Nine Rules for Effective Teams

These nine rules are based on the belief that level of elementary problems controls efficiency. If there are many elementary problems, productivity will be negative, likewise, low level of problems puts productivity in the positive column. In the typical workforce, there is no recognition for people who spend time on elementary problems, big problems receive all the attention, yet, big problems start as minor and there are people around who are aware of them. Because of leadership attitudes, employees develop the habit of ignoring problems until they explode, at which time they become big problems, and then, leaders want to go on record for being a problem solver. Leadership attitudes towards elementary problems are corrected with front-line responsibility and solved with team intelligence. Team priority is to get the job done, they have authority to solve or prevent problems while minor.

1. Priority #1... Get The Job Done!!! - In many work environments, top priority is cost control, which limits the ability to get the job done. It cost money to control project cost. Focusing on "getting the job done" is automatic cost control. Decisions are based on what it takes to finish a job, not what it cost.

2. Consider employees as an investment, not a cost. - In any work environment, employees' skills and abilities will reflect the attitude of its leaders. If leadership considers employees a cost, quality of employees will suffer, likewise, if leadership considers employees an investment, then both sides will be motivated to increase skill quality. Greater efficiency is the result.

3. Employee attitudes are byproducts of leadership style. - If subordinates attitudes are negative toward the company, it is because of leadership style. If they are positive, it is because of leadership style. If attitudes need changing, it must start with the leaders.

4. Sharing knowledge inspires motivation. - People who have opportunity to share knowledge feel they are a part of the team. Team members want to impress with their ability to contribute valuable information. It inspires a desire to seek information, excel, accept challenges and reject the status quo.

5. Coach, not control. - People who only follow orders do not assume responsibility, are not motivated and do not have a desire to excel. Coaching is inspiring people to find solutions to problems. Finding solutions, is a motivating force, it also becomes a habit. Coaching is sharing knowledge.

6. Worker/team responsibility - Being responsible for results is a highly motivating force. Also, a group of three or more, focused on a common goal, becomes a highly intelligent force. They are aware of minor problems and have authority to manage them. The team is recognized for their ability to prevent problems while getting the job done.

7. Supply quality resources. - Efficiency is as effective as available resources, (tools, supplies, work environment), to complete tasks. Employees will work hard to get jobs done, but they need quality resources to be efficient. Resources influence pride, which affects output quality.

8. Opportunity to learn. - Repetitive tasks kill the desire to learn, an attitude that rejects change and accepts the status quo. There is always a better way of doing a task, including repetitive task, and better ways are found with worker responsibility. Challenges motivate people to learn and the desire to learn is based on opportunity for challenges.

9. Wages - Effective worker responsibility require above average wages. Responsibility is no substitute for low wages. High wages inspire leaders to manage in an efficient way. Low wages promotes sloppiness. Wage level influences attitude and output quality. It is my observation that low wage companies have higher overhead cost than high wage companies. Quality of leadership seems to be the controlling factor. Leadership quality is based on CEO's priorities.

Avoid These 10 Interview Bloopers.

We've all heard stories of job candidates who looked great on paper but who were absolute disasters in person. With fewer and fewer interview opportunities available in this competitive market, it's essential to make the best possible first impression. You can learn from the mistakes of others and avoid the top 10 worst interview blunders.

Poor handshake: The three-second handshake that starts the interview is your first opportunity to create a great impression. But all too often an interview is blown right from the start by an ineffective handshake. Once you've delivered a poor handshake, it's nearly impossible to recover your efforts to build rapport. Here are some examples:

• The Limp Hand (or "dead fish"): Gives the impression of disinterest or weakness
• The Tips of the Fingers: Shows lack of ability to engage.
• The Arm Pump: Sincerity is questionable, much like an overly aggressive salesman.

Even if you're a seasoned professional, don't assume you have avoided these pitfalls. Your handshake may be telling more about you than you know. Ask for honest critiques from several friends who aren't afraid to tell you the truth.

