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The Company Research you Need to do Before your Interview

The Company Research you Need to do Before your Interview

by | Apr 11, 2017 | Career, First Job, Interview

So finally you have managed to score that big interview, and are looking forward to cracking it. Apart from all the preparation that you have already put in (LinkedIn Profile – check, other social media – check, a stellar resume – check, great communication skills – check, and everything else!), you also need to be thorough in your company research, or research about the company you are interviewing for. Imagine this scenario – you are interviewing for HP and if they ask you what HP stands for, you should be able to say it without batting an eyelid! Usually, in the larger scheme of things, we miss these details.

That however, isn’t quite acceptable since you are expected to know these things. So what should a thorough company research entail? Read on to find out!

Company Research Tip #1: The Company’s Mission and Vision

One of the most common interview questions that you are almost certain to be asked in any interview is – “why should we hire you?” Well of course for your skills, and everything else that your stellar resume says about you, but how do you put it in a way so that you are sure score? Keep what the mission, vision and values are, of the company in mind while answering this question. Tell them how you think your skills and capabilities are a reflection of what the company’s vision is, and compatible with its mission.

Read up all you can about the company’s mission and vision on its website, and on the various social media pages of the company. While you might have a vague idea, that probably will not suffice to help you come off confident during the interview. Doing this research will also help you do an honest assessment of whether you see yourself as a good fit for the company. And also whether the company is a good fit for you! That is probably the most important factor.

“Every workplace has a set of values that are important to them. Google looks for “ability and determination,” Zappos values “fun and a little weirdness,” and GE fosters “bringing ideas to life.” All are great things to value but quite different. When you’re considering different companies, think about their values and how your personality might fit in.” [Source: Levo.Com]

Company Research Tip #2: The Culture of the Company

It is simply not uncommon to be denied a job for no other reason apart from this – “You don’t seem to be a good fit for the culture of our organization.” And by no means can it be brushed away as a trivial reason. The culture of any company is about all those elements working in sync to sustain it. When you join it, you will be one of those elements. Do substantial research about this and keep asking yourself about how you “feel” about it. The culture of the company will have a direct influence on how you will be made to perceive your job.

Think about whether you would find it as an enabling experience, or whether it is something that would be difficult for you to ease into. Break it down into matching the approach you have towards work, and the approach that the culture of this new company would have. Is it compatible? Having this clarified before you appear for the interview will help you articulate yourself better, and will also put you in a good place where you have enough knowledge for informed negotiations – always a good place to be in.

Company Research Tip #3: What does the news say about it?

Just Google the company you are interviewing with and read up everything that it has been in news for. Remember that will very obviously be assumed that you are interested about the company (hint: you have made it to the interview!), which means you are expected to know the current affairs about the company. Even if you may not be quizzed about it, the knowledge will help you sustain or strike conversations.

Also check the company’s website for the recent news they might have made. Nothing can be more embarrassing than answering a question like, “So are your views on what the reason we were in news for, last week?” with a puzzled expression. Besides, you might also have a few questions of your own. Read up all you can about the company, and its latest news.

Company Research Tip #4: The Financial Health of the Company

While this may be a bit time-consuming, wrapping your head around it can be immensely valuable – for you personally, and for the company. The annual reports of all companies are usually made public on their website – which will help you more or less get an idea about the financial status of a company.

While this may be harder for older and settled organisations, it is comparatively easier in case it is a start-up you are interviewing for. In which case, it is all the more important for you to be thorough about your knowledge regarding the investments and the potential financial health of the start-up, so you have a fair idea about the benefits and risks you may expect from the company. The fact that you have done this homework should reflect in how you speak (but not in an incriminating, or questioning way at all!) during the interview and you will succeed in impressing your interviewer.

Company Research Tip#5: Feedback from ex/ current employees

It is a good idea to do a bit of (undercover) background research about the company’s culture, ethics and values through its current and even ex-employees. What they have to say might actually play the role of a heads up about your days to come at the company. If you have any friends there, talk to them, or do a bit of research to see if you can find someone who can put you in touch with someone. While doing this though, you might have to be careful. It is a good idea to get feedback from both a current, as well as an ex-employee.

Make a list of questions that you would want to ask beforehand, and keep them handy so you don’t miss out on any. Ask them how fair the HR policy is, what is the leave system like, how their work life balance is, and what their trajectory of growth has been like in the years that they’ve worked there. If it is an ex-employee you are speaking to, ask about why they left. While this information can be very useful, do remember to take it all with a pinch of salt. You can also use platforms such as Glassdoor to check out what the employees of a particular company have to say about it.

