Sibal wants IIM boards to select chairman, director
Bangalore: The government is in favor of granting full autonomy to the boards of the state-run Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) to select their respective chairman and director, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said on Thursday.
"We want the IIM boards to select their respective chairman and director so that we (the government) distance ourselves from the (selection) process. The board can set up a search committee and give us the names to be appointed," Sibal told reporters here.
Reiterating that the boards of B-schools should function cohesively and effectively, Sibal said the managements would given the kind ofautonomy they need to function in an environment in which they can provide solutions to the government.
"The governance structures of the B-schools must also change. Their boards must be effective, cohesive and efficient. We want all stakeholders to be represented on the board," Sibal said on the margins of the IIM-Bangalore 36th annual convocation.
Noting that the board must have a leadership of its choice to lead the institution, Sibal said the IIM-B was blessed with a leader (Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries Ltd) as its chairman, who has shown the global community how in the most difficult of circumstances, Indian companies could be global players.
"For him (Ambani) to chair for a second term and take the kind of interest is something I feel grateful for. It shows how our business community has realized that without excellence in education and investment in education, not in terms of just money but time, the country cannot move forward," Sibal said. IANS
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
NMIMS Reaffirms Faith of Corporate World with Successful 2011 MBA Batch Placements Overview:
NMIMS Reaffirms Faith of Corporate World with Successful 2011 MBA Batch Placements
Overview:
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai (NMIMS) completes 2011 batch placements. NMIMS, a leading B-school across the country has underlined its dominance and authority after successfully placing the entire 2011 batch. Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies continued its legacy of successful placements with participation of top companies from diverse sectors, new and loyal recruiters offering excellent profiles to the students and large number of offers being extended to the students.
This year NMIMS was required to place a substantial number of students from 4 diverse MBA Programs. MBA Core Program consisted of total 300 students whereas the MBA Focus Program in Capital Markets, Banking and Actuarial Science consisted of 30 students each. The MBA Core has existed for quite some time and is quite renowned now. The new Focus MBA programs have also created a strong position in their own particular areas.
Placement Statistics:
NMIMS 2011
Total Companies at NMIMS 112
Final Placement Batch (Students) 372
No. of Companies Extending offers 96
Average Salary
13.1 Lakhs p.a.
Percentage of New Recruiters 34%
Sectoral Division of NMIMS
The students of NMIMS have been placed in different sectors of the industry in 2011. The various sectors with percentage of students recruited in every sector is mentioned below in the graph:
Banking & Financial Services
Banking and Financial Services Sector recruited 19% of the MBA Core Batch of 2011. JP Morgan Chase and ICICI Bank were the leading recruiters from the finance sector. Major financial players such as Barclays Bank, Citibank, Royal Bank of Scotland, Nomura Holdings and Goldman Sachs extended offers to the students. Financial services firms such as Bank of India, HDFC Bank, Angel Broking, Darashaw, ICICI Lombard, HSBC Global Resourcing, Kotak BANK, India Infoline SBI Capital Markets and Tata Capital participated in this placement season of NMIMS. Some of the profiles that were offered to the students were Asset Management, Product Management, Retail Banking, Branding, Strategy, Transaction Banking, International Banking, Treasury and Investment Banking.
FMCG/Consumer Durables
FMCG Sector recruited about 9% of the students from core MBA Batch. The FMCG companies that were present in the placement process were Wipro CCL, Marico, L’Oreal, ITC and Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages (HCCB). The novel FMCG players who participated in the process were Wrigley’s., Nutrela, Reckitt Benckiser and VVF Ltd. The consumer durables sector accounted for 2% placement of the core MBA Batch. The important players who participated from the sector were Videocon, Whirlpool, Godrej & Boyce. The profiles that were offered were Marketing and Distribution, Sales and Branding.
Consulting
The consulting sector recruited 9% of the students from the core MBA Batch. The companies that participated from the consulting sector in the placement process were i3 Consulting, Cognizant Business Consulting, Capgemini, Avalon Consulting, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG. The profile range offered was Infrastructure Consulting, IT Consulting, Operations Consulting, Marketing and Strategy Consulting, Financial Advisory and Risk Advisory.
Information Technology
Nearly 23% of the students joined Information Technology sector. Some of the permanent IT recruiters who participated in the placement process were Mindtree, Hewlett Packard, Genpact, KPIT Cummins, Accenture, Mphasis, IBM, HCL Technologies, Wipro and Infosys. The novel IT companies that participated in the placement process are Virtusa, Tally Solutions, Polaris, Indus Valley Partners and IGate. The profiles that were offered to the students were Business Analysis, Pre-Sales, Project Management, Business Development, Consulting and Account Management.
Conglomerates
9% students of the batch were absorbed by the group companies or conglomerates such as Triton Group, Welspun, Manipal Group, Larsen & Toubro, GE and RIL. The profiles offered were Sales & Marketing, Strategy, GE, Financial Services and Power and Sales & Distribution.
Others
The manufacturing firms that participated in the placement process were Titan, Cummins and Asian Paints. The telecom sector’s leading players such as Vodafone, Idea Cellular and Airtel extended substantial number of offers. DHL, a global logistics player offered roles in Marketing and Supply Chain.
Conclusion
This placement season students chose their own profiles, which reflects the optimism of the growing economy and reaffirms the faith of the recruiters in NMIMS and their quality students. NMIMS through creating synergy with the corporate sector wants to achieve greater heights in the field of management education.
Overview:
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai (NMIMS) completes 2011 batch placements. NMIMS, a leading B-school across the country has underlined its dominance and authority after successfully placing the entire 2011 batch. Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies continued its legacy of successful placements with participation of top companies from diverse sectors, new and loyal recruiters offering excellent profiles to the students and large number of offers being extended to the students.
This year NMIMS was required to place a substantial number of students from 4 diverse MBA Programs. MBA Core Program consisted of total 300 students whereas the MBA Focus Program in Capital Markets, Banking and Actuarial Science consisted of 30 students each. The MBA Core has existed for quite some time and is quite renowned now. The new Focus MBA programs have also created a strong position in their own particular areas.
Placement Statistics:
NMIMS 2011
Total Companies at NMIMS 112
Final Placement Batch (Students) 372
No. of Companies Extending offers 96
Average Salary
13.1 Lakhs p.a.
Percentage of New Recruiters 34%
Sectoral Division of NMIMS
The students of NMIMS have been placed in different sectors of the industry in 2011. The various sectors with percentage of students recruited in every sector is mentioned below in the graph:
Banking & Financial Services
Banking and Financial Services Sector recruited 19% of the MBA Core Batch of 2011. JP Morgan Chase and ICICI Bank were the leading recruiters from the finance sector. Major financial players such as Barclays Bank, Citibank, Royal Bank of Scotland, Nomura Holdings and Goldman Sachs extended offers to the students. Financial services firms such as Bank of India, HDFC Bank, Angel Broking, Darashaw, ICICI Lombard, HSBC Global Resourcing, Kotak BANK, India Infoline SBI Capital Markets and Tata Capital participated in this placement season of NMIMS. Some of the profiles that were offered to the students were Asset Management, Product Management, Retail Banking, Branding, Strategy, Transaction Banking, International Banking, Treasury and Investment Banking.
FMCG/Consumer Durables
FMCG Sector recruited about 9% of the students from core MBA Batch. The FMCG companies that were present in the placement process were Wipro CCL, Marico, L’Oreal, ITC and Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages (HCCB). The novel FMCG players who participated in the process were Wrigley’s., Nutrela, Reckitt Benckiser and VVF Ltd. The consumer durables sector accounted for 2% placement of the core MBA Batch. The important players who participated from the sector were Videocon, Whirlpool, Godrej & Boyce. The profiles that were offered were Marketing and Distribution, Sales and Branding.
Consulting
The consulting sector recruited 9% of the students from the core MBA Batch. The companies that participated from the consulting sector in the placement process were i3 Consulting, Cognizant Business Consulting, Capgemini, Avalon Consulting, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG. The profile range offered was Infrastructure Consulting, IT Consulting, Operations Consulting, Marketing and Strategy Consulting, Financial Advisory and Risk Advisory.
Information Technology
Nearly 23% of the students joined Information Technology sector. Some of the permanent IT recruiters who participated in the placement process were Mindtree, Hewlett Packard, Genpact, KPIT Cummins, Accenture, Mphasis, IBM, HCL Technologies, Wipro and Infosys. The novel IT companies that participated in the placement process are Virtusa, Tally Solutions, Polaris, Indus Valley Partners and IGate. The profiles that were offered to the students were Business Analysis, Pre-Sales, Project Management, Business Development, Consulting and Account Management.
Conglomerates
9% students of the batch were absorbed by the group companies or conglomerates such as Triton Group, Welspun, Manipal Group, Larsen & Toubro, GE and RIL. The profiles offered were Sales & Marketing, Strategy, GE, Financial Services and Power and Sales & Distribution.
Others
The manufacturing firms that participated in the placement process were Titan, Cummins and Asian Paints. The telecom sector’s leading players such as Vodafone, Idea Cellular and Airtel extended substantial number of offers. DHL, a global logistics player offered roles in Marketing and Supply Chain.
Conclusion
This placement season students chose their own profiles, which reflects the optimism of the growing economy and reaffirms the faith of the recruiters in NMIMS and their quality students. NMIMS through creating synergy with the corporate sector wants to achieve greater heights in the field of management education.
Saturday, 2 April 2011
MBAUniverse.com Exclusive: MBA destinations - Kolkata
MBAUniverse.com Exclusive: MBA destinations - Kolkata
Kolkata is amongst the major education hubs in India. Kolkata offers many benefits to MBA aspirants who wish to study in the B-schools in and around the city
Kolkata is counted amongst the major education hubs in India. Kolkata houses 12 Universities and numerous colleges affiliated to them or to other universities located outside. The main universities of Kolkata are University of Calcutta, Jadavpur University and Vishvabharati University.
In terms of management education, Kolkata can be considered as the pioneer as the first institute in India to offer an MBA degree of any Indian university was set up here. The Indian Institute of Social Welfare & Business Management (IISWBM) was established in 1953.
Also, the first IIM of the country was established in this city. IIM Calcutta has produced leading business minds in the nation like Indra Nooyi, Chairman, PepsiCo.
If you want to pursue MBA from Kolkata, some of the best options available here are as follows:
IIM-C- The Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) was established as the first national institute for Post-Graduate studies and Research in Management by the Government of India in November 1961 in collaboration with Alfred P. Sloan School of Management (MIT), the Government of West Bengal, The Ford Foundation and Indian industry.