Talking too much: In my recruiting days, I abhorred over-talkative candidates, so did most of my client employers. Over-talking takes a couple of forms:

• Taking too long to answer direct questions. The impression: This candidate just can't get to the point.
• Nervous talkers. The impression: This candidate is covering up something or is outright lying.

To avoid either of these forms of over-talking, practice answering questions in a direct manner. Avoid nervous talking by preparing for your interview with role-play

Talking negatively about current or past employers/managers:

The fastest way to talk yourself out of a new job is to say negative things. Even if your last boss was Attila the Hun, never, never state your ill feelings about him/her. No matter how reasonable your complaints, you will come out the loser if you show that you disrespect your boss because the interviewer will assume that you would similarly trash him or her. When faced with the challenge of talking about former employers, make sure you are prepared with a positive spin on your experiences.

Showing up late or too early: One of the first lessons in job-search etiquette is to show up on time for interviews. Many job-seekers don't realize, however, that showing up too early often creates a poor first impression as well. Arriving more than 10 minutes early for an interview is a dead giveaway that the job seeker has too much time on his or her hands, much like the last one picked for the softball team. Don't diminish your candidate desirability by appearing desperate. Act as if your time were as valuable as the interviewer's. Always arrive on time, but never more than 10 minutes early.

Treating the receptionist rudely: Since the first person you meet on an interview is usually a receptionist, this encounter represents the first impression you'll make. Don't mistake low rank for low input. Often that receptionist's job is to usher you into your interview. The receptionist has the power to pave your way positively or negatively before you even set eyes on the interviewer. The interviewer may also solicit the receptionist's opinion of you after you leave.

Asking about benefits, vacation time or salary: What if a car salesman asked to see your credit report before allowing you to test drive the cars? That would be ridiculous, and you'd walk away in disgust. The effect is about the same when a job-seeker asks about benefits or other employee perks during the first interview. Wait until you've won the employer over before beginning that discussion.

Not preparing for the interview: Nothing communicates disinterest like a candidate who hasn't bothered to do pre-interview research. On the flip side, the quickest way to a good impression is to demonstrate your interest with a few well thought out questions that reflect your knowledge of their organization.

Verbal ticks: An ill-at-ease candidate seldom makes a good impression. The first signs of nervousness are verbal ticks. We all have them from time to time -- "umm," "like," "you know." Ignore the butterflies in your stomach and put up a front of calm confidence by avoiding verbal ticks. You can also sometimes avoid verbal ticks by pausing for a few seconds to gather your thoughts before each response.

One of the best ways to reduce or eliminate them is through role-play. Practice sharing your best success stories ahead of time, and you'll feel more relaxed during the real interview.

Not enough/too much eye contact: Either situation can create a negative effect. Avoid eye contact and you'll seem shifty, untruthful, or disnterested; offer too much eye contact, and you'll wear the interviewer out. If you sometimes have trouble with eye-contact balance, work this issue out ahead of time in an interview practice session with a friend.

Failure to match communication styles: It's almost impossible to make a good first impression if you can't communicate effectively with an interviewer. But you can easily change that situation by mirroring the way the interviewer treats you. For instance:

• If the interviewer seems all business, don't attempt to loosen him/her up with a joke or story. Be succinct and businesslike
• If the interviewer is personable, try discussing his/her interests. Often the items on display in the office can offer a clue.
• If asked a direct question, answer directly. Then follow up by asking if more information is needed.

Allowing the interviewer to set the tone of conversation can vastly improve your chances of making a favorable impression. You can put the interviewer at ease -- and make yourself seem more like him or her -- by mirroring his or her communication style.

Final Thoughts
Just as a strong resume wins you an opportunity to interview, strong interview skills will win you consideration for the job. You already know that you won't earn an interview unless your resume sets you apart as a candidate of choice. Similarly, you should know that polishing your interview skills can mean the difference between getting the job offer -- and being a runner-up.