6. Company Research Tip#6: A sense of the overall trajectory – past and future

Analyze the growth of the company and get a sense of the overall trajectory of the company since its inception. Once again, this ground work helps not only you in getting a fairly good sense of what you are getting into, it will also impress the interviewer big time. This is important for two reasons, the first being your own knowledge about the company.

The second being, an inkling about how you may expect to grow in the few years you plan on spending there. This you may also bring up during the interview, and speak about how the company is growing and what the next big steps look like. Every company looks for people who are genuinely interested in what they do, and those are the people who get the most opportunities. If you are already one of them, all you need is a bit of preparation for that confidence to shine through.

It is also a good thing to be informed thoroughly about the different departments of the company (even those that may not directly be related to your profile or role). If you know who is going to be interviewing you, chances are, he/she knows a lot more about you than you would probably assume. Maybe you should do your own research on the interviewer as well – you never know how it may come in handy. And once you’ve done all of this, breathe easy because you really couldn’t be better equipped!

5 Common Mistakes to avoid if you are a First Time Manager

5 Common Mistakes to avoid if you are a First Time Manager

by | Mar 28, 2017 | Career, Leadership, Management

Along with all the excitement and progress the role of a manager offers, it comes with its own share of hurdles – much like anything new one might take on. An obvious part of any new journey entails learning through mistakes we make. Another part of the journey is to learn from the experiences of others who have walked the path that you are now on. If you are a first time manager, here are some mistakes you should definitely be wary of.

First Time Manager Mistake #1: Not establishing communication structures

The first thing that you must sort in your capacity as a manager is defining and maintaining the communication structure you expect to have with your team. Lay down the guidelines for the structure of the overall reporting and communication system. This will help you with a number of key issues such as accountability, time management and delegation.

First Time Manager Mistake #2: Not breaking the ice

Not making an effort to get to know your team is probably one of the worst mistakes managers could make. Building a rapport with your team makes a world of sense since a lot about how team progresses is now your responsibility. The first chance you get after stepping into the shoes of your new role, organize an informal team meeting where you all get a chance to know each other. During this meeting, emphasize on your expectations from the team and how you plan on helping them work towards them. Make it a dialogue and ask your team about what they expect from you, make a note of them for sure!

First Time Manager Mistake #3: Holding back/ delaying feedback

Let your team know what’s working, and what’s not! One of the common mistakes most first time managers make is delaying feedback. Feedback is probably the singular most essential thing to help your team grow. Along with assigning tasks, and following up on them, offering feedback once the task has been completed forms an integral part of the entire goal setting – achieving process. When your team has done a good job, applaud them. When there is something they could do better, let them know in a suitable way.

First Time Manager Mistake #4: Improper Time Management

Now that you are a manager, you are responsible for your entire team besides being responsible for your own work progress. In order to maximize your potential (and hence, in a way your team’s potential) you need to put in some extra planning into figuring out how you are going to be managing your time. Putting things down on paper is great way to visualize what your goals are, by when you plan on achieving them, and the going on to create a road map for the same.

First Time Manager Mistake#5: Being the boss instead of a leader

Just because you are the manager doesn’t necessarily mean you have to create a sense of fear for your team to do their work. Neither do you have to be excessively chummy. Keep reminding yourself that your real role as a manager is to lead your team and help them achieve their goals, and not to be the quintessential tyrannical boss. If you have to be a boss, be one who inspires, motivates and leads by example.
Been there, done that? Tell us about some common errors you’ve made in your journey as a first time manager.

7 Tips for First Time Managers

7 Tips for First Time Managers

by | Mar 22, 2017 | Career, Communication, Management, Motivation

This is a shout out to all you first time managers out there! You are bound to be attacked by butterflies in your tummy, and the symptoms of having cold feet whenever you set out to do something you’ve never done before. While these voyages might appear terrifying, they are a sure sign of the fact that you are growing – in your experiences, and hence as an individual. Applying this general strand of thought to the topic at hand today, this post is dedicated to all you folks out there in the world of work, ready to take on the brand new role of being a manager – for the first time ever.
Before you begin reading this though, we’d like to emphasize that this in no way is a “tutorial”. A change in perspective before you begin to read this will help you understand your new role better. Know that you have risen up in the corporate ladder to be a manager solely because you have it in you to lead, manage and have teams deliver. That said, there are things one knows about, and there are always things one can do better. This post is simply an effort to bolster the latter. Happy reading!