IISWBM- The Indian Institute of Social Welfare & Business Management (IISWBM) was the first institute in India to offer an MBA degree of any Indian university (XLRI, the oldest management institute in India, did not offer MBA degrees ever since its inception). It was established in 1953. IISWBM was set up in collaboration with the Government of West Bengal, the University of Calcutta and the business community of West Bengal to promote management education.
IIFT, Kolkata- The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) was set up in 1963 by the Government of India as an autonomous organization to help professionalize the country's foreign trade management and increase exports by developing human resources; generating, analyzing and disseminating data; and conducting research. Today it is one of India's most prestigious business schools.
Apart from these, the other notable MBA institutes in Kolkata are ISB Kolkata, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management, IBK Kolkata, Heritage Institute of Technology, IILM Business School, Institute of Business Management & Research, Institute of Management Study, Institute of Engineering and Management, Future Innoversity, to name a few.
Kolkata offers many benefits to the MBA aspirants who wish to study in the B-schools in and around the city. Among all the metropolitan cities, Kolkata has the lowest cost of living which attracts people from other states to settle in the city. This has made Kolkata a true cosmopolitan city.
Other advantages are: Kolkata is the main business, commercial and financial hub of eastern India and the north eastern states. Kolkata also has Calcutta Stock Exchange, India’s second largest stock exchange.
The major industries in Kolkata include IT, Infrastructure, FMCG etc. Kolkata is home to many industrial units operated by large Indian corporations with products ranging from electronics to jute.
Some notable companies headquartered in Kolkata include ITC Limited, India Government Mint, Haldia Petrochemicals, Exide Industries, Hindustan Motors, Britannia Industries, Bata India, Birla Corporation, CESC Limited, RPG Group, Bengal Ambuja, Philips India, Eveready Battery, Coal India Limited, Damodar Valley Corporation, PwC India, Peerless Group, United Bank of India, UCO Bank and Allahabad Bank.
IT Sector: As in many other Indian cities, information technology became a major growing sector in Kolkata since late 1990s, with the IT sector growing at 70 per cent yearly — twice that of the national average. The major players of the IT Sector in Kolkata are Infosys Technologies Limited, Satyam Computer Services Limited, HCL Technologies Limited, L&T Infotech Limited, NIIT Technologies Limited, i-Gate Global Solutions Limited, etc. Salt Lake Sector V is the hub of the IT sector in Kolkata.
Infrastructure: In recent years, huge investments are made in the housing infrastructure sector with several new projects coming up led by companies like DLF Limited and Unitech Group.
FMCG - Hindustan Unilever LTD, Nestle India LTD, ITC India, Reckitt Benckiser India LTD, Agro Tech Foods LTD, Tata Chemicals LTD, Dabur India LTD Factory and many more.
Consulting firms: Aon Consulting, Deloitte Consulting, Ernst & Young, Frost & Sullivan, Hewitt Associates, SAP Consulting, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro Technologies, to name a few.
Telecom: Vodafone, Airtel, Reliance Communications, Uninor, Idea Cellular, Aircel, Tata DoCoMo, Tata Indicom, Virgin Mobile and MTS India.
Health Sector: Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals Ltd, Dum Dum Medical Centre, The Calcutta Medical Research Institute, Renaissance Hospital Private Limited, etc.
Media: The Economic Times, The Financial Express, Times of India, The Telegraph, Business Line and Business Standard are the English Dailies which have their publications from Kolkata.
Bengali 24-hour television news channels include STAR Ananda, Tara Newz, Kolkata TV, 24 Ghanta, Ne Bangla, News Time and Channel 10.
Bengali newspapers like Anandabazar Patrika, Bartaman, Sangbad Pratidin, Jago Bangla, Aajkaal, Dainik Statesman and Ganashakti are widely circulated.
Kolkata also hosts Tollywood, the Bengali film industry, which is the biggest in Eastern India and also contributes in the Indian Film Industry through several national award winning movies.
Transport: The Kolkata Metro, run by the Indian Railways, is the oldest underground system in India since 1984. Buses are the preferred mode of transport and are run by both government agencies and private operators. Kolkata is India's only city to have a tram network, operated by Calcutta Tramways Company.
Kolkata will never cease to entertain the people over there. The city has also been nicknamed as the City of Palaces. This comes from the numerous palatial mansions built all over the city. One can move around and relax as there are a number of tourist spots and beautiful monuments situated in Kolkata.
Some of the beautiful sight seeing places are the Victoria Memorial, The Indian Museum, Birla Industrial & Technological Museum, Science City , Marble Palace, Netaji Bhawan, The National Library of India to name a few.
Kolkata also exhibits the element of art and culture through numerous Theatres, Art galleries like Nandan, Shishir Mancha, Star Theatre to name a few.
Kolkata is amongst the major education hubs in India. Kolkata offers many benefits to MBA aspirants who wish to study in the B-schools in and around the city
Kolkata is counted amongst the major education hubs in India. Kolkata houses 12 Universities and numerous colleges affiliated to them or to other universities located outside. The main universities of Kolkata are University of Calcutta, Jadavpur University and Vishvabharati University.
In terms of management education, Kolkata can be considered as the pioneer as the first institute in India to offer an MBA degree of any Indian university was set up here. The Indian Institute of Social Welfare & Business Management (IISWBM) was established in 1953.
Also, the first IIM of the country was established in this city. IIM Calcutta has produced leading business minds in the nation like Indra Nooyi, Chairman, PepsiCo.
If you want to pursue MBA from Kolkata, some of the best options available here are as follows:
IIM-C- The Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) was established as the first national institute for Post-Graduate studies and Research in Management by the Government of India in November 1961 in collaboration with Alfred P. Sloan School of Management (MIT), the Government of West Bengal, The Ford Foundation and Indian industry.
IISWBM- The Indian Institute of Social Welfare & Business Management (IISWBM) was the first institute in India to offer an MBA degree of any Indian university (XLRI, the oldest management institute in India, did not offer MBA degrees ever since its inception). It was established in 1953. IISWBM was set up in collaboration with the Government of West Bengal, the University of Calcutta and the business community of West Bengal to promote management education.
IIFT, Kolkata- The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) was set up in 1963 by the Government of India as an autonomous organization to help professionalize the country's foreign trade management and increase exports by developing human resources; generating, analyzing and disseminating data; and conducting research. Today it is one of India's most prestigious business schools.
Apart from these, the other notable MBA institutes in Kolkata are ISB Kolkata, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management, IBK Kolkata, Heritage Institute of Technology, IILM Business School, Institute of Business Management & Research, Institute of Management Study, Institute of Engineering and Management, Future Innoversity, to name a few.
Kolkata offers many benefits to the MBA aspirants who wish to study in the B-schools in and around the city. Among all the metropolitan cities, Kolkata has the lowest cost of living which attracts people from other states to settle in the city. This has made Kolkata a true cosmopolitan city.
Other advantages are: Kolkata is the main business, commercial and financial hub of eastern India and the north eastern states. Kolkata also has Calcutta Stock Exchange, India’s second largest stock exchange.
The major industries in Kolkata include IT, Infrastructure, FMCG etc. Kolkata is home to many industrial units operated by large Indian corporations with products ranging from electronics to jute.
Some notable companies headquartered in Kolkata include ITC Limited, India Government Mint, Haldia Petrochemicals, Exide Industries, Hindustan Motors, Britannia Industries, Bata India, Birla Corporation, CESC Limited, RPG Group, Bengal Ambuja, Philips India, Eveready Battery, Coal India Limited, Damodar Valley Corporation, PwC India, Peerless Group, United Bank of India, UCO Bank and Allahabad Bank.
IT Sector: As in many other Indian cities, information technology became a major growing sector in Kolkata since late 1990s, with the IT sector growing at 70 per cent yearly — twice that of the national average. The major players of the IT Sector in Kolkata are Infosys Technologies Limited, Satyam Computer Services Limited, HCL Technologies Limited, L&T Infotech Limited, NIIT Technologies Limited, i-Gate Global Solutions Limited, etc. Salt Lake Sector V is the hub of the IT sector in Kolkata.
Infrastructure: In recent years, huge investments are made in the housing infrastructure sector with several new projects coming up led by companies like DLF Limited and Unitech Group.
FMCG - Hindustan Unilever LTD, Nestle India LTD, ITC India, Reckitt Benckiser India LTD, Agro Tech Foods LTD, Tata Chemicals LTD, Dabur India LTD Factory and many more.
Consulting firms: Aon Consulting, Deloitte Consulting, Ernst & Young, Frost & Sullivan, Hewitt Associates, SAP Consulting, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro Technologies, to name a few.
Telecom: Vodafone, Airtel, Reliance Communications, Uninor, Idea Cellular, Aircel, Tata DoCoMo, Tata Indicom, Virgin Mobile and MTS India.
Health Sector: Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals Ltd, Dum Dum Medical Centre, The Calcutta Medical Research Institute, Renaissance Hospital Private Limited, etc.
Media: The Economic Times, The Financial Express, Times of India, The Telegraph, Business Line and Business Standard are the English Dailies which have their publications from Kolkata.
Bengali 24-hour television news channels include STAR Ananda, Tara Newz, Kolkata TV, 24 Ghanta, Ne Bangla, News Time and Channel 10.
Bengali newspapers like Anandabazar Patrika, Bartaman, Sangbad Pratidin, Jago Bangla, Aajkaal, Dainik Statesman and Ganashakti are widely circulated.
Kolkata also hosts Tollywood, the Bengali film industry, which is the biggest in Eastern India and also contributes in the Indian Film Industry through several national award winning movies.
Transport: The Kolkata Metro, run by the Indian Railways, is the oldest underground system in India since 1984. Buses are the preferred mode of transport and are run by both government agencies and private operators. Kolkata is India's only city to have a tram network, operated by Calcutta Tramways Company.
Kolkata will never cease to entertain the people over there. The city has also been nicknamed as the City of Palaces. This comes from the numerous palatial mansions built all over the city. One can move around and relax as there are a number of tourist spots and beautiful monuments situated in Kolkata.
Some of the beautiful sight seeing places are the Victoria Memorial, The Indian Museum, Birla Industrial & Technological Museum, Science City , Marble Palace, Netaji Bhawan, The National Library of India to name a few.
Kolkata also exhibits the element of art and culture through numerous Theatres, Art galleries like Nandan, Shishir Mancha, Star Theatre to name a few.
FORE School of Management Opens Admissions for its three-year Post Graduate Programme (Part Time) in Management (PGDM) for Working Professionals
FORE School of Management Opens Admissions for its three-year Post Graduate Programme (Part Time) in Management (PGDM) for Working Professionals
Admissions are now open to the FORE School of Management?s three-year Post Graduate Programme (Part Time) in Management (PGDM), which is sure to propel any career straight into the fast lane to success.
