Redefine Your Career!

Read and Redefine your career

Idea Behind the Blog!

“Don’t call us, we’ll call you”. The dreaded, much feared, and probably the last words any candidate would want to hear after an interview. If you’re fed up of scanning millions of job portals, going for innumerable interviews, and still have been shown the door by employers galore, then you sure have enough reason to get a career-strategy makeover as soon as possible. Here’s how you can help redefine your career !! BEST OF LUCK!!

Career Funda !!

Whether you’re new on the job scene, fresh out of college, or even an old-timer who wants to boost your career, you can find the best and most practical advice on this site. You are provided with handy tips that can help promote your career. It also ensures you get freedom in making a decision to select a job you will absolutely love to do!

Flight Catering: A good Career Option

There is an ample scope for young graduates in the field of ‘Flight Catering’. Here they will learn how to match both luxury and efficiency for the benefit of airlines, for whom food is a top priority.

Food hygiene is the most critical aspect of airline catering. An aircraft is like a restaurant in the air, with people from all over the world coming together from different backgrounds. Though people from Asian countries have developed a good deal of resistance, most others are used to sterile conditions. With the result that on a seven to eight hours flight, an attack of food poisoning could be fatal with no ready medical help available at 30,000 ft in the air. Which is why airlines insist on menus that follow specific safety standards and local availability of ingredients, as well as caterers complying with HACCP/International Hygiene codes.

The airline food industry assumes great significance as a result of the increasing number of passengers, for whom market strategies must be consistently reviewed so as to maintain this Rs 250 crore industry.

Basic Qualification Required:


· Graduate in Hotel Management with specialization in Food &
Beverage are mostly preferred.
· A minimum year of service in various hotel sector is also essential
· Graduates in Home Science & Food & Nutrition can also apply having
some years of experience in catering.

Below are some details of where each sector do catering services for different airlines

There are three main Flight Kitchens operating in India:

OBEROI FLIGHT SERVICES (1979)
British Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Northwest Airlines, Thai International, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways and Aeroflot
·Number of meals prepared per day:
New Delhi: 5,000
Mumbai: 4,600

AMBASSADOR SKY CHEF (1942)
Indian Airlines, Air India, Lufthansa, Swiss, Saudi, Asian, Austrian Airlines and Air Lanka
·Number of meals prepared per day:
New Delhi: 4,500
Mumbai: 5,000

TAJ AIR CATERERS (1955)
Air India, Indian Airlines, Air France, Air Mauritius, Jet Airways, Cathay Pacific, Sahara Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and China Air
·Number of meals prepared per day:
New Delhi: 10,000
Mumbai: 15,000

Common Interview Questions..!! What Do they really means????

 

You've probably been on quite a few job interviews in your career, and you know that there are certain questions that every hiring manager seems to ask. Because you've heard them so often, you feel you can practically answer them in your sleep.

But, Are you sure that you are providing best possible answers?

A simple question in an interview can have many hidden layers of meanings. To answer those One’s you should understand what is the interviewer really hoping to learn when he or she asks why you want to work for the firm?

Let Us review some important regular interview questions which you're likely to hear the next time you meet with a prospective employer and insight into the qualities employers may be assessing with each one. Armed with this information, you can get to the heart of what a potential employer truly wants to know.

Tell me about yourself?

This is a classic open-ended question. It is a chance for you to divulge your qualifications, skills and background. Do not waffle - keep it to one or two minutes and keep it mostly career and work orientated.

How would you describe your own personality? What adjectives would you use to describe yourself?

Again relate your personality to the job at hand, and the skills you bring to the position. Examples include - hardworking, honest and courteous. Expand why these qualities are relevant to the position.

Why do you want to work here?

This actually means that, "How much do you know about this company, and why are you hoping to work here instead of for one of our competitors?" When answering this question, mention specifics. You might note, for example, that you're excited by the firm's cutting-edge research, a recent merger or the company's corporate social responsibility programs. A detailed response will tell the interviewer that you are interested in more than just a paycheck. At the same time, showing that you've done your research lets the hiring manager know that you came prepared and are serious about the opportunity.

What are your strengths?

Actually it means that, "How have you used your strengths to add value to your employer?" The interviewer wants to know how the particular talents you bring to the table will benefit the firm if you're hired, so put your best qualities in context.

Would you rather work alone or in a team?