Start your job search with a resume that creates a stellar first impression, and then back those facts up with your extraordinary interview skills. You will have made yourself a better candidate by avoiding these ten interview pitfalls. And no one will have to talk about you as the candidate who "almost" got the job.

Wish you Happy Diwali & Prosperous New Year...

 

Success....

 

Sport the mindset of success!

Do you step out into the unknown regardless of whether trying something new may make you win or lose? How much fight do you have in you to achieve something even if others around you tell you it can’t be done, or if the odds are insurmountable? Here is an interesting anecdote on the topic:

Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton (1874-1922) was an Irish explorer who is best remembered for his Antarctic expedition of 1914-1915 in the ship Endurance, described in his book South.

The journey over the frozen deep was fraught with danger. The Endurance became trapped in pack ice and was ultimately destroyed by it. The crew had to abandon ship. After trekking over the ice, dragging three of the ship's lifeboats they had salvaged from the wreck, they managed to get to Elephant Island.

From there, Shackleton and four other men set out to summon help. In the largest of the three boats, they journeyed 750 miles (1200 km) through rough seas to the southern Atlantic Ocean island of South Georgia, where Shackleton and two others crossed glaciers and razorback ridges to reach a whaling station.

Following this, Shackleton made one last expedition, from which he did not return. But the point is that despite all odds against him in his initial attempt, he had the guts to try again whether he succeeded or failed.

In life, and in work, this is a quality we all need. Whether it is starting up a new business, or launching into a new product or aspect of your existing one, we all need strong characteristics that will make us snub our noses in the face of difficulty and set out to accomplish their dreams even if it means facing the risk of failure.

Article excerpts from activated.org

By POST A RESUME (http://www.postaresume.co.in)

Realize you are rich!

Has the recession hit you so hard you’re reeling under its attack? Are you wondering what there is left for you to look forward to or value? Here’s an anecdote of a man who’s life was full of worrying and disillusionment, until one day, something changed his life and he began to realize that looking at things positively can make you realize that you are rich!

Harold Abbot was a chronic worrier. That is until one spring day in 1934 when, as he was walking down the street, he saw something that put an end to all his worries. "It all happened in ten seconds," he told friend years later, "but during those ten seconds I learned more about how to live than I had learned in the previous ten years."

At the time, Harold had been trying to run a grocery store--not easy in the middle of the Great Depression. He had gone heavily into debt, and had been forced to close his store a few days before. Now he was on his way to the bank to try to borrow some money so he could go to a nearby city to look for a job. Harold had lost all his fight and faith. He walked like a beaten man.

Then he saw a man coming down the street--a man who had no legs. The man was sitting on a little wooden platform equipped with wheels from roller skates. He propelled himself along with a block of wood in each hand. Harold met him just after the man had crossed the street and was starting to lift himself over the curb and onto the sidewalk. As the man tilted his little wooden platform to an angle, their eyes met and the man greeted Harold with a smile. "Good morning! It is a fine morning, isn't it?" he said with spirit.

As Harold stood looking at him, Harold realized how rich he was. He had two legs. He could walk. He felt ashamed of his self-pity. "If that man can be happy, cheerful, and confident without legs," Harold said to himself, "I certainly can with legs." He could already feel his self-esteem returning. He had intended to ask the bank for one hundred dollars. Now he had the courage to ask for two hundred. He had intended to say that he wanted to go to the city to try to get a job, but at the bank he announced confidently that he wanted to go to the city to get a job. He got the loan, and he got the job.

For years afterwards, Harold Abbott kept the following words pasted on his bathroom mirror, and read them every morning as he shaved:

I had the blues
Because I had no shoes,
Until upon the street,
I met a man who had no feet.

Recession hits hard, but the absolute worst thing one can do is to buckle down under its pressure. The best weapon any of us have against the negativity of a harsh recession is a positive attitude. All the best with your focus on thinking positively!

Article excerpts from activated.org

By POST A RESUME (http://www.postaresume.co.in)

The Art of Presentation

Different presentations affect our reactions, communications and interactions with others. It's our presentation that counts.

