Dated November 10, 2004
I take things as they unfold. Which is why I was stumped by the question: Where do you see yourself in five years? How should one answer such hypothetic questions?
Tejas Verma
New Delhi
Despite the question being a frequently asked one during job interviews, many people have a hard time answering it. That's because many people only have a vague idea of what kind of work they want to do or what their personal and professional goals might be.
These people never do the critical thinking that is necessary to create a plan for their careers. More importantly, they don't make a commitment to follow their dreams.
As a result, these people drift through their careers, taking what comes along instead of going for what they want. They get sidetracked or become complacent.
They give up on their goals and simply "get by."
If you don't have a career plan, it's time to get one. By following a solid, well-thought-out career plan, you can achieve your personal goals and find career satisfaction.
After sending a cover letter, should I wait for the employer to contact me, or take initiative myself to remind him?
Ankush Mitra
Gulbarga
A week to ten days after sending the cover letter, follow up with a phone call. In fact, you may mention that you will make a follow- up call in the conclusion of your cover letter (e.g., "I will call you in a week to know your decision about my suitability for being interviewed for the job of..."). A follow up call is an important way to show your sincere interest in the job and to learn a little more about the organisation.
How do you resolve disputes with co-workers? How do you handle conflicts in the work place?
Jagadeesh
Nagpur
Don't claim that you have never had a dispute with a co-worker. The interviewer will know that you are lying, since getting along with co-workers is one of the hardest things to do. The best answer to this question is to tell the interviewer about a dispute you had with a co-worker and how you resolved it so that the outcome was positive.
Your answer should tell the interviewer how you resolved it on your own, and hopefully, that you and this other person are now friends, or at least are able to work together productively.
Concentrate on resolving work- related issues rather than personal feuds.
For example, you can tell the interviewer about the problems you faced getting a co- worker take your suggestions in a specific project seriously than telling him about your long-standing feud with a co-worker over a prime parking space in the parking lot.
Think about how you feel when people disagree in your presence, or when you are confronted. Whatever your attitude, you need to understand it before you can be effective in dealing with conflict. If you take an honest look and don't like what you see, you can change the outcome of the conflict if you are willing to change your behaviour.
Whether you know it or not, your workplace has its own conflict personality. Some office cultures just smile and pretend conflict doesn't exist. Others may allow the "bullies" to take control while leaving others to quietly stew, or plot revenge.
Still others resolve disputes "going by the book," ignoring the personalities and realities of the situation. Very few workplaces recognise conflict as inevitable but manageable. People can usually reach an equitable agreement that prevents escalation if they deal with conflict directly and honestly.
Remember that employers are sick of dealing with employee conflicts and they want a mature person who can resolve conflicts on their own without complaining to the boss.
What are the career prospects for radiographers?
Joy Prakash
West Bengal
Radiographers find employment with government or private hospitals, research institutes and medical colleges and the like.
Radiographers work with Radiologists and Ultrasonologists carrying out the routine work of taking X-rays, CTscans, MR scans of patients.
They assist Radiologists in the complex and time consuming radiological investigations also. Radiographers operate equipment, which are intended to study images of the body tissues, bones and organs for diagnosis and therapy.
They operate the controls of the machine for the x-ray exposure to produce pictures of the correct density, contrast and detail and subsequently develop the x-rays and prepare it to be seen by the radiologists for opinion.
How to handle the question on employment gap in the work history?
Ramana
Hyderabad
If you have an extensive gap in employment, you may want to address it in your cover letter to the prospective employer. Include a brief one- or two-sentence explanation, but do not go into detail about a long illness or a frustrating job search.
If the gap in your employment happened a long time ago, don't bother mentioning it at all, unless the employer asks you the reason.
If the subject of your employment gap comes up during the interview, explain why simply and briefly. Obviously, they were impressed enough with your background (despite gaps) to invite you in for an interview!
Regardless of the reasons for your employment gaps, always maintain a positive, optimistic attitude, and be sure to let the hiring manager know that you are excited and ready to return to work!
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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