This means that,  "Can you work with minimal direction?" and "Can you describe a time when you worked with a colleague or group to solve a workplace challenge?" Managers seek individuals who can take the ball and run with it. They may not always have the time to walk you through a project step-by-step, so you need to be able to work autonomously and devise solutions on your own.

Why do you want this job?

Again, research the company and say what attracts you to the job.

Why should I hire you?

You should clarify your positive attributes that are related to the job and draw on past achievements including compliments from previous managers etc

How much are you looking for?

Well do not discuss about salary, and to leave it to the recruitment consultants as they have experience in salary negotiations every day. However, if you do have to answer, answer with a question such as: "what is the salary range of similar jobs within your organization?" If there is no response, then indicate what you think you are worth in the market place. Be aware this puts you into a trap of being offered the lowest end of the scale.

By knowing what types of responses interviewers truly seek with seemingly simple questions, you give yourself a much better chance of impressing the hiring manager. After all, he or she has probably gotten used to hearing the same responses over and over again. Distinguish yourself with a response that gets to the heart of the matter

Career Confused???? Don't worry read this....

Confusion”…, it simply resembles to a mental state in which behavior of a person is characterized by a lack of clear and organized thought. When confused, we feel it very difficult to pay attention on anything and suffer a lack of ability to think and act correctly and make decisions. But your career is no softy matter that you can leave to fortune.

Penalty of Confusion over Career matter

For many of us in our late childhood and also for those who are in the age of 25 to 34 years, career options looks like a grand jigsaw puzzle.

But if this puzzle is not resolved in appropriate time then it gradually ends up in wrong jobs and targets, especially for teenagers and fresh graduates. They may also fail in getting a job altogether. But those who are already working may feel like they are not moving anywhere and their careers have arrived at their ends.


What to Do To Come Out Of the Confusion????

Identifying your real passion or subject that truly excites you and you feel you are already conversant with the subject is the best way to face up to career confusion. Creating a career involves a thought process that broadly follows somewhat this path:

  1. Mess Out your Negative Thoughts: You should say bye-bye to the negative attitudes like “I can’t face strangers” or “I may not face up to the challenge in the new job” are fetters that tie you to a place which is so down in the industry. These are just your fears, either genuinely due to lack of skill or because of a false lowliness complex.
  2. Take Stock of Your qualities: Confusion also generates because of expectations of your parents, relatives or spouses. You need to refine your interests, strengths and weaknesses. Give instincts their due credit but have a matter-of-fact evaluation of what you can realistically do.
  3. Every Dog Has His Day: Sometimes, you will simply have to just wait for your turn. Have faith that you are worth your salt. You can’t change what will or what has already happened;
  4. Discuss through Your own Career Options: Follow a similar sequence of thought process using logic. Choosing a career from a handful of options is like choosing a shirt from hundreds of them.
  5. Try Counseling: A professional counselor can systematically talk you through your confusion through counseling and career guidance sessions. Career counselors are professionals who understand your problems and can provide the right direction. A visit to career websites can give you some direction to pursue.
  6. Get Some Experience: Getting experience in the career of your choice not just brings you closer to your dream job but improves your confidence level. Take up an internship, work hard and pay your dues. This helps build the skills which you need the most.

Writing a CV / Resume that stand out



When you apply to a job opening there would be dozen other candidates applying for the same post. So, how do you ensure your resume stands out from the pile? What is it that companies look for while short-listing candidates? Here is a lowdown.


An entry- level resume


Highlight your non-academic achievements too: At entry-level when you have no industry experience, underscore your other achievements. "Highlight projects that you have done, awards you have bagged and companies you have interned with," says Rajesh AR, VP, temp staffing unit, TeamLease Services.


Companies also give high rating if they see you are a team person and enjoy good inter-personal relationships. So, if you are part of student's associations or an NGO, stress on these points. Of course, academics is the first thing that recruiters see, but extra curricular excellence does count.


Talk only about business interest: Trash the habit of mentioning interests like singing, dancing, music, swimming, painting or astrology. That's a complete passe. "Talk only about your business interest," says Sunil Kalra, consultant to a leading HR firm. And be well prepared. If you say your interest lies in reading, "Then know the book inside, out, upside, down," emphasises Kalra.


Gain proficiency in a professional area: While studying, gain competency in an area that will hold you in good stead in your professional career. Learn basic computer skills. Having done that, move on to adding other skills like Coral Draw if you want to get into computer graphics or learn accounting software Tally if you see your future in accounting.


