WITH many economies in the world having turned upside down following the crisis that erupted in the US’ financial industry and as we start to look at doing things differently, the concept of good leadership is also being challenged.
But no single leader is able to carry out the mission alone and as correctly pointed out by renowned authority on problem solving and creativity in organisations, University of California Los Angeles Prof Moshe F. Rubinstein.
People, he says, should realise that leadership is not about investing in a single person or only about the general giving orders. “Great leadership requires partnership collaboration, innovation and creativity from everybody,” he says.
“Leaders should be connected with enough people and create good relationships to have sufficient resources when faced with difficulties in performing tasks,” Rubinstein says, adding that authority should be accorded to people to allow them to realise the importance of taking swift action.
»Great leadership requires partnership collaboration, innovation and creativity from everybody« MOSHE F. RUBINSTEIN
In fact, he says, leadership should be exercised by everyone in an organisation at their own levels and it helps tremendously for leaders to use the “we” more than the “I” to generate passion and energy in an assignment.
“A leader has to energise his team to think about what is needed to achieve a certain purpose,” he says. Uncertainty, he says, is a good thing as it allows for better preparation in the event of a crisis.
He says leaders cannot assume it is all about them in an organisation. They should use the word “we” rather than “I” as they are not able to conduct an orchestra by themselves.
Clarity of purpose and task is another essential that needs to be conveyed by leaders as the staff need to know that they’re not wasting their time doing and undoing tasks with no clear objective.
Rubinstein spoke recently in Bali at the Asian Leadership Development Conference (ALDC) organised by the International Centre for Leadership in Finance (ICLIF) and Lembaga Pengembangan Perbankan Indonesia.
The aim of the conference was to assist leaders steer their organisations through the turbulent business environment, focusing on teamwork, creating an emotionally-intelligent workplace and a future-focused leadership.
ICLIF was established by Bank Negara in October 2003 to provide leadership development programmes for senior executives from financial institutions and business corporations in Malaysia and globally.
Another expert in the field of transformational leadership, Roger Konopasek says organisations need to change and be “open” in their management to attract the right people.
“Nowadays, people do not think of themselves as an employee ... they are working with you but not for you, is how they think. If they don’t like the things that you are doing, they will leave as they too may have their own vision,” he says.
»Create ownership by letting your team members handle projects and explore their potential« ROGER KONOPASEK
With that, he points out that the new work culture is no longer about subservient order taking, and the company who has less innovation will face problems in retaining talent.
“The best employees aren’t the comfortable followers who are submissive and don’t question. Information and knowledge technology are moving so fast nowadays, and a single person is not able to understand all of it, thus leaders need to work with people to get the ideas,” he says.
What makes a good leader? Konopasek says a leader needs to readily admit that he/she is not perfect or insecure about seeking opinions and views in making decisions.
“They have to talk less and ask more. Many managers talk too much and always tell people what to do. Instead of giving too many orders or comments, the good way is to work together with your team,” he says.
“You should make them know that it is their ideas and make them believe that they can make a difference,” he adds. Evidently, that’s the new leadership style — empowering people to be the best they can.
Konopasek says a leader should be involved with people as much as possible to let them understand his or her decision, as communication is crucial.
“Create ownership by letting your team members handle projects and explore their potential. Allow them to fail sometimes. Don’t manage them all the time,” he says.
David Winfield, executive director and chief executive officer of ICLIF says that during these turbulent times, one of the ways to help companies retain people is by training them in a variety of ways.
»Leaders need to understand talent management, talent development and risk management« DAVID WINFIELD
“You need to be able to lead your people and inspire them during difficult times. You need to manage the change and communicate effectively so your members know what the business is, your direction and expectations,” he says.
“Leaders need to understand talent management, talent development and risk management,” he says, adding that the understanding of reputation risk, brand building and marketing is also important.
Winfield says companies should not treat leadership development as a cost factor and they shouldn’t cut back their budget in leadership development during hard times.
Mohamed Ashraf Iqbal, conference chairman for ALDC and director of consulting firm, MindSpring Sdn Bhd, says companies have to find strategies on how to train ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
“Based on the surveys that I have done, 95% of the people tell me that they will not be doing their current jobs if they had absolute choice,” he says.
Ashraf says companies need to get people energised and excited about their work.
“Toyota is successful because they know how to engage the entire talent of the workforce. They know how to get into the minds of their people and get them committed to engage in their work,” he says.
“There shouldn’t be any deadwood in a company. If there is, something must be wrong with the company or leadership to have brought about these deadwoods who are not motivated,” he says.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Finding and Living Your Passion
Have you ever been at a point in your life where you wondered what your true purpose was? Where you felt like something was missing, that you were living without passion or purpose? One woman who has fabulous insight and advice about finding your purpose and living your passion is Dr Fran Harris.
Finding and living your passion leads to greater quality of life, waking up everyday excited about the day ahead, and a drive to share your passions with others. Dr Harris believes by examining what she calls your 'Core Four' you can uncover your passion and purpose which leads to the outrageously happy, healthy and successful life you deserve.
It all begins with taking an inventory of your Core Four areas- emotional; spiritual; physical and financial. The key for all core four areas is to examine your answers honestly and to connect with what you do want rather than get caught up in focusing on what you already have that you don't want.
Firstly, your emotional area - this includes more than your own personal day to day feelings and emotions, it includes both your relationship with yourself and with others. So, ask yourself, are you happy with your relationship, with yourself; your love life; your family; your brothers and sisters; your parents; your close relationships? The aim here is to find out what's working in the emotional area of your life and what isn't.
So, what would you like these relationships to look like, feel, like be like? Now write down that description in detail including the things that are currently working well for you.
The physical area of our life is one where many people get caught up in the idea of 'perfection' and that nothing else will do. Sometimes we spend great amounts of time focusing on what's not right and comparing ourselves to others. Ask yourself these questions: Are you in the best shape of your life (for you, not in comparison to someone else)? Are you in the shape YOU want to be in and not what other people think is right for you?
It's time to get real about this. Write a description of what you'd like this area of your life to look like. This is no time to be harsh with yourself, just observe, make some notes of what you do want and move on to the next area.
Now, let's look at your spiritual life. Perhaps you feel confused by 'spirituality' and have defined ideas of what this should be? Don't be afraid to redefine it for yourself if you feel the need to do so. Ask yourself, do you feel connected spiritually with something greater than you - perhaps it's God, Buddha, the Universal Force? Whatever your belief, perhaps it's a strong spiritual connection with yourself and your inner knowing or spiritual being. It doesn't matter what your personal beliefs are. Maybe it's a belief in the process of life that all is in order and as it should be. Take a look at your spiritual connection, what's working for you and what's not. What would you like it to look like? Remember to write it down in full detail exactly as you would like your spiritual life to be.
When it comes to the financial area of our lives many people measure this as dollars in the bank, income earnt last financial year or material things owned. What I'd like you to ask yourself here is: Do you love your Job? Do you wake up and think I can't wait to get to work today? Or do you wake up and think 'Oh no another workday?' The financial area of your life in this context is about your passion for what you do to earn an income. Do you love it? If you spend all day working in a job you hate then that really impacts on the quality of your life. In fact, it could very well be impacting in the above three areas - emotional, spiritual, and physical.
How would you like to feel about the way you earn an income? What kind of work would you love to do, even if you weren't getting paid? Write a comprehensive description of how you would like to feel about your work, what would you really like to be doing?
The reality is, to make any kind of changes in your life you have to have a compelling why. Why do you want to make the change - what's not working now and what would your life look like if it was? Flesh out the description of your ideal Core Four in as much sensory detail as possible, make that vision compelling. How would it feel to live this way, what would you look like, your life look like, your relationships, how will you feel each day when you wake up, what would you be saying, what would others be saying?
In order to make the changes required in your day to day life, attitude and behavior to create this vision for living with passion and purpose, you need to have a compelling why. Why do you want this why would be make these changes? So ensure you spend as much time as you need to flesh this out in great detail.
As with all changes in our life we all have a tendency to slip back into old familiar ways from time to time as we move forward toward our new visions. There are a number of ways to deal with this - you can use affirmations, re-affirming what you do want, create a visual board as a reminder of the life you are creating, perhaps use technique such as EFT or NLP to assist in installing new behaviors and beliefs and discarding old ones. Writing can be therapeutic. Write about how you feel and where you are headed. Write about your passion and purpose, maybe even set up your own blog. Maybe you will chose to use some of these in combination or have your own techniques for installing change in your life. It's important to choose whatever feels right for you.
The most important thing to remember is that this is your life and the path you take needs to be of your choosing. So get creative what do you have to lose more importantly what do you have to gain. Your purpose and passion awaits!
by Lenore Miller
Finding and living your passion leads to greater quality of life, waking up everyday excited about the day ahead, and a drive to share your passions with others. Dr Harris believes by examining what she calls your 'Core Four' you can uncover your passion and purpose which leads to the outrageously happy, healthy and successful life you deserve.
It all begins with taking an inventory of your Core Four areas- emotional; spiritual; physical and financial. The key for all core four areas is to examine your answers honestly and to connect with what you do want rather than get caught up in focusing on what you already have that you don't want.
Firstly, your emotional area - this includes more than your own personal day to day feelings and emotions, it includes both your relationship with yourself and with others. So, ask yourself, are you happy with your relationship, with yourself; your love life; your family; your brothers and sisters; your parents; your close relationships? The aim here is to find out what's working in the emotional area of your life and what isn't.
So, what would you like these relationships to look like, feel, like be like? Now write down that description in detail including the things that are currently working well for you.
The physical area of our life is one where many people get caught up in the idea of 'perfection' and that nothing else will do. Sometimes we spend great amounts of time focusing on what's not right and comparing ourselves to others. Ask yourself these questions: Are you in the best shape of your life (for you, not in comparison to someone else)? Are you in the shape YOU want to be in and not what other people think is right for you?
It's time to get real about this. Write a description of what you'd like this area of your life to look like. This is no time to be harsh with yourself, just observe, make some notes of what you do want and move on to the next area.
Now, let's look at your spiritual life. Perhaps you feel confused by 'spirituality' and have defined ideas of what this should be? Don't be afraid to redefine it for yourself if you feel the need to do so. Ask yourself, do you feel connected spiritually with something greater than you - perhaps it's God, Buddha, the Universal Force? Whatever your belief, perhaps it's a strong spiritual connection with yourself and your inner knowing or spiritual being. It doesn't matter what your personal beliefs are. Maybe it's a belief in the process of life that all is in order and as it should be. Take a look at your spiritual connection, what's working for you and what's not. What would you like it to look like? Remember to write it down in full detail exactly as you would like your spiritual life to be.