1. Wrap your head around your role and responsibilities

The only way you’ll be able to lead and manage a team well is if you know your own role and responsibilities well enough. Work on yourself before you begin to work on / with your team. Do you own research to have a very thorough sense of the goals you are going to be working on. Ask yourself how you imagine yourself achieving them. Then ask yourself if that process can be applied to the rest of your team as well. While your approach will, of course, depend on the specific situation you might be dealing with at the given moment, having a general sense of direction is a great way to begin this new role.

2. Be Decisive

Making decisions, when you are aware that they no longer affect only yourself, can be tough in the stead of your new role. That however, shouldn’t stop you from making them altogether. Well, you definitely cannot “stop”, making decisions, but as a result of being indecisive you may end up delaying those decisions which will hamper the progress of your entire team. This will not only put the objectives and goals at stake, it will also be a reflection on you as a leader, and manager. The fact is, one can’t ever be sure enough about the consequences of any decision – which is what lies at the root of indecisiveness. All you can do is, weigh the pros and cons to the best of your knowledge and ability, and go ahead and implement the decision you make.

3. Delegate

One of the vices most managers contract is fear of delegation, stemming from the fear that things may not be done as “perfectly” as you imagine yourself doing them. Apart from being immensely time-consuming, this fear is going to unsettle the team dynamics. Understand that you are no longer an employee, working more or less in isolation responsible for delegating that tasks assigned to you. Your role has now expanded to that of a manager, which entails you assigning goals and tasks to the team as a whole, and helping them achieve these goals.
If you do feel like you can relate to being a manager who find it hard to delegate, odds are you also find it hard to not micromanage, once you do succeed in delegating. That too, can be detrimental to the progress (and spirit) of your team. Give your team the credit they deserve, and once you have delegated the task, give them the independence (and assistance) they need to be able to accomplish it.

4. Invest time “in” your team

Time management would probably figure as the prime skill for managers. And while you’re teaching yourself how to manage time, ensure that you figure out time slots for one to one interaction with your team members on a fortnightly/ monthly basis. Even if it is a fifteen / twenty-minute long interaction, it is enough for you to take stalk about progress and challenges with regard to individual team members. This helps not only you in solving problems more efficiently, it also makes your employees feel valued, and importantly, anchored. Being a manager and being a mentor should ideally go hand in hand.

Apart from individual meetings, hosting team lunches, dinners once every two or three months just to build team cohesiveness is not a bad idea either.

5. Work on your interpersonal and communication skills

How you communicate, and put your thoughts across as a manager is pivotal to how much work you are able to motivate your team to do. “Interpersonal skills and communication skills lie at the center of human-based managerial considerations. Good managers understand not only what they are trying to say but also the broader context and implications of saying it. Empathy, self-reflection, situational awareness, and charisma all play integral roles in communicating effectively and positively.”
[Source: Boundless. “Interpersonal Skills of Successful Managers.” ]

While you will most certainly have to make unpopular choices as well, you don’t necessarily have to end up being disliked by team for having implemented these tough choices. What is tougher than making those choices is communicating them ‘effectively’, and ‘positively’, as the excerpt above puts it.

6. Find yourself a mentor

Irrespective of what stage you are in your career, you will always need a mentor. More so when you find yourself stepping into the shoes of a role that needs you to do a lot of mentoring. Odds are, you already do have a mentor, if you don’t, now is the perfect time to find yourself one. When we say “find yourself one”, we do not mean it in the casual language that it implies.

A mentor needn’t necessarily be very hard to find. Think of all the people whose advice and support has helped you grow in your career. It could be one of them, or a few of them you look towards as your mentors. It need not be a very formal process, but resuming communication with them (if you’ve fallen out of touch), and keeping at it, so that you may reach out to them when you need help with tricky situations. You know that in all probability they’ve been there before you, and would know intuitively the dynamics of most situations you might find yourself in.

7. Lead by example

Be a leader, not a boss. Being a boss and being a leader could mean two wholly different things. The plan is, to show your team that you are very much a part of the team and at the helm of affairs. The best way to manage your people and motivate them to be their best is by being more of a leader and less of a boss. No to imposing yourself, stating through overt and covert ways, “who the boss is”, yes to communication, negotiation, trust and motivation. If you’ve ever been bossed by your boss, you know exactly what not to do. But, even the best of us need to be reminded at times.
The best way to get the best out of your team is to lead by example. Inspire your team by being everything you expect from them!