Two people may be trying to get across the same idea, but they may do it in completely different ways. One presentation may have negative overtones, carry with it a whole range of negative emotions, and incite negative reactions, whereas the other may be just the opposite. Almost without exception, the one who does it in a kind, considerate way will have the greater success.

Positive presentation makes people feel good, it makes them feel cared for, it makes them feel that you like and respect and have confidence in them, and that nearly always wins their cooperation.

If people feel that you care, that's what will matter most to them and go the farthest in strengthening your relationship. Let friendship and trust come through.

Actually, the words we say are not always as important as how we say them. Sometimes we do need to point out problems or say things that we know will be difficult for the other person to accept, and even be direct in doing so. But people can overlook our being frank if they see that we sincerely care about them.

Even if we fail to say exactly the right thing in exactly the right way, if people feel that you care, that's what will matter most to them and go the farthest in strengthening your relationship. Let friendship and trust come through.

Part of mastering the Art of Presentation is to try a little tact.

A word that seems out of place or is said at the wrong time or to the wrong person is often thought of as a lack of tact. The dictionary defines tact as "the ability to say and do the right things; skill in handling difficult situations or dealing with difficult people without giving offense; delicacy; diplomacy." Delicacy means "fineness of feeling for small differences." The word "tact" is taken from the Latin tactus, which means "touching."

So the art of having tact and saying the right things to people at the right time is really just to be sensitive to the way they feel, to have that personal touch that helps us to be aware of what might hurt their feelings and to avoid doing so.

How do we learn to be more tactful? Be more sensitive to people's feelings, and cultivate the habit of thinking twice before you speak.

Article excerpts from activated.org

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

Nothing is Impossible

Sometimes the challenge set before you may seem insurmountable, but there are no impossibilities to men and women who believe.

I can't remember ever seeing a flea circus—the classic sideshow event in which fleas are the performers—but I came across a fascinating article about how the fleas are trained.

Fleas can jump extraordinarily high, relative to their tiny size. Training fleas involves putting them into a small box or jar. Without a lid, the fleas could easily jump out, so the flea trainer puts a lid in place and waits.

Inside the container, the fleas jump up in order to escape. They hit the lid and fall back down. Again and again, the fleas will jump, hit the lid, and fall back. Then, after some time, the fleas don't jump so high. They jump up almost as high as the lid, but not quite.

Eventually, the trainer will remove the lid. The fleas could easily escape now, but they don't even try. They've become accustomed to only jumping to a certain height. They have more or less decided that's their limit; they are going as high as they can go, and they don't attempt anything further. Freedom is just a jump away, but it's a jump they don't make. "Stupid fleas," we say. "So void of intelligence that they don't realize the lid has been removed."

But come to think of it, we too sometimes allow ourselves to be limited by barriers that exist only in our minds. We tried and failed at something, and our confidence was shaken. The next time around, when an opportunity arose to try something new or bigger, we didn't rise to the challenge because we didn't think we were capable of doing it.

Life is full of new beginnings and fresh possibilities and the lesson of the fleas should not be lost on us. We don't have to let setbacks or mistakes of our past hold us down, like the nonexistent lid on the fleas' jar. No imaginary limits for us! We can rise to new heights.

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

Just Try!!!

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

Demand for Senior-Level Manpower to dip by 50 percent!!!

There will be a 50 percent fall in requirement of senior-level manpower across sectors in Indian companies in 2009, compared with 2008, according to a survey by Gallup Consulting, commissioned by Executive Recruiters Association (ERA), an association of around 210 human resource consultancy firms in India. Senior-level manpower includes people with designations above vice-president and general managers.

The requirement for middle and junior level employees will fall by 23 percent and temporary manpower requirement will be down 21 percent, the survey says.

But there’s some good news for job-seekers. The engineering, infrastructure and construction sectors will require 64 percent more senior staff this year compared with 2008. The second highest requirement is from telecom companies, which is 16 percent more than in 2008. Business process outsourcing (BPO), knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) and ITeS sectors will require 44 percent more manpower in middle and junior level management this year, says the Gallup survey.