When it comes to the financial area of our lives many people measure this as dollars in the bank, income earnt last financial year or material things owned. What I'd like you to ask yourself here is: Do you love your Job? Do you wake up and think I can't wait to get to work today? Or do you wake up and think 'Oh no another workday?' The financial area of your life in this context is about your passion for what you do to earn an income. Do you love it? If you spend all day working in a job you hate then that really impacts on the quality of your life. In fact, it could very well be impacting in the above three areas - emotional, spiritual, and physical.
How would you like to feel about the way you earn an income? What kind of work would you love to do, even if you weren't getting paid? Write a comprehensive description of how you would like to feel about your work, what would you really like to be doing?
The reality is, to make any kind of changes in your life you have to have a compelling why. Why do you want to make the change - what's not working now and what would your life look like if it was? Flesh out the description of your ideal Core Four in as much sensory detail as possible, make that vision compelling. How would it feel to live this way, what would you look like, your life look like, your relationships, how will you feel each day when you wake up, what would you be saying, what would others be saying?
In order to make the changes required in your day to day life, attitude and behavior to create this vision for living with passion and purpose, you need to have a compelling why. Why do you want this why would be make these changes? So ensure you spend as much time as you need to flesh this out in great detail.
As with all changes in our life we all have a tendency to slip back into old familiar ways from time to time as we move forward toward our new visions. There are a number of ways to deal with this - you can use affirmations, re-affirming what you do want, create a visual board as a reminder of the life you are creating, perhaps use technique such as EFT or NLP to assist in installing new behaviors and beliefs and discarding old ones. Writing can be therapeutic. Write about how you feel and where you are headed. Write about your passion and purpose, maybe even set up your own blog. Maybe you will chose to use some of these in combination or have your own techniques for installing change in your life. It's important to choose whatever feels right for you.
The most important thing to remember is that this is your life and the path you take needs to be of your choosing. So get creative what do you have to lose more importantly what do you have to gain. Your purpose and passion awaits!
by Lenore Miller
Making a pitch for referees
By Joyce Lee
Everybody lists referees in their resumes. But why do we have to put these in?
Referees are put there so that your prospective employer may make a reference check on you when necessary. Usually, they are called when you are in the final shortlist for a position.
Basically, a reference check is made to see if you gave an accurate account of yourself and your work ethic during the interview.
Who, then, should we list as referees? There should be two types of referee listed. One, preferably, who can comment on your work performance. If you have been retrenched, you should not have a problem getting your immediate boss to agree to be a referee. If you did not leave on good terms, then you may want to choose an ex-colleague in a more senior position whom you know will speak positively about you.
The second type of referee should be a good friend who can comment on your personality traits and qualities. Choose someone who is holding a senior position and who can speak well. A professional person carries more influence and credibility as a referee.
Things you have to take note of when selecting your referee:
Always ask for permission before listing someone as your referee, as it’s also good to give them a heads-up that someone may be calling them to enquire about you. Always select a referee you know personally, and not a friend of your father or some close relative. Some people put a Datuk or Yang Berhormat friend of their father’s on their resume thinking it will look good. Believe us, it won’t. First, that person may have no knowledge of your personality and capabilities; and second, it may come across to your interviewer that you are trying to show off or pull strings. You only need a maximum of two referees, one who can comment on your work and another on your character/personality. Some resumes I’ve come across listed eight!
If you do not wish to list your referees in the resume that you circulate in the hope of landing an interview, you may include a statement that says “Referees provided upon request”. All the same, you should have a list of referees ready as you will need to list them in any job application form prior to the interview.
Everybody lists referees in their resumes. But why do we have to put these in?
Referees are put there so that your prospective employer may make a reference check on you when necessary. Usually, they are called when you are in the final shortlist for a position.
Basically, a reference check is made to see if you gave an accurate account of yourself and your work ethic during the interview.
Who, then, should we list as referees? There should be two types of referee listed. One, preferably, who can comment on your work performance. If you have been retrenched, you should not have a problem getting your immediate boss to agree to be a referee. If you did not leave on good terms, then you may want to choose an ex-colleague in a more senior position whom you know will speak positively about you.
The second type of referee should be a good friend who can comment on your personality traits and qualities. Choose someone who is holding a senior position and who can speak well. A professional person carries more influence and credibility as a referee.
Things you have to take note of when selecting your referee:
Always ask for permission before listing someone as your referee, as it’s also good to give them a heads-up that someone may be calling them to enquire about you. Always select a referee you know personally, and not a friend of your father or some close relative. Some people put a Datuk or Yang Berhormat friend of their father’s on their resume thinking it will look good. Believe us, it won’t. First, that person may have no knowledge of your personality and capabilities; and second, it may come across to your interviewer that you are trying to show off or pull strings. You only need a maximum of two referees, one who can comment on your work and another on your character/personality. Some resumes I’ve come across listed eight!
If you do not wish to list your referees in the resume that you circulate in the hope of landing an interview, you may include a statement that says “Referees provided upon request”. All the same, you should have a list of referees ready as you will need to list them in any job application form prior to the interview.
Preparing for an interview
By Joyce Lee
Good news – you’ve just been called for a job interview. Only … you haven’t been for an interview in eight years! What do you do? What will they ask?
I am sure you would be excited and happy to get such a call. You would also be keen to handle yourself well at the interview so that you will get shortlisted and hopefully, hired.
It is not easy to get a job interview these days, and there would probably be many candidates vying for even a single position. The worst thing you could do is to go in unprepared and blow your chances of being hired.
The preparation for an interview is just as important, if not more so, as the interview process itself. Being well prepared is half the battle won!
Confirm the interview time & location You may think this is so basic but there are people who have showed up at the wrong time – and occasionally, even the wrong place.
One jobseeker who came knocking at my door one day said he had an interview scheduled but I was sure that I hadn’t called anyone in that day.
He insisted, saying that he had an appointment, and was told to come to level 7. But what he did not realize is that our office occupied two blocks – and he was at the wrong one.
So, don’t be too hasty to put down the phone when you receive a call to come for an interview. Always confirm the time and date, and ask for the correct location, as well as the contact number and name of the person who is calling so that you can check if you are unsure about anything.
Find out if there are any tests and how many interviewers there will be, if possible Sometimes, you are required to take a personality or technical test during your initial interview.
It is better to find out beforehand if there are any such tests so that you may be better prepared. If you are the type who is anxious about tests, then you may be thrown off your stride if you are informed on the spot that you have to take a test. The rest of the interview could go downhill for you.
Also find out how many people will be interviewing you, and their positions within the company. Again, it’s all for the sake of being prepared.
Do some research on your prospective employer Never go into any interview without doing any research about the company. Sometimes you will be asked “What do you know about our company?” and it will be bad if you reply “Oh I don’t know much” or simply keep silent. In this Internet era, there is no reason you could not learn anything about your prospective employer beforehand. Do your homework so that you will be seen as a person with initiative. You will blow the interviewers away if you are able to tell them their company’s vision and mission.
Find out how to get to the office and the time you need to get there It will really look bad for you if you turn up late for your interview. Don’t assume you know the location. Sometimes you can get lost in the car park itself! Always try to reach the place half an hour earlier as you will probably have to fill up an application form.
Dress well for the interview Think of what to wear a day before the interview. You may be busy on that day and it will be a letdown to discover at the last moment that the shirt you planned to wear is in the wash or not ironed or has a button missing. Remember, the first impression you make is very important.
Prepare certificates, documents and photos Bring your original certificates of education and achievement along with photocopies when you go for any interview. Also, bring along the latest copies of your resume and your most recent photograph. The HR representative will be impressed, or at least satisfied, if you have all this with you.
All the best in your interview and may you land your dream job soon!
Good news – you’ve just been called for a job interview. Only … you haven’t been for an interview in eight years! What do you do? What will they ask?
I am sure you would be excited and happy to get such a call. You would also be keen to handle yourself well at the interview so that you will get shortlisted and hopefully, hired.
It is not easy to get a job interview these days, and there would probably be many candidates vying for even a single position. The worst thing you could do is to go in unprepared and blow your chances of being hired.
The preparation for an interview is just as important, if not more so, as the interview process itself. Being well prepared is half the battle won!
Confirm the interview time & location You may think this is so basic but there are people who have showed up at the wrong time – and occasionally, even the wrong place.
One jobseeker who came knocking at my door one day said he had an interview scheduled but I was sure that I hadn’t called anyone in that day.
He insisted, saying that he had an appointment, and was told to come to level 7. But what he did not realize is that our office occupied two blocks – and he was at the wrong one.
So, don’t be too hasty to put down the phone when you receive a call to come for an interview. Always confirm the time and date, and ask for the correct location, as well as the contact number and name of the person who is calling so that you can check if you are unsure about anything.
Find out if there are any tests and how many interviewers there will be, if possible Sometimes, you are required to take a personality or technical test during your initial interview.
It is better to find out beforehand if there are any such tests so that you may be better prepared. If you are the type who is anxious about tests, then you may be thrown off your stride if you are informed on the spot that you have to take a test. The rest of the interview could go downhill for you.
Also find out how many people will be interviewing you, and their positions within the company. Again, it’s all for the sake of being prepared.
Do some research on your prospective employer Never go into any interview without doing any research about the company. Sometimes you will be asked “What do you know about our company?” and it will be bad if you reply “Oh I don’t know much” or simply keep silent. In this Internet era, there is no reason you could not learn anything about your prospective employer beforehand. Do your homework so that you will be seen as a person with initiative. You will blow the interviewers away if you are able to tell them their company’s vision and mission.
Find out how to get to the office and the time you need to get there It will really look bad for you if you turn up late for your interview. Don’t assume you know the location. Sometimes you can get lost in the car park itself! Always try to reach the place half an hour earlier as you will probably have to fill up an application form.
Dress well for the interview Think of what to wear a day before the interview. You may be busy on that day and it will be a letdown to discover at the last moment that the shirt you planned to wear is in the wash or not ironed or has a button missing. Remember, the first impression you make is very important.
