the whole job search scenario moving online almost completely, job applications are predominantly emailed than otherwise. However, most people fail to realise the fact that the email that you send-out with your resume is in fact your cover letter - the prospect-changing note that gives an employer a brief outline of your capabilities. So unless you make sure it says the right things, chances are that you might get rejected even before your resume is read. The resume is the second step, as the employer should first think it necessary to open it.

From your resume to the way you communicate and even the way you choose to dress for an interview, all of this can have an impact on your chances of being hired. There are multiple factors that influence the final outcome, so if you're seriously hoping to land the job you've always wanted, make sure you don't repeat any of these mistakes.

Everyone dreams of getting out of college and starting to make the big bucks as soon as possible. Depending on your chosen path chances are that you might be well-placed even before you graduate. However most often, fresh college pass-outs don't really have a job until much later. It is an accepted fact that nothing can be more cumbersome than looking for a job when you're just out of college. With very little experience to vouch for and understandably more social connections than professional, there can be minor setbacks before you finally manage to land any job. However don't fret too much, because a growing economy always creates brand new opportunities and encourages fresh new perspectives, and opens more doors than you would even realise.

Staying motivated at all times can be quite a task but what most people don't realise is the fact that it is the key factor that helps one get to the top. The driver of good spirits, motivation is contagious and has a positive impact not just on outcomes but also on a person's morale. Even employers look for people who are motivated to succeed, because positive outlook always translates to great work and is infectious enough to motivate people around too. Here are a few tips to keep you motivated at all times.

We send out dozens of official emails in a day. However most often people fail to discern the fine line that separates a professional and a personal email. Most people will vouch for the fact that they've been bombarded by informal emails from people at work that just doesn't seem appropriate in a professional set-up. Be it jokes or pictures in their sign-off to smileys and other emoticons, a lot of people don't seem to understand the fact that they have no place in an official email, which is expected to be nothing but formal. Sarcasm and puns sound great but when they are in black and white, unless a person has a great sense of humour, it will only be construed as rude and can be irritating, even if you try to pacify by adding an emoticon.

2009 was a year of layoffs. With more and more people being handed the pink slip, the year was an eye-opener of sorts. People were asked to leave with or without a reason and a lot however managed to stay afloat even in a sinking job market. Yes, the recession certainly woke up a lot of people to the grim realities of a financial crisis, but most importantly it also brought to light the importance of staying up-to-date and adding more skills. People across the globe started looking for new avenues for growth and opportunities and stopped being averse to trying their hand at something new.

Landed an interview? A job interview round the corner doesn't really warrant panic. However when you've been given the chance to meet your prospective employer, it is does not necessarily mean that you can take things easy either. In today's competitive job market there are a lot of takers; thus ensuring that you're considered the ideal hire, requires some real good branding and strategy. Hence if you want the job real badly, then make sure you don't make any of these mistakes.

"Work hard and success will follow' is a maxim we've been fed from a very young age, whether we're interested in living by it or not. A definite formula for lasting success, in the corporate set-up that we all seem to be holed up in today hard work alone cannot get you anywhere close to the to heights you've set for yourself. Yes, working hard can make you proficient and will certainly add value to your professional portfolio, but when you want to move up the career ladder, it's important to make sure that people on top notice what you're up to.

Writing your own resume can be a difficult task, especially if you are not familiar with the style and format that is being used today. As it is often an employer's first introduction to you, think of it as a marketing document and make sure that it effectively reflects your qualifications and credentials.
Given below are five standard details that every resume should provide if it has to make the right impression.

Everyone feels burnt-out at some point of time in their lives. But what's more common nowadays is the cause. With work becoming more and more demanding people are getting more stressed-out by the day, which is proclaimed to be very unhealthy. But how many of us are really listening to health experts advising us to take it easy. Studies now show that the more stressed-out people become the shorter their life-span gets. But are we listening? We're often so caught up in the thick of things, meeting deadlines, juggling roles and responsibilities that it seems rather impossible to find the time to de-stress.

As a jobseeker you might have come across a number of jobs that make you feel you're the perfect candidate for it. There might even be interviews you would have walked out of feeling that you've just landed the perfect position only to realize later that you were not even short-listed for the position. Yes, all of us might have gone through that phase at least once in our life. It's frustrating and sometimes it can even make you feel apprehensive to apply for a similar position again, if it ever comes up. But have you ever tried to analyze what might have gone wrong in your near perfect interview?

Do you force yourself up everyday to get to work? Are you feeling listless and unenthusiastic? Do you keep hoping everyday for change? Well, you're certainly not alone. A lot of people look for a change, not just in jobs but even in their careers. Though this could hit you at any point of time, the transition needs a lot of preparation, which even includes a change in mindset. A career change is definitely a huge decision, especially when you plan for one after years of slogging it out in a particular field. However it is not impossible or inappropriate. You know your needs better than anybody else, so forcing yourself to stick around and accept what comes your way when you know for a fact that is not what you really want to do, can do you no good.

When you go through different career sites you'll find a lot of articles about networking. Have you ever wondered how to go about it? I'm sure you would have if you are a novice like millions of others. Most people assume that networking is only for head honchos and for those in marketing but that's completely untrue. As an employee of an organisation haven't you mingled with people in departments other than yours? Sometimes even those departments that's diametrically unconnected to the one you are in? Yes, all of us network, consciously or unconsciously but the ones who know how to use it well are the ones who end up climbing up faster than the rest.