Admissions are now open to the FORE School of Management?s three-year Post Graduate Programme (Part Time) in Management (PGDM), which is sure to propel any career straight into the fast lane to success.
Students seeking admission are required to be working professionals who have been in their career for a period of at least two years.
This programme, based in Delhi, is a boon for young professional living in the capital. It is an opportunity for them to enhance their professional qualifications in a structured yet innovative way. It enables them to take charge of their career and become the boss of their future.
Incorporated in 1992, the PGDM is a tried and tested course. Through the years, FORE?s PGDM students have proved that this is truly an avenue working youth seek out. It is a method of enhancing their knowledge, setting new paradigms, creating fresh niches and climbing the career ladder comfortably, consistently. PDGM students continue in their careers, getting to use what they learn real life, practical scenarios. For them, the Management qualification is a very important bonus they earn to keep them ahead.
The PGDM is a very well thought out and practically conceived course with a clear focus on developing managerial skills. Students enrolling for the PGDM are already working and have been in their careers for over two years in middle or junior level executives with public or private sector organizations.
The faculty at FORE are all highly qualified academician and corporate professionals, well known in their field. Each one of them brings expertise, commitment, immense knowledge: all developed on the strong foundations of their educational qualifications. They are chosen for their skills in making the entire three years spent at FORE a transformational experience that will be etched in memories right through their lives.
Held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of every working week, classes are held between 6.15 pm to 9.30 pm on Thursdays and Fridays. On Saturdays, classes are between 2.30 pm and 9.30 pm.
Course fees: Rs. 3,60,000 and will be paid in six equal instalments.
About FORE School of Management:
Foundation for Organizational Research and Education (FORE) was established in 1981. FORE?s main aim is a commitment to the development of Management Education, Research, Training and Consultancy. Through the 30 years of its existence, FORE?s contributions to the global business environment has been tremendous.
With over 3000 students having graduated since its inception in 1992, FORE School of Management operates under the aegis of Foundation for Organisational Research and Education founded in 1981. This Three Year part time PGDM programme has been running successfully since 1992 and the admitted students and alumni belong to various reputed organizations in some of the most leading industries,? says Dr. Jitendra K. Das, Director, FORE School of Management.
Admissions are now open to the FORE School of Management?s three-year Post Graduate Programme (Part Time) in Management (PGDM), which is sure to propel any career straight into the fast lane to success.
Admissions are now open to the FORE School of Management?s three-year Post Graduate Programme (Part Time) in Management (PGDM), which is sure to propel any career straight into the fast lane to success.
Students seeking admission are required to be working professionals who have been in their career for a period of at least two years.
This programme, based in Delhi, is a boon for young professional living in the capital. It is an opportunity for them to enhance their professional qualifications in a structured yet innovative way. It enables them to take charge of their career and become the boss of their future.
Incorporated in 1992, the PGDM is a tried and tested course. Through the years, FORE?s PGDM students have proved that this is truly an avenue working youth seek out. It is a method of enhancing their knowledge, setting new paradigms, creating fresh niches and climbing the career ladder comfortably, consistently. PDGM students continue in their careers, getting to use what they learn real life, practical scenarios. For them, the Management qualification is a very important bonus they earn to keep them ahead.
The PGDM is a very well thought out and practically conceived course with a clear focus on developing managerial skills. Students enrolling for the PGDM are already working and have been in their careers for over two years in middle or junior level executives with public or private sector organizations.
The faculty at FORE are all highly qualified academician and corporate professionals, well known in their field. Each one of them brings expertise, commitment, immense knowledge: all developed on the strong foundations of their educational qualifications. They are chosen for their skills in making the entire three years spent at FORE a transformational experience that will be etched in memories right through their lives.
Held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of every working week, classes are held between 6.15 pm to 9.30 pm on Thursdays and Fridays. On Saturdays, classes are between 2.30 pm and 9.30 pm.
Course fees: Rs. 3,60,000 and will be paid in six equal instalments.
About FORE School of Management:
Foundation for Organizational Research and Education (FORE) was established in 1981. FORE?s main aim is a commitment to the development of Management Education, Research, Training and Consultancy. Through the 30 years of its existence, FORE?s contributions to the global business environment has been tremendous.
With over 3000 students having graduated since its inception in 1992, FORE School of Management operates under the aegis of Foundation for Organisational Research and Education founded in 1981. This Three Year part time PGDM programme has been running successfully since 1992 and the admitted students and alumni belong to various reputed organizations in some of the most leading industries,? says Dr. Jitendra K. Das, Director, FORE School of Management.
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Supreme Court grants B-schools interim stay against AICTE
Supreme Court grants B-schools interim stay against AICTE
On March 17, the honourable Supreme Court of India, hearing the writ petition filed by EPSI, AIMS and group of PGDM institutions, has granted interim stay against the AICTE notification that was issued on Dec, 2010.
The matter was heard by honourable judges of the Supreme Court on Thursday, 17 March 2011.
On March 17, the honourable Supreme Court of India, hearing the writ petition filed by EPSI, AIMS and Group of PGDM institutions, has granted interim stay against the AICTE notification that was issued on Dec, 2010.
This verdict is a big relief to the B-schools as they can now use any of the nationally recognized entrance tests like CAT & MAT for the admissions to the 2011-13 batch. The B-schools are also free to conduct their own GD-PI for admissions to the 2011-13 batch.
The matter was heard by honourable judges of the Supreme Court on Thursday, 17 March 2011.
The judgment will smoothen the admission process for more than 500 management institutes including the likes of XLRI, MDI, IMT, TA PAI Manipal, BIMTECH, Welingkar, KJ Somaiya.
MBAUniverse.com was the first news portal in the country to break the news of this important development.
On December 28, 2010, AICTE issued ‘provisions’ for regulating the PGDM courses in the country. In eight points, the notification called for much greater role of respective State Governments in running of B-schools, and had many provisions covering almost every aspect of running a management institute – from admissions to fee-structure, to curriculum design and disallowing the globally successful one-year MBA program to run in the country.
Across the country, management education fraternity were irked that government had issued an important notification apparently without any discussions or consultation with B-schools & other stakeholders.
On March 17, the honourable Supreme Court of India, hearing the writ petition filed by EPSI, AIMS and group of PGDM institutions, has granted interim stay against the AICTE notification that was issued on Dec, 2010.
The matter was heard by honourable judges of the Supreme Court on Thursday, 17 March 2011.
On March 17, the honourable Supreme Court of India, hearing the writ petition filed by EPSI, AIMS and Group of PGDM institutions, has granted interim stay against the AICTE notification that was issued on Dec, 2010.
This verdict is a big relief to the B-schools as they can now use any of the nationally recognized entrance tests like CAT & MAT for the admissions to the 2011-13 batch. The B-schools are also free to conduct their own GD-PI for admissions to the 2011-13 batch.
The matter was heard by honourable judges of the Supreme Court on Thursday, 17 March 2011.
The judgment will smoothen the admission process for more than 500 management institutes including the likes of XLRI, MDI, IMT, TA PAI Manipal, BIMTECH, Welingkar, KJ Somaiya.
MBAUniverse.com was the first news portal in the country to break the news of this important development.
On December 28, 2010, AICTE issued ‘provisions’ for regulating the PGDM courses in the country. In eight points, the notification called for much greater role of respective State Governments in running of B-schools, and had many provisions covering almost every aspect of running a management institute – from admissions to fee-structure, to curriculum design and disallowing the globally successful one-year MBA program to run in the country.
Across the country, management education fraternity were irked that government had issued an important notification apparently without any discussions or consultation with B-schools & other stakeholders.
Prepare for IIFT 2011: Know the key trends and past 5 year paper analysis
Prepare for IIFT 2011: Know the key trends & past 5 year paper analysis
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, IIFT, is amongst the most prestigious B-Schools in India. IIFT organizes its own written test for admissions, which is known as IIFT Entrance examination.
IIFT is a paper pencil based test. It covers the sections of Verbal Ability, General Knowledge & Awareness, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Analysis.
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, IIFT, is amongst the most prestigious B-Schools in India. IIFT organizes its own written test for admissions, which is known as IIFT Entrance examination. IIFT Entrance Test takes place usually in the month of November every year. IIFT is a paper pencil based test of two hours duration. It covers the sections of Verbal Ability, General Knowledge & Awareness, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Analysis.
IIFT surprises the aspirants with a varied number of questions every year.
Analysis: IIFT over the past 5 years
Year
Sections
No. of Questions
Difficulty Level
2006
Verbal Ability
Quantitative Ability
Data Interpretation
General Awareness
106
Moderate-Difficult
2007
Verbal Ability
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
Logical Reasoning and Decision Making
General Awareness
150
Moderate-Difficult
2008
Reasoning & Business Decision Making
Quantitative
Data Interpretation
Reading Comprehension
Verbal Ability
General Knowledge
150
Difficult
2009
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
General Knowledge and Current Affairs
Quantitative Aptitude
Verbal Ability
122
Moderate
2010
Quantitative Ability
Verbal Ability
Logic & Data Interpretation
General Knowledge
135
Moderate-Difficult
Analysis: IIFT 2010
IIFT 2010 was held on Sunday, November 28, 2010. The test brought with it an increased number of questions, as compared to last year. The number of questions was 135. Last year, the number of questions was 122. The duration of the paper was two hours. No sectional cut off was mentioned in the paper. The paper was lengthy and the Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning section questions were lengthy.
IIFT Eligibility
The aspirants looking forward for IIFT should have a Bachelor’s degree of minimum 3 years’ duration in any discipline from a recognized University. Candidates appearing for their final year exam can also apply.
IIFT Application Process
The application process of IIFT generally starts from the month of August each year and ends in the month of September each year.
Candidates can apply online and can also download the application form from the institute’s website.
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, IIFT, is amongst the most prestigious B-Schools in India. IIFT organizes its own written test for admissions, which is known as IIFT Entrance examination.
IIFT is a paper pencil based test. It covers the sections of Verbal Ability, General Knowledge & Awareness, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Analysis.
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, IIFT, is amongst the most prestigious B-Schools in India. IIFT organizes its own written test for admissions, which is known as IIFT Entrance examination. IIFT Entrance Test takes place usually in the month of November every year. IIFT is a paper pencil based test of two hours duration. It covers the sections of Verbal Ability, General Knowledge & Awareness, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Analysis.
IIFT surprises the aspirants with a varied number of questions every year.