Prepare certificates, documents and photos Bring your original certificates of education and achievement along with photocopies when you go for any interview. Also, bring along the latest copies of your resume and your most recent photograph. The HR representative will be impressed, or at least satisfied, if you have all this with you.
All the best in your interview and may you land your dream job soon!
Making a good impression with your CV
By Gayathri Nair
When preparing a CV/resume, consider your job-seeking category and tailor the contents accordingly.
1. I am a fresh graduate seeking my first job
2. I am looking to change career paths
3. I am looking for a new job in the same industry/line of work
4. I am coming back into the working world after a long break
How do I make a good impression in my CV/ resume?
Many of us ask ourselves this question when we send out our job applications. For each category, there isn't much difference to writing a good solid and acceptable CV. Take note of these simple guidelines that will help you improve your chances of landing an interview.
Layout and appearance
First and foremost, always remember that when compiling a CV, ensure that the layout is neat and easy to read.
Do not do up your CV in fancy or coloured fonts of varying sizes. You don’t want to give eyestrain to whoever is reading it.
When making a hard copy of your CV, do not print it on coloured or scented paper or fancy stationery.
Remember, the prospective employer has hundreds of other resumes to wade through, and may only take up to 30 seconds or so to decide if your resume goes into the KIV file … or the trash. Your aim is to catch his interest and make him read on.
A neat, easy-to-read and grammatically correct CV will automatically have a higher chance, compared to a poorly written and messy CV.
How to start?
Ideally, you can start your CV off with your personal particulars, such as your name, address, date of birth, contact number etc. e.g.:
Name: John Smith
Address: 12B Jalan 66/2, Kuala Lumpur
Date of birth: 1st January 1983
Contact number: (fixed line) / (mobile number)
E-mail: j.smith@erehwon.com
Tertiary qualifications
It is advisable to then move on to your tertiary qualifications. If you are a fresh graduate looking for your first job, you may want to list down your primary school years to your highest obtained qualification.
e.g.:
Year: 2000 – 2002
School/College/University Attended: Secondary School
Qualification/Grade: STPM – 2 As, 2 Cs
You may also state your highest qualification first, then move on the additional courses or certificates you have acquired or are going to acquire, such as your Masters or Ph.D etc.
There are various methods of listing your educational qualifications. It is not necessary to provide an extensive list of junior educational qualifications if you are not looking for an entry-level job.
Being a fresh graduate seeking your first job, however, this may be important information to include. Typically, begin with your most recently obtained qualification and work back from there.
Always remember employers are more interested in what you are doing now, or have done recently. If you are currently employed, focus on your career history first and then move on to your academic qualifications. (If you are a college-leaver or still studying, start with details of your education and academic achievements.)
Employment history
Once the education section is completed, you can move onto your employment history. If you are a fresh graduate seeking your first job, you are encouraged to list down all the activities you were actively involved in during school/college/university. This will assist you further in being considered for the position you are applying for, based on the activities you carried out in school or in university.
List all the jobs you have held chronologically, with the most recent first. For each position, give your job title, the name of the company and the period of employment. Follow this with a description of your role and key responsibilities, and remember to highlight any achievements. For previous jobs keep the details brief – unless they bear more relevance to the post you are applying for than your current position.
Employers are suspicious, so don't leave gaps in your career history. If you took a year off to travel, or stopped to continue your education, don’t hesitate to say so.
Interests and activities
Some may argue that this section of a CV is not very important. Do not disregard this part. If you can tie your interests and activities with the job selection criteria, for example, to show that you are a team player, then do so. If you are actively involved in sports, games, etc, list them as well.
Certain employers may take an interest in this area, and see how you can match up to the position they are hiring for based on your level of enthusiasm and activity.
Again, for a fresh graduate, you may want to convey the point that you have initiative or practical skills, for example, if you do voluntary work, have been elected president of a society, are on a team (for a particular sport), or are an active contributor to your school or college magazine.
Skills
In this section, it is good to include and highlight the skills you possess, such as typing, graphic design, IT skills, software competencies such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc. It is also advisable to list your level of communication and your language proficiency. Set a level of 1-10 for each language you are able to speak and write.
Expectations/Availability
These are also important aspects:
When can you start work?
What is your expected salary?
Do you have your own transport?
Are you willing to travel?
Ensure that you have listed these areas clearly, be accurate and watch out that you don’t make claims which you cannot back up. You do not want to mislead the employer. If you are willing to travel, but only around the country and not overseas, say so clearly.
Last but not least...
You can end your resume by providing a number of references for your future employer to contact. Ideally, you should list at least two.
For a fresh graduate, it is advisable to list your intern supervisor as references or someone who can comment well on your personality.
If you are currently employed or have recently been employed, list your previous managers, team leads, seniors, etc as your references.
It is best to list the people you worked directly under, or those who can give your future employer a description of how you performed in your previous jobs. Try to avoid listing friends from your previous employment as your references.
Once you are done, get a friend or a family member to check the document again. A fresh pair of eyes often spots a mistake you missed.
When preparing a CV/resume, consider your job-seeking category and tailor the contents accordingly.
1. I am a fresh graduate seeking my first job
2. I am looking to change career paths
3. I am looking for a new job in the same industry/line of work
4. I am coming back into the working world after a long break
How do I make a good impression in my CV/ resume?
Many of us ask ourselves this question when we send out our job applications. For each category, there isn't much difference to writing a good solid and acceptable CV. Take note of these simple guidelines that will help you improve your chances of landing an interview.
Layout and appearance
First and foremost, always remember that when compiling a CV, ensure that the layout is neat and easy to read.
Do not do up your CV in fancy or coloured fonts of varying sizes. You don’t want to give eyestrain to whoever is reading it.
When making a hard copy of your CV, do not print it on coloured or scented paper or fancy stationery.
Remember, the prospective employer has hundreds of other resumes to wade through, and may only take up to 30 seconds or so to decide if your resume goes into the KIV file … or the trash. Your aim is to catch his interest and make him read on.
A neat, easy-to-read and grammatically correct CV will automatically have a higher chance, compared to a poorly written and messy CV.
How to start?
Ideally, you can start your CV off with your personal particulars, such as your name, address, date of birth, contact number etc. e.g.:
Name: John Smith
Address: 12B Jalan 66/2, Kuala Lumpur
Date of birth: 1st January 1983
Contact number: (fixed line) / (mobile number)
E-mail: j.smith@erehwon.com
Tertiary qualifications
It is advisable to then move on to your tertiary qualifications. If you are a fresh graduate looking for your first job, you may want to list down your primary school years to your highest obtained qualification.
e.g.:
Year: 2000 – 2002
School/College/University Attended: Secondary School
Qualification/Grade: STPM – 2 As, 2 Cs
You may also state your highest qualification first, then move on the additional courses or certificates you have acquired or are going to acquire, such as your Masters or Ph.D etc.
There are various methods of listing your educational qualifications. It is not necessary to provide an extensive list of junior educational qualifications if you are not looking for an entry-level job.
Being a fresh graduate seeking your first job, however, this may be important information to include. Typically, begin with your most recently obtained qualification and work back from there.
Always remember employers are more interested in what you are doing now, or have done recently. If you are currently employed, focus on your career history first and then move on to your academic qualifications. (If you are a college-leaver or still studying, start with details of your education and academic achievements.)
Employment history
Once the education section is completed, you can move onto your employment history. If you are a fresh graduate seeking your first job, you are encouraged to list down all the activities you were actively involved in during school/college/university. This will assist you further in being considered for the position you are applying for, based on the activities you carried out in school or in university.
List all the jobs you have held chronologically, with the most recent first. For each position, give your job title, the name of the company and the period of employment. Follow this with a description of your role and key responsibilities, and remember to highlight any achievements. For previous jobs keep the details brief – unless they bear more relevance to the post you are applying for than your current position.
Employers are suspicious, so don't leave gaps in your career history. If you took a year off to travel, or stopped to continue your education, don’t hesitate to say so.
Interests and activities
Some may argue that this section of a CV is not very important. Do not disregard this part. If you can tie your interests and activities with the job selection criteria, for example, to show that you are a team player, then do so. If you are actively involved in sports, games, etc, list them as well.
Certain employers may take an interest in this area, and see how you can match up to the position they are hiring for based on your level of enthusiasm and activity.
Again, for a fresh graduate, you may want to convey the point that you have initiative or practical skills, for example, if you do voluntary work, have been elected president of a society, are on a team (for a particular sport), or are an active contributor to your school or college magazine.
Skills
In this section, it is good to include and highlight the skills you possess, such as typing, graphic design, IT skills, software competencies such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc. It is also advisable to list your level of communication and your language proficiency. Set a level of 1-10 for each language you are able to speak and write.
Expectations/Availability
These are also important aspects:
When can you start work?
What is your expected salary?
Do you have your own transport?
Are you willing to travel?
Ensure that you have listed these areas clearly, be accurate and watch out that you don’t make claims which you cannot back up. You do not want to mislead the employer. If you are willing to travel, but only around the country and not overseas, say so clearly.
Last but not least...
You can end your resume by providing a number of references for your future employer to contact. Ideally, you should list at least two.
For a fresh graduate, it is advisable to list your intern supervisor as references or someone who can comment well on your personality.
If you are currently employed or have recently been employed, list your previous managers, team leads, seniors, etc as your references.
It is best to list the people you worked directly under, or those who can give your future employer a description of how you performed in your previous jobs. Try to avoid listing friends from your previous employment as your references.
Once you are done, get a friend or a family member to check the document again. A fresh pair of eyes often spots a mistake you missed.
Succeeding at a job interview
By Gayathri Nair
You've found the job of your dreams. You've applied for it and have been called for an interview! Great – now all you need to do is get through the interview. And that is probably the most nerve-wracking part of it.
First, there is no need to panic. A little nervousness is completely natural when it comes to a job interview. Whether it's your first interview, or even if you have been through several interviews before, the initial “fear” is always there. However, if you are thoroughly prepared for the interview, you will find yourself sailing through it calmly and with ease.
The Background
First and foremost, ask yourself a few questions:
• What industry does the company specialize in?
• Do I know the brief history and background of the company?
• Who are their competitors?
• What is their vision and mission?
These are some of the questions you may be asked by your interviewer. It is best to prepare by seeking out such information so you won't get stuck during the interview. You can research the company on the Internet. Try to get hold of the company's literature, find out all that you can and keep the information handy.
