Year: 2014

Interviewer is the person who takes the interview; there is more to it than what meets the eye here because of all the people he is one who would work the hardest because he needs to find the fine blend of skill and initiative backed by the right attitude. Skill can be developed over time so can the initiatives given enough lucrative opportunities and rewards but attitude is born in you cannot be taken changed and developed so watch out.

An interviewer is probably has to be  one of the most persistent , patient,  empathic, and  ludicrous at times to ease the edge off a certain group of candidates who are often talented but are impartially introverts. He has the responsibility to hold the common interest of the company and not personal so he strikes the balance and he is clearly responsible for the organizations well being.

Pre interview checklist/ Observations

Before hiring process begins first and foremost we need to do is a pre interview analysis which defines a predetermined path or order of things during the course of interviews a few useful steps as follows:

Evaluation of persona and behavioral checklist

A person is clearly defined by his persona or the way on describes oneself. This is an actual indication as to how one perceives and behaves in life both personal and professional. This is indicated by studying his/her work patterns and frequency of job changes and also the reasons as to why the change happened. Based on the study a predictive analysis needs to be developed leading to build up of a checklist this shows all the possible traits and set expectations as to whether the person matches the current role or not.

Previous employer

It is essential a brief study of previous work history is carefully analyzed because it shows what kind of work one has done in the past what value addition is been made and what achievements are done and how they can make a difference.

Education

In case of a fresher or an experienced professional education says it all it indicates what sort of an achiever you are and how consistently you retained your ranking or scores all this matters because winning is like a bad hobbit it’s hard to lose it if you can find a true achievers you can’t go wrong on hiring them. Essentially it makes it easy for us to find a top scorer. It is not a basic criteria but a mere filter there is more to it than just grades. Most drop outs and average pass outs are also achievers but they are more versatile and need I say more about Steve Jobs saga is a fine example of such achievers.

Achievement roster

It is not for everyone to compete in spots, competitions, championships and other extracurricular activities, because it takes a lot more grit and reading out of a book and writing an exam it takes ingenuity and maneuverability to handle a competition. “Adaptive” or “adaptability” is one skill/ trait that makes a difference , they learn through competing in numerous competition such people take a lot less time in learning new skills and gel well with new teams.

Direct Interview observation

An interview especially a face to face is conducted so that the person meets the previously mentioned checklist any Questions you have from the pre interview checkup will be answered here

Body language

Speaking without speaking is what body language is. No matter how hard you train body language is one thing that reflects your true personality involuntarily whether you like it or not.so watch out for signs that give away more than you think .Habit personality behavioral pattern and behavioral analysis all are assessed at this stage.

Attire and accessories

What you wear is what you are clothes speak surprised don’t be because all the tiny decision that happen happens involuntarily in the same cognitive area that rests your attitude function of the brain so you might speak something but your clothes speak otherwise. Same goes for your accessories don’t carry too many things don’t run out of things. Take a more of a functional approach while packing and don’t overdo it causing a spillage of unnecessary things.

Attitude and perception

Not only do you carry yourself and accessories you carry something some don’t realize they carry and that’s the attitude because interview is basically all about the way you carry yourself and the perception you have toward the company at large if you are emotionally intelligent enough you would understand what mask to wear for what occasion.

Post interview checklist/Observation

You have taken the interview left the place its over not for the interviewer here’s where the test begins that would reflect your mannerism and truly test your commonsense of professional behavioral expectations

Follow up

Observations are made by interviewers when a candidate leaves they must be courteous enough if not courteous or at least curious enough to find out the status of the interview. No need for formalities here though but it is expected of one to just a simple thanks to go about for the opportunity given would actually strike a positive note with the company sometimes may not hire you now but it actually goes a long way.

Behavioral alterations

A person cannot be determined or accepted with a single meeting for example you may meet an introvert who has more skill than his resume but is unable to express it or vice versa so these behavioral alterations must be carefully assessed and ensure a good skill is not lost.