Analysis: IIFT over the past 5 years
Year
Sections
No. of Questions
Difficulty Level
2006
Verbal Ability
Quantitative Ability
Data Interpretation
General Awareness
106
Moderate-Difficult
2007
Verbal Ability
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
Logical Reasoning and Decision Making
General Awareness
150
Moderate-Difficult
2008
Reasoning & Business Decision Making
Quantitative
Data Interpretation
Reading Comprehension
Verbal Ability
General Knowledge
150
Difficult
2009
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
General Knowledge and Current Affairs
Quantitative Aptitude
Verbal Ability
122
Moderate
2010
Quantitative Ability
Verbal Ability
Logic & Data Interpretation
General Knowledge
135
Moderate-Difficult
Analysis: IIFT 2010
IIFT 2010 was held on Sunday, November 28, 2010. The test brought with it an increased number of questions, as compared to last year. The number of questions was 135. Last year, the number of questions was 122. The duration of the paper was two hours. No sectional cut off was mentioned in the paper. The paper was lengthy and the Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning section questions were lengthy.
IIFT Eligibility
The aspirants looking forward for IIFT should have a Bachelor’s degree of minimum 3 years’ duration in any discipline from a recognized University. Candidates appearing for their final year exam can also apply.
IIFT Application Process
The application process of IIFT generally starts from the month of August each year and ends in the month of September each year.
Candidates can apply online and can also download the application form from the institute’s website.
MBA Placements 2011: Average domestic salary witnesses upturn across B-schools
MBA Placements 2011: Average domestic salary witnesses upturn across B-schools
The average salary figures have risen this year across all leading B-schools, representing the good performance of Indian companies and a bright future outlook.
The year 2011 final placements have given many reasons to the MBA students to cheer. Not only the students have been offered their dream profiles by leading companies of India and abroad, but have also got far better pay packages compared to what the students of year 2010 final placements got.
The placements at most of the leading B-schools have ended. MBAUniverse.com brings to you how some of the leading B-schools have performed vis a vis salary. For this we look at the Average Domestic Salary figures of IIMs and other B-school. These B-schools have shared their placements 2011 data with MBAUniverse.com.
The average salary figures have risen this year across all leading B-schools, representing the good performance of Indian companies and a bright future outlook.
IIM Indore: In terms of compensation, the average package this year has increased by 27% over last year. The highest domestic compensation offered was Rs. 32 lakhs per annum which was made by an Investment Bank. The top 12% of the class of 2011, regarded as being amongst the best management talent in the nation, secured offers on campus in excess of Rs. 20 lakhs per annum. Further, more than half the batch secured offers in the range of Rs. 14-18 lakhs per annum.
IIM Kozhikode: The salaries offered for domestic roles increased by an average of about 30%.
IIFT: IIFT has recorded an increase of more than 10% in the average domestic salary. The average salary is Rs. 11.6 lakhs per annum.
XLRI: The average domestic package stood at Rs. 15.8 lakhs per annum, a rise of close to 12% over last year’s figure. The median figure for the domestic salary is Rs. 14.7 lakhs per annum. The highest domestic package was Rs. 23 lakhs per annum.
FMS Delhi: Average domestic salary of total offers is Rs. 15.4 lakh per annum. Rise of 18% compared to last year.
SPJIMR: The average salary increased by 27% to Rs. 14.07 lakhs per annum from Rs. 11 lakhs per annum last year, with the highest domestic offer of Rs. 23 lakhs per annum.
XIMB: The batch of 2011 saw an average salary of Rs.10.76 lakhs per annum, which is a marginal rise from last year’s average salary figure. The median salary stood at Rs.10.3 lakhs per annum.
All the GD-PI call getters who think that they will be facing problems of plenty after the final selection list is put up by the B-schools, they can look at the above salary figures to pick their right B-school.
The average salary figures have risen this year across all leading B-schools, representing the good performance of Indian companies and a bright future outlook.
The year 2011 final placements have given many reasons to the MBA students to cheer. Not only the students have been offered their dream profiles by leading companies of India and abroad, but have also got far better pay packages compared to what the students of year 2010 final placements got.
The placements at most of the leading B-schools have ended. MBAUniverse.com brings to you how some of the leading B-schools have performed vis a vis salary. For this we look at the Average Domestic Salary figures of IIMs and other B-school. These B-schools have shared their placements 2011 data with MBAUniverse.com.
The average salary figures have risen this year across all leading B-schools, representing the good performance of Indian companies and a bright future outlook.
IIM Indore: In terms of compensation, the average package this year has increased by 27% over last year. The highest domestic compensation offered was Rs. 32 lakhs per annum which was made by an Investment Bank. The top 12% of the class of 2011, regarded as being amongst the best management talent in the nation, secured offers on campus in excess of Rs. 20 lakhs per annum. Further, more than half the batch secured offers in the range of Rs. 14-18 lakhs per annum.
IIM Kozhikode: The salaries offered for domestic roles increased by an average of about 30%.
IIFT: IIFT has recorded an increase of more than 10% in the average domestic salary. The average salary is Rs. 11.6 lakhs per annum.
XLRI: The average domestic package stood at Rs. 15.8 lakhs per annum, a rise of close to 12% over last year’s figure. The median figure for the domestic salary is Rs. 14.7 lakhs per annum. The highest domestic package was Rs. 23 lakhs per annum.
FMS Delhi: Average domestic salary of total offers is Rs. 15.4 lakh per annum. Rise of 18% compared to last year.
SPJIMR: The average salary increased by 27% to Rs. 14.07 lakhs per annum from Rs. 11 lakhs per annum last year, with the highest domestic offer of Rs. 23 lakhs per annum.
XIMB: The batch of 2011 saw an average salary of Rs.10.76 lakhs per annum, which is a marginal rise from last year’s average salary figure. The median salary stood at Rs.10.3 lakhs per annum.
All the GD-PI call getters who think that they will be facing problems of plenty after the final selection list is put up by the B-schools, they can look at the above salary figures to pick their right B-school.
Guide to FMS Entrance Exam Know the facts and paper analysis of last 5 years
Guide to FMS Entrance Exam: Know the facts & paper analysis of last 5 years
FMS Delhi conducts its own independent entrance exam for admissions to its 2 year MBA programs. MBAUniverse.com presents to you all about this exam so that you prepare in the right direction for achieving success.
Given the large number of questions in the paper, selection of questions and accuracy is more important than attempting a large number of questions.
Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, is often rated amongst the top 10 B-schools of India. Popularly known as FMS Delhi, the B-school is without doubt one of the finest B-schools of the country.
FMS Delhi conducts its own independent entrance exam for admissions to its 2 year MBA programs. MBAUniverse.com presents to you all about this exam so that you prepare in the right direction for achieving success.
The different sections of the exam are: Quantitative ability, Verbal ability, English comprehension, Analytical ability & Logical Reasoning. The questions need to be attempted within two hour duration.
Analysis: The Exam in Last 5 years
Year
Sections
No. of Questions
Difficulty Level
2007
Quantitative Ability
Verbal Ability
English Comprehension
Analytical Ability & Logical Reasoning
175
Moderate - Difficult
2008
Quantitative Ability
Verbal Ability
English Comprehension
Analytical Ability & Logical Reasoning
175
Moderate- Difficult
2009 Quantitative Ability
Verbal Ability
English Comprehension
Analytical Ability & Logical Reasoning
175
Moderate- Difficult
2010 Quantitative Ability
Verbal Ability
English Comprehension
Analytical Ability & Logical Reasoning
200
Moderate- Difficult
2011 Quantitative Ability
Verbal Ability
English Comprehension
Analytical Ability & Logical Reasoning
200
Moderate- Difficult
FMS 2011: Analysis
FMS 2011 (for admission to 201-13 batch) maintained the number of questions at 200, with four sections in all. There were 50 questions in each section.
There were four sections with 50 questions in each section. Given the large number of questions in the paper, selection of questions and accuracy was more important than attempting a large number of questions. Since the sectional cut-off was set at 50 percentile, it made sense to maximize scores by concentrating on strong sections, after clearing the minimum cutoffs.
FMS Eligibility
Candidates should have pursued at least a 3-year Bachelor's Degree Programme after 12 years of formal schooling. The minimum requisite percentage of marks in different disciplines is as follows :- Arts, Commerce or Social Sciences - 50%, Sciences - 55%, Mathematics or Statistics - 60%, Medicine, Engineering or Technology - 60% / CGPA of at least 6.00 in a scale of 10.00
OR
Post Graduate Degree or 2nd Degree examination after 10+2+3 scheme, securing at least 60% marks. Candidates appearing for the final examination of Bachelor's / Post Graduate Degree examinations can also apply.
Important Dates
The examination advertisement is generally published in August and the application process usually ends in November. The FMS Entrance exam takes place in the months of December or January every year. FMS 2011 was held on Sunday, December 5, 2011.
FMS Delhi conducts its own independent entrance exam for admissions to its 2 year MBA programs. MBAUniverse.com presents to you all about this exam so that you prepare in the right direction for achieving success.
Given the large number of questions in the paper, selection of questions and accuracy is more important than attempting a large number of questions.
Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, is often rated amongst the top 10 B-schools of India. Popularly known as FMS Delhi, the B-school is without doubt one of the finest B-schools of the country.
FMS Delhi conducts its own independent entrance exam for admissions to its 2 year MBA programs. MBAUniverse.com presents to you all about this exam so that you prepare in the right direction for achieving success.
The different sections of the exam are: Quantitative ability, Verbal ability, English comprehension, Analytical ability & Logical Reasoning. The questions need to be attempted within two hour duration.
Analysis: The Exam in Last 5 years
Year
Sections
No. of Questions
Difficulty Level
2007
Quantitative Ability
Verbal Ability
English Comprehension
Analytical Ability & Logical Reasoning
175
Moderate - Difficult
2008
Quantitative Ability
Verbal Ability
English Comprehension
Analytical Ability & Logical Reasoning
175
Moderate- Difficult
2009 Quantitative Ability
Verbal Ability
English Comprehension
Analytical Ability & Logical Reasoning
175
Moderate- Difficult
2010 Quantitative Ability
Verbal Ability
English Comprehension
Analytical Ability & Logical Reasoning
200
Moderate- Difficult
2011 Quantitative Ability
Verbal Ability
English Comprehension
Analytical Ability & Logical Reasoning
200
Moderate- Difficult
FMS 2011: Analysis
FMS 2011 (for admission to 201-13 batch) maintained the number of questions at 200, with four sections in all. There were 50 questions in each section.
There were four sections with 50 questions in each section. Given the large number of questions in the paper, selection of questions and accuracy was more important than attempting a large number of questions. Since the sectional cut-off was set at 50 percentile, it made sense to maximize scores by concentrating on strong sections, after clearing the minimum cutoffs.