If you are not asked these questions, sometimes you can slip in little tidbits of information into your conversation, or pose the question to the interviewer instead. This way you are demonstrating an impressive level of interest in the organization and will put you in a positive light.
The CV/Resume
Since you have been called for an interview, you can assume the company will already have a copy of your resume. However, it is still good to bring an extra copy of your resume with you. Make sure it is your latest and most up-to-date one.
You will probably be attending a number of interviews, so it is good to have a few copies of your resume made up in advance. Attach copies of your certificates and other documents that you think will help make a strong case for the interviewer to hire you. Ensure your resume is neat and can be read easily with the right font, size and layout.
The 'look' – What is in and what is out
This is one of the most crucial points when attending an interview – the dress code. It's not casual, smart-casual, semi-casual or even semi-formal! You must be dressed in formal attire for an interview. The way you dress makes a lasting first impression of who you are. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Ensure you are dressed well, with the correct accessories. Dress to look smart and professional.
For men – A long sleeved collared shirt with a tie. You may opt to wear a coat if you want. Omitting the coat is fine as long as your shirt is neatly ironed and tucked in. Wear slacks, or formal working pants. Do not wear jeans, or even black denims / jeans that may look like pants. Some interviewers are quick to catch on tiny details like these.
Make sure you wear the right type of shoes as well. Do not wear running shoes, sport shoes, snickers or sandals. Do not wear a cap. You must also make sure your hair is neatly combed, gelled if required, and tied up neatly if you have long hair. If it is possible, go for a haircut the day before, as well as a shave. The definite don'ts are: earring, studs and any other piercings.
For women – Preferably a collared formal blouse, or a top that shows professionalism. Again, a coat is optional. Also ensure your clothes are ironed neatly with no creases. Do not wear a spaghetti-strap top, a sleeveless t-shirt, or any kind of t-shirt for that matter.
You also have an option of either wearing a skirt, or pants. If you opt to wear a skirt, make sure it isn't too short and that it is a formal, working skirt. Do not wear denim skirts or wraparound skirts. Make sure you wear the right shoes as well. Opt for more professional looking shoes, such as covered shoes or sandals with elevated heels. Do not wear slippers, casual sandals, sneakers or running shoes.
If your hair is long, have it tied up neatly and secured in place. Do not allow strands of hair to dangle in front of your face. You can always opt for hair-bands, clips and rubber bands.
Punctuality
Before you attend the interview, make sure you know the exact location of the company. Do not start looking for the place on the day of the interview itself, if you are unsure of the location. Ensure you arrive at least 20 to 30 minuets early. This not only makes a good impression on your interviewer, it will also give you time to freshen up before you head to the interview room.
Make sure you are not drenched in sweat or are out of breath when meeting the interviewer.
After arriving
Before you accept the invite to attend the interview and hang up the phone, ask who you are supposed to see at the office first. You may get a call from a Human Resource person, but may be interviewed by someone else.
When you arrive at the reception area, greet the receptionist or whoever is at the front desk. Greeting the person at the front desk is where you make your actual first impression in most companies.
Sometimes, the receptionist or the front desk person will be questioned by the person hiring you, on your body language, behaviour and even manners. Do not walk into the office, take a seat at the first chair you find and wait for someone to approach you. It's always good to make the first move.
Use polite words such as “Excuse me,” or a pleasant “Good day,” and announce why you are there. Thank the person and comply with the provided instructions from there on.
Body Language
When you meet your interviewers, always greet them with a warm smile and a pleasant handshake. Do not squeeze the hand of your interviewer, but offer a tough yet professional handshake.
When you sit in front of the interviewer, do not cross your legs, or part your legs, or even shake your legs while the person is talking to you.
Do not twiddle your thumbs, scratch yourself, rub your hands, or fidget in any way while talking to the interviewer. Most importantly, do not chew gum.
Do not slouch, hunch over or bend your body too much. Sit upright, look confident and relaxed at the same time.
Do not clutch to your bag, handbag, briefcase or even file. Do not chew on your fingernails while speaking to the interviewer either!
You must always look motivated and interested. The way you act, your posture, facial expressions and eye contact will reveal a lot about you.
Do not speak too softly, or too loudly. During the session, try to not use tentative language such as “I think,” “I could,” “I feel,” “I may,” “I think I can,” etc. Also remember not to confine your answers to just “yes” or “no” and make sure you never grunt an incoherent reply. Do not interrupt the interviewer, but keep your tone enthusiastic.
Building and applying the confidence
Employers will ask questions deliberately designed to see how you behave and react in certain situations. Never answer a question you don't understand with a knee-jerk response. Always seek clarification before answering and if you don't know an answer, it’s much better to admit it than to guess. Try anticipating some of the obvious questions or requests from the interviewer:
• Tell me about yourself
• What are your hobbies and interest?
• Why did you apply for the position?
• How do you fit our requirements?
• Where do you see yourself in two to five years?
• What motivates you to be successful?
• Are you able to work in a team, individually or with no supervision?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
It is good to have answers prepared for such questions. Do not, however, memorize your answers according to a script, as it will come out as too robotic during the interview.
Set certain guidelines for yourself and go with the flow on the day of the interview. You may find words to add or to remove when you are talking to the interviewer.
The feedback session
A job interview is always a two-way process. At the end of the interview, you may be asked if you have any questions. This is a good chance to clarify any points of doubt – after all, you need to make sure that the job is exactly what you expected and what you want.
Some simple questions you might want to keep in mind are:
• What are the career progression opportunities within the company?
• Are there training opportunities?
• Will there be any traveling involved?
Even if you have all the information you need, it is never a good idea to leave the interview without providing any feedback. You may also ask when the company will be making its final recruitment decision. If you want to know your salary package and benefits, you may enquire at the end of the interview.
The closing
Now that the interview has come to an end, you must leave a good and lasting closing impression. Smile and thank the interviewers for their time. Express your interest in the job again, mention that you enjoyed discussing the job duties and that you look forward to hearing from them soon. Do not linger with your goodbyes or waste the interviewers’ time with unnecessary questions. Remember, there may be other people coming in for an interview after you.
Good luck!
You are now one step closer to obtaining your dream job.
Some people always seem to succeed at interviews. They're not lucky; their secret is careful preparation. The better prepared you are, the more confident you will be and the more success you will have.
Always keep in mind when you have been invited to an interview, it means that you have already beaten a number of candidates by being shortlisted. The employer is interested in you and feels that you are one of the qualified people for the position; so it is now up to you to show the employer that you are indeed the right candidate for the job.
You've found the job of your dreams. You've applied for it and have been called for an interview! Great – now all you need to do is get through the interview. And that is probably the most nerve-wracking part of it.
First, there is no need to panic. A little nervousness is completely natural when it comes to a job interview. Whether it's your first interview, or even if you have been through several interviews before, the initial “fear” is always there. However, if you are thoroughly prepared for the interview, you will find yourself sailing through it calmly and with ease.
The Background
First and foremost, ask yourself a few questions:
• What industry does the company specialize in?
• Do I know the brief history and background of the company?
• Who are their competitors?
• What is their vision and mission?
These are some of the questions you may be asked by your interviewer. It is best to prepare by seeking out such information so you won't get stuck during the interview. You can research the company on the Internet. Try to get hold of the company's literature, find out all that you can and keep the information handy.
If you are not asked these questions, sometimes you can slip in little tidbits of information into your conversation, or pose the question to the interviewer instead. This way you are demonstrating an impressive level of interest in the organization and will put you in a positive light.
The CV/Resume
Since you have been called for an interview, you can assume the company will already have a copy of your resume. However, it is still good to bring an extra copy of your resume with you. Make sure it is your latest and most up-to-date one.
You will probably be attending a number of interviews, so it is good to have a few copies of your resume made up in advance. Attach copies of your certificates and other documents that you think will help make a strong case for the interviewer to hire you. Ensure your resume is neat and can be read easily with the right font, size and layout.
The 'look' – What is in and what is out
This is one of the most crucial points when attending an interview – the dress code. It's not casual, smart-casual, semi-casual or even semi-formal! You must be dressed in formal attire for an interview. The way you dress makes a lasting first impression of who you are. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Ensure you are dressed well, with the correct accessories. Dress to look smart and professional.
For men – A long sleeved collared shirt with a tie. You may opt to wear a coat if you want. Omitting the coat is fine as long as your shirt is neatly ironed and tucked in. Wear slacks, or formal working pants. Do not wear jeans, or even black denims / jeans that may look like pants. Some interviewers are quick to catch on tiny details like these.
Make sure you wear the right type of shoes as well. Do not wear running shoes, sport shoes, snickers or sandals. Do not wear a cap. You must also make sure your hair is neatly combed, gelled if required, and tied up neatly if you have long hair. If it is possible, go for a haircut the day before, as well as a shave. The definite don'ts are: earring, studs and any other piercings.
For women – Preferably a collared formal blouse, or a top that shows professionalism. Again, a coat is optional. Also ensure your clothes are ironed neatly with no creases. Do not wear a spaghetti-strap top, a sleeveless t-shirt, or any kind of t-shirt for that matter.
You also have an option of either wearing a skirt, or pants. If you opt to wear a skirt, make sure it isn't too short and that it is a formal, working skirt. Do not wear denim skirts or wraparound skirts. Make sure you wear the right shoes as well. Opt for more professional looking shoes, such as covered shoes or sandals with elevated heels. Do not wear slippers, casual sandals, sneakers or running shoes.
If your hair is long, have it tied up neatly and secured in place. Do not allow strands of hair to dangle in front of your face. You can always opt for hair-bands, clips and rubber bands.
Punctuality
Before you attend the interview, make sure you know the exact location of the company. Do not start looking for the place on the day of the interview itself, if you are unsure of the location. Ensure you arrive at least 20 to 30 minuets early. This not only makes a good impression on your interviewer, it will also give you time to freshen up before you head to the interview room.
Make sure you are not drenched in sweat or are out of breath when meeting the interviewer.
After arriving
Before you accept the invite to attend the interview and hang up the phone, ask who you are supposed to see at the office first. You may get a call from a Human Resource person, but may be interviewed by someone else.
When you arrive at the reception area, greet the receptionist or whoever is at the front desk. Greeting the person at the front desk is where you make your actual first impression in most companies.
