Business Etiquette
Eve’s Times commences the exclusive career counseling for students and parents with this issue, in association with the University Students Advisory bureau (USAB), University of Madras, Chepauk Campus, Chennai 600 005. For those of you who want to know about varying careers and career prospects, shoot of your queries to editor@evestimesonline.com or editorevestimes@gmail.com or send by post to our office address. The questions are being answered by V.D.Swaminathan, Ph.D., Director-in-charge, University Students Advisory Bureau.
YOUR FRAMEWORK FOR JOB HUNTING
Last issue we saw how we can use our networking skills and the telephone effectively to land ourselves a good job. E-mail also plays a major role in facilitating the process if you are aware about how to put it to the right kind of use.
The situation today is such that job positions open and close even before you bat an eyelid . So, without e-mail, y
ou might find yourself outpaced by other candidates. Here’s what you do to outsmart your competitors
- Get yourself an e-mail account. You can use a free service if you'd like, but it's better to have a conservative e-mail name that's not too cute or provocative. You wouldn't want to have “ powerpuffgirls@yourinternetservice.com" or krazzykiyare@yourinternetservice.com on your résumé.
- Learn to use your e-mail software well- be sure you can competently attach a document, or open an attachment, or access a web page from a URL.
- If you receive a job lead by e-mail, make sure you follow the instructions exactly for responding to it. Many times these go to an automated system, so be sure you format your responses correctly.
- Answer all e-mails promptly. Recruiters and companies using automated means to find candidates often judge a candidate's responsiveness as a qualifying factor for a job.
- Fill out online forms in the format the company asks for.
- Ensure that you have anti-virus software installed and working properly. Sending an infected e-mail or document to a prospective employer is not a great way to make a good impression.
I have two sons. My first son completed an engineering course from a reputed University and has taken a job in an MNC. My second son is writing his Plus 2 examination this March. He however wants to take up Animation and Multimedia from a private institution which has a tie-up with Wales university. The institute guarantees cent percent job prospects. I am however wUrried about his joining Animation and Multimedia. What is the scope for this field, apart from a guaranteed job and money? Can he rise up in his career?
R.Ramachandran, Chennai
Experts in the field of animation and multimedia realistically give hopes that those who master the skills in this field do have a bright career. For a person to be successful in this field, one should have liking for technology and also creative skills, needless to add sound linguistic ability as well. A combination of these three (mastery over technology, creativity and linguistic abilities) will ensure good career prospects in animation and multimedia
I am interested in taking up a graduate course in mass media and journalism. However, with the exception of one or two colleges, I don't know of any college in Chennai that offers this course at the graduation level. Can you tell me all the colleges/institutions in Chennai and Bangalore that offer this course. What is the scope after graduation? Do you have to do a PG course, before you get a good job?
Venugopal, Chennai
For men like you, Madras Christian College at Tambaram, New College at Royapettah (both in Chennai) offer UG program in journalism. After graduation, one can do PG program in the Department of Mass Media Communication and Journalism at the University of Madras. "Pen is mightier than sword" is a well known adage. So many specializations like sports journalism are possible. For further details, the reader can contact the Head of the Department of Mass Media Communication and Journalism at the University of Madras. For getting a lucrative job, one does need to sharpen one's skills by widening his/her knowledge with PG degree in the particular field; journalism is definitely not an exception to this rule.
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Job Fairs
Job fairs at colleges and industry gatherings often have booths where prospective employers conduct informal discussions and generate leads for later follow-up. Dress as if for an interview, carry a few résumés in a briefcase, but don't give them out unless asked for. This is a more appropriate place for informal conversation and a good place to use your business cards.
- Have a 20-second "sound byte" that explains the basics of what your qualifications are and the type of position you're looking for. Practice this until it rolls off your tongue. Use this "sound byte," or a version of it, when you're introduced or when you introduce yourself.
- Don't launch into 10-minute monologues about your history or accomplishments. Remember that the purpose of a job fair is just to generate leads. The person you're speaking with is probably not the final hiring decision point.
- When someone hands you a business card, don't just shove it into your pocket. Take some interest in it. Memorize the person's name, ask them a question about their company or position, and then put it away carefully. Treating a business card with respect communicates respect and appreciation of the person who gave it to you.
- Give them YOUR business card..
- Don't interrupt employer representatives who are conversing with others. Make a note of the booth and come back later.
When approaching a group of people conversing, make eye contact with the person currently speaking, and wait for them to finish before coming up and introducing yourself.
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My husband has studied law and I work in a school. We hoped that our daughter would take up law too. However, she has taken up a course in psychology in her undergraduate programme in Mumbai. What is the scope for subjects like psychology today in the job market? What subject can she take up for her post graduate degree?
Sumati Kelkar, Mumbai.
The scope of psychology is tremendously wide: psychology will be there on this planet as long as the last species takes its last breath. That means, one can specialize in various aspects of human psychology and also if anybody is interested in specializing in animal psychology, he or she can do so. Right now, Human Resource Development Psychology is being chosen by many students in PG program. On completing the M.Sc., program in HRD Psychology, almost all students get recruited in the corporate sector. HRD psychologists help any organization in selection, training, counseling etc. The students of psychology must be adequately trained in psychological testing and if possible in basic experimental psychology as well. Other upcoming specializations in psychology include Marketing Psychology, Consumer Psychology, Health Psychology, Sports Psychology, Defence Psychology and so on. With proper qualifications in psychology, that is M.Sc., or M.Psych and M.Phil., Ph.D., one can take up consultancy service. True professional psychologists do have a very high lucrative career. If they render service sincerely and honestly, they are bound to earn not only a lot of money but also name and fame. IT firms give every psychologist a lot of opportunities for training their personnel in stress management. Attrition rate is very high and cases of marital disharmony are going up alarmingly; so well trained psychologists can offer their professional services, which will benefit a lot of people in this modern era.
Is it possible to take up a course in Human Resources Development after doing industrial psychology? If so what course should I join apart from trying for XLRI?
Sweta Chandrasekar, Chennai
After doing industrial psychology, certainly one can do M.Sc., Psychology with HRD as specialization. The department of Psychology at the University of Madras has been offering M.Sc., HRD Psychology since 2001. Many students, on successful completion of their PG program in HRD Psychology, get employed in MNCs.
Our son wants to take up a course in Fine Arts. We are enormously worried about his future. Which is the most lucrative career he can take up after completing Fine Arts? Can he specialize abroad?
K.V.Raman, Adyar
Graduates, especially Postgraduates in Fine Arts do have a bright professional career. A lot of art galleries all over the country, perhaps all over the world offer opportunities for good careers. Chithra Kala Parishad at Bangalore is a well-known institution; similarly at Baroda and at Chennai (Govt. College of Arts and Crafts) institutions offer courses for those who are interested in Fine Arts. Your son can go abroad for specialization, especially to the United Kingdom.