“The infrastructure projects are mid-way. The companies need employees for the projects to continue. The telecom sector is seeing a few new entrants. Also, some of the existing companies are entering new circles, so there is a need for manpower,” said Vipul Varma, secretary, ERA.

According to Mario Lobo, managing director of Ray & Berndston, an executive search firm, “Acquiring talent from outside the company will be expensive. Companies will change employees only when they think that a particular domain or business division is not doing well.”

Joy Nandi, client partner, Korn/Ferry International, another executive research firm, said, “There is a freeze in many companies when it comes to hiring. Typically, in a situation of downturn, companies relook at their manpower to check if they have a right person for a right job. If not, they coach and retrain people or move them into different departments with different responsibilities. It is also important to note that critical hiring is an ongoing process................

Article by Shilpa Shree, Mumbai, Financial Chronicle.

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

Build bridges not walls....

Most people tend to think about themselves first and foremost. It's human nature to "look out for number one," to put your own needs and desires before the needs of others. It's easy enough to get caught up in your own life and problems, but when you do that, you're creating a bigger problem by closing yourself off to many wonderful things in life and many wonderful people.

When you build bridges by reaching out to and connecting with others, it may add a few problems and complications, but it's worth the trouble because it also brings warmth, friendship, and love into your life. It is a matter of give and take, and it does require some effort, patience, and perseverance. The bridge doesn't build itself, and sometimes others aren't so keen at first to see you building in their direction. But if everyone got stuck in the me-first mentality and built nothing but walls, the world would be a different place.

Building a bridge begins with you changing your outlook towards others in your life – your colleagues, those you work with, family, friends, etc. When you begin to think in terms of what others want and need, the framework is in place. Then that bridge grows a little stronger each time you give of yourself to somebody else.

It might take a little courage to cross that bridge the first time, when you're not sure how well it's going to hold or how you'll be received on the other side, but you'll be glad you did. Remember that for every unselfish act, for every step you take to reach out to another, you will be rewarded someday, for what goes around comes around and what you give will come back to you again someday.

Article excerpts from activated.org

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

How to attend an Interview

Tips for interview

Each time you go for interview you must have wondered as to what kind of questions the interview and how you should answer and behave yourself. Here are some of the tips:

• Arrive on time or few minutes earlier.
• Walk in the room confidently and greet the interviewer.
  Wait till you are offered a seat.
• Be polite, sit straight on the seat, look alert and interested at all times.
• Maintain an eye contact with the interviewer.
• Keep a copy of your resume in front of you so that you can explain the projects you have undertaken and you are right at all times.
• Before interview always get the full detail about the company, products, services and the post you have applied.
• Listen to the questions carefully and try to answer to the point. If you are unable to understand the question, ask the interviewer to repeat it and request for related information. Answer the questions truthfully.
• Switch off your mobile / pager.
• Don't put your folder on the interviewers table, keep it on your table.
• Don't lie under any circumstances and don't give wrong impression.
• Don't interrupt the interviewer.
• Don't give long answers, stories to go off the topic you are discussing.
• Never show or express unwillingness to be interviewed.
• After completing the interview process if the interviewer asks if you have any questions? Clarify any issues related to company's background, place of work if hired starting date and timings.
• Always be positive.
  

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

How to hire passionate employees.

Visage Ventures is a leading provider of full-service staffing solutions to a broad range of clients globally. We command state-of-the-art tools that help you make the right decision about your company's most important asset—your people. We test the candidate's general business skills and applicable industry specific skills such as machinery or forklift operation. We also ensure each candidate's integrity with references.

To gauge that, experts recommend digging deeply into a candidate's work history. You need to take the time to do a detailed, job-by-job review.. Where did this person excel in the past? What specific achievements got recognized and rewarded? Why did she get promoted? Which job or jobs really gave him a chance to shine? This will show you pretty clearly what the candidate is passionate about.