Sometimes, the receptionist or the front desk person will be questioned by the person hiring you, on your body language, behaviour and even manners. Do not walk into the office, take a seat at the first chair you find and wait for someone to approach you. It's always good to make the first move.
Use polite words such as “Excuse me,” or a pleasant “Good day,” and announce why you are there. Thank the person and comply with the provided instructions from there on.
Body Language
When you meet your interviewers, always greet them with a warm smile and a pleasant handshake. Do not squeeze the hand of your interviewer, but offer a tough yet professional handshake.
When you sit in front of the interviewer, do not cross your legs, or part your legs, or even shake your legs while the person is talking to you.
Do not twiddle your thumbs, scratch yourself, rub your hands, or fidget in any way while talking to the interviewer. Most importantly, do not chew gum.
Do not slouch, hunch over or bend your body too much. Sit upright, look confident and relaxed at the same time.
Do not clutch to your bag, handbag, briefcase or even file. Do not chew on your fingernails while speaking to the interviewer either!
You must always look motivated and interested. The way you act, your posture, facial expressions and eye contact will reveal a lot about you.
Do not speak too softly, or too loudly. During the session, try to not use tentative language such as “I think,” “I could,” “I feel,” “I may,” “I think I can,” etc. Also remember not to confine your answers to just “yes” or “no” and make sure you never grunt an incoherent reply. Do not interrupt the interviewer, but keep your tone enthusiastic.
Building and applying the confidence
Employers will ask questions deliberately designed to see how you behave and react in certain situations. Never answer a question you don't understand with a knee-jerk response. Always seek clarification before answering and if you don't know an answer, it’s much better to admit it than to guess. Try anticipating some of the obvious questions or requests from the interviewer:
• Tell me about yourself
• What are your hobbies and interest?
• Why did you apply for the position?
• How do you fit our requirements?
• Where do you see yourself in two to five years?
• What motivates you to be successful?
• Are you able to work in a team, individually or with no supervision?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
It is good to have answers prepared for such questions. Do not, however, memorize your answers according to a script, as it will come out as too robotic during the interview.
Set certain guidelines for yourself and go with the flow on the day of the interview. You may find words to add or to remove when you are talking to the interviewer.
The feedback session
A job interview is always a two-way process. At the end of the interview, you may be asked if you have any questions. This is a good chance to clarify any points of doubt – after all, you need to make sure that the job is exactly what you expected and what you want.
Some simple questions you might want to keep in mind are:
• What are the career progression opportunities within the company?
• Are there training opportunities?
• Will there be any traveling involved?
Even if you have all the information you need, it is never a good idea to leave the interview without providing any feedback. You may also ask when the company will be making its final recruitment decision. If you want to know your salary package and benefits, you may enquire at the end of the interview.
The closing
Now that the interview has come to an end, you must leave a good and lasting closing impression. Smile and thank the interviewers for their time. Express your interest in the job again, mention that you enjoyed discussing the job duties and that you look forward to hearing from them soon. Do not linger with your goodbyes or waste the interviewers’ time with unnecessary questions. Remember, there may be other people coming in for an interview after you.
Good luck!
You are now one step closer to obtaining your dream job.
Some people always seem to succeed at interviews. They're not lucky; their secret is careful preparation. The better prepared you are, the more confident you will be and the more success you will have.
Always keep in mind when you have been invited to an interview, it means that you have already beaten a number of candidates by being shortlisted. The employer is interested in you and feels that you are one of the qualified people for the position; so it is now up to you to show the employer that you are indeed the right candidate for the job.
You’re the boss now
HAVE you been recently promoted? Did you move past your co-workers and now sit in a position where you are now their supervisor?
If so, you may likely be feeling a bit uncomfortable and unsure as to how to shine in your new role without alienating your co-workers, who are likely your friends as well.
GET THEIR SUPPORT
First, be honest with them. Tell them that you are feeling a bit anxious about taking on the new role and that you want to maintain the same, positive relationships that you enjoyed before your promotion.
Ask them directly if they will be on your team and if they will strive for the team to succeed.
If you sense one of the team members has developed a less than positive attitude, take that person aside and ask questions until you can determine what is causing the behaviour.
Assure him that you are on his side and want him to grow and develop and get promoted as well.
Continue to conduct yourself in a manner that enforces these messages. Look for ways to bring the successes of your team members to the attention of upper management.
Find team-building exercises which you can incorporate on a regular basis to strengthen the group as a whole.
Do not engage in behaviour that separates you from your team or makes any member of the team feel at any given time that you are in this for yourself.
The more you can encourage and assist each team member in learning, growing and shining, the more likely they will accept you as a leader, perform well under your leadership and see the change as a win-win situation for everyone.
BE REALISTIC
If, after all of these efforts, you still have a team member who is not on board, it may be time to discuss with upper management a transfer of that individual to another department, assuming he is a solid employee from a work performance standpoint.
However, if this individual’s attitude has soured to the point that he will continue to be unhappy after the transfer, then it may be time for him to move on.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
Remember that leaders don’t manage. Leaders lead and they do so by example. If you want people to follow you, exhibit behaviours that are worthy of emulating.
Maintain a positive attitude each day, even if you are overwhelmed, stressed or feeling a lot of pressure in your new role.
But above all, be interested in each of your team members, both personally and professionally.
Make sure they are feeling good and positive, and help them to obtain the necessary tools and information to be their best and to shine every day.
Truly listen to them and address their concerns, incorporate their ideas and give them the credit for the team’s performance even when the compliment is directed at you.
That is how you get co-workers to not only accept your new promotion, but to support you every step of the way!
Article by Jane Schulte, author of Work Smart, Not Hard!
If so, you may likely be feeling a bit uncomfortable and unsure as to how to shine in your new role without alienating your co-workers, who are likely your friends as well.
GET THEIR SUPPORT
First, be honest with them. Tell them that you are feeling a bit anxious about taking on the new role and that you want to maintain the same, positive relationships that you enjoyed before your promotion.
Ask them directly if they will be on your team and if they will strive for the team to succeed.
If you sense one of the team members has developed a less than positive attitude, take that person aside and ask questions until you can determine what is causing the behaviour.
Assure him that you are on his side and want him to grow and develop and get promoted as well.
Continue to conduct yourself in a manner that enforces these messages. Look for ways to bring the successes of your team members to the attention of upper management.
Find team-building exercises which you can incorporate on a regular basis to strengthen the group as a whole.
Do not engage in behaviour that separates you from your team or makes any member of the team feel at any given time that you are in this for yourself.
The more you can encourage and assist each team member in learning, growing and shining, the more likely they will accept you as a leader, perform well under your leadership and see the change as a win-win situation for everyone.
BE REALISTIC
If, after all of these efforts, you still have a team member who is not on board, it may be time to discuss with upper management a transfer of that individual to another department, assuming he is a solid employee from a work performance standpoint.
However, if this individual’s attitude has soured to the point that he will continue to be unhappy after the transfer, then it may be time for him to move on.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
Remember that leaders don’t manage. Leaders lead and they do so by example. If you want people to follow you, exhibit behaviours that are worthy of emulating.
Maintain a positive attitude each day, even if you are overwhelmed, stressed or feeling a lot of pressure in your new role.
But above all, be interested in each of your team members, both personally and professionally.
Make sure they are feeling good and positive, and help them to obtain the necessary tools and information to be their best and to shine every day.
Truly listen to them and address their concerns, incorporate their ideas and give them the credit for the team’s performance even when the compliment is directed at you.
That is how you get co-workers to not only accept your new promotion, but to support you every step of the way!
Article by Jane Schulte, author of Work Smart, Not Hard!
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Fitting the bill
Human resource professionals agree that personality is an important consideration in the selection process.
Employers are increasingly looking at a candidate’s disposition when making their final choice. Sometimes, impeccably groomed and qualified individuals are knocked out in the last round because they do not meet the personality criteria of the organisation.
The most common personality considerations include conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, emotional stability and openness to experience.
WHAT IS PERSONALITY
Personality is simply described as the typical way that an individual responds to a variety of situations. The personality traits of an individual are generally stable.
Personality is more likely to predict what a person will do. Ability is more likely to predict what a person can do.
Occasionally, certain situations and circumstances may lead an individual to behave such that it is out of character. Most employers usually overlook this.
THE PERSONALITY TEST
During the recruitment process, be aware that the final selection may not be based entirely on your paper qualifications, work experience and professional expertise.
These will get you to the final interview but the personality test will divulge clues of who you are, how you may behave in the workplace, and affect your chance at the job.
There are plenty of questionnaires designed by occupational psychologists to understand a person’s personality. These are then translated into workplace competencies and responses for employers.
A person’s interests outside work can reveal much about his character. Fresh graduates are measured by their performance outside the classroom as well. Extracurricular activities are thought to provide clues to one’s personality.
Interviewers often like to ask prospective candidates to talk unreservedly about what they do in their leisure time. This is a discreet way of weaving in questions to find out more about their personalities.
So if you are bumped out at the final interview, review critically what you said at the last interview.
QUALITIES THAT MATTER
The most common personality trait that employers look for is conscientiousness. It is composed of two discrete factors: achievement and dependability.
A measure of achievement consists of the amount of effort put in by the individual in hard work, persistence and the desire to do hard work.
Dependability reflects the individual’s discipline in relation to his work and the work environment, organisational skills and respect for laws and regulations. It also comprises the individual’s honesty, trustworthiness and acceptance of authority.
Conscientiousness translates into a person’s ability to get the job done well, so it is not surprising that human resource and senior managers in organisations are concerned about it.
Research has shown that there is a link between conscientiousness, emotional stability and integrity. A person with integrity is honest and ethical, and these factors are also associated with employee reliability.
SNAG THE JOB
Securing a job offer today takes more than academic and technical ability, experience and expertise. You will be assessed not only on whether your personality matches the requirements of the job but also if it fits in with the company’s corporate culture.
What can you do to improve your chances of getting the job you want?
Analyse your personality carefully before you apply for your next job. Find out if it fits the kind of profile your potential employer is looking for. Read the job advertisements carefully for clues on the qualities that the potential employer is seeking, and research on the personality types the company currently employs.
If you have the personality that fits as well as the skills, you are well on your way.
Employers are increasingly looking at a candidate’s disposition when making their final choice. Sometimes, impeccably groomed and qualified individuals are knocked out in the last round because they do not meet the personality criteria of the organisation.
The most common personality considerations include conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, emotional stability and openness to experience.