Common guidelines to newbie interviewers

• It is not a quiz game don’t wait for answers observe the efforts he makes to know the answer it means “learnability.”
• It is not about how much he knows about the company ask how did he come to know about it shows “adaptability.”
• Show some interest and ask about the other fields of his study and if he has more than one he is a jack of all trades which is good it shows “versatility.”
• Be emotionally inert don’t make funny faces especially not in front of a freshman it reflects really bad on company’s part
• Both the last two statements may represent contradicting versions of the same statement unfortunately both are true because as an interviewer you have to realize and find the balance in things.

Common Guidelines for job seekers

• Do your homework or get ready to be schooled.
• It is bad manners to tell an interviewer that I have not done adequate research about the firm no matter what reasons you have.
• Don’t carry your trophy chest like mentioned before be functional.

A simple yet supple term that says more than what it means. Essentially what the message it’s trying to give out is you either commit yourself to whatever you do or you don’t do it at all.

Every year a group of thousands of young, talented, strong men and women are chosen from the army to recruit them in to marines. Not many make it as most of us know it is one of the most unforgiving, intense and toughest training regimen created in the entireworld. If they make it they will turn out to be the finest warriors respected and feared among the rest of the armed forces. Notbecause they are the strongest they are the toughest because the terms “go hard or go home” is literally embedded in to their DNA.

As real as it may seem all our lives we are taught our limits which guide us which help us find our way in life which act as bench marks through and through. Limits that keep u safe from uncertainty and unknown. But at the end of it all ask yourself have you really made an impact that you can see for yourself. If the answer is ‘no’ then it was a life short lived and wasted efforts defining your every attempt to greatness.

Overcoming the dogma that you want to escape something you can’t define and understand fully is the hardest thing you can attempt to do. Better yet the question is can you really do it?

The answer is simply ‘yes’. Every person is given an equal opportunity and we all share the same old watch that ticks 24 and 7 with 52 weeks and 365/366 days. Then how is it some make it and some don’t the answer lies in the question at large, because it’s not about how much time you have in your hands or a matter of what you achieved it’s all about how much you really want it and how bad.

Everything conspires deep in your mind deeper than you can ever think “what you think is what you are or what you will become” all you need to do is dedicate and discipline yourself and have the drive to want it so bad as bad as you want to breathe when you are underwater then that shows we are getting somewhere.

A competitive sport especially cycling is a good example for pushing limits we all have same physical composition flesh, blood and bones the same are use in a cycling competition. If education serves right it will tell you this is what you can do and nothing else but if you add a secret ingredient called “tenacity” no one can will stand between you and success. But if you have to get there you best friends are determination, patience and most importantly undying resolution to get there.

Same applies to real life situation whether it’s your job or be it any achievement you want to reach in real life you are guide in a certain path which leads you to a dead end and tells you this is a wall and it stays it keeps you there if you choose to but if you dig deep break the fears and crack the wall world is your playground and let no one tell you otherwise.

