Dated January 17, 2007
(Questions answered on career concerns)
I want to know how to prepare for a GD (group discussion) especially when I go for MBA admissions.
Sethuraman
Tambaram
Do not try and be someone you are not .Be as natural as possible. A group discussion is your chance to express your views and be heard. Take time to think of what you are going to say, preferably jotting a few points as this could help you create the right framework for your discussion.
If you have any doubts regarding the subject or about what another team member has said, ask for clarification. In an open discussion it is always possible to gain attention if you give valuable insights. The marks you score depend not only on your verbal communication, but also on your non-verbal skills. Be assertive but not dominating. Try to maintain a balanced tone in your discussion and analysis.
Try to avoid using phrases like: I strongly object' or `I disagree'. Be receptive to others' opinions and do not be uncompromising.
Apart from these you will also be judged for alertness and presence of mind. Don't be disheartened if you do not do well in your first group discussion. The best possible preparation for a group discussion is to learn from your past mistakes.
How can you contribute to our company? Is there any right way to answer this question?
Vijay Mary
Madurai
To answer this question you require a two-step preparation: assessing your skills and researching the needs of the company. An integral part of skill assessment is looking at your own experience, education and talents to match the job. Consider the job opening, what are the skills needed?
Make a list of the requisite skills (in priority order) and then list concrete examples of your possession of the skill. For 'proof' of this skill, you could list experiences and examples of how you were successful in a difficult situation. These matched skills are your key selling points.
The next step would be based on your research. What are the needs that you can meet? In other words, given the specifics of the company, what value can you add? After these two steps, you will be in a better position to come up with concrete examples of what you can offer the company.
An interview I had attended last month had gone very well. In fact, the interviewer also told me that the company would miss a great opportunity if they didn't hire me. However, I have not heard anything from them until now. What do I do? Should I call them?
Rakesh Yadav
Ranchi
When you are on a job hunt, you need to follow-up with the prospective employer. Employers hire only go-getters. They always look for people who have an interest and desire to work for them, and following-up with the employer after the interview proves that you are interested. Job seekers must be proactive in their job-search, and should not wait for the employer to contact you. Just place a call to your interviewer and simply state that you wanted to call and check if there was anything else you needed to do or just send a thank you note.
However, don't panic, it might be that their hiring process is a long one and you are still in the queue. Be sure they have found what they need in you.
[The FAQ column deals with career concerns addressed to the C&K Management Ltd. P.O. Box 2178, Secunderabad 500003 or emailed to faqs@cnkonline.com]
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