WHAT IS PERSONALITY
Personality is simply described as the typical way that an individual responds to a variety of situations. The personality traits of an individual are generally stable.
Personality is more likely to predict what a person will do. Ability is more likely to predict what a person can do.
Occasionally, certain situations and circumstances may lead an individual to behave such that it is out of character. Most employers usually overlook this.
THE PERSONALITY TEST
During the recruitment process, be aware that the final selection may not be based entirely on your paper qualifications, work experience and professional expertise.
These will get you to the final interview but the personality test will divulge clues of who you are, how you may behave in the workplace, and affect your chance at the job.
There are plenty of questionnaires designed by occupational psychologists to understand a person’s personality. These are then translated into workplace competencies and responses for employers.
A person’s interests outside work can reveal much about his character. Fresh graduates are measured by their performance outside the classroom as well. Extracurricular activities are thought to provide clues to one’s personality.
Interviewers often like to ask prospective candidates to talk unreservedly about what they do in their leisure time. This is a discreet way of weaving in questions to find out more about their personalities.
So if you are bumped out at the final interview, review critically what you said at the last interview.
QUALITIES THAT MATTER
The most common personality trait that employers look for is conscientiousness. It is composed of two discrete factors: achievement and dependability.
A measure of achievement consists of the amount of effort put in by the individual in hard work, persistence and the desire to do hard work.
Dependability reflects the individual’s discipline in relation to his work and the work environment, organisational skills and respect for laws and regulations. It also comprises the individual’s honesty, trustworthiness and acceptance of authority.
Conscientiousness translates into a person’s ability to get the job done well, so it is not surprising that human resource and senior managers in organisations are concerned about it.
Research has shown that there is a link between conscientiousness, emotional stability and integrity. A person with integrity is honest and ethical, and these factors are also associated with employee reliability.
SNAG THE JOB
Securing a job offer today takes more than academic and technical ability, experience and expertise. You will be assessed not only on whether your personality matches the requirements of the job but also if it fits in with the company’s corporate culture.
What can you do to improve your chances of getting the job you want?
Analyse your personality carefully before you apply for your next job. Find out if it fits the kind of profile your potential employer is looking for. Read the job advertisements carefully for clues on the qualities that the potential employer is seeking, and research on the personality types the company currently employs.
If you have the personality that fits as well as the skills, you are well on your way.
Don’t let your time fly
"UNTIL you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it,” said author M. Scott Peck.
Time management is one of my biggest complaints, issues and concerns.
It is also one of the skills that most people rate themselves lowest on in evaluations like performance reviews.
Here are some simple tips to improve your time management, efficiency and productivity:
1 DON’T SAY: “I DON’T HAVE TIME"
The next time you want to say those dreaded words, just remember that you have exactly the same amount of time as everyone else. You have the same amount of time in your day as the Olympic swimmer who works out at 4am and the president who has to run a nation.
What you are really trying to say is: “I don’t want to make time to do that”, and that is not wrong.
But before you say it, imagine if that task was to visit a family member at the hospital and you actually had time to get there. So what you really need to decide is, “Does this deserve my time?”
2 DO THE WORST FIRST
Start each day by getting rid of your most despised task. Nothing ruins a day like dreading a task you have to do later in the day.
3 REWARD YOURSELF
Find out what motivates you and set rewards for yourself if you can achieve all your tasks.
For me, if I can get through three difficult tasks, I will eat some of the doughnuts that my colleague brought to work. Another great thing about that reward is that if I procrastinate, the doughnuts will be gone!
You can also team up with someone and become accountability partners for getting your tasks done.
4 MAKE A LIST
Unless you have the world’s best memory, you should make a list.
When someone gives you a responsibility, record it somewhere — in your phone or organiser, in an e-mail message to yourself or on a post-it note — it doesn’t matter how, just write it down.
Nothing is worse than the feeling of waking up in the middle of the night thinking, “Oh no, I forgot to do that!”
5 START SMALL
Some people believe in labelling tasks A, B, C in the order of their importance. But as for me, I prefer to do what I call “Little Things First”.
When I get an e-mail message that involves a small task, I will get it done quickly rather than continually come back to it over and over again.
I have many recurring tasks in my diary, and the small things on my list are usually gone by about 10.30am, leaving me the bulk of my day to work on larger projects.
6 SET DEADLINES
When setting yourself a task or getting one from someone else, always find out when it needs to be done by. Then plan an appropriate amount of reminders in your diary before the due date.
7 GET A LIFE
Work-life balance seems to be the buzzword at present, but you really need to put time and energy into this area.
Schedule in time to relax, do things with your family or read. If the activity is marked out in your diary and you commit to it, you are less likely to neglect it.
8 ORGANISE YOUR DESK
My desk at work is my haven. My trays work for me.
I can’t tell you what the best desk system is, all I know is that if yours does not make your day easier, change it until you get something that works.
For me, I don’t allow anyone to put anything on my desk. My assistant is allowed to put things in one tray only. Everything else is put in my communal pigeonhole.
I have a single out-tray — it stops me from getting up 20 or 30 times a day because much of what comes to me needs to go elsewhere in the office.
I have a tray full of non-urgent things to read. When I get time, I start going through it.
I have a tray full of things which are pending action from others, and I have an e-mail folder full of messages like these. My diary prompts me with a recurring reminder to check through these two areas.
Take your time to find out what works for you.
9 DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP
What is worse — asking for help once, or doing a task incorrectly or incompletely five times, or not doing it at all? Don’t be a victim of the “scared to ask” disease.
10 RIDE ON TECHNOLOGY
Your mind is not a computer, so use your computer to help your mind become like one.
For me, a little e-mail reminder pops up every Friday to alert me to send out my weekly e-mail. And on every Wednesday, I am told I have two meetings first up. You are not a machine, so use technology to its best advantage.
Article by Kirsty Dunphey
Time management is one of my biggest complaints, issues and concerns.
It is also one of the skills that most people rate themselves lowest on in evaluations like performance reviews.
Here are some simple tips to improve your time management, efficiency and productivity:
1 DON’T SAY: “I DON’T HAVE TIME"
The next time you want to say those dreaded words, just remember that you have exactly the same amount of time as everyone else. You have the same amount of time in your day as the Olympic swimmer who works out at 4am and the president who has to run a nation.
What you are really trying to say is: “I don’t want to make time to do that”, and that is not wrong.
But before you say it, imagine if that task was to visit a family member at the hospital and you actually had time to get there. So what you really need to decide is, “Does this deserve my time?”
2 DO THE WORST FIRST
Start each day by getting rid of your most despised task. Nothing ruins a day like dreading a task you have to do later in the day.
3 REWARD YOURSELF
Find out what motivates you and set rewards for yourself if you can achieve all your tasks.
For me, if I can get through three difficult tasks, I will eat some of the doughnuts that my colleague brought to work. Another great thing about that reward is that if I procrastinate, the doughnuts will be gone!
You can also team up with someone and become accountability partners for getting your tasks done.
4 MAKE A LIST
Unless you have the world’s best memory, you should make a list.
When someone gives you a responsibility, record it somewhere — in your phone or organiser, in an e-mail message to yourself or on a post-it note — it doesn’t matter how, just write it down.
Nothing is worse than the feeling of waking up in the middle of the night thinking, “Oh no, I forgot to do that!”
5 START SMALL
Some people believe in labelling tasks A, B, C in the order of their importance. But as for me, I prefer to do what I call “Little Things First”.
When I get an e-mail message that involves a small task, I will get it done quickly rather than continually come back to it over and over again.
I have many recurring tasks in my diary, and the small things on my list are usually gone by about 10.30am, leaving me the bulk of my day to work on larger projects.
6 SET DEADLINES
When setting yourself a task or getting one from someone else, always find out when it needs to be done by. Then plan an appropriate amount of reminders in your diary before the due date.
7 GET A LIFE
Work-life balance seems to be the buzzword at present, but you really need to put time and energy into this area.
Schedule in time to relax, do things with your family or read. If the activity is marked out in your diary and you commit to it, you are less likely to neglect it.
8 ORGANISE YOUR DESK
My desk at work is my haven. My trays work for me.
I can’t tell you what the best desk system is, all I know is that if yours does not make your day easier, change it until you get something that works.
For me, I don’t allow anyone to put anything on my desk. My assistant is allowed to put things in one tray only. Everything else is put in my communal pigeonhole.
I have a single out-tray — it stops me from getting up 20 or 30 times a day because much of what comes to me needs to go elsewhere in the office.
I have a tray full of non-urgent things to read. When I get time, I start going through it.
I have a tray full of things which are pending action from others, and I have an e-mail folder full of messages like these. My diary prompts me with a recurring reminder to check through these two areas.
Take your time to find out what works for you.
9 DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP
What is worse — asking for help once, or doing a task incorrectly or incompletely five times, or not doing it at all? Don’t be a victim of the “scared to ask” disease.
10 RIDE ON TECHNOLOGY
Your mind is not a computer, so use your computer to help your mind become like one.
For me, a little e-mail reminder pops up every Friday to alert me to send out my weekly e-mail. And on every Wednesday, I am told I have two meetings first up. You are not a machine, so use technology to its best advantage.
Article by Kirsty Dunphey
Look on the bright side
YOUR emotional state can have a major impact on your energy level.
Anger, resentment, fear and other negative emotions are very draining and can colour what you do and say and how you look at life in general.
It is a common tendency to attribute the way you feel to such factors as mood swings and external events.
You hear people say: “I’m in a bad mood today”, “I’m sick of my boss” or “I’m totally exhausted”.
Many people believe that they do not have a choice over how they feel.
When you are in bad mood, the world can look dark and gloomy. You can end up acting in ways that alienate others and make your own life and work difficult in the future.
For example, you discover that almost everyone in your department received a two-month bonus while you got only a one-month payout. You get angry with your boss and colleagues. You don’t feel like talking to anyone in your department. You feel your boss is unfair.
Not surprisingly, your working life becomes completely miserable.
Emotional discipline
Emotional discipline consists of the intentional choices you make to gain the power over how you feel.
Discipline is a process of self-education and self-training that helps you to enhance your level of effectiveness and the overall quality of your experiences.
Emotional discipline is the key to harnessing the power of your emotions instead of being drained by them.
You must believe that your emotions are not beyond your control. You are accountable for how you feel and how that affects others by means of what you say and do.