FMS Eligibility
Candidates should have pursued at least a 3-year Bachelor's Degree Programme after 12 years of formal schooling. The minimum requisite percentage of marks in different disciplines is as follows :- Arts, Commerce or Social Sciences - 50%, Sciences - 55%, Mathematics or Statistics - 60%, Medicine, Engineering or Technology - 60% / CGPA of at least 6.00 in a scale of 10.00
OR
Post Graduate Degree or 2nd Degree examination after 10+2+3 scheme, securing at least 60% marks. Candidates appearing for the final examination of Bachelor's / Post Graduate Degree examinations can also apply.
Important Dates
The examination advertisement is generally published in August and the application process usually ends in November. The FMS Entrance exam takes place in the months of December or January every year. FMS 2011 was held on Sunday, December 5, 2011.
CAT 2011: Prep tips for the MBA aspirants who are working
CAT 2011: Prep tips for the MBA aspirants who are working
MBA is a holistic discipline which can be studied by anybody from any back ground under the sun. Even people with medical background are keen to pursue MBA, as they feel that it completes their qualification.
You can prepare the schedule on the basis of your work timings. If you spend the day in office, you have to devote the evening and part of the night preparing for CAT 2011.
MBA is a holistic discipline which can be studied by anybody from any back ground under the sun. Even people with medical background are keen to pursue MBA, as they feel that it completes their qualification.
Like fresh graduates, working professionals too take CAT and other MBA entrance exam for the quest of obtaining the most coveted MBA degree. But CAT preparation is much of a balancing act for the MBA aspirants, whether they are students, fresh graduates or working professionals. This article of MBAUniverse.com is dedicated to the working professionals who are planning to take CAT 2011.
Following are the suggestions for you, which you should follow before or while preparing for CAT 2011.
Judge your preparation level
Taking a diagnostic test is the best strategy to start for any category of CAT aspirants. If you are a working professional, you will not only know which section is your strength and which one is your weakness, but will also know how much more preparation you need to do for getting through one of the top B Schools and hence plan for the timing.
“You can take one of previous year’s CAT papers which are available on the net. Based on the score that you get you will know exactly the gap that you need top fill area-wise,” says Gejo Sreenivasan, Principal Consultant, Career Launcher.
Prepare a schedule
Here you should strike a balance between your work and preparation hours. If you are not planning to quit your job for CAT preparation, then you should equally serve the responsibilities of your organization, for which you are working.
You can prepare the schedule on the basis of your work timings. If you spend the day in office, you have to devote the evening and part of the night preparing for CAT 2011.
“I used to keep the evenings for my preparation. If sometimes I got late from work, I made it a point to wake up early in the morning to make up my preparation. If you are determined enough, you should never compromise on your daily preparation,” says Tanu Singh, a second year student of IIM Ahmedabad who was a working professional.
“Create a schedule and then take a 30-day challenge where you will stick to the plan for the first 30 days. Once you do that, it will become a habit,” Sreenivasan mentions.
Divide time between preparation and mock tests
As you know, preparing for CAT is not only about studying the theories hard, but also to take regular mock tests and analyze your preparation. If you have kept six to four months for your preparation, then divide the time equally between the basic preparation of the three sections namely Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. After which you should take mock tests and analyze them.
“Prepare a schedule in such a way that you spend three months for building all the concepts and fundamentals of the areas tested in the CAT viz., Quant, Verbal and DI. The last three months can be used to take mock tests. Ideally you will need to put in around two to three hours every day for the preparation,” suggests Sreenivasan.
Enroll in an MBA coaching institute through correspondence
While treading a long and tough path, guidance always helps. To add boost to your preparation, as well as to check your preparation level, you can always seek help of an MBA coaching institute. Being a working professional, it will not be convenient for you to join the full time class room program. So the best way is to enroll in the MBA coaching institutes through correspondence.
“Enroll for a distance learning course of CAT, ideally one which also has good online support,” Sreenivasan advises.
“The MBA coaching institutes also offer test series. You can go for the mock tests and test series that are held during weekends, without hampering your work schedule. Moreover, owing to the fact that CAT is now a computer based test, many of the MBA coaching institutes offer computer based tests which can be taken from anywhere,” added Sreenivasan.
Utilize the idle moments at work place for CAT 2011 preparation
It is not possible that you spend your entire hours of a day in office working. You do find out a moment or two for relaxing and chilling out. If you are a serious CAT aspirant, you can utilize these moments for some preparation which does not toil your brain much. For example, you can browse through online dictionary learning new words and their meanings, synonyms etc. You can also glance at the online study materials, solve a question or two, and solve some puzzles on Sudoku, Crossword etc which will eventually help you in Verbal Ability and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning sections.
MBA is a holistic discipline which can be studied by anybody from any back ground under the sun. Even people with medical background are keen to pursue MBA, as they feel that it completes their qualification.
You can prepare the schedule on the basis of your work timings. If you spend the day in office, you have to devote the evening and part of the night preparing for CAT 2011.
MBA is a holistic discipline which can be studied by anybody from any back ground under the sun. Even people with medical background are keen to pursue MBA, as they feel that it completes their qualification.
Like fresh graduates, working professionals too take CAT and other MBA entrance exam for the quest of obtaining the most coveted MBA degree. But CAT preparation is much of a balancing act for the MBA aspirants, whether they are students, fresh graduates or working professionals. This article of MBAUniverse.com is dedicated to the working professionals who are planning to take CAT 2011.
Following are the suggestions for you, which you should follow before or while preparing for CAT 2011.
Judge your preparation level
Taking a diagnostic test is the best strategy to start for any category of CAT aspirants. If you are a working professional, you will not only know which section is your strength and which one is your weakness, but will also know how much more preparation you need to do for getting through one of the top B Schools and hence plan for the timing.
“You can take one of previous year’s CAT papers which are available on the net. Based on the score that you get you will know exactly the gap that you need top fill area-wise,” says Gejo Sreenivasan, Principal Consultant, Career Launcher.
Prepare a schedule
Here you should strike a balance between your work and preparation hours. If you are not planning to quit your job for CAT preparation, then you should equally serve the responsibilities of your organization, for which you are working.
You can prepare the schedule on the basis of your work timings. If you spend the day in office, you have to devote the evening and part of the night preparing for CAT 2011.
“I used to keep the evenings for my preparation. If sometimes I got late from work, I made it a point to wake up early in the morning to make up my preparation. If you are determined enough, you should never compromise on your daily preparation,” says Tanu Singh, a second year student of IIM Ahmedabad who was a working professional.
“Create a schedule and then take a 30-day challenge where you will stick to the plan for the first 30 days. Once you do that, it will become a habit,” Sreenivasan mentions.
Divide time between preparation and mock tests
As you know, preparing for CAT is not only about studying the theories hard, but also to take regular mock tests and analyze your preparation. If you have kept six to four months for your preparation, then divide the time equally between the basic preparation of the three sections namely Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. After which you should take mock tests and analyze them.
“Prepare a schedule in such a way that you spend three months for building all the concepts and fundamentals of the areas tested in the CAT viz., Quant, Verbal and DI. The last three months can be used to take mock tests. Ideally you will need to put in around two to three hours every day for the preparation,” suggests Sreenivasan.
Enroll in an MBA coaching institute through correspondence
While treading a long and tough path, guidance always helps. To add boost to your preparation, as well as to check your preparation level, you can always seek help of an MBA coaching institute. Being a working professional, it will not be convenient for you to join the full time class room program. So the best way is to enroll in the MBA coaching institutes through correspondence.
“Enroll for a distance learning course of CAT, ideally one which also has good online support,” Sreenivasan advises.
“The MBA coaching institutes also offer test series. You can go for the mock tests and test series that are held during weekends, without hampering your work schedule. Moreover, owing to the fact that CAT is now a computer based test, many of the MBA coaching institutes offer computer based tests which can be taken from anywhere,” added Sreenivasan.
Utilize the idle moments at work place for CAT 2011 preparation
It is not possible that you spend your entire hours of a day in office working. You do find out a moment or two for relaxing and chilling out. If you are a serious CAT aspirant, you can utilize these moments for some preparation which does not toil your brain much. For example, you can browse through online dictionary learning new words and their meanings, synonyms etc. You can also glance at the online study materials, solve a question or two, and solve some puzzles on Sudoku, Crossword etc which will eventually help you in Verbal Ability and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning sections.
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
HOW TO PREPARE FOR GROUP DISCUSSION
HOW TO PREPARE FOR GROUP DISCUSSION
Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well. Man is a social animal. He cannot live without a society. Consequently he is required to compete in the society. So is the case with a woman. While there is a society, there is a group. One will have to be the leader of the group. Group is not a new concept, hence a group discussion. Modern societies have developed Group Discussion as a tool to increase efficiency by giving people a sense of participation. While Group Discussion was first introduced as a test in western countries for the selection of personnel for their armed forces, gradually the utility and significance of this method to test the intrinsic knowledge of a candidate made it popular and provided acceptance among other organizations also around the world. It has now become an important tool of the selection procedure of some of the government institutions, management institutions, service selection boards and other recruitment boards. Even when the merit of a candidate has been tested through written tests, the final selection in many management institutes and organizations is made only after a group Discussion. Indeed the importance lies with it.
Thought always comes from inside. In a Group discussion, no single person imposes his or her opinion on others. It is essentially a sharing of experience, and not doing or thinking what someone has al ready decided. Every person has- his own experiences. As a result he can come to certain conclusions about what is right or what is wrong, His conscience has been educated to certain extent or he may not have come to any definite conclusions Group Discussion shows him what the experience of others has been and why they have come to certain conclusion. In doing this it throws him back on his own experiences and on the conclusions he has reached. It makes him to re-examine the foundations of his own opinions. This may result in a change in his opinions or the strengthening of his convictions. But in either case he has examined himself and his convictions in the light of the experiences of the others. It is rightly said: Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
While selection tools and techniques like tests, interviews etc. provide good data about an individual, they fall short in pro viding real life data of how an individual would be performing in a real life situation especially a group like situation. Team work being an integral part of corporate world's work profile, it is important to asserting group and interpersonal qualities of an individual. Group Discussion is a useful tool to ascertain these qualities and many organizations use GDs as a selection tool along with personal interviews, aptitude tests etc. a GO is an activity where groups of 5 - 8 candidates are formed into a leaderless group and are given a specific situation to analyses and discuss within a given time limit which may vary between twenty minutes and forty five minutes. The group may be given a case study and asked to come out with a solution for a problem. They may be given a topic and asked to discuss the same.
Type of Group Discussion
Group Discussions can be classified into three types viz.