Experience put together,I am a Fresher out of the University and Its my second interview and MY FIRST JOB now. ……. It’s been 1 year and I am about to write a blog, If I think about my interview process, I guess I have followed what I would be saying now unknowingly!!!!!! .
It’s an understanding about WHAT NOT TO USE in an interview process…….
Basically it’s an interview and no doubt there will be a lots of Excitement, Enthusiasm, Curiosity and Nervousness .Make sure you convey your Excitement, Enthusiasm and Curiosity about the Job , it would make the process flow free .Never let your Nervousness dominate the rest of the three and convey that “you are really nervous”,It may be directly or may be through your body language , it would make the interview process end up to be One sided talk than a Mutual Discussion , which might not have a happy ending.
“Never show your desperation” your future Employers may view it as a sign of weakness. An employer wants employees who are seeking a long-term career, not merely a job.”
Interview is give and take process, picking the perfect match either for the employer or the employee, so start a discussion if possible which is related to work. If you are a Fresher out of the University start with what you want to be , why you want to be and so on and if you are already in the field and waiting for a new Start , explain about your previous achievements and “let’s not talk money” on the first instance.
Now this is an obvious question for all those who either are currently in the field or were in the field at past. “Why are you looking out” do explain the reason, be frank enough and no twisted tongue’s and most importantly your answer must never be “My current boss/employer is horrible.” Your interview process might successfully end, with you getting not shortlisted!!!!
Remember solving the problems of your employer will solve your problems .If the conversation is filled up with all your needs then your employer might think you  would cost a bomb to maintain and  highly challenging to work with .
Generally problems may take some time to be cleared, whatever field you are into. Hence the most important aspect being tested either directly or indirectly would be your patience. So be patient and as the quote goes “intezaar ka phal meetha hota hai !!!!!!”.
“Perks are perks “, they are sweeter, but never get it proved at the interview point.  If proved it would not be sweeter any more.
Do ask questions at the end, either it may be small or big and keep in mind a basic thing your question should be related to the work and Company you will be a part off.

Every once in a while there comes a time when you are faced with adversities and every adversity has its solution and in order to find a solution you have to make a choice. Generally choice always has been is and forever will be a real pain as we all know ‘every action has an equal and opposite reaction ‘or in this case it’s a ‘consequence’. Consequence here refers to a job being accepted.

A job offer essentially is an end result of a series of discussions where person is asked a series of questions that happen to find out he persons intellectual abilities and his willingness to pursue a particular job.  A job that eventually becomes his/ her career.

Now let’s see things to consider before accepting an offer like all process human cognitive function deduces all possibilities of accepting and rejecting an offer where by eliminating chances of failure to perform resulting he will stand where he started off or back to the drawing board situation. So, it is necessary a thorough systematic analytic thought must be in place before taking (accepting) an offer.

Stop and go

A job offer is essentially an end result then the process of debating begins whether as to accept it or not believe me about 75% of job offers are chosen due to one of these two reasons one would be salary the other would be ease of access or near the work place. The dogma as to choice arises when there are multiple choices again choice is the problem. The solutions is simple stop and think for a movement are you really going to do what you want to do for the rest of your life, are you going to be happy and can you see scalable and reasonable amount of growth in it. If you can answer these questions then you are ready to go and accept an offer.

It’s a marathon not a sprint

Accepting a job offer is only the beginning don’t consider as a short run it’s a long run process like a marathon it needs to be done thoughtfully where in you need to conservatively approach it rather than aggressively as it would exhaust you and leave you in a state of pandemonium. So you must understand it’s a very long term commitment and must be planned and executed in a conservative as well as systematic manner. Consider various aspects like “the kind of people you will work with”, the magnitude of technical problems you will be solving”, “how close this job will take you towards your career aspirations”, “ how do you rate the interview process in terms of standards of questions, the  work culture, impact of the role et al, and definitely other aspects like compensation, location, “work – life balance assumptions” all have to be kept in mind while the thought process is in progress.

Do what you do best leave out all the rest

As mentioned earlier some very minute things can mean the difference between a good choice and bad choice sometimes you must accept an offer and have a little faith because a good company understands people and their needs and accordingly designs compensation as salary is most certainly a personal matter and have good processes in place. So accept an offer with good faith you worry about what you are hired to do le the company worry about the rest.

Robert Kiyosaki’s an American investor and a motivational speaker states   “when you are young work to learn and not to earn”because if you earn a lot of money you have it till you spend it but if you acquire a new skill it lasts a lifetime.

Few tips to remember before accepting a job offer:

• Is the location good for you as travelling too long will wear you out and it hinders your performance.
• Culture is the key to having good relations in an organization and their attitude employees have towards their employer
• Understand all three dimensions of your role and do an in- depth analysis of your career prospects
• Think about how you can add value to the company and grow along with the company.
• Consider and visualize whether the compensation is adequate for you to lead a content life.

