Dated June 30, 2004
I get these kind of questions flung at me, how do I answer them? `Do you consider yourself organised?' and `Do you manage your time well?'
ABHINAV
Noida, UP
When an interviewer asks these questions, he wants to know your skills concerning time and task management; not that whether you neatly separate the paperclips in your desk drawer into different trays based on size. A model answer might be, "I manage my time very well. I routinely complete tasks ahead of schedule. For example, ... Offer the interviewer proof of your skills by telling him about any major project that you may have completed in time or mention the fact that you consistently received an outstanding grade on previous performance reviews regarding your time management. Don't spoil your chances by saying that you are habitually late or that you complete tasks at the very last minute.
What are the career prospects in the field of Geoinformatics?
ROBERT D' SOUZA
Alto Porvorim, Goa
Many Public and Private companies employ GIS graduates at different levels in their organisations. Public Sector organisations like ISRO, NRSA, National Informatics Centre (NIC) and other governmental departments like urban developmental authorities and municipal bodies employ persons trained in GIS based upon their requirements. However, the percentage of job share in the field is much more in private companies than in government departments as a number of private companies are catering to the different mapping needs in various fields. One can also pursue research in this field as a number of research-oriented companies use GIS technology in different areas in the public sector.
What did you like/dislike about your last job?" Is the interviewer assessing me on this aspect?
MANIKA MISRA
Cuttack, Orissa
The interviewer is looking for incompatibilities. Disclosing your arguments with colleagues on your likes and dislikes about a point will only weaken -- if not immediately destroy — your candidacy.
Most interviews start with an introduction by the interviewer about the company. Pay attention. That information will help you answer the question. In fact, any statement the interviewer makes about the job or corporation can be used to your advantage.
So, answer that you liked everything about your last job. You might even say that the company taught you the importance of certain key aspects of doing business, achievement, etc. Criticising the previous employer is a warning flag that you could be a problem employee. No one intentionally hires trouble, and that's the hidden aspect behind asking the question. Keep your answer short and positive. You are allowed only one negative about past employers. For example, the only thing your past employer could not offer might be something like the opportunity to contribute more in different areas in the smaller environment you had there.
You might continue with, "I really liked everything about the job. The reason I want to leave it is to find a position where I can make a greater contribution. You see I work for a large company that encourages specialisation of skills. The smaller environment you have here will, as I said, allow me to contribute far more in different areas." Tell them what they want to hear.
Of course, if you approach a larger company, turn it around. "I work for a small company and don't get the time to specialise in one or two major areas."
Could you please describe a conducive work atmosphere? Because I've been asked this and I was at a total loss!
GOLDWYN
Banashankari, Bangalore
Without a clear idea of the company's office environment, you run the risk of saying the wrong thing. Keep this answer short, base it on your previous role and mention conscientious factors such as 'a professional team', 'not too noisy', 'well equipped', etc.
It must be pleasant and conducive to concentrate and enable one to carry out work uninterrupted; workspace should be tidy and ventilated; the place should not be cramped with too many people; and must allow employees to exercise their right to privacy.
This was sprung on me at my last interview and I lost myself in a stammer and a blush: "What do you consider your major achievement?" What could I have answered without seeming too boastful?
MARSHALL TITTO
Bhiwandi, Haryana
Most people are usually quite well prepared for this routine job interview question. But as it often turns out, such preparation is not necessarily a good thing as one runs the risk of overlooking the objective of this question. The components of a good answer to this common job interview question are:
* The interviewee must feel pride in her/his work
* The achievement related by the candidate must somehow be relevant to the current job opening
* At least at the time of interview, the candidate must be able to demonstrate joy at the process of achieving something and not simply on a positive outcome. Otherwise, it would be difficult for them to believe that you will be able to replicate the achievement. Readily assimilate new things, skills, technology, concepts, 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
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Opportunities