(a) Factual Topics, (b) Controversial Topics, (c) Abstract Topics.
Factual Topics: These are about practical things, which an ordinary person is aware of in his day to day life. Typically these are about socio-economic topics. These can be current i.e. they may have been in the news lately or could be unbound by time a factual topic for discussion gives a candidate a chance to prove that he/she is aware of and sensitive to his/her environment.
Controversial Topics: These are the one that are argumentative in nature. They are meant to generate controversy. In GDs where these topics are given for discussion, the noise level is usually high, there may be tempers flying. The idea behind giving a topic like this is to see how much maturity the candidate is displaying by Keeping his temper in check by rationally and logically arguing his point of view without getting personal or emotional.
Abstract Topics: These are about in tangible things. These topics are not given often discussion, but their possibility can not be ruled out. These topics test your lateral thinking and creativity.
Case-based GO: Another variation is the use of a case instead of a topic. The case study tries to simulate a real life situation. Information about the situation will be given to you and you would be asked as a group to resolve the situation. In the case study there are no incorrect answers or perfect solutions. The objective in the case study is to get you to think about the situation from various angles.
Preparing for a Group Discussion
While GD reflects the inherent qualities for an individual, appearing for it unprepared may not augur well for you. These tips would help you prepare for GDs:
Reading: It is the first and the most crucial step in preparation. This is a never ending process and the more you read, the better you are in your thoughts. While you may read anything or everything, you must ensure that you are in good touch with current affairs, the debates and hot topics of discussion and also with the latest in the IT and ITES industry. Read both for the thoughts as well as for data. Also read multiple view points on the same topic and then create your point of view with rationale.
Mocks: Create an informal GD group and meet regularly to discuss and exchange feedback. This is the best way to prepare. This would give you a good idea about your thoughts and how well can you convince. Remember, it is important that you are able to express your thoughts very well. The better you perform in these mocks, the better would be your chances to perform on the final day.
How To Face GD:
A group discussion consists of:
(a) Communication Skills
(b) Knowledge and Ideas regarding a given subject
(c) Capability to co-ordinate and lead
(d) Exchange of thoughts
(e) Addressing the group as a whole
(f) Thorough Preparation.
Communication Skills
The first aspect is one's power of expression. In a group discussion, a candidate has to talk effectively so that he is able to convince others. For convincing, one has to speak forcefully and at the same time create an impact by his knowledge of the subject. A candidate who is successful in holding the attention of the audience creates a positive impact.
It is necessary that you should be precise and clear. As a rule evaluators do not look for the wordage produced. Your knowledge on a given subject, your precision and clarity of thought are the things that are evaluated. Irrelevant talks lead you nowhere. You should speak as much as necessary, neither more nor less. Group discussions are not debating stages.
Ability to listen is also what evaluator’s judge. They look for your ability to react on what other participants say. Hence, it is necessary that you listen carefully to others and then react or proceed to add some more points. Your behavior in the group is also put to test to judge whether you are a loner or can work in a group.
You should be able to convey your thoughts satisfactorily and convincingly before a group of people. Confidence and level headedness in going so is necessary. These add value to your presentation. In case you are not good at it, you might gain by joining an institute that offers specialized courses in public speaking. For instance, British Council Division's English Language Teaching Centre offers a wide range of courses like conversation skills, business communication skills. Mostly people attend these courses to improve their communication skills. Students here are involved in activities which use communication skills and teachers provide inputs, monitor and facilitate the classes. The course at the Centre makes you confident enough to speak before people without any nervousness.
Knowledge and Ideas Regarding a Given Subject: Knowledge of subject under discussion and clarity of ideas are important. Knowledge comes from consistent reading on various topics ranging from science and technology to politics. In-depth knowledge makes one confident and enthusiastic and this in turn, makes one sound convincing and confident.
Leadership and Coordinating Capabilities: The basic aim of a group discussion is to judge a candidate's preparation. Your group behavior and communication skills are on test i.e. how you convince the others and how clearly you are able to express your points of view. You should be articulate, generate ideas, not sound boring, should allow others to speak and adopt of stand on a given subject. During the course of the GD, this stand can even open to accommodate other's viewpoints. Additional marks may be given for starting or concluding the discussion.
Points to Remember
• Knowledge is strength. A candidate with good reading habits has more chances of success. In other words, sound knowledge on different topics like politics, finance, economy, science and technology is helpful.
• Power to convince effectively is another quality that makes you stand out among others.
• Clarity in speech and expression is yet another essential quality.
• If you are not sure about the topic of discussion, it is better not to initiate. Lack of knowledge or wrong approach creates a bad impression. Instead, you might adopt the wait and watch attitude. Listen attentively to others, may be you would be able to come with a point or two later.
• A GD is a formal occasion where slang is to avoid.
• A GD is not a debating stage. Participants should confine themselves to expressing their viewpoints. In the second part of the discussion candidates can exercise their choice in agreeing, disagreeing or remaining neutral.
• Language use should be simple, direct and straight forward.
• Don't interrupt a speaker when the session is on. Try to score by increasing your size, not by cutting others short.
• Maintain rapport with follow participants. Eye contact plays a major role. Nonverbal gestures, such as listening intently or nodding while appreciating someone’s viewpoint speak of you positively.
• Communicate with each and every candidate present. While speaking don't keep looking at a single member. Address the entire group in such a way that everyone feels you are speaking to him or her.
Exchange of Thoughts: A group discussion is an exchange of thoughts and ideas among members of a group. These discussions are held for selecting personnel in organizations where there is a high level of competition. The purpose is to get an idea about candidates in a short time and make assessments about their skills which normally cannot be evaluated in an inter view. These skills may be team membership, leadership skills listening and articulation skills. A note is made of your contributions to the discussion, comprehension of the main idea, the rapport you strike, patience, assertion, accommodation, amenability ere. Body language and eye contact too are important points which are to be considered.
Addressing the Group as a whole: In a group discussion it is not necessary to address anyone by name. Even otherwise you may not know everyone's names. It better to address the group as a whole.
Address the person farthest from you. If he can hear you everyone else too can. Needless to add, as for the interview, attend the group discussion in formal dress. The language used should also be formal, not the language used in normal conversations. For instance, words and phrases like "yar", "chalra hai", "CP", "I dunno", etc. are out. This is not to say you should use a high sounding, pedantic language. Avoiding both, just use formal, plain and simple language. Hinglish, (mixture of Hindi and English) should be discarded. Confidence and coolness while presenting your viewpoint are on help. See that you do not keep repeating a point. Do not use more words than necessary. Do not superfluous. Try to be specific. Do not exaggerate.
Thorough Preparation: Starr making preparations for interview and group discussions right away, without waiting till the eleventh hour, this is, if and when called for them. Then the time left may not be adequate. It is important to concentrate on subject knowledge and general awareness. Hence, the prime need for thorough preparation. Remember, the competition is very tough. Only 460 candidates make it to the final list from 2.75 Lakh civil service aspirants each year.
It may so happen that you are called for interviews and group discussions from three or four organizations but are not selected by any. The reason obviously lies in your not being well prepared.
Some Facts of Group Discussion
Q. What is the normal duration of a GD?
A. A GD is generally of 25-30 minutes duration.
Q. How many panel members are there to evaluate?
A. There are usually 3-4 Panel members to evaluate.
Q. Is there time given for preparation after the topic is given and before starting the GD ?
A. Usually some time (5 minutes) is given to collect one's thought, but there could be instances when this does not happen, so it is best not to bank on this.
Q. Should one address the panel or group members?
A. Don't ever make the mistake of addressing the panel members. The GD is between you and the other members, not the panel members. You must avoid even looking at the panel members while the GD is in progress. Just ignore their existence.
Q. How should one address the other group members?
A. If you are initiating the discussion, you could do so by collectively addressing the group as "Friends". Subsequently, you could use names (if the group has had a round of self introduction prior to starting the discussion and you remember the names) or simply use pronouns like "he" or "she".
Q. Suppose one has a lot to say on the topic, should he say all of it?
A. You would not be looked upon favorable if you kept speaking all the time and did not listen to anyone else. Contrary to the misconception, the person who talks the most is not necessarily the one who is judged the best, the quality and not the quantity of your contribution is the success factor.
Q. Can one take a definite stand in the GD and then later on during the GD, switch over to another stand?
A. Yes provided you do it the right way. In a GD it is quite likely that some other participant's counter-argument convinces you to your point. If this happens, then it is best if you accept his argument and explain to the group how your previous arguments was true within a narrow range, and how the new argument is applicable to a broader range. Naturally, it is safer not to make any rash statements for or against a topic before you learn the facts of the argument. Blindly taking a stand will definitely lead you to trouble. This does not mean you should sit on the fence. You may participate actively by pointing out both sides of the issue in a reasonable and logical manner.
Q. Are we expected to stick to the normally accepted line of thought or can we come up with something radical?
A. By all means you can. It would demonstrate your creativity and originality. Just make sure it is relevant to the topic.
Q. If one feels strongly about an issue, should be voice his feelings?
A. It is important to be cool and emotionally objective in a GD. If you react emotionally you are likely to lose control over yourself during the group discussion. You have to be calm and logical, not emotional in a GD.
Q. Can one use technical terms or jargon, which is clear to him, but not to the group?
A. If you have to use technical terms, please do not use abbreviations. After mentioning the term in full take time out to explain to the group what is means. It is quite likely that other participants of the group have a different academic background from you, and you should make sure you are all on a level playing' field.
Q. Does one begin one's participation by requesting the group's permission to do so ?
A. It is not likely that you will get a chance to ask for such permission, It may also go against you (as appearing weak on your part).
Q. What is the right time to enter a GD to ensure that he is heard properly?
A. In any GD, there are crests and troughs during the discussion. The crest is when the noise level is at its peak. The trough is when there is almost total silence. Ideally, you should enter the GD during the trough period. But in competitive GDs, the crests occur more often and troughs may not occur at all. In such cases, you could identify the stages in the GD, where ideas dear to you are being discussed and enter the GD irrespective of the noise level.
Q. How does one participate which the noise level is too high?
A. You could try the following strategy Identify the most powerful speaker in the group, and note down the points that he/she is making. The moment the noise level reduces interim summary, if the discussion is already well focused.
Q. What does one do if someone else has already said what he wanted to say?
A. You have two choices:
1. Agree with the point made by that person and add on to it by displaying the applicability of the argument to different situations. By doing this you will have broadened the scope of the argument.
2. Drop the point and think of fresh points. To avoid getting into a situation where someone else has already spoken your points, do speak in the first 4-5 minutes of the GD. If you wait longer, it is almost inevitable that someone would have spoken your points.