Even before you speak, people make their own assumptions about you. You are assumed to be what you are by what you choose to wear and this is especially when you attend an interview. So as a jobseeker make sure you're in your Sunday best when you attend one. The first thing that any interviewer notices about you is your attire and it's always better to make the best impression the first time. Assumptions about your personality and character are made in the first few minutes, when you walk in, as most employers base their judgments in the way a prospective employee is clad. So always remember that the confidence that you exude is greatly dependent on the clothes you wear.

Do you look forward to get to work every morning? Wake up before the alarm goes off, just waiting to get to work? If you do, then it's obvious that you love your job. Well, let's just say you love what you do. But unfortunately, studies show that very few people in this world feel the same way about work. Very rarely do we really find people who look forward to get to work the next day. Those people who don't enjoy going to work, haven't you wondered why you never look forward to get to work? It's obvious that you haven't, since if you had realised you still wouldn't be doing what you do now.
Research shows that an individual's longevity depends not just on healthy habits or good genes but also on their work satisfaction.

24 hours. Haven't you sometimes felt that this was not enough? Haven't you sometimes wished that a day had more than just 24 hours? Well all of us have most often than not wished that we had enough time to finish all our pending tasks. But what we happily overlook is the fact that most of our tasks are quite doable in a day or two. It's the way we prioritize and plan that matters the most. Effectively managing time is an art, which when mastered can prove to be quite a blessing because in today's fiercely competitive world it can cost you much if you lag behind. And to accomplish anything of real worth it does not help to be having too many irons in the fire, because by doing things here, there and everywhere you can never really be able to finish even one task at a preset time.

A group discussion is an evaluation procedure conducted by a company to gauge the proficiency and personality of each candidate. Being a team player is imperative to thrive in a competitive work scenario and conducting Group Discussions helps to assess how a person behaves and acts when he/she works in a team. A group discussion is rarely conducted among a set of people who know each other and this is what lets a recruiter identify a person's true persona, as the real intention is to check how a candidate behaves, participates and contributes towards reaching a consensus.

All of us make numerous career decisions in our life. From school to even about the time of retirement, it is the decisions that we make that spur us on towards what's best for us. However it is not necessary that all that we decide to do or decide to pursue is right. It is important to pay attention to a lot of things to make sure that you're heading in the right direction. Given below are four of the most important factors that you will have to consider to foolproof your plan of action.

"Do you have any questions?"- at some point during your interview, usually at the close of an interview, you may be asked this question. Usually by the time you reach the end of the interview, you'd pretty much feel that everything has been covered. However, this is not usually the case. You are called for an interview to have your competency assessed by a prospective employer but how often have you thought about the fact that an interview is also a session when you can assess the employability of the company you are being interviewed for?

How happy are you at work? Really happy and inspired? If you're not sure then it's time you look for avenues to move up. When you've been a part of an organisation for an extended period of time, it's natural to start feeling less inspired by job responsibilities or frustrated when your peers seem to be climbing up the career ladder faster than you are.
But how often have you attributed this feeling to a need to climb up the ladder yourself? Well, if you're still not sure whether it's time to move up, then here are additional reasons why you should pay attention to your instincts.

Did you know that depression saps energy? And did you also know that you can never really make the right decision when you're angry or upset? Well, we've all heard a lot about the ill-effects of anger and depression. But how many of us really pay attention and try to overcome or prevent the harmful results?
Everyday we experience a whole gamut of emotions that sets in motion a chain of events, which can have varying effects on our physical and psychological health. However how often do we really sit back and try to control what happens?

Your resume is a crucial career document that markets your credentials to a prospective employer. A necessary tool that introduces you to your prospective employer, it is vital to ensure that your resume records only facts about you and reveals information that will induce the reader to call you for an interview. Here are some fundamental rules that you can follow to make sure that your resume gets you the interview that you've always hoped for.

You can never tell when the need for your resume will arise. When you're looking for the apt opening to move up the career ladder or waiting for the right opportunity to come knocking, one of the best things that you can do for your career is own a great resume.
An absolutely essential career document, your resume is your most important marketing tool. The first thing related to you that any recruiter gets to see, it is your resume that shoulders the Herculean task of grabbing an employer's attention and holding it long enough to grant you an interview.

All of us at some point of time or another have heard from friends and colleagues about employers who provide the best, most friendly ambience for their employees. And let's face it, very few of us are really lucky to be working for employers who foster creativity and practices leniency. Except for a handful, 80% of employers have stringent code of conduct that leaves no room for slack, creating unhappy workplaces. Yes, it is true that not all of us are happy at work, but it is also true that being happy at work is solely your responsibility and can be worked at.

The impact of a volatile economy has been witnessed time and again. With the worst hit always being the job market, every time there's a slump, getting laid-off has become quite a common occurrence across the globe.
However what makes things difficult to handle no matter how prepared you are is coping with the emotional turmoil that often seems to come with redundancy. From feeling hopeless, to drastic decline in self-confidence and sometimes even self-hatred a person is said to experience a sea of crisscrossing emotions that can be quite difficult to deal with, especially since it makes one wonder why they had to be chosen.

As a job seeker there is one question that you know, you'll be asked, irrespective of your experience or credentials. This one question can be considered the deadliest of them all, with its capacity to reveal your outlook, attitude, the attention you pay to details, relevant or irrelevant and a host of other things that can serve as the noose around your neck that is about to be tightened or loosened depending on your answer.
All experienced interviewers love to ask this question, yes; it is the good old one- "Tell Me About Yourself".