Dated May 10, 2006
(Questions answered on career concerns)
What are the career prospects for dairy technologists?
Bhanu Prasad
Hyderabad
Responsibilities of dairy technologists/engineers include setting up and maintenance of dairy plants; managing marketing and sales of milk and dairy products and meeting the industry's requirements, developing methods for processing, packaging, storage, transport and distribution of products, and improving the production quality.
Openings for dairy technologists exist in co-operatives and federations for equipment design, fabrication and plant design in the public sector or in private sector companies that manufacture and market milk products. Dairy technologists also have the option of establishing their own production or processing units or work as consultants in research and development in the dairy industry.
I have been out of work for the last 8 months, had to leave since there was some downsizing at my previous company. I would like to know the exact words to be used to explain this when I am asked the same in an interview.
Arundati P
Chennai
If there is a time lapse between your previous employment and the one you are seeking, be prepared to explain what you were doing during the interim. Try to explain positively what you learned or accomplished during the hiatus. For example, "I took several courses to strengthen my skills in . . .", or "I used this time to re-examine my goals and reached this conclusion . . .".
Highlight the positive attributes related to the job, and the kudos you've won in the past. Don't forget to make a mention of any appreciation you may have received from your previous employers. Also highlight your skills, experience and other qualifications, especially those that match the job description well. Explain what impressed or motivated you to apply for the job and try not to sound desperate.
I would like to know about "Effective Time Management Tools," could you please help me?
Satya Rohit
Via email
Time Management is about controlling the use of your most valuable resource. It is about making sure that your idea of what's important is not clouded by your sense of urgency. Time management is actually self-management. It's interesting that the skills we need to manage others are the same skills we need to manage ourselves: the ability to plan, delegate, organise, direct and control. Managing time is just something one does to make life easier. Time management strategies fulfil a number of functions. The purpose is to plan your activities and schedule the time for completing them. It helps to organise one's life as well.
Here are a few tips on time management:
Develop a personal sense of time
Avoid tiring yourself unduly
Avoid postponing important tasks
Avoid unnecessary interruptions
Plan Daily Schedules
Manage priorities
Increase work effectiveness and productivity
Enjoy a more balanced lifestyle
Reduce the stress, which results from a lack of effective time planning
What are the career prospects for software Test Engineers and Quality Analysts? What are positions that are usually available at the entry level?
Manila
Cuttack
Software professionals/ developers/ Testers and quality assurors are in great demand both in India as well as abroad. They are generally employed by software establishments, information and communications technology sector, national and multinational companies, and public sector organisations and with research organisations.
They may work for IT firms or consultancies that specialise in providing IT solutions for their clients. They are also employed as software engineers to support in-house IT systems. Other potential employers are manufacturing industries such as the automotive industry, navigation and communications equipment designers and manufacturers, financial services, trade markets, global investment banks, security market specialists and business intelligence and market research etc. You can start as a trainee in both the sectors. As you gain experience the avenues widen as a software testing engineer, development engineer, senior software engineer, senior test engineer, test manager/engineer or as a quality engineer, quality auditor, reliability engineer, or quality manager, principal software quality engineer.
I am a short-tempered person and the slightest discomfort makes me lose my cool. How do I overcome my anger?
Pradeep
Chennai
The best way to control your temper is to practice anger management. Think positive every time you feel your hackles rise, adopt a few relaxation and breathing techniques
to control your temper.
Direct your energies into something else whenever you feel you are about to give into your anger. Anger is a natural reaction that often needs to be expressed. The essence is to communicate well, to express concerns and feelings at a level where they can be considered calmly, and to address problems so they lead to solutions or compromises in an atmosphere of good will. And rather than just reacting blindly to situations, listen calmly to what the other person is saying and state your opinion in an unfazed and respectful manner.
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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