Then you can assess whether her/his passion matches the job you're trying to fill. Someone with a phenomenal talent for wooing new clients, for example, may not be the right fit for a sales-manager position that will put him behind a desk managing other salespeople without ever meeting a customer. The better you understand both the job itself and the person you're considering for it, the more likely you are to get someone who can channel his or her passion in the right direction.

Ask candidates about some of the risks they have taken and how they turned out. Passion really comes down to confidence and courage, including a willingness to push back and take an unpopular position if you really believe in it. Debate with the candidate. Sometime during a conversation roll out an opinion or an idea that is way out of left field, just to see if the candidate is willing to argue - politely, of course, but with conviction.

Pay close attention to the questions asked by candidates. Passionate people will ask you a question and then, based on your answer to that one, ask you another one. They're following one idea to another idea with genuine spontaneous curiosity. That shows passion. Ask people what they are passionate about outside of work. Someone whose eyes light up when they talk about a sport or a charity or whatever it is they do in their spare time - that is someone who will probably be passionate on the job too. People don't switch their passion off when they walk into work in the morning. It carries over.

Passion isn't all that hard to spot - if you really try. Too many employers pay lip service to the idea of passion but in fact they want cookie-cutter thinking, which is why they end up with cookie-cutter hires. Hiring managers will opt for the 'safe' candidate rather than a more provocative one - and then they're disappointed a year later when the person hasn't stepped up and produced fantastic results.

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

Dressing right for the interview

Let's say you are going for an interview tomorrow. You have prepared yourself well for the occasion - anticipating the question and getting ready the answers - but have you given a thought to what you will wear?

If you have not peeked into your wardrobe yt, it's time to take a real hard look now. Your application's fate depends not just on how well you answer the interview questions, but also on how well you project yourself physically.

The first impression your interviewer makes about you is based on the way you look, and you know what they say about first impressions. According to Joe Hodowanes, J.M Wanes and Associates career strategy advisor, "The way a person dresses is the single biggest non-verbal communication you make about yourself."

The right dressing is a measure of the seriousness that you place on the position, as a person normally spends time on his looks if he considers an event important enough.

"Although proper dressing by itself will not get you the job, a poor dress sense may exclude you from further consideration, "warns Gerry Ditching, managing partner of Filgifts.com. Besides, given two equally good applications, the company may choose to hire the person who is dressed more professionally.

Here are some tips to give you a headstart.

MEN
Long-sleeved shirt and dark slacks: White is still the safest and the best color or shirts. The colour is also appropriate for our tropical weather. Also acceptable: pale shades such as beige, blue, and other pastels. Tuck in the shirt and do not roll up the sleeves. Never wear a short-sleeved shirt to an interview or any business purpose. Wearing a short-sleeved shirt will destroy executive image.

Ties: Optional. But if you do wear one, choose a conservative pattern. Solids, small polka dots, diagonal stripes, small repeating shapes, subtle plaids and paisleys are all acceptable.

Belts: Belts should match your shoes. Those with smaller buckles with squared lines look more professional.

Socks: Black socks arethe best, followed by blue or gray, depending on your attire. Never wear white socks! Check your sock length, too-no skin should show when you sit down or cross your legs.
Shoes: Black or burgundy leather shoes with laces on them, because tassel loafers are very casuals. Other suitable colour are brown, cordovan and navy.

Hair: Keep neat, short and preferably parted on the side. And shave off all those facial hair. Jewellery. Wear no or little jewellery. The watch and wedding ring are the only acceptable pieces of jewellery to go with the male attire. Thin gold or leather-strapped watches look professional but not digital watches. Also, avoid political or religious insignias, necklaces or bracelets. Definitely no pierced body parts, and cover up your tattoos!

Accessories: As much as possible, use leather briefcases or folders to hold copies of your resume. Use narrow briefcases and avoid plastic folders and plastic ball pens as they are out of place.

