Dated 11th Feb 2004
Do essays play an important part in influencing MBA admissions?
SANDEEP
Delhi
Essays for any admission, including MBA admissions cannot help you beyond a point. However well written the essays may be, they can only be as good as you can make them.
Essays are important because of the competitiveness of admission processes. There will be many applicants with similar background to yours. Well-written essays will ensure that you don't lose out to others with similar profiles.
Good essays should be able to project who you are - honestly and clearly. An honest projection is always appreciated by the admissions committee and can make your efforts effective.
You may want to project that you are a good team player.
But the statement holds no value if you don't provide examples about how you handled a team situation, and how your effortsbenefited the objectives of the team while motivating other team members.
It is not always necessary to give examples from work. If you haven't worked in teams and don't have examples to quote, there is no point cooking up situations.
You could look for examples from your personal life, from community activities, from playing in a team sport, or from living in a family or a circle of friends.
Picking up real examples lends credibility. You will be more passionate describing a real experience. So make your essays factual, support them with examples.
Your efforts would be well rewarded if reading your essays can impress an admissions committee member.
Please give me some tips on how to improve my knowledge of English.
SHAFULLAH
Tamil Nadu
Some ways in which you can improve your knowledge and ability to use the English language are: Be alert. Listen to how people use the language, and read as much as you can in the language.
Read from business magazines, international newspapers, other people's annual reports and letters.
It is also a good idea to spend some time reading fiction, as this can provide a vital freshness to your language and improve your vocabulary.
Other reading may include biographies of famous people, especially statesmen, whose business it is to be very correct with language.
Listen to the radio. It has its advantage over TV in that it relies solely on words, whereas on TV, it is visuals that do most of the talking. Take some time to study an article from a business magazine or newspaper.
Analyse how the sentences are constructed, the choice of the words and the organisation of the data. Write out sentences or phrases that you find particularly powerful.
Set aside an hour or so aside each week to do a number of written exercises.
There are many good books available in the market.
Take some time to learn how to use a dictionary, a thesaurus, a business reference book and a grammar book.
If you look up a word in a dictionary, you may like to write out it's meaning to aid memory.
Some people even make a note of new words.
It can certainly be an effective technique to enhance your vocabulary.
How do I ease stress ?
VENKAT
Hyderabad
Work away stress. If you are angry or upset, try to ease it physically by activities such as running, playing tennis, or bicycling. Even taking a walk can help.
Talk out your worries. Sometimes another person can help you see a new side to your problem and thus, a new solution.
This may be a friend, family member, clergy teacher or counsellor.
Learn to accept what you cannot change. If your problem is beyond your control at this time, try your best to accept it until you can change it.
Avoiding self-medication. Although there are many new chemicals, that can mask stress symptoms, they do not help you to adjust to the stress itself.
Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can lesson your ability to deal with stress by making you more irritable.
Balancing work and recreation.
Sometimes when you are distressed, you concentrate too much on yourself and your situation.
When this happens, it is often wise to do something for someone else, and get your mind off yourself.
There is an extra bonus in this technique -- it helps you win friends.
Tackle one thing at a time. It is defeating to tackle all your tasks at once. Instead, set some aside tasks and work on your most urgent.
If you find the source of your stress is other people, try giving in instead of fighting and insisting you are always right. You may find that others will begin to give in, too.
When you are bored and feel left out, go where the action is.
Sitting alone will make you feel more frustrated. Instead of withdrawing and feeling sorry for yourself, get involved with life.
In what way can I approach the question, when an interviewer asks me why I would like to switch my job? Please suggest how I must tackle this question.
V P MANIVANNAN
Chennai
Approach any question that you are asked by the interviewer with positively. If presently employed, state a valid reason such as career progression, or a desire to explore new avenues.
Use your research information about the company to put forth several positive points about the company that you feel will be a great match (for the company) and suit your particular skills and experiences.
Emphasise the fact that you've been looking for just such a positive opportunity to grow professionally.
Remember, when asked why you left, do not downgrade in any way your prior/current employer. Leave the interviewer with the feeling that you have only been associated with winners! Do not go into the 'I can retire from this job' aspect; it can have negative connotations.
Present yourself as a vital, enthusiastic employee who can use his experience for the welfare of the organisation, for many years to come.
Note: If appropriate, point out that you are not just 'looking around' but are sincerely interested in working for this particular company and that you are not a 'job-hopper' but are interested in a long-term career move.
What are the career prospects for financial management?
DURAIMURUGAN
Chennai
Opportunities in financial management would exist as to managing all financial functions, including general ledger, cost control and accounting, revenue, cash management, financial analysis and reporting.
Monthly reporting to management, including analysis and comparison to budget; cost accounting and plant budgeting; resource planning software system (e.g., ERP, SAP, BAN, Oracle, Syteline); assistance with negotiations for goods and services and several other opportunities.
Successful financial professionals can expect careers in investment banking with major investment banking firms and also in corporate strategic planning, risk management, primary and derivative securities valuation, financial information systems management, portfolio management and securities trading.
These positions are relatively highly paid ones. Other employers are public sector undertakings, financial corporations, business firms, export agencies, commercial undertakings, insurance, private companies, management consultancies etc.
The faq column deals with career concerns addressed to The C&K Management LTD. PO Box 2178, Secunderabad 500003 or emailed to faqs@cnkonline.com
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