Don’t be too hard on yourself and try not to self-impose any pressure. Like everything else, this too is a learning process and you will learn as you grow in your new role. Don’t forget to remind yourself you’ve been chosen for this role because you CAN do it!
Have tips for the first time managers who might be reading this? Let us know!

5 Ways Learning a Foreign Language Will Add Value to Your Career

5 Ways Learning a Foreign Language Will Add Value to Your Career

by | Mar 18, 2017 | Career, World of Work

“I speak English, so I don’t have to learn a Foreign Language….”

According to the CIA World Fact Book,  only 5.6 % of the world’s total population speaks English as a primary language. That number doubles when people who speak English as a second or third language are counted. By conservative estimates, that means that well over four-fifths of the world’s population does not speak English.

The attitude that English alone is enough in fact creates self-imposed limitations. To remain monolingual is to stunt your educational development, to restrict your communication and thinking abilities, and to deny yourself the opportunities that those without Foreign Language skills might miss. In other words, fluency in a foreign language has many benefits to offer, not just in your personal life, but in the professional one as well.

In this blog we will be focusing on the ways in which learning a foreign language adds value to your career. Given below is a list we have prepared for the same. Do give it a read!

1) NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Dr. Dan Davidson,  President of the American Councils on International Education once stated, “The English language alone is probably sufficient if all we need to do is buy our products abroad, if we need to purchase foreign goods and services. But when it comes to selling a product abroad, you have to understand the psychology and the belief structure of your client. If you are selling America abroad and telling America’s story abroad then you have to understand the value systems of that foreign public that you are speaking to.”

Following this line of thought, one must understand that if businesses are to effectively compete in a global economy, they must learn to deal with other cultures on their own terms. Businesses that intend to compete internationally need employees who can competently communicate in the locales where they do business. As a result, today, we see a rise in the demand for bilingual or multilingual employees by such businesses.

However, business is not the only area of employment where language competencies are needed. According to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages,  jobs such as retail, sales, administration, marketing, transportation and tourism, communication, banking, law, teaching, as well as public relations and government need people to work using a foreign language.
It is crystal clear, from the above information that whatever your career goals, knowing a language will increase your chances of being employable, in fact it will open up employment opportunities that you would not have had otherwise!

2) GET HIRED!

Once you’ve found that new job opportunity, it’s also more likely that you will be hired because of your ability to speak a foreign language. According to an article by Lingholic, “Knowing a second language will increase your chances of getting the job that you want; in a group of ten or more applicants of similar abilities, the one who is able to speak a foreign language will often be considered over the others.” Supporting this statement, is an article written by Vistawide  which stated, “ Knowing languages gives you an edge over monolingual applicants competing for the same jobs.”

3) HIGHER WAGES

You might not know this, but employees that speak more than one language will often have a higher price tag. Euro London,  a recruitment agency, states, “Knowing a foreign language can add between 10% and 15% to your wage. An extra 10% or more an upper-level position could easily cover a year’s car payments, a larger apartment, or a fancy vacation. “

Knowing a second language not only increases your wages but can also lead to salary bonuses! However the exact value of bonuses earned from knowing another language is debatable. One Freakonomics podcast suggests that English-speaking Americans who learn a foreign language can expect to earn only about $600 more than someone who knows only English. While the article from The Economist  points out that even small language bonuses can add up over time.
The same article in The Economist also stated that, “Salary bonuses actually vary, depending on the exact language in which you’re proficient. A quick breakdown of a few different secondary languages and their annual is given below:

The Spanish language at workplace will ensure a 1.5% bonus, while French and German will ensure a 2.3% and 3.8% bonuses respectively.”

It is important to remember that while you may want to take these figures into account when deciding on a secondary language to learn, this list by no means needs to dictate your decision. You should study what your heart desires!
4) BECOME A MORE VAlUABLE EMPLOYEE, RESULTING IN ADVANCEMENT OF OPPORTUNITIES

Being able to speak a second or third language transcends spoken dialogue. The skill enables you to relate to different cultural groups in a more personal manner. Speaking to someone in his or her own language helps break down barriers and allows everyone to feel more comfortable and confident. This type of dialogue and relationship building is crucial in any business setting. When you are interacting with clients, vendors, and colleagues, knowing their language, even if they also speak English, can elevate the professional relationship. This can lead to more sales, better service and stronger interactions with colleagues.