Exercising emotional discipline means making these key decisions:
Taking responsibility for how you feel;
Doing things now that will prepare you for the future;
Reacting to emotionally challenging situations in a new and healthy way; and
Making specific choices to effectively deal with challenges as they arise.
Sometimes the choices involve taking actions that may seem relatively unattractive in the short run.
For example, you like your coffee sweet but decide to skip the sugar for a healthier lifestyle. Although the bitter beverage takes some getting used to, but in the long run, your health will benefit from your disciplined choice.
Here is how emotional discipline can help you:
1 Find the cause
Identify the immediate cause of your emotions.
Pinpoint the underlying factors that are stirring up your feelings.
For instance, during a recent promotion exercise, some junior executives are promoted but you are staying where you are. You are frustrated because you have put your heart and soul into your work without adequate recognition.
2 Identify your physical reactions
Determine the location of your physical sensations and whether they are uncomfortable or pleasant.
For example, your being overlooked during the promotion exercise is making your chest feel tight. Your heart is beating faster and your head aches too.
3 Focus on your mind
Identify the thoughts and feelings that accompany your physical reactions.
For example, “My boss is unreasonable and unfair. I work so hard yet he does not recognise my work.”
In response to the event, are you feeling defensive, insecure or fearful?
Can you act from a state of openness? Do you have other constructive choices rather than feeling upset and angry over what has happened?
4 Make a choice
Make an emotionally disciplined choice to deal with your immediate challenge constructively.
Choose your actions and reactions.
What choices can help you to be more constructive and effective?
Use these strategies to boost your emotional discipline:
Write a positive affirmation on note cards that can help you cope with upsetting situations that recur.
Read the card when you encounter these situations. For example, “I am capable of responding to this situation in a calm and effective way.”
Use visualisation techniques to rehearse constructive responses to recurring situations in your life.
Picture yourself staying calm and responding effectively.
Practise letting go of all judgments.
Choose to first appreciate everything that you encounter without any evaluation or judgment. This will make you feel more positive about your life.
Anger, resentment, fear and other negative emotions are very draining and can colour what you do and say and how you look at life in general.
It is a common tendency to attribute the way you feel to such factors as mood swings and external events.
You hear people say: “I’m in a bad mood today”, “I’m sick of my boss” or “I’m totally exhausted”.
Many people believe that they do not have a choice over how they feel.
When you are in bad mood, the world can look dark and gloomy. You can end up acting in ways that alienate others and make your own life and work difficult in the future.
For example, you discover that almost everyone in your department received a two-month bonus while you got only a one-month payout. You get angry with your boss and colleagues. You don’t feel like talking to anyone in your department. You feel your boss is unfair.
Not surprisingly, your working life becomes completely miserable.
Emotional discipline
Emotional discipline consists of the intentional choices you make to gain the power over how you feel.
Discipline is a process of self-education and self-training that helps you to enhance your level of effectiveness and the overall quality of your experiences.
Emotional discipline is the key to harnessing the power of your emotions instead of being drained by them.
You must believe that your emotions are not beyond your control. You are accountable for how you feel and how that affects others by means of what you say and do.
Exercising emotional discipline means making these key decisions:
Taking responsibility for how you feel;
Doing things now that will prepare you for the future;
Reacting to emotionally challenging situations in a new and healthy way; and
Making specific choices to effectively deal with challenges as they arise.
Sometimes the choices involve taking actions that may seem relatively unattractive in the short run.
For example, you like your coffee sweet but decide to skip the sugar for a healthier lifestyle. Although the bitter beverage takes some getting used to, but in the long run, your health will benefit from your disciplined choice.
Here is how emotional discipline can help you:
1 Find the cause
Identify the immediate cause of your emotions.
Pinpoint the underlying factors that are stirring up your feelings.
For instance, during a recent promotion exercise, some junior executives are promoted but you are staying where you are. You are frustrated because you have put your heart and soul into your work without adequate recognition.
2 Identify your physical reactions
Determine the location of your physical sensations and whether they are uncomfortable or pleasant.
For example, your being overlooked during the promotion exercise is making your chest feel tight. Your heart is beating faster and your head aches too.
3 Focus on your mind
Identify the thoughts and feelings that accompany your physical reactions.
For example, “My boss is unreasonable and unfair. I work so hard yet he does not recognise my work.”
In response to the event, are you feeling defensive, insecure or fearful?
Can you act from a state of openness? Do you have other constructive choices rather than feeling upset and angry over what has happened?
4 Make a choice
Make an emotionally disciplined choice to deal with your immediate challenge constructively.
Choose your actions and reactions.
What choices can help you to be more constructive and effective?
Use these strategies to boost your emotional discipline:
Write a positive affirmation on note cards that can help you cope with upsetting situations that recur.
Read the card when you encounter these situations. For example, “I am capable of responding to this situation in a calm and effective way.”
Use visualisation techniques to rehearse constructive responses to recurring situations in your life.
Picture yourself staying calm and responding effectively.
Practise letting go of all judgments.
Choose to first appreciate everything that you encounter without any evaluation or judgment. This will make you feel more positive about your life.
Hit upon a feasible idea
French author Victor Hugo once remarked: “An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come.”
If you want to be your own boss, a sensible plan is to start with what you already know. The chances of success in starting a new business outside your industry are very low.
Investors will favour a business you start in the industry you have worked in because you understand its peculiarities, trends, customers and challenges intimately.
But if you want to leave your industry because you never felt it was a good personality match anyway, you will need to come up with feasible ideas. Don’t start a business just because you like its products. If you are a foodie, it does not mean you will succeed in the restaurant business.
Here are some ways you can generate ideas for a business plan:
SPOT TRENDS
Look at current trends and try to analyse which ones are likely to grow. Look for demographic patterns or lifestyle changes. Be aware of fads. If you can see a bandwagon, it is too late to jump on it.
Take, for instance, the bubble tea stalls that mushroomed in every corner of Singapore in the 1990s. Many more entered the already crowded market. Suddenly, the bubble burst and most of the vendors vanished as quickly as they had appeared.
Observe closely people’s shopping and lifestyle habits. Travel abroad for ideas by visiting exhibitions, shopping centres and observing the local lifestyles. Read books. Surf the Internet. Bounce ideas off friends. Research widely on the business you want to start.
MARKET GAPS
Look for gaps in the market that can be filled. For example, there are many families who want domestic cleaning services but do not want to lose their privacy by hiring a live-in helper. There may be an untapped market for domestic services at a reasonable price.
Think about how you can innovate and improve existing businesses. Small coffee shops can increase their business by providing newspapers and magazines for reading and free Internet access for surfing.
BUSINESS PLAN
You have done a lot of market research and have hit on what you want to do. As you write your business plan, analyse your assumptions, think about potential customers and factor in all the costs and financing issues.
In the process, try to avoid paralysis by analysis. Too much analysis will do as much damage as too little. As American businessman and politician Ross Perot says: “When I see a snake, I kill it. I don’t appoint a committee on snakes.”
Remember that your business plan is never completed. You have to constantly renew it. The most successful businesses are those with plans that are continually adapting to changes in customers’ demand.
Share your plan with others so that they give you feedback. Use people as sounding boards. Do not make the mistake that some new entrepreneurs make — they keep their ideas to themselves because they are afraid that others may steal them.
BE SINGLE-MINDED
Keep your focus when your business gets off the ground. Never lose sight of what your customers want. Customers’ needs change all the time. Your business must meet their demands.
Regularly ask your customer service and front-line people what customers want — and listen to them.
When the going gets tough, focus on your dreams. Those who achieve their dreams are people who hold on to them. Motivational speaker Jack Black says: “A strong dream is better than a three-year scenario planning from an MBA.”
LEARN FROM MISTAKES
Allow yourself the time and space to get things wrong. The probability of getting everything right the first time is slim.
Soldier-turned-author Andy McNab, recalling his experience in the Gulf War, wrote in Bravo Two Zero: “We may not always have made the right decisions but the worst decision you can make is not to make any decision.”
ACHIEVE A BALANCE
After a period of intense work, take a well-deserved break. Plan a short holiday, go shopping, visit a spa or see a movie. You are not as irreplaceable as you would like to believe.
As a responsible entrepreneur, you should have a deputy or a network of people you can rely on to get the work done in your absence. Enjoy the perks of being your own boss
Article by Michael Lum, who coaches mid-life executives on how to start new businesses.
If you want to be your own boss, a sensible plan is to start with what you already know. The chances of success in starting a new business outside your industry are very low.
Investors will favour a business you start in the industry you have worked in because you understand its peculiarities, trends, customers and challenges intimately.
But if you want to leave your industry because you never felt it was a good personality match anyway, you will need to come up with feasible ideas. Don’t start a business just because you like its products. If you are a foodie, it does not mean you will succeed in the restaurant business.
Here are some ways you can generate ideas for a business plan:
SPOT TRENDS
Look at current trends and try to analyse which ones are likely to grow. Look for demographic patterns or lifestyle changes. Be aware of fads. If you can see a bandwagon, it is too late to jump on it.
Take, for instance, the bubble tea stalls that mushroomed in every corner of Singapore in the 1990s. Many more entered the already crowded market. Suddenly, the bubble burst and most of the vendors vanished as quickly as they had appeared.
Observe closely people’s shopping and lifestyle habits. Travel abroad for ideas by visiting exhibitions, shopping centres and observing the local lifestyles. Read books. Surf the Internet. Bounce ideas off friends. Research widely on the business you want to start.
MARKET GAPS
Look for gaps in the market that can be filled. For example, there are many families who want domestic cleaning services but do not want to lose their privacy by hiring a live-in helper. There may be an untapped market for domestic services at a reasonable price.
Think about how you can innovate and improve existing businesses. Small coffee shops can increase their business by providing newspapers and magazines for reading and free Internet access for surfing.
BUSINESS PLAN
You have done a lot of market research and have hit on what you want to do. As you write your business plan, analyse your assumptions, think about potential customers and factor in all the costs and financing issues.
In the process, try to avoid paralysis by analysis. Too much analysis will do as much damage as too little. As American businessman and politician Ross Perot says: “When I see a snake, I kill it. I don’t appoint a committee on snakes.”
Remember that your business plan is never completed. You have to constantly renew it. The most successful businesses are those with plans that are continually adapting to changes in customers’ demand.