WOMEN
Three-piece business suits, blouse and skirt or slacks, and cardigan twin-sets: Sleeveless shirts should be rejected Short-Sleeved blouses are okay when they are tailor-cut or have features such as sports collar or double breast design to create a business-like look. Skirts can either be long provided it does not create a Cinderella or barn-dance look or short where it fails no shorter than two inches from the knee. Nothing too revealing, please!

Shoes: Closed shoes or pumps with at least 1 1/2-inch heels suggest a more professional look. Dark colours are best.

Hair: Hair longer than shoulder length should be worn up or pulled back. Don't let it fall in front of your face and don't keep trying to fix it during the interview. Avoid large hair ornaments and trendy hairstyle.

Make-up: Be subtle; natural is the key word. Light shades of lip colouring and nail polish are recommended. Jewellery. Be conservative. Studs of gold, silver or pearls are best. Do away with gaudy fashion jewellery, and those that clank and make noise when one moves.

Accessories: Folders and bags should blend well with the total professional look. Women should match their purse with their shoe colour.

Jewellery: Wear no or little jewellery. The watch and wedding ring are the only acceptable pieces of jewellery to go with the male attire. Thin gold or leather-strapped watches look professional but not digital watches. Also, avoid political or religious insignias, necklaces or bracelets. Definitely no pierced body parts, and cover up your tattoos!

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

New trends in HR technology

Human resource strategy is the result of a set of decisions a company makes about the humans with whom it does business. HR technology of Visage Ventures offers employers and job seekers the chance to find suitable candidates and employment opportunities. HR executives, like other business professionals, are increasingly seeking to utilize the power of computing and the internet to improve process effectiveness. A new generation of products has evolved which can, in tandem, address all steps within the recruitment process.

Many companies fail to adequately plan and precisely define their requirements before they begin the recruitment process. Much recruiting is reactive, i.e. to replace resignations or terminations or the sudden emergence of projects which should have been notified months before.

Often information given to recruiters is based upon a top-down process. We contend that a proactive, bottom-up process is also beneficial where there is a real involvement of the workplace in determining the required skills and competencies, and making or at least validating a precise description and tenure statement.

The first step in hiring approval is to ensure the job is properly defined and meets the needs of the hirer. Applications should include libraries of job competencies and skills preferably extracted from the existing employee base.

The next step in hiring approval is to submit the completed description together with costs, tenure, and other requirements to approvers. This limits ‘maverick’ hires and provides a measure of spend control.

Technology supplements but does not replace the ‘art’ of recruitment, the cornerstone of which is human contact, relationships and the ability to motivate people to opportunity and change. The application of this art is the main activity of staffing companies where technology is only an enabler, with success arising from their specialist knowledge of the candidate market, individual candidates, and their ability to attract, motivate and broker applicants with employers.

Another technology coming of age is the deployment of software that does intelligent matching, based on the extraction and evaluation of skills and other attributes from the candidate resume. Complex but powerful, this software uses probabilistic algorithms and natural language processing techniques.

The interview is an important component of the recruitment process. A number of hiring systems include standard interview questions and provision for post interview scoring.Most hiring systems include provision for interview scheduling, which may be integrated with corporate diary systems such as Outlook or Notes. Hiring systems may also include a standard ‘letter of offer’ and customizable ‘rejection letters’. Hiring systems may also record short-listed but rejected candidates for later contact and automate periodic contact management and tracking.

Information about the successful applicant(s) must be processed and incorporated into the company HRIS and payroll systems. Company intranets may also be used to announce the new appointment and starting date. Letters of offer, contracts with mutual obligations, salary and benefit information are initiated as required. Hiring systems may incorporate or be integrated into email systems and provide email and documents properly stored and indexed for future retrieval.

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

'Research indicates that workers have three prime needs: Interesting work, recognition for doing a good job and being let in on things that are going on in the company.'

- Zig Ziglar, an American author

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

Save Your Sanity

If you’re doing head-stands and all kinds of acrobatics to keep a stable job and supporting you well in a volatile market, read on. You might just find exactly what you need to keep your head on right.