This ability to understand the cultural sensitivity of your clients is one of the two ways that increases your value as an employee. The second is, that with speaking a foreign language comes an additional set of responsibilities. One of them being, directly reading and responding to clients’ requests in their own language. This saves translation expenses, stress, and delays when dealing with urgent business.

One must understand that with these additional responsibilities come increased job security, wages, and advancement opportunities. Having experience in multiple cultures will place you as a good candidate for promotions, and higher-level positions!

5) SHARPENS YOUR COGNITIVE AND LIFE SKILLS

As learning a language involves a variety of learning skills, studying a foreign language can enhance one’s ability to learn and function in several other areas. It’s been observed that children who have studied a language at the elementary level score higher on tests in reading, language arts, and math. People who have learned foreign languages show greater cognitive development in areas such as mental flexibility, creativity, and higher order thinking skills, such as problem-solving, conceptualizing, and reasoning.

In addition to cognitive benefits, the study of foreign languages leads to the acquisition of some important life skills. Because language learners learn to deal with unfamiliar cultural ideas, they are much better equipped to adapt and cope in a fast-changing world. They also learn to effectively handle new situations. In addition, the encounter with cultures different from one’s own leads to tolerance of diverse lifestyles and customs. And it improves the learner’s ability to understand and communicate with people from different walks of life.

The skills mentioned above are some of the most sought after, for any job spread across all fields. Sharpening them can make you an indispensable employee and help in sky rocketing your career! This, in our opinion, is one of the biggest reasons for you to opt for a new language course right away!
Now that we have spoken about the career benefits of learning a new language, let us look at some of the languages that can give you a leg up on the job market. According to an article in The Economist, languages such as Spanish, German, French, Italian, Russian and Japanese, with a growing emphasis on Mandarin, given China’s booming economy are some of the most sought after by any employer across the world.

So what are you waiting for? Apply for a course of your choice and order that language book you’ve been thinking about. Set aside some time every day, even a half hour, to sit down and study. This will benefit your career graph in ways that you can never imagine.
Good luck!

Chase Away Them Monday Blues! – Ten Inspiring Quotes by our Favourite Famous People

Chase Away Them Monday Blues! – Ten Inspiring Quotes by our Favourite Famous People

by | Mar 13, 2017 | Managing Yourself, Motivation, World of Work

We’ve all had that feeling first thing Monday morning, wondering where the weekend has gone and how it can already be the start of the working week. The infamous Monday Blues, that dreaded feeling that the working week has just started and it’s the longest possible point until the start of the weekend again. Fortunately, it’s not all bad – before you know it we will be at Friday again! But until that blessed day arrives and you need  some inspiration at this very moment, then do check out this blog.

Here is our list of top 10 inspirational quotes (arranged in no particular order) to help get you motivated on even the dullest of Monday mornings. Please feel free to comment, like and share to help others suffering with the Monday Blues!

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE #1: Rise up and attack the day with enthusiasm!

“Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.” – George S. Patton

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE #2: It’s a day to start something new, a day full of hope.

“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE #3: Keep the faith and you’ll see the magic.

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE #4: Monday opens up the week for many opportunities.

“What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.” – Ralph Marston

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE #5: It’s a day meant for winning, not quitting.

“If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride – and never quit, you’ll be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the rewards.” – Paul Bryant

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE #6: It’s an opportunity to become a better version of yourself.

“Don’t wish it were easier. Wish you were better.”– Jim Rohn

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE #7: It’s a step towards turning your dreams into a reality.

“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” – Colin Powell

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE #8: It’s a fresh start, embrace it.

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE #9: That’s right, keep going and you’ll score big!

“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE #10: Monday is not a doomsday, you will be alive to see Tuesday!

“Never complain and never explain.” – Benjamin Disraeli

We get it, Monday blues are the worst! The dreadful 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. routine begins again and there are times when even a cup of your favorite extra strong cappuccino fails to create it’s magic! On such gloomy days, it may seem as though inspiration is miles away. But we’ll let you in on a little secret, inspiration is never miles away, it is always right there. All we need to do is to push ourselves to reach out and as our motto is in OBOlinx – Be Happy in The Now!

And we hope if today is one of those monotonous and uninspiring days for you, then this post comes in handy. Let us know which one of these is your favorite and if we’ve missed out on any other amazing quotes.