An Old Man Advises
Posted : June 25, 2005 at 12:44 am [IST]
Many years ago, I had to lose some 136 engineers whom I had appointed. Most of them were mechanical engineers and from the second tier colleges. I selected them as they were needy and came from rural background. Basically, they were working as supervisors on shop floor where they were to manage mostly very little educated operatives of machines and equipments. And these people were good at work as well as were commanding respect from the operatives. And the company brought in one senior executive as HRD chief from a big company famous for its professionalism in management. He conducted interviews for all the graduate engineers to screen the good ones from the whole lot. And in that process, my 135 friends lost the jobs. They were good in their work but not good in speaking good English. Fortunately, as I found later on, all of them got employed in better positions very soon.
Recently, I happen to join a group. As it appears it consists mostly of students completing their professional education or fresh engineers, particularly in IT. I could have blocked their mails. But I found it necessary to go through the mails religiously to assess the problems of the younger generation. Many are poor in communication skill; seek sometimes help or lobbying for getting a job or guidance in facing interviews. I feel like suggesting some things to my younger friends. At this age of mine (66), I wish and hope they shall not get offended, even if one may not like it. As first thing there is not any short cut for a successful career. It is all hard work till the end of life. On my own, I am still putting in 8 hours in my reading and writing.
As some tips for interview and for success in career today, perhaps a three point-preparation is necessary.
1. ‘Pahale Sakal, Phir Akal” Naturally one can’t change the sakal so easily, but one can always present oneself better to interviewers as smart with proper dress without making it too much obvious.
2. One must be fluent in the language of communication. One can easily build this soft skill- the ability to make effective oral and written presentation. If one can master hard skills- computer science or software engineering or for that matter any science or technology subject, the mastering of the language of communication that is English, will not be difficult, if there is interest. It starts with the change of the mindset. English is the language of science and technology. If you want to excel in any area today, it is essential to attain the best proficiency in this language. You may not like it, but it is the reality.
Some tips:
Select the company of friends of different languages. Come to an understanding with your friend or room mates that both you all shall be using English only in your conversation till you have mastered. Don’t bother about what others say.
Buy English newspaper and religiously go through that. Make habit of knowing the meaning of all the new words that you come across.
Both, in oral as well as written communications, use the simple word and short sentences. Don’t use a word about which you are not sure.
If necessary, you join some good institutions that are training in fluency in speaking English. Buy some audios that are for developing these skills.
If you like movies, go to good English movies. There can’t be better way of understanding the language.
Keep habit of writing in English. You can start with a diary. After completing the entry, please go through it again, if you can self assess your deficiency. And once you are confident, start writing letters to your friends and relatives who can understand and like your writing in English. But as first thing you must realize and appreciate that you must master this language to excel in your profession. Don’t use e-mail version of writing till you are trying to improve your writing ability (even for your e-mails).
3. The interviewers wish to judge your confidence. You must be well conversant with at least some part of your expertise. You can even get a success in bringing them to your area of specialization.
There are always some tough ones among the interviewers. But it never means they shall be rejecting you, if they can realize that you are a confident person and shall be able to learn on the job.
But never lose heart. There is always a next time and it may be tomorrow itself. I get reminded of two stories even today. One related to the best story about what a self- study can bring in. You must have heard of Eklavaya. Eklavaya with no resources could become the best archer of his time, even better than the best of the era, Arjun who had mastered it under the greatest teacher of the time. Why can’t you learn a language or any subject in this era of free knowledge through many ways including Google and answer.com?
And then you must practice that relentlessly. Remember the story of Bopdev. Though depressed at one stage, Bopdev, the dullest declared by his teacher, learned the perseverance from the impression the clay pitchers were leaving on the hard stone covering around the well. Bopdeve became one of the most knowledgeable persons of his time.
But learn and master English as an American or British speaks. If you want to improve your market value, learn Spanish too or Mandarin. It is never too late for those who are to build a good career.
- Indra
Category: Employment/Education |
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