Share your plan with others so that they give you feedback. Use people as sounding boards. Do not make the mistake that some new entrepreneurs make — they keep their ideas to themselves because they are afraid that others may steal them.
BE SINGLE-MINDED
Keep your focus when your business gets off the ground. Never lose sight of what your customers want. Customers’ needs change all the time. Your business must meet their demands.
Regularly ask your customer service and front-line people what customers want — and listen to them.
When the going gets tough, focus on your dreams. Those who achieve their dreams are people who hold on to them. Motivational speaker Jack Black says: “A strong dream is better than a three-year scenario planning from an MBA.”
LEARN FROM MISTAKES
Allow yourself the time and space to get things wrong. The probability of getting everything right the first time is slim.
Soldier-turned-author Andy McNab, recalling his experience in the Gulf War, wrote in Bravo Two Zero: “We may not always have made the right decisions but the worst decision you can make is not to make any decision.”
ACHIEVE A BALANCE
After a period of intense work, take a well-deserved break. Plan a short holiday, go shopping, visit a spa or see a movie. You are not as irreplaceable as you would like to believe.
As a responsible entrepreneur, you should have a deputy or a network of people you can rely on to get the work done in your absence. Enjoy the perks of being your own boss
Article by Michael Lum, who coaches mid-life executives on how to start new businesses.
From employee to entrepreneur
CORPORATE escapees are employees who want to be at the top of the corporate ladder, and then, on reaching the top, discover it is leaning on the wrong wall.
They then quit their jobs, give up their fast pace of corporate life and high-consumption lifestyle, and opt to shift to a lower gear and a self-reliant lifestyle.
Carl Honore, author of In Praise Of Slow, says: “Work devours the bulk of our waking hours. Everything else in life is forced to bend around the almighty work schedule.”
Many people feel an innate need to regain control of their working hours. One way to do this is to start their own business.
Many corporate escapees believe that their pay package does not commensurate with the profits they rake in for their employers. They are convinced that their talents are not fully tapped.
Neil Croft, author of Authentic: How to Make A Living By Being Yourself, says: “Enough of us recognise our need to understand and realise our own potential, and it becomes clear that helping big corporations to become bigger and exploit better fails to deliver that for us.”
The frustration that corporate escapees feel becomes a push factor for them to try to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams.
THE ADVANTAGES
Entrepreneurship liberates you from the reins of working life. It enables you to design and create your job functions. You decide on your own working hours to create a work-life balance.
Entrepreneurship is ideal for you if you prefer to work without a formal workplace.
Doing your own business allows you to determine your own measurement of success. There is tremendous satisfaction in setting up and running your own business. Few things are as crucial to your happiness level as how you feel about what you do.
As Damian Barr, author of Get It Together: Surviving your Quarterlife Crisis, says: “Increasingly, my generation is finding new work styles, running several things simultaneously to avoid the nine-to-five trap.”
THE PITFALLS
As an entrepreneur, you face the challenges of being focused and self-sufficient. You must remain on track and learn to distinguish distractions from diversions.
Taking part in diversionary activities staves off boredom and keeps you motivated. Diversions are breaks you need to take to enable you to perform at your peak.
Distractions, on the other hand, are the constant enemies of discipline. They reduce productivity and are barriers to achieving your goals.
When you are distracted, ask yourself if you are doing something trivial to avoid dealing with an important task. If you are procrastinating over something, make it easier to get started by breaking the task into smaller parts. As you complete each portion, you will feel a sense of accomplishment and be motivated to continue until the entire task is done.
There are several ways you can minimise distractions:
■ Clear your desk of anything unconnected with the task at hand.
■ Divert your phone to voicemail.
■ Look at your e-mail at specific times of the day. For example, check your e-mail twice a day — once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
■ Resist taking extended lunches or tea breaks.
NETWORK
Running your own business is a lonely journey, especially at the start, when you may feel cut off from your previous colleagues or miss the buzz of a big office.
One way to banish loneliness and build your business is to widen your network. People are a critical component of any business. There is no better way to keep abreast of developments in your industry and source for opportunities than to meet as many people as you can.
Set aside time in your weekly schedule to attend seminars, talks, business and social events. Some of these will even offer you tips on how to boost your networking skills.
They then quit their jobs, give up their fast pace of corporate life and high-consumption lifestyle, and opt to shift to a lower gear and a self-reliant lifestyle.
Carl Honore, author of In Praise Of Slow, says: “Work devours the bulk of our waking hours. Everything else in life is forced to bend around the almighty work schedule.”
Many people feel an innate need to regain control of their working hours. One way to do this is to start their own business.
Many corporate escapees believe that their pay package does not commensurate with the profits they rake in for their employers. They are convinced that their talents are not fully tapped.
Neil Croft, author of Authentic: How to Make A Living By Being Yourself, says: “Enough of us recognise our need to understand and realise our own potential, and it becomes clear that helping big corporations to become bigger and exploit better fails to deliver that for us.”
The frustration that corporate escapees feel becomes a push factor for them to try to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams.
THE ADVANTAGES
Entrepreneurship liberates you from the reins of working life. It enables you to design and create your job functions. You decide on your own working hours to create a work-life balance.
Entrepreneurship is ideal for you if you prefer to work without a formal workplace.
Doing your own business allows you to determine your own measurement of success. There is tremendous satisfaction in setting up and running your own business. Few things are as crucial to your happiness level as how you feel about what you do.
As Damian Barr, author of Get It Together: Surviving your Quarterlife Crisis, says: “Increasingly, my generation is finding new work styles, running several things simultaneously to avoid the nine-to-five trap.”
THE PITFALLS
As an entrepreneur, you face the challenges of being focused and self-sufficient. You must remain on track and learn to distinguish distractions from diversions.
Taking part in diversionary activities staves off boredom and keeps you motivated. Diversions are breaks you need to take to enable you to perform at your peak.
Distractions, on the other hand, are the constant enemies of discipline. They reduce productivity and are barriers to achieving your goals.
When you are distracted, ask yourself if you are doing something trivial to avoid dealing with an important task. If you are procrastinating over something, make it easier to get started by breaking the task into smaller parts. As you complete each portion, you will feel a sense of accomplishment and be motivated to continue until the entire task is done.
There are several ways you can minimise distractions:
■ Clear your desk of anything unconnected with the task at hand.
■ Divert your phone to voicemail.
■ Look at your e-mail at specific times of the day. For example, check your e-mail twice a day — once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
■ Resist taking extended lunches or tea breaks.
NETWORK
Running your own business is a lonely journey, especially at the start, when you may feel cut off from your previous colleagues or miss the buzz of a big office.
One way to banish loneliness and build your business is to widen your network. People are a critical component of any business. There is no better way to keep abreast of developments in your industry and source for opportunities than to meet as many people as you can.
Set aside time in your weekly schedule to attend seminars, talks, business and social events. Some of these will even offer you tips on how to boost your networking skills.
Change for the better
Many businessmen and managers spend too much time trying to change employees who under-perform.
They falsely believe that they can entice an employee to improve on his performance with additional training or even a threat of dismissal.
The successful manager concentrates on developing the strengths of his team members and not trying to correct their weaknesses. Sometimes you have to work round a weakness, but you cannot change people into what they are not.
If you have a salesman on your team who is not bringing in the sales or a production engineer who is not hitting his quota, then you have to decide what to do with him.
An employee may try to convince you of his capabilities because he is unwilling to accept defeat but many people are in the wrong jobs and industries. Ask yourself: Is this person not producing results because he does not have the ability that can be resolved with more training? Or is there another reason behind his poor performance?
It is important to recognise that the individual simply cannot do the job. What you need to do is assign duties in areas where they can produce results or get them out of your team.
Body of evidence
In my past managerial experiences, I inherited team members who did not have what it takes to do their job. When I take over a new team, I usually categorise my subordinates into groups.
The first group consists of the “good guys”. They are the ones who can do the job and not cause me any hassle.
The second group consists of people who need a bit of looking after, watching closely and definitely require some coaching.
The third group comprises employees who do not have either the skills or the characteristics to do the job. No amount of training or pep talk can change that. I often find that that these people are dissatisfied with their jobs and more than happy to be transferred.
This may not be easy but a manager needs to address these issues for the good of the team and the business. It is vital to give your people feedback on their strengths and their weaknesses. However, these should only be weaknesses that you know the individual can do something about.
Do not waste your time and effort trying to work on weaknesses that cannot be sorted. Accepting that some people cannot build relationships with customers or cannot work as fast as they are required may be better in the long run.
To be productive, provide feedback on strengths and how they can be developed even further. Many managers spend most of their time with team members trying to resolve their weaknesses and have little time to point out their strengths, which is more critical.
They falsely believe that they can entice an employee to improve on his performance with additional training or even a threat of dismissal.
The successful manager concentrates on developing the strengths of his team members and not trying to correct their weaknesses. Sometimes you have to work round a weakness, but you cannot change people into what they are not.
If you have a salesman on your team who is not bringing in the sales or a production engineer who is not hitting his quota, then you have to decide what to do with him.
An employee may try to convince you of his capabilities because he is unwilling to accept defeat but many people are in the wrong jobs and industries. Ask yourself: Is this person not producing results because he does not have the ability that can be resolved with more training? Or is there another reason behind his poor performance?
It is important to recognise that the individual simply cannot do the job. What you need to do is assign duties in areas where they can produce results or get them out of your team.
Body of evidence
In my past managerial experiences, I inherited team members who did not have what it takes to do their job. When I take over a new team, I usually categorise my subordinates into groups.
The first group consists of the “good guys”. They are the ones who can do the job and not cause me any hassle.
The second group consists of people who need a bit of looking after, watching closely and definitely require some coaching.
The third group comprises employees who do not have either the skills or the characteristics to do the job. No amount of training or pep talk can change that. I often find that that these people are dissatisfied with their jobs and more than happy to be transferred.
This may not be easy but a manager needs to address these issues for the good of the team and the business. It is vital to give your people feedback on their strengths and their weaknesses. However, these should only be weaknesses that you know the individual can do something about.
Do not waste your time and effort trying to work on weaknesses that cannot be sorted. Accepting that some people cannot build relationships with customers or cannot work as fast as they are required may be better in the long run.
To be productive, provide feedback on strengths and how they can be developed even further. Many managers spend most of their time with team members trying to resolve their weaknesses and have little time to point out their strengths, which is more critical.
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