A mid-level executive's resume


Flexibility and responsibility: When you have gained 3-4 years of experience, review your CV. For a person with 2-4 year's of experience and more, the thrust shifts on industry knowledge and his adaptability in the organisation, among other qualities. "At this stage, cultural fit is given more importance, flexible approach matters and the learning starts playing an important role", says Rajesh AR. The organisation sees if you have been flexible in previous roles and whether you are prepared for a new responsibility.


Personal initiatives: The companies also see the personal initiatives that you have taken to add on to your skill and knowledge base. While it hints your progressive mindset, "It also subtly, positively speaks of your career consciousness", says Kalra. Candidates should highlight those events where their ideas have been implemented; their analytical skills have been applauded.


Other must-dos


Be specific: If you are applying for a position in sales and marketing vertical, a requirement which is across industries, should you tailor your CV every time? Not really. Just be specific and highlight the best fit experiences.


Remain updated: Be aware of the news and current affairs. "Read newspapers", advises Rajesh AR. Read business writers. Focus more on your field


Communication skills: Work on your verbal communication skills and writing skills. Prior to the interview, prepare a list of questions that a recruiter might ask, write down the answers and read it aloud to yourself. Keep your answers to the point. Use these pointers and rest assured you will get an interview call no sooner your CV reaches the recruiter.

Blunderous CVs head to dustbin: be careful

Recession is in, jobs are a rarity, but applicants are plenty. In such a cut throat race the need to have an error free CV (Curriculum Vitae) is very important. "Candidates today are trying to make their resumes different and impressive, so that they stand out. In the process, they end up making major blunders. A badly written resume ends up in the dustbin, completely knocking out the candidate's chance of getting a job," says Surabhi Mathur Gandhi, General Manager, Permanent Staffing, Team Lease Services.

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A recent research done by Team Lease Services, a staffing company found that 90 percent of the randomly selected 500 CVs had 'some or the other form of error.' With piles of job applications available to HR managers, it is doubtful if erroneous CVs would be entertained.




Here are few of the top blunders made in a resume:



1. Biography: Marital Status - Yes
2. I laugh easily, but do not suffer fools gladly. I expect the same effort as others as I give myself.
3. Weakness: Fresher
4. Interests: Open to learn, make others laugh and feel happy, enjoys the nature.
5. Family details: Father - Death
6. Objective: To always spread positively within the branch and reduce the grape vine.
7. Notice Period: Minimum two (1) month.
8. Career Objective: To consistently develop by learning and sharing skills with a focus on the ultimate objective in order to achieve higher goals in conjunction with the growth of the organization and to set a name and be recognized in the industry.
9. Marital Status: Marriage
10. Profile: To prepare the whole film production plane and financing plane.
11. Contact Email:
www.aradhana@rediffmail.com
12. Areas of strength: My background to date has been centered on grooming myself as a well-rounded person.
13. I am quietly forceful, original and sensitive.
14. Languages known: English (Good), Malayalam (Native), Hindi and Tamil.
15. Career Objective: Seeking a final placement in any organization to utilize the plethora of skills I have developed during my whole career.

The study revealed that many resumes are written in great haste and no attention is paid to detail. Candidates in an attempt to impress go overboard and consequently make a mockery of their bio-data. "The situation worsens when candidates make silly mistakes due to sheer oversight and sometimes overconfidence. A CV is the first piece of information about a candidate that reaches the potential recruiter. It is always advisable to have one's bio-data proof read and checked by professionals, or someone proficient in English," adds Surabhi.
So, is your CV blunder free?

Is IT still good career option?

This is the era of Information Technology (IT). The IT sector is an important and most probably, the fastest growing business sector in the world and offers many job opportunities. A key driver of the growth in the IT industry is that technology has made life incredibly convenient. You cannot be present everywhere, but with networking and communications; you can always stay in contact with your other business associates.


Speedy growth of the IT Sector in India

India has built up valuable brand globally in IT. The IT industry in India began to evolve in the early nineties when foreign companies set up their offshore operations in India. India has emerged as the most preferred destination for IT-enabled services (ITES) and business process outsourcing (BPO).


What makes IT “hot”?
At the moment many youngsters view a career in IT as the ultimate job. It could be owing to the high salary that would bring the lifestyle one craves for.


Your life path is often determined by the career choice you make. Before considering a career in IT, ask yourself what a career in IT means to you, what is your reason for choosing IT as a career? Here are a few points which help you consider whether IT is a hot career choice.