When reading through a favorite site of mine, I came across an article on ways in which we corporate employees can save our sanity in difficult times of volatile markets. It is both interesting and helpful and I’ve excerpted some portions which I thought you might like to read. Here they are:

Every morning I wake up to what seems like a list of two million things I think I need to get done before the sun sets. I used to push myself to the limit physically and mentally, but still rarely accomplished everything I had planned, and that left me frustrated and stressed. My solution? I came up with a list of five things to help me get more done without feeling so pressured. Believe it or not, none of them are "work harder" or "go faster."

Get…at the root of the problem, [don’t] just deal…with the symptom, the stress.

Spend a few moments [to] meditate…

Plan and organize. I have found that by planning my day the night before, I can free myself of much of the stress on even the busiest of days. I start with a list of everything I need to do or would like to do, set priorities, and pare down the list to what seems realistic. Then I plan the order in which to do them, including my route and travel times, estimating on the outside to allow for the unexpected. If everything doesn't fit, I cut some more. Having a solid plan sets my mind at ease.

Take breaks. Friends who work in offices, banks, schools, and other busy workplaces tell me, "That's impossible! I don't have the time for breaks." But I've found that a break doesn't have to take 30 minutes or an hour to be effective. Five minutes or less will usually do. I drink a glass of water and step outside for a deep breath of fresh air. Or if I can't do that, I look out a window or lean back and close my eyes. Relaxing physically helps to calm my mind. The next hour or two usually go so much better that it's clear those five minutes were a good investment.

Stay positive. No matter how carefully I plan my day, there are times when things go wrong or the unexpected happens. Instead of panicking or getting frazzled, I make a conscious effort to look for the good, to focus on possible solutions, not the problem.

So there you have it—five sanity savers that don't require any special genius, just a little discipline and practice.

If you have any other tricks and tips that help keep you sane, write in with it and we may just be able to sneak it into next months issue.

Article excerpts from activated.org

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)

Strategies for Success

Faced with a major project or challenge? You probably have a general idea of where you want to go, but you'll need a strategy, a plan of steps to take in order to reach that objective.

Planning is an investment. To plan wisely and well takes time, effort, patience‚ good research, and counsel. But a well-formed plan will pay for itself many times over.

There are many ways to create a strategy, but here are a few tried-and-proven principles that you might want to try:

Define your long-term objectives. What exactly do you hope to achieve? Spell each one out on paper in concrete, concise terms. For the greatest chance of success, narrow your focus to one or two primary objectives. You can take on more or diversify later.

Set short-term goals to reach your long-term objectives. In order to reach your long-term objectives, you will need steppingstones along the way. These should be smaller goals that together will get you to the final destination of your long-term objectives. They should be detailed and specific, concrete and measurable. If a goal isn't something that you'll be able to tick off as done, if it can't be quantified, then it's not specific enough.

Breaking down your goals into bite-sized pieces is crucial. The simpler and easier your goals are to reach, the better, because you'll see more immediate progress. It's easy to overestimate and shoot too high when setting your goals. It's also wise to realize that reaching big objectives takes time. Having a number of smaller goals will help keep the motivation level high, because you'll see more tangible progress. And every time you tick off one of your smaller goals, you're that much closer to your long-term objective.

Identify any obstacles. Once you have determined your long-term objectives and your short-term goals, you should take a look at any obstacles, or cons‚ or things that might stand in the way of achieving the results you're after. If you are alerted to potential problems, you can head them off by proactively praying for potential solutions.

Formulate a strategy. Once you have determined your long-term objectives and the short-term goals, you need a plan that includes specific tasks that will help you reach each of your short-term goals. Your plan must be realistic. A lofty plan may look impressive, but if it's too complicated or difficult to implement, it will never get off the ground and therefore be ineffective.

Assign the specific tasks that will be involved. Determine who will be responsible for each step, when they should have it done by, and if it's possible to know at this stage, how it should be done. Accountability is vital to success, as otherwise there will be no follow-through and no progress.

By POST A RESUME (www.postaresume.co.in)