Relishing an evening cup of coffee in a not so crowded but a happening coffee joint, my friend answers a call from one of the many hiring companies where he had recently taken up a job interview. I have been watching him carefully plan his career progression, selecting companies, considering job vacancies, applications, interviews and the most important “follow ups”.

Assuming that he has been selected because of his relaxed smile, I extend my congratulatory greetings to him. With a sheepish smile he goes on to explain  that the recruiter whom he spoke called  up to inform him about his non selection adding that he is happy with the prompt response from recruiter/hiring company on his application , interview follow ups and wishes to reapply with them in future too.

As someone who is bridging the applicant-employer gap, it strikes to me that while we appreciate the thank you notes or emails from job seekers, we many a times  fall short of responding like wise. It would be a good practice to inform the job seeker on his application and interview process regardless of his selection not just because the two way recruiting process calls for it but because the person deserves to know the result of his time invested and also because he valued and considered us of the so many other options available to him.

Also, this way we build up a passive interested job seeker whom we may find a fit in future who is persuasive of applying with us just because of the thought “that if my application is treated so sensitively then they would treat me so much better as an employee”.

What is a start up?
It is a vaguely defined terminology and past few years it has been one of the most researched word on the internet Google to be more precise. Let’s take a simplified approach a start up is essentially an organization established for someone’s idea as well as business model to understand how, when and why it’s scalable. Quit essentially it’s a very expensive science experiment.
Wiki Quotes a start up as

“A startup company or startup is a company or temporary organization designed to search for a repeatable and scalable business model.”

A startup is an idea being materialized and it takes years and years of sheer hard work and not many have the courage, conviction and determination as to pursue an idea. If they can it will be one of the most successful Companies. One of many examples is modern-day technology giants such as Apple, Amazon and Facebook.
Now as to the question the billion dollar question goes “why join one?” Well let’s get the facts right.

Learning curve

One apparent advantage you have when you join a start up would be that your learning curve becomes shorter and your skills grow and evolve as a result you are more aware. Any startup would generally trail you on the job unlike a few corporate where you attend class room session as to what to do and by the time you realize or face the adversities explained scenario the acquired skill is lost. As the result of human brains ability of retention is about 50 percent of the data input. It’s not intentional it’s not stress it’s completely natural.

Entrepreneurial mindset
As a part of a start up you are more prone to develop a different mindset altogether as to why it’s simple you are exposed to every aspect of the business be it making your own coffee to meeting the highest players in your business. So you grow without your own knowledge and your mind set changes from a narrow cubicle to a world of opportunities.

Versatility of skills
The kind of learning that happens in a state up scene is incredible you learn not for your job at hand but what you will handle in the near future. The tasks are not assigned not based on what you are hired for but based on what you are good at this is one way to truly discover your skills and what you really want to do and excel in it. Don’t consider it a job but an effort you are making to know what you are made of and to truly understand yourself. It’s not that you are hired to do something you have to do that alone, no you are free to explore “only the path is shown not the way to approach it”. This only happens in a startup.

Initiative orientation
Know this initiative and organized behavior take you to great heights when it comes to working in a startup environment. Here you don’t succeed if you lead from the back you have to lead from the front this is the key most people starting the business don’t understand but this is an open secret misunderstood and misguide by primitive thinking of the tall structural facet as a result the tower grows taller and the higher they go the harder they fall.

Career not job
There is a strong debate as to career and a job mean same or are they different well, the truth is it’s all up to you if you are looking for a career and not a job a startup is opt for you. As to why should you pursue a career its simple let’s say you are a mail man you deliver letter it’s a job and you do it on cue is expected this is a typical job perspective. Now from a career perspective you do it on time or before to delight them develop mannerisms and greet the receiver with a smile and show commitment and never miss out on dead line that’s a career.
Here are a few more things that are advantages when you join a start up
• You really get to show case your skills and achieve life goal
• You may become a future entrepreneur
• You learn hard work is the only way to do things
• Discipline comes naturally to those who work in a start up
• You become more conscious and aware of the system as well as industry at large

An interview is basically a formal interaction which would make even the toughest quake. Let it be the smartest person in your class or the toughest jock who won last year’s football match. Some say it’s a war situation between David and Goliath sort of a situation. However you can even out the odds by doing a few sensible and common things that actually works.