IT professionals are among the highest paid in the world.


Although the economic factor comes into play when making a career decision, it shouldn’t be the sole determining factor. It is unwise to think of your career exclusively for the purpose of making you wealthy.


You can work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment at the forefront of technology.


Do you want to work in IT because it is a well-respected profession – “Career of the intellect?” But at the same time, are you willing to take up the challenges of IT knowing fully well that technology evolves at a rapid pace?


IT throws open opportunities in other sectors.


IT with its immense diversity truly is the engine of globalization. It increases your opportunity to work with IT professionals across the globe.


IT is a field that emphasizes knowledge.


Do you have the zeal to learn new things? IT invariably offers you opportunities to learn. Since the IT field is a constantly changing field, lifelong learning should excite you.


There is no doubt that the scope of IT is quite wide. This scope is expanding through a phenomenal growth in the usage of Internet, advances in technology and increasing global dependence on IT. How passionate and committed are you to a career in IT? Is it a passion that you can sustain when you come across hurdles? In the IT field, you will have both opportunities and challenges that come your way. It is your passion that can make both the opportunities and challenges work for your benefit.


Will it stay “hot”?
Having asked yourself what makes IT hot, the next question would be will it stay hot and why? You got to think critically about this.

The IT revolution has resulted in a demand for IT professionals growing tremendously over the past two decades. The IT industry continues to be one of the largest employers. Further emerging trends will bring profound opportunities for IT companies to create new services, new experiences and new relationships globally.


The challenges in a booming IT sector

As the U.S. market is most dominant and Indian IT companies are primarily dollar dependent, IT companies are under tremendous pressure. The rupee appreciation is denting profit margins of the IT companies. It is also likely to affect the jobs of IT professionals. With regards to employment, the companies will be keen to hire the right mix of resources with different levels of experience and skills. On the other hand, IT companies will perceive the rising rupee not as a threat but a motivation that would drive their IT professionals towards superior innovation and increased efficiency.


To sum it up, IT happens to be one of the hot fields today. The IT sector with its challenges, continuous learning and the ability to lift the energy levels of individuals makes it far more exciting than any other profession.


Common mistakes to avoid in resume writing


Writing your CV is a much more challenging task than you would initially expect before you start putting it together. The challenge though is not about things you do not need to include; it is more about things you should include and presenting them the right way.


What you need to know is that your CV does not have to be tremendously creative to get noticed. A simple listing of your experience and qualifications will suffice. What you do need to do, however, is pay attention to the details and avoid  common mistakes.


This article is an attempt to help you dodge these pitfalls while you write the most important document of your career.


CV or Curriculum Vitae at the top

You don't need to mention CV or Curriculum Vitae on the top. Some people might argue, how would recruiters know that it's a CV until you give it a heading? This can be explained with a simple example. Do you see "Newspaper" written as the heading of your daily paper? No, still as soon as you see a newspaper, you know what it is. Similarly when recruiters see a CV, they know it's a CV.


Flashy fonts and images

Your CV is a formal document. Avoid attempting to make it decorative with flashy fonts and images. These might be helpful only if you are applying for a creative position with some magazine, publisher or advertising company.


Explaining gap in employment

The CV is not the place to explain the gap you have in your employment. If you have a gap in your employment, focus your CV more on your experience and achievements rather than where you have been for how long. Such things are better explained at the personal meeting with interviewer.


Contact information

Provide your contact information in a easily noticeable spot on your CV since this is the first thing your prospective employer will look if they like your CV. Provide a phone number where you are reachable rather than providing the contact details of your parents. Employers want to speak to you and doing this may cost you the opportunity.


Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors

Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors reflect badly on you. They show your insincerity towards your job hunt and the most important document of your career. Read your CV well after you are done writing it. Maybe ask some of your friends to read it before you start sending it out.


Faking it
Do not lie about your experience or qualifications. If these things are caught at a later stage, they will cost you the job.


Using jargon and abbreviations

CVs are screened by people from the HR department who might not know the abbreviations and jargon used in every industry. Try to avoid using jargon and abbreviations in your CV as far as possible, if the HR personnel do not understand the terms, you might miss an interview call.

Irrelevant details
Including details like your father's name, sex, expected salary, passport number will occupy space without adding much value to your candidature. Provide them only when asked or if the position demands.