Q. It is true that the person who speaks the most in a GD is the one who is most successful?
A. This is a myth. Generally the person who has a sound knowledge of the topic and is clear thinker speaks more. This leads the students into believing that whoever speaks most is successful. But just speaking for the sake of speaking will not take you far.
Q. Is motivating other people in the group to speak looked upon favorably?
A. Depends on how it is done. If you openly request someone to speak, you may be putting the other person in a difficult spot, and the evaluators will not look that upon favorably. It is therefore better to use other means of motivation, such as agreeing with a halting speaker, adding on to their points, implicitly supporting and giving them direction.
Q. What does one do if one member is very stubborn and aggressive?
A. You could use any of the following methods.
• Ignore him and address the other members of the group.
• Be assertive and tell him that his argument is faulty.
• Point out to him that his point is well taken and that the group must progress further by discussing the ideas presented by others.
Q. What are the acceptable ways of interrupting somebody else, so that he makes his points? '
A. You can interrupt in any of the following ways:
• "Excuse me, but I feel that what you are saying isn't universally true?
• "Yes, I agree with your idea, and I would like to add on to it?"
• "Yes, I think you are right when you say that, but could you clarify what is?"
Some essentials of Group Discussion
• Be as natural as possible. Do not try and be someone you are not. Be yourself
• A group discussion is your chance to be more vocal. The evaluator wants to hear you speak.
• Take time to organize your thoughts. Think of what you are going to say.
• Seek clarification if you have any doubts regarding the subject.
• Don't start speaking until you have clearly understood and analyzed the subject.
• Work out various strategies to help you make an entry: initiate the discussion or agree with someone else's point and then move into express your views.
• Opening the discussion is not the only way of gaining attention and recognition. If you do not valuable insights during the discussion, all your efforts of initiating the discussion will be in vain. Your body language says a lot about you-your gestures and mannerisms are more likely to reflect your attitude than what you say.
• Language skills are important only to the effect as to how you get your points across clearly and fluently.
• Be assertive not dominating; try to maintain balanced tone in your discussion and analysis.
• Don't lose your cool if anyone says anything you object to. The key is to stay objective: Don't take the discussion personally.
• Always be polite: Try to avoid using extreme phrases like: 'I strongly object' or 'I disagree'. Instead try phrases like: 'I would like to share my views on? ‘or 'One difference between Y5)Ur point and mine?' or "I beg to differ with you".
• Brush up on your leadership skills; motivate the other members of the team to speak (this surely does not mean that the only thing that you do in the GD is to say "let us hear what the young lady with the blue scarf has to say," or "Raghu, let us hear your views"-essentially be subtle, and listen to their views. Be receptive to others' opinions and do not be abrasive or aggressive.
• If you have a group of like-minded friends, you can have a mock group discussion where you can learn from each other through giving and receiving feedback.
• Apart from the above points, the panel will also judge team members for their alertness and presence of mind, problem-solving abilities, ability to work as a team without alienating certain members, and creativity.
Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well. Man is a social animal. He cannot live without a society. Consequently he is required to compete in the society. So is the case with a woman. While there is a society, there is a group. One will have to be the leader of the group. Group is not a new concept, hence a group discussion. Modern societies have developed Group Discussion as a tool to increase efficiency by giving people a sense of participation. While Group Discussion was first introduced as a test in western countries for the selection of personnel for their armed forces, gradually the utility and significance of this method to test the intrinsic knowledge of a candidate made it popular and provided acceptance among other organizations also around the world. It has now become an important tool of the selection procedure of some of the government institutions, management institutions, service selection boards and other recruitment boards. Even when the merit of a candidate has been tested through written tests, the final selection in many management institutes and organizations is made only after a group Discussion. Indeed the importance lies with it.
Thought always comes from inside. In a Group discussion, no single person imposes his or her opinion on others. It is essentially a sharing of experience, and not doing or thinking what someone has al ready decided. Every person has- his own experiences. As a result he can come to certain conclusions about what is right or what is wrong, His conscience has been educated to certain extent or he may not have come to any definite conclusions Group Discussion shows him what the experience of others has been and why they have come to certain conclusion. In doing this it throws him back on his own experiences and on the conclusions he has reached. It makes him to re-examine the foundations of his own opinions. This may result in a change in his opinions or the strengthening of his convictions. But in either case he has examined himself and his convictions in the light of the experiences of the others. It is rightly said: Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
While selection tools and techniques like tests, interviews etc. provide good data about an individual, they fall short in pro viding real life data of how an individual would be performing in a real life situation especially a group like situation. Team work being an integral part of corporate world's work profile, it is important to asserting group and interpersonal qualities of an individual. Group Discussion is a useful tool to ascertain these qualities and many organizations use GDs as a selection tool along with personal interviews, aptitude tests etc. a GO is an activity where groups of 5 - 8 candidates are formed into a leaderless group and are given a specific situation to analyses and discuss within a given time limit which may vary between twenty minutes and forty five minutes. The group may be given a case study and asked to come out with a solution for a problem. They may be given a topic and asked to discuss the same.
Type of Group Discussion
Group Discussions can be classified into three types viz.
(a) Factual Topics, (b) Controversial Topics, (c) Abstract Topics.
Factual Topics: These are about practical things, which an ordinary person is aware of in his day to day life. Typically these are about socio-economic topics. These can be current i.e. they may have been in the news lately or could be unbound by time a factual topic for discussion gives a candidate a chance to prove that he/she is aware of and sensitive to his/her environment.
Controversial Topics: These are the one that are argumentative in nature. They are meant to generate controversy. In GDs where these topics are given for discussion, the noise level is usually high, there may be tempers flying. The idea behind giving a topic like this is to see how much maturity the candidate is displaying by Keeping his temper in check by rationally and logically arguing his point of view without getting personal or emotional.
Abstract Topics: These are about in tangible things. These topics are not given often discussion, but their possibility can not be ruled out. These topics test your lateral thinking and creativity.
Case-based GO: Another variation is the use of a case instead of a topic. The case study tries to simulate a real life situation. Information about the situation will be given to you and you would be asked as a group to resolve the situation. In the case study there are no incorrect answers or perfect solutions. The objective in the case study is to get you to think about the situation from various angles.
Preparing for a Group Discussion
While GD reflects the inherent qualities for an individual, appearing for it unprepared may not augur well for you. These tips would help you prepare for GDs:
Reading: It is the first and the most crucial step in preparation. This is a never ending process and the more you read, the better you are in your thoughts. While you may read anything or everything, you must ensure that you are in good touch with current affairs, the debates and hot topics of discussion and also with the latest in the IT and ITES industry. Read both for the thoughts as well as for data. Also read multiple view points on the same topic and then create your point of view with rationale.
Mocks: Create an informal GD group and meet regularly to discuss and exchange feedback. This is the best way to prepare. This would give you a good idea about your thoughts and how well can you convince. Remember, it is important that you are able to express your thoughts very well. The better you perform in these mocks, the better would be your chances to perform on the final day.
How To Face GD:
A group discussion consists of:
(a) Communication Skills
(b) Knowledge and Ideas regarding a given subject
(c) Capability to co-ordinate and lead
(d) Exchange of thoughts
(e) Addressing the group as a whole
(f) Thorough Preparation.
Communication Skills
The first aspect is one's power of expression. In a group discussion, a candidate has to talk effectively so that he is able to convince others. For convincing, one has to speak forcefully and at the same time create an impact by his knowledge of the subject. A candidate who is successful in holding the attention of the audience creates a positive impact.
It is necessary that you should be precise and clear. As a rule evaluators do not look for the wordage produced. Your knowledge on a given subject, your precision and clarity of thought are the things that are evaluated. Irrelevant talks lead you nowhere. You should speak as much as necessary, neither more nor less. Group discussions are not debating stages.
Ability to listen is also what evaluator’s judge. They look for your ability to react on what other participants say. Hence, it is necessary that you listen carefully to others and then react or proceed to add some more points. Your behavior in the group is also put to test to judge whether you are a loner or can work in a group.
You should be able to convey your thoughts satisfactorily and convincingly before a group of people. Confidence and level headedness in going so is necessary. These add value to your presentation. In case you are not good at it, you might gain by joining an institute that offers specialized courses in public speaking. For instance, British Council Division's English Language Teaching Centre offers a wide range of courses like conversation skills, business communication skills. Mostly people attend these courses to improve their communication skills. Students here are involved in activities which use communication skills and teachers provide inputs, monitor and facilitate the classes. The course at the Centre makes you confident enough to speak before people without any nervousness.
Knowledge and Ideas Regarding a Given Subject: Knowledge of subject under discussion and clarity of ideas are important. Knowledge comes from consistent reading on various topics ranging from science and technology to politics. In-depth knowledge makes one confident and enthusiastic and this in turn, makes one sound convincing and confident.
Leadership and Coordinating Capabilities: The basic aim of a group discussion is to judge a candidate's preparation. Your group behavior and communication skills are on test i.e. how you convince the others and how clearly you are able to express your points of view. You should be articulate, generate ideas, not sound boring, should allow others to speak and adopt of stand on a given subject. During the course of the GD, this stand can even open to accommodate other's viewpoints. Additional marks may be given for starting or concluding the discussion.
Points to Remember
• Knowledge is strength. A candidate with good reading habits has more chances of success. In other words, sound knowledge on different topics like politics, finance, economy, science and technology is helpful.
• Power to convince effectively is another quality that makes you stand out among others.
• Clarity in speech and expression is yet another essential quality.
• If you are not sure about the topic of discussion, it is better not to initiate. Lack of knowledge or wrong approach creates a bad impression. Instead, you might adopt the wait and watch attitude. Listen attentively to others, may be you would be able to come with a point or two later.
• A GD is a formal occasion where slang is to avoid.
• A GD is not a debating stage. Participants should confine themselves to expressing their viewpoints. In the second part of the discussion candidates can exercise their choice in agreeing, disagreeing or remaining neutral.
• Language use should be simple, direct and straight forward.
• Don't interrupt a speaker when the session is on. Try to score by increasing your size, not by cutting others short.
• Maintain rapport with follow participants. Eye contact plays a major role. Nonverbal gestures, such as listening intently or nodding while appreciating someone’s viewpoint speak of you positively.
• Communicate with each and every candidate present. While speaking don't keep looking at a single member. Address the entire group in such a way that everyone feels you are speaking to him or her.
