Dated March 29, 2006
(Questions answered on career concerns)
If you have been fired from your previous company, is it essential that you mention the reasons when asked in an interview?
Naresh S
Vjayawada
If it is a case of clearly being fired and you cannot pass it off as a downsizing act, then it's advisable to be open and honest; honesty is a virtue that always scores points.
Try to portray the incident as 'one of those unlucky things that happens to the best of us,' and briefly explain how you've learnt from the experience and the steps you've taken to avoid repeating the mistake.
The objective is to put the interviewer at ease and hope that they won't place too much importance on a reference check. It is however a good idea to reconcile with your former employers (who fired you) and request them to at least give you a fair reference should anyone enquire about the incident.
I get very nervous during interviews and start stammering and forget my language skills too! How can I overcome my fear? I need some helpful suggestions.
Rahim
Adilabad
During interviews try to look beyond the problem. Paying too much attention to your stammering will only aggravate it, making it even more pronounced during interviews. Breathe deeply and relax and try to think of the correct answer to the question.
Confidence alone does not make someone a good speaker. Polished speaking skills come from knowing your subject matter, preparing and organising the material, and practicing your delivery.
If you have made a mistake in your answer, observe it dispassionately, take whatever corrective action is appropriate, regain your composure, focus on what to say next, and get on with it. Dwelling on an error and feeling bad about it will only add to your confusion.
Of course, some interviewers may not think too highly of your communication skills, while some wouldn't even notice it. Others may admire the way you recover easily.
Your mistakes can provide excellent feedback for improvement. Mistakes often promote single-trial learning, so it's almost certain you will never make the same mistake twice.
Try some simple relaxation techniques to overcome your tension and nervousness during interviews. Stammering can be overcome if you seek professional guidance and are ready to work towards achieving speech fluency through regular practice and therapy.
What are the career prospects for chartered financial analysts?
Raghavan
Hyderabad
A Chartered Financial Analyst may find employment in corporate financial departments, financial consultancy outfits, banks and financial institutions, management consultancies, Asset & Fund Management Organisations, Stock Brokering firms, Venture capital organisations and Credit Rating agencies
Financial analysts are very much in demand in areas like asset management and fund management. They manage assets of client organisations and manage mutual funds. They are also engaged in equity research, debt research and financing research.
They can also find work in Venture Capital (VC) outfits where they work on project appraisal and investment analysis.
I am shortly going to join a new organisation. Please advise me on how to manage my work and meet deadlines?
Raviprasad
Chennai
A simple technique is to be able to manage time. Time management involves considering your priorities and making choices about how to use your time.
Some tips:
Use a planner or calendar with plenty of space to record assignments, lists and appointments. Take time to plan and organise.
Break large assignments and tasks into their component parts. Make a list of all the tasks to be done. You'll find that scoring off completed items from the list is quite rewarding!
Set realistic goals and deadlines for yourself. Prioritise your tasks. Adopt the "big-picture" approach. Review all that you need to complete and decide on what's most important.
Be flexible. While daily to-do lists are wonderful for helping you organise and prioritise your life, interruptions and distractions are bound to happen; so, allot time for them as well.
Go with the flow. Are you a morning person? Or are you at your best at night? Plan your day accordingly. Do the most difficult tasks the time you're at your best.
Learn to say "No." Sometimes we take on too much whether it's an added job responsibility or extracurricular activities. Being assertive will help.
What is the job profile of an actuary?
Mazar
Bangalore
Actuaries try to make financial sense of the future. To do this, they develop mathematical models of finance and insurance problems to evaluate the financial implications of future events.
They analyse data to estimate likeliness of events such as death, sickness, injury, disability, or property loss. They also analyse issues like relative life expectancy of various groups of the population. They address financial issues such as the level of pension contributions a company can make to its employees and also the superannuating packages of the employees.
They help in determining the financial health of an insurance company. They bring complex insurance matters to the notice of company executives, government officials, shareholders and policyholders. It is their job to ensure that the price charged for insurance will enable the company pays all claims and expenses. This premium must be profitable and also competitive with other insurance companies.
Actuaries may specialise in life, health or property and casualty insurance or financial planning.
The FAQ column deals with career concerns addressed to the C&K Management Ltd. P.O. Box 2178, Secunderabad 500003 or emailed to faqs@cnkonline.com
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