Three very simple steps to success that can actually help you turn every interview in to a successful crusade.

Step one

Sleep tight

Why? Well I get this question whenever I tell some one about this reason is simple our brain essentially performs like a high performance sports engine it needs rest. As a result low stress levels, more focus, reduced chances of failure to perform tests provided during the time of interview and most important of all helps you relax

Arrive early and Stay calm

It is imperative you arrive on time because it shows how important the job is and as they say ‘first impression is the best one’ so make a good impression on the first meeting. There would be a lot going on a new environment creates a state of anxiety how use your imagination! And best thing to do would be Calm and composed to keep your nerves.

Mind your Presence/Attire/Posture/manners

Mind yourself wouldn’t suffice so mind you presence good mood is infectious and a smile even better. Wear appropriate attire and carry accurate accessories not your wardrobe where in it should be functionality  and sensibility are your two best friends.90 percent of human communication is non verbal so  watch out what message you are giving out and ensure they are positive. Most important of all be e nice it counts. A simple thank you goes a long way.

Step two

Prepare your resume as per the position

Revisit your resume from the point of view of the interviewer. It may provide insight into the company’s employee need something that would certainly be advantageous to know going in. So edit it based on key terms of the Job description quotes.

Ensure your skills are up to date

Ensure the skills mentioned on the job description are what the responsibilities are what you looking for  and  you are not walking in to a Mexican standoff,  so be very clear  about your skill set don’t give any wrong idea to the interviewer.

Make sure to carry necessities not your trophy cabinet

Carry only necessary documentation and answer to the point don’t over exaggerate it could land you in a heap of trouble as you are new to the company.

Step three

Be attentive

Being attentive is very important as situations change and so does environment with each interview. Honestly Environmental and Situational awareness are your best wingmen if your mission is landing the job with flying aces

Stay focused

It is vital to stick to your goal no matter what be clearly present in the environment don’t worry if it works out,  don’t worry about what you can do with your life, don’t worry what to do with money you earn, most important of all don’t lose sight.

Be prepared to let go

Not every man who walks in to a interview room is a hire, so if things don’t work out or the other way around be prepared to let go and move on Its not about whether the company chooses you it is you who have to ultimately make the decision ,so make a clear conscious decision

A few General guidelines that actually help

1. Practice, practice, practice no harm not there are any new shortcuts to hard work so practice
2. Research the position, the company, and current affairs about your current position
3. Anticipate the questions you feel will be asked, then prepare sample answers don’t overdo it
4. Prepare open-ended questions to ask interviewer don’t burden then not all are like indeed people
5. Prepare a list of relevant experiences and examples demonstrating your ability to do the job.

Now-a-days many of us want to work with the next happening start-up. The equation here is

“They’re cool” + “Good fun at work” + “Founded by creative, passionate people” + “out-of-the-box ideas” and of course the opportunity to earn loads of money…

I have met many people in my last 11 year career, many of them were exceptionally talented and very good at their work but

– Surely lack the passion to run/work in a start-up

– Don’t want to try anything new, not ready to take risk, resistant about change

– Want to work at a specific and defined work time

– Love to follow loads of set protocols and like to lead a balanced life at work…

The above are definitely not called a Start-Up guy. At best they can meet some pre-defined objectives in life and ensure the KPI’s are green in their appraisal sheet…

Those of us are associated/have been associated directly or indirectly with a start-up, know it’s a  “passion”, which means more than the regulation hours, off the route journey, uneven pitch to pad up, doing undone things, practice unknown things and so on.

