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Saturday, August 11, 2012

Common Interview Mistakes - what human resource professionals says

Following is the summary of replies, provided by dozens of human resource professionals, from the Rozee Blog on the question of what common mistakes interviewee often make in an interview.

These common mistakes fall under eight broad categories. The two most common complaint made by HR professionals were - lack of communication skills and preparation.
Communication
  • Talking too much or too little, results in repetition, mumbling, and not focusing on what is being said
  • Not asking right questions or worst not asking questions at all, which means they have no clue of what this job is all about. 
  • Answering what is not being asked this demonstrate their lack of listening skills, one of the most important communication skill. 
  • Inconsistency in responses i.e. saying things that are different to what is written on the resume.
Preparation

  • Not being prepared mentally and physically for the interview, which includes not knowing about the company or the job and their own strengths and interests. This demonstrate non-seriousness, leads to unclear responses and make it difficult for the interviewee to prove that he/she be a right fit for organization. 
  • Dressing and appearance is also viewed critically by human resources 
Energy
  • Lack of energy, and enthusiasm for the job is identified as the main tripping point. This usually happen when an interviewee are not sure of their capabilities, knowledge and skills. Lack of preparation and self knowledge often leads to energy deficit.

Confidence
  • Nervousness, hesitation, no eye contact are some of the manifestations of lack of confidence. When interviewee are not clear about their career goals and plans, and did not prepared themselves or practised for the interview, then they will automatically loose their confidence. 
Direction

  • Having no clear sense of direction and purpose in life is another major obstacle in interview success. 
  • Lack of proper career planning and non availability of guidance for right career is another factor, which result in the wrong assessment, by the interviewee, of themselves and the job for which they have applied. 
Attitude
  • Attitude is identified as a key success or failure factor in an interview. Bad attitude shows itself when interviewee believe that they are the best in their field or a right fit, but not being able to justify it; 
  • Other attitude problems shows up as having negative outlook towards life and its experiences, unrealistic salary expectations, no focus on growth, lack of flexibility and adaptability
Discipline
  • Coming late without even informing and not apologizing is a common complaint by HRs. This demonstrate lack of conduct, control and organization in an interviewee. 

Using the following 3P formula will help interviewees in overcoming their mistakes in an interview:
Plan - plan your career/job goals on the basis of your interest, skills, personality and strengths, and how you are going to accomplish them

Prepare - preparation process includes getting comprehensive knowledge of industry, company, job for which you are applying.

Practice - practice your interview skills in front of webcam, friend or family member and get their feedback on all of the above interview process. This way you'll confirm that you would not get faulted on any of them.

Career Guidance - Pakistan: Top 10 Employability Skills

Career Guidance - Pakistan: Top 10 Employability Skills: To be successful on the job requires you to possess certain traits and skills. Business leaders and human resources generally agreed that th...

Top 10 Employability Skills

To be successful on the job requires you to possess certain traits and skills. Business leaders and human resources generally agreed that the following list is crucial for the success of new generation, and old as well, in this new economy.
  1. Communication skills (verbal and written)
  2. Honesty / Integrity 
  3. Teamwork skills
  4. Interpersonal skills
  5. Self-motivation / Initiative
  6. Strong work ethic
  7. Analytical skills
  8. Technology skills
  9. Organizational skills
  10. Creative minds
Evaluate yourself on each of these traits either on a scrap paper or with your teacher or friend. Note down your areas of strength and areas of improvement on these skills and traits.

Make them part of your career goals/plans. If you have one then it's great! if not then make one.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Punjab Youth Helpline

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Department of Youth Affairs, Sports, Archaeology and Tourism and Plan Pakistan to launch a toll-free Punjab Youth Helpline.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Ufone Assists in TCF Career Counseling Programme

Taking a step forward to promote education amongst the underprivileged, Ufone Volunteers took part in “The Citizens Foundation’s (TCF) Career Counseling programme.

Since inception Ufone has had a major focus on child health care and education. TCF’s ‘Career Counseling Program’ is designed for TCF students who were appearing for the Matriculation examinations this year.

With the use of a pre-designed personality test and other self-appraisal exercises, counselors helped discover and highlight the aptitude of the concerned young adult. Through this process of derivation, the aim of the counselor is to increase each individual’s self-awareness and map future career opportunities for them. This process will help enable the young adult to become focused and work towards realistic and achievable goals.

In continuation of Ufone’s collaboration with TCF, TCF organized workshops in Lahore and Karachi for Ufone volunteers to prepare the volunteers to act as mentors and instill in them the knowledge and expertise to carry out counseling activities as per the objective of the programme.

Akbar Khan, Chief Marketing Officer at Ufone, said that the volunteers were very keen on sharing their experiences with the students at TCF schools. He said that the aim was to make a difference, no matter how big or small, in the lives of these children.

Ufone, being a socially responsible organization continues to be at the forefront of many mentor initiatives. Since inception Ufone has taken serious interest in in-house and external CSR projects and over the last few years, has carried out various initiatives that benefit the deserving segments of the society. These initiatives have profited the populace as well as provided an opportunity for the volunteers to fully appreciate the art of distributing knowledge.

Primary Link: http://tinyurl.com/cr6tbbe

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Ufone Holds The Citizens Foundation’s Career Counseling Programme

Taking a step forward to promote education amongst the underprivileged, Ufone Volunteers are actively taking part in “The Citizens Foundation’s (TCF) Career Counselling Programme.

Since inception Ufone has had a major focus in child health care an education. TCF’s Career Counselling Program’ is designed for TCF students who were appearing for the Matriculation examinations this year. With the use of pre-designed personality test other self-appraisal exercises, counselors helped discover and highlight the aptitude of the concerned young adult. Through this process of derivation, the aim of the counselor is to increase each individual’s self-awareness and map future career opportunities for them. This process will help enable the young adult to become focused and work towards realistic and achievable goals.

IN continuation of Ufone’s collaboration with TCF, TCF organized workshops in Lahore and Karachi for Ufone volunteers to prepare the volunteers to act as mentors and instill in them the knowledge and expertise to carry out counselling activities as per the objective of the programme.

Ufone, being a social responsible organization continues to be at the forefront of many mentor initiatives.

Primary Link: http://tinyurl.com/c4rxtt9

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Youth factor in Pakistan


Shahzad Ali Gill

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945), former American president, once said “We can’t always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for future.” Pakistan is a young country indeed. According to Federal Youth Policy (2008), people in the age group of 15-29 years are taken as young population in Pakistan. The youth is the most valuable asset for a country’s sustainable socio-economic, cultural and political development but in Pakistan, youth is professed to be a problem rather than a resource to be developed. UNDP’s report points out that the proportion of people under the age of 30 years is 68% of the total population of the country from which 37% youth is illiterate, 71% of youth doesn’t receive career counseling at school, 28% finds curriculum irrelevant to the job market, 47% don’t have sports facilities in their localities and 23% youth want to start their own business but not supported at all.