Dated February 18, 2004
What is the difference between psychology and psychiatry? Is there a difference in the way psychologists and psychiatrists work?
KUNJAMONY
Kerala
Psychology is the study of people: how they think, how they act, react and interact.
Psychology is concerned with all aspects of behaviour, and the thoughts, feelings and motivation underlying such behaviour.
Psychology is a discipline that is firstly concerned with the normal functioning of the mind and has explored areas such as learning, remembering and the normal psychological development of children.
Psychology is one of the fastest growing university subjects and is being increasingly taught in schools and colleges.
Psychologists deal in the way the mind works, and can specialise in various areas such as; mental health work and educational and occupational psychology.
It is useful to remember that Psychologists are not usually medically qualified, and only a small proportion of people studying psychology degrees will go on to work with patients.
Both, psychologists and psychiatrists use psychotherapy in several different ways to treat patients.
For example., individual, group, couple and family psychotherapy.
They are ways of helping people to overcome stress, emotional problems, relationship problems or troublesome habits.
There are many different approaches in psychotherapy.
These include `talking treatments,' which include; cognitive behavioural therapies, psychoanalytic therapies, psychodynamic therapies, humanistic and integrative psychotherapies, systematic therapies, hypno-psychotherapy, and experiential constructivist therapies.
Likewise, a psychotherapist may be a psychiatrist, psychologists or other mental health professionals who have had further specialist training in psychotherapy.
Increasingly, there are a number of psychotherapists who do not have backgrounds in the above fields but who have undertaken in depth training in this area.
Consultant Psychiatrists in psychotherapy are medical doctors who are qualified in Psychiatry, and then undertake a three or four year Specialist Registrar training in Psychotherapy.
Their role is in the Psychotherapeutic treatment of patients with psychiatric illnesses, thus they supply an essential component of psychiatric care alongside physical treatments such as medication.
They also play a major role in training the mental health workforce in psychological therapies, and in providing staff support.
I am doing my B.E, third year. Please give some tips on how to develop body language? What do we mean by body language and how important is it?
K. ARUN KUMAR
Calcutta
It is important that you are aware of the signals, both positive and negative, which you are giving off to your prospective employer. One way of finding out what signals you are revealing unconsciously is to practice a mock interview with someone, and ask what impressions they received.
Your body language during the first few moments of the meeting is crucial in presenting an open and honest image of yourself.
First impressions are vital as interviewers will be judging your integrity and professionalism from the moment they meet you.
Your posture may show how you will approach a situation.
For example, if you stand with your shoulders hanging, arms folded, and leaning to one side, it will look as if you aren't ready for or interested in the task in question.
Should you stand with strong shoulders, head up, arms out by the side and closed fists, you will look as if you are ready for anything no matter how much stress is involved.
Looking at a persons feet when they are sitting down will tell you who is an extrovert (out-going) and who is an introvert (withdrawn).
Extrovert - toes pointing out, introvert - toes pointing in. You can also identify other people's body language and know what they really mean: whatever they may be saying.
What are the basic things you need to know about a job?
JAYANTHI
Hyderabad
There are several things that you need to know when you are hunting for a job.
1. Jobs are not always advertised
2. Whom you know is as important as what you know
3. Small companies are the biggest employers
1. Most jobs are not advertised: One of the biggest myths of job hunting is to believe that "all jobs are advertised." Therefore, if a job isn't in the newspaper or on the `MonsterTrak,' the job doesn't exist, right? Wrong!
It's a lot cheaper and faster for an employer to hire a relative, a friend, or someone they've met before.
Otherwise, they have to go to the trouble of writing up a job description, filing paper work, having a search, and then, finally, hiring someone.
2. Whom you know is as important as what you know:
Most people locate job openings through personal contacts.
A primary concern for employers is "fit." You might be brilliant, but if you can't get along with other people at the company, you aren't a good hire.
Employers would rather hire someone they know, or who has been vouched for by someone they respect.
A student who is bold enough to make a cold contact also impresses them.
When a company is small, it's easier to find whom you need to talk to.
Personal contact is valued highly. Small companies tend to promote people quickly.
Hiring statistics also show that while large companies have been hit by the recent economic downturn, small companies are hiring at the same or greater level than before.
How do you explain the gaps in your resume to the interviewer?
PADMA
Chennai
You should think of filling gaps in your employment history creatively by thinking of useful tasks done during this period.
Sometimes you might not be paid but might have received experience relevant to your job.
Community projects, special projects, freelance consulting engagements, continuing education etc., could all be used in the experience section in place of paid employment.
Whichever way you choose, it's important to emphasise that you should acknowledge that these gaps exist and be prepared to address them in your CV and at the interview, since potential employers may view any such gap as a red flag.
It's very common today for employees to take time off between jobs.
This can happen for a number of different reasons such as raising a family, taking care of a family member who is ill, not being able to find the "ideal" job, recovering from an illness, travelling, or simply taking a break after graduating from college
What is the format for a covering letter, which needs to be attached along with the resume?
ANIL RAWAT
Delhi
The cover letter is your first sales pitch to a potential employer.
A good one introduces you to the employer and explains why you are one of the best candidates applying for the job.
It's an overview of your skills and how they apply to the position.
The cover letter should cover two important points: What you can do for the company and what the company needs that you have to offer.
It should not look like it has been distributed as a form letter to numerous employers.
It should be customised to the needs of the employer.
It shouldn't be handwritten but rather typed or word-processed. It should not project an overly aggressive and obnoxious tone.
The cover letter should not appear self-centred but rather job or employer-centred.
Downplay "I" and emphasise "you". Try to convert "I haves" into "you wants" for the employer.
What can you do for the organisation that will create interest and arouse a desire for an interview with you?
It should cover your interests, skills, accomplishments or what you expect to achieve in the future.
Address your letter to the person who can hire you, the HR, or department heads.
If you do not know the name of the person, call the company and find out the name and title of the person to whom to address your letter. This shows initiative and resourcefulness.
Be sure to include contact information - a return address and phone number. The cover letter should not be more than one page.
The primary goal of the cover letter is to get an interview.
And finally, be prepared to initiate the follow-up communication with a telephone call a week later.
Let your prospective employer know you will be doing this in the letter. This may be just enough to get them to hold onto your cover letter and give it a more thorough reading.
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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