While working in a start-up is also often sitting on a chamber of fire…

You will be expected to dive right into the work the very 1^st day with very little / no training or direction. You will be given a free hand to knock the CEO’s cabin every now and then to discuss/argue/counter everything to ensure the Project is on track…

“Figuring out the right trick” is the mantra, no matter how and who stands in between…

Being surprised I sometimes ask myself – am I a jack-of-all-trades? At startups, resources are limited and challenges are more, so you have to be ready to wear multiple hats of odd shapes and colors.

A startup is not a place which came into existence yesterday or because of its size and equity. It’s a human enterprise built with unconventional thought process and with lot of let goes.

Sounds Crazy!!!

Pull up your sleeves; tighten up your waist belt, take a brisk walk and think Mr. STARTUP – are you ready for it?

Here you don’t have that elegant business card with you / the fashionable designation or your highly ornamented past of working with a glorious company, the pantry for which is bigger than the size of the Start-up you recently signed . Everything is straight and exposed.

The reality is that, most start-ups aren’t glamorous and it’s not for most people.

Hold your nerves for a minute; don’t rush to any conclusion…

If you join a start-up because “it’s a start-up” then you’re joining for the wrong reason. Joining a Start-up means you are a part of the mission and the revolution because the people around you believe in the cause and they can’t have one soldier in the army with halfhearted spirit to solve the problem.

If you do that, and are passionate about the mission check these within yourself:

• Can you help others / Can you help yourself
• Will you learn/ Willing to learn
• Do you have an interest for doing everything
• Do you stand up for anything?

And above all can you mess and get things done ?

If answer for all of them is “yes”, probably you are ready for the Start-up journey. If you’re selecting a company on simply perks, payout, flexible working hours, or stability then you’re not ready for a start-up because you’re not ready for the change, not fine with the uncertainty in life and joining a small company isn’t going to solve that problem.

I believe all of these come from within, the love and the passion for doing things.

You need to be passionate about the idea. So passionate that you’re willing to make it your number one priority for as long as the company survives. You need to be so passionate that you’ll fight for it till death when your friends, family, neighbors, near and far ones are telling you that you’re heading towards failure.

The key here is not about “success”, it’s only about the “attitude” – We call it a START-UP…

To initiate a company, your principal confront is hiring credible talent.

The players behind your inspiration are the most significant section of the start-up conundrum. Hiring the precise individuals makes all the distinction, predominantly in the premature days.

The price of getting the flawed hire is far-flung elevated than the time and cost it takes to hire the accurate person, so it’s paramount to endow that time and force in making certain you are doing everything you can to coup over the right people.

The toughest challenge facing most ground-breaking technology companies these days isn’t getting funded – it’s hiring the superlative, most proficient workforce. Whilst by and large redundancy remains reasonably sky-scraping, there is a combat for aptitude raging in the tech business and a lot of start-ups are losing the scuffle to draw and preserve “A+” knack.

The three prime challenges that we witness in tech startup hiring are need of brand acknowledgment, the substance the hire has in the start-ups overall assignment and where the hire should anticipate to be as the company continues to develop. Start-ups that are triumphant in recruiting do a great job of telling their anecdote, elucidating their visualization and how the candidate will be an imperative part of attainment that objective.

Zeal is the answer nevertheless cannot be pinpointed on a resume. It is finest revealed with time, which makes it convoluted to recognize in the hiring itinerary. The statute is to fabricate a sturdy conduit, twirl excellence leads into opportunities, and recognize zenith talent.The prospect to work on a technological challenge is something capital can’t acquire. Emphasize the test and the person you want may choose your company.

In India, predominantly, the challenge is mammoth as we are also demanding to reign over the social aspects when it comes to functioning for a start-up. Most immaculate graduates do not actually think about working for start-ups.

Even though this fashion is altering gradually, we still have a stretched way to go before some authentic allure can be supplementary to a start-up employment.

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