dated December 15, 2004
I am going to join an organisation shortly. Please advise me on how to manage my work and meet deadlines?
Avinash
Chengalpattu
One simple technique would be to manage time. This is possible by using time management techniques to get organised. Time management simply involves considering your obligations and making choices about how to use your time.
Some tips:
Use a planner or calendar with plenty of space to record assignments, lists, and appointments.
Take time to plan and organise. Take a few minutes every day to examine your calendar, note your upcoming assignments, and update your lists.
Break large assignments and tasks into their component parts. Make a list of all tasks required to complete a major assignment. You'll find that crossing items off of the list is quite rewarding!
Set goals and deadlines for yourself. For example, set realistic deadlines for each stage of completing a major assignment.
Prioritise your lists and tasks. Adopt the "big-picture" approach. Look over all that you need to complete and decide what's most important.
Be flexible. While daily to-do lists are wonderful for helping you organise and prioritise your life, interruptions and distractions are bound to happen. Try to allow time for them.
Go with your flow. Think about your biological peaks and lows. Are you a morning person? Or are you at your best at night? Plan your day accordingly. Save your most difficult work for the times when you're at your best.
Say "No." Sometimes we take on too much. Whether it's an added job responsibility or extracurricular activities, consider how important each is to you before agreeing.
Does mentioning extracurricular activities in a job interview carry any importance?
Deepti Reddy
Hyderabad
Being involved in extracurricular activities shows that you could successfully budget your time; possess a wide variety of interests; have leadership potential; and that you have earned recognition (awards, honours, titles, etc.) for your efforts.
It complements your professional experience or compensates it if you have little or no paid work experience.
Under the heading list of activities, which support your career objectives and demonstrate your campus involvement and your ability to take positions of responsibility, also include hobbies and athletic interests.
Your participation in extracurricular activities showcases your leadership qualities, sociability and energy levels.
Mention your achievements in sports, community work and any artistic competence and experience of different cultures, travel and overseas stays and the like. Apart from giving the name of the particular activity, try to describe it concisely and clearly elaborating what you have gained from that activity.
Participation in sports shows you are competitive and certain sports involve teamwork. Be careful if you want to show team spirit; do not mention individual sports! Volunteer work can show motivation and a caring personality. Being the treasurer of an association emphasises your trustworthiness and being the president your leadership qualities.
What do employers generally try to find out while interviewing a candidate?
Ramya
Bangalore
The top skills sought by employers today are interpersonal skills, inclination towards teamwork, verbal and written communication skills, an analytical mind, computer knowledge and leadership qualities.
Analytical skills and leadership qualities are critical for success. An ideal candidate will also be a determined achiever, that is, a person who goes the extra mile to achieve personal goals. Such a person is not easily deterred. In an interview, the candidates are expected to demonstrate how they have used these skills in the past. So, it's not enough to simply enumerate your skills.
You will have to demonstrate how you have used the skills.
Primarily, there are just three areas an interviewer would like to focus on: Can you do the job? Will you do the job? Will you fit in?
Structuring your interview around these three areas will help you address the most crucial issues likely to be covered during the interview, and give you a chance to prepare your key statements and responses to effectively market yourself.
The acid test is whether they can see themselves sharing the office space with you. Here, your unspoken communication is just as important as what you say. How you dress and how you conduct yourself send out vital messages.
Do you look like you're already one of the team? Do you dress like them? Speak like them? The key is to look like you already belong. Above all, be natural. If you put on an act, chances are you won't be comfortable in your new environment, and it won't be long before your colleagues realise this too.
I have read a lot about the importance of communication skills in these columns. Please enumerate some tips on how to improve my communication skills.
Pradeep
Raichur
Good communication skills help you express your ideas clearly. You'll pick up most of these skills with life experiences. Here are a few tips that will help you improve your communication skills:
Be Clear: Make sure you understand what you want to say before you start.
Explain the context of your point so your listener clearly understands why you're talking to them -- Are you asking for a favour? Are you trying to tell an important fact? Do you want to know something?
Use simple words and language to express your point.
Stay Positive: Phrase your ideas and suggestions in a positive, rather than critical way.
Be confident: Don't assume that what you have to say isn't worthwhile.
Keep in mind, a listener's silence doesn't necessarily mean consent or disapproval. It may just mean that the person needs to think about a response before answering.
Listen Actively: Make sure you understand what the other person is trying to say. Try paraphrasing someone's point -- "So, what you're saying is..." -- and see if you got it right.
Don't get so preoccupied planning what you'll say next that you don't pay attention.
Keep an open mind. Be flexible about compromises and alternate solutions.
Make sure you understand someone's point before you react. Speak with self-control -- don't just say the first response that comes to mind.
Learn from Experience: Review situations in which you had to communicate with different people, such as a friend, parent, or a study group. Ask yourself: How did I handle the situation?
Was I able to make my point understood?
Did the discussion have a positive outcome? If not, why?
What could I have done differently?
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
Avinash
Chengalpattu
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