Exchange of Thoughts: A group discussion is an exchange of thoughts and ideas among members of a group. These discussions are held for selecting personnel in organizations where there is a high level of competition. The purpose is to get an idea about candidates in a short time and make assessments about their skills which normally cannot be evaluated in an inter view. These skills may be team membership, leadership skills listening and articulation skills. A note is made of your contributions to the discussion, comprehension of the main idea, the rapport you strike, patience, assertion, accommodation, amenability ere. Body language and eye contact too are important points which are to be considered.
Addressing the Group as a whole: In a group discussion it is not necessary to address anyone by name. Even otherwise you may not know everyone's names. It better to address the group as a whole.
Address the person farthest from you. If he can hear you everyone else too can. Needless to add, as for the interview, attend the group discussion in formal dress. The language used should also be formal, not the language used in normal conversations. For instance, words and phrases like "yar", "chalra hai", "CP", "I dunno", etc. are out. This is not to say you should use a high sounding, pedantic language. Avoiding both, just use formal, plain and simple language. Hinglish, (mixture of Hindi and English) should be discarded. Confidence and coolness while presenting your viewpoint are on help. See that you do not keep repeating a point. Do not use more words than necessary. Do not superfluous. Try to be specific. Do not exaggerate.
Thorough Preparation: Starr making preparations for interview and group discussions right away, without waiting till the eleventh hour, this is, if and when called for them. Then the time left may not be adequate. It is important to concentrate on subject knowledge and general awareness. Hence, the prime need for thorough preparation. Remember, the competition is very tough. Only 460 candidates make it to the final list from 2.75 Lakh civil service aspirants each year.
It may so happen that you are called for interviews and group discussions from three or four organizations but are not selected by any. The reason obviously lies in your not being well prepared.
Some Facts of Group Discussion
Q. What is the normal duration of a GD?
A. A GD is generally of 25-30 minutes duration.
Q. How many panel members are there to evaluate?
A. There are usually 3-4 Panel members to evaluate.
Q. Is there time given for preparation after the topic is given and before starting the GD ?
A. Usually some time (5 minutes) is given to collect one's thought, but there could be instances when this does not happen, so it is best not to bank on this.
Q. Should one address the panel or group members?
A. Don't ever make the mistake of addressing the panel members. The GD is between you and the other members, not the panel members. You must avoid even looking at the panel members while the GD is in progress. Just ignore their existence.
Q. How should one address the other group members?
A. If you are initiating the discussion, you could do so by collectively addressing the group as "Friends". Subsequently, you could use names (if the group has had a round of self introduction prior to starting the discussion and you remember the names) or simply use pronouns like "he" or "she".
Q. Suppose one has a lot to say on the topic, should he say all of it?
A. You would not be looked upon favorable if you kept speaking all the time and did not listen to anyone else. Contrary to the misconception, the person who talks the most is not necessarily the one who is judged the best, the quality and not the quantity of your contribution is the success factor.
Q. Can one take a definite stand in the GD and then later on during the GD, switch over to another stand?
A. Yes provided you do it the right way. In a GD it is quite likely that some other participant's counter-argument convinces you to your point. If this happens, then it is best if you accept his argument and explain to the group how your previous arguments was true within a narrow range, and how the new argument is applicable to a broader range. Naturally, it is safer not to make any rash statements for or against a topic before you learn the facts of the argument. Blindly taking a stand will definitely lead you to trouble. This does not mean you should sit on the fence. You may participate actively by pointing out both sides of the issue in a reasonable and logical manner.
Q. Are we expected to stick to the normally accepted line of thought or can we come up with something radical?
A. By all means you can. It would demonstrate your creativity and originality. Just make sure it is relevant to the topic.
Q. If one feels strongly about an issue, should be voice his feelings?
A. It is important to be cool and emotionally objective in a GD. If you react emotionally you are likely to lose control over yourself during the group discussion. You have to be calm and logical, not emotional in a GD.
Q. Can one use technical terms or jargon, which is clear to him, but not to the group?
A. If you have to use technical terms, please do not use abbreviations. After mentioning the term in full take time out to explain to the group what is means. It is quite likely that other participants of the group have a different academic background from you, and you should make sure you are all on a level playing' field.
Q. Does one begin one's participation by requesting the group's permission to do so ?
A. It is not likely that you will get a chance to ask for such permission, It may also go against you (as appearing weak on your part).
Q. What is the right time to enter a GD to ensure that he is heard properly?
A. In any GD, there are crests and troughs during the discussion. The crest is when the noise level is at its peak. The trough is when there is almost total silence. Ideally, you should enter the GD during the trough period. But in competitive GDs, the crests occur more often and troughs may not occur at all. In such cases, you could identify the stages in the GD, where ideas dear to you are being discussed and enter the GD irrespective of the noise level.
Q. How does one participate which the noise level is too high?
A. You could try the following strategy Identify the most powerful speaker in the group, and note down the points that he/she is making. The moment the noise level reduces interim summary, if the discussion is already well focused.
Q. What does one do if someone else has already said what he wanted to say?
A. You have two choices:
1. Agree with the point made by that person and add on to it by displaying the applicability of the argument to different situations. By doing this you will have broadened the scope of the argument.
2. Drop the point and think of fresh points. To avoid getting into a situation where someone else has already spoken your points, do speak in the first 4-5 minutes of the GD. If you wait longer, it is almost inevitable that someone would have spoken your points.
Q. It is true that the person who speaks the most in a GD is the one who is most successful?
A. This is a myth. Generally the person who has a sound knowledge of the topic and is clear thinker speaks more. This leads the students into believing that whoever speaks most is successful. But just speaking for the sake of speaking will not take you far.
Q. Is motivating other people in the group to speak looked upon favorably?
A. Depends on how it is done. If you openly request someone to speak, you may be putting the other person in a difficult spot, and the evaluators will not look that upon favorably. It is therefore better to use other means of motivation, such as agreeing with a halting speaker, adding on to their points, implicitly supporting and giving them direction.
Q. What does one do if one member is very stubborn and aggressive?
A. You could use any of the following methods.
• Ignore him and address the other members of the group.
• Be assertive and tell him that his argument is faulty.
• Point out to him that his point is well taken and that the group must progress further by discussing the ideas presented by others.
Q. What are the acceptable ways of interrupting somebody else, so that he makes his points? '
A. You can interrupt in any of the following ways:
• "Excuse me, but I feel that what you are saying isn't universally true?
• "Yes, I agree with your idea, and I would like to add on to it?"
• "Yes, I think you are right when you say that, but could you clarify what is?"
Some essentials of Group Discussion
• Be as natural as possible. Do not try and be someone you are not. Be yourself
• A group discussion is your chance to be more vocal. The evaluator wants to hear you speak.
• Take time to organize your thoughts. Think of what you are going to say.
• Seek clarification if you have any doubts regarding the subject.
• Don't start speaking until you have clearly understood and analyzed the subject.
• Work out various strategies to help you make an entry: initiate the discussion or agree with someone else's point and then move into express your views.
• Opening the discussion is not the only way of gaining attention and recognition. If you do not valuable insights during the discussion, all your efforts of initiating the discussion will be in vain. Your body language says a lot about you-your gestures and mannerisms are more likely to reflect your attitude than what you say.
• Language skills are important only to the effect as to how you get your points across clearly and fluently.
• Be assertive not dominating; try to maintain balanced tone in your discussion and analysis.
• Don't lose your cool if anyone says anything you object to. The key is to stay objective: Don't take the discussion personally.
• Always be polite: Try to avoid using extreme phrases like: 'I strongly object' or 'I disagree'. Instead try phrases like: 'I would like to share my views on? ‘or 'One difference between Y5)Ur point and mine?' or "I beg to differ with you".
• Brush up on your leadership skills; motivate the other members of the team to speak (this surely does not mean that the only thing that you do in the GD is to say "let us hear what the young lady with the blue scarf has to say," or "Raghu, let us hear your views"-essentially be subtle, and listen to their views. Be receptive to others' opinions and do not be abrasive or aggressive.
• If you have a group of like-minded friends, you can have a mock group discussion where you can learn from each other through giving and receiving feedback.
• Apart from the above points, the panel will also judge team members for their alertness and presence of mind, problem-solving abilities, ability to work as a team without alienating certain members, and creativity.
Choosing the right B-School
Choosing the right B-School
In this modern business world, it is very important to be an efficient manager to beat the competition all around. To sustain in this business world one should always upgrade him/herself to bring more business for the company for which one is working or managing the in-house people or making the right kind of strategies to grow with the organization. We can say that in almost every field and arena the role of a manager is not ignorable. To acquire such kind of business skill and strategies one should go for the respective MBA degree. MBA degree in present world is most sought after and recognized post graduate option. Those who have an urge to give new heights to business and management, should always go for an MBA. MBA is globally recognized professional course, and now it is being taught almost in every business schools and universities.
Now, the question arise in front of the aspiring student how to choose the right business school, so that you will get the value of time and money you invested to accomplish this course. Getting an MBA degree from on of the top most and reputed institution makes much of a difference itself to you’re your academic and professional career. Getting into a good B-School does not only mean that you will get the best faculty and infrastructure, but moreover it will give you a brand name which will stay with you throughout your professional career. Therefore, before stepping into an MBA institute its really important to evaluate it on few logical parameters.
Ranking of the B-School
To start the search one can first think about the ranks of the MBA institution. In the last few years many big organizations and media houses have conducted many surveys on B-schools in India and have rated the B-Schools in different criteria like: infrastructure, students teacher ratio, faculty, research conducted, practical exposure, placement and many other points. There are many organization which have gained good name and fame in quality education and other facilities. You can compare the past records of institutes and their present performance to find the right institute for you.
Subject to specialize in MBA
Today MBA is not only limited to marketing, finance or accounting. Apart from these traditional specializations there is lot more options in the field like: Foreign Trade, International Business, Rural Management, Information Technology, Hospitality, Retail and many more. Unfortunately, not all the institutes offer all kind of specialization. So while selecting a B-School always keeps this in mind that institute offer that specialization which you are looking for.
Placement Record
Analyze the last three years placement record of the institutes. The placement statistic of the B-Schools, the number of students placed, and number of companies visited for recruitment, top notch companies and their salary packages. Make a list of the companies that have selected the number of students for institute with whom you want to work with. You should always rank a recruiter on its global acceptance.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Most of the MBA programs are so expensive, but the financial issues should not stop you to pursue this course from a reputed B-School. The top ten management schools offer financial aid or bank loan facility to the students. There are many banks who offer education loan to the students and not required to be repaid till the student get a job. Some of the institutes offer scholarship to the students on merit or means basis.
Teaching Methods and Techniques
Faculties and teaching methods are main consideration of MBA institution and they pay a lot attention over it. The top B-Schools primarily focus on research and discuss the problem and try to solve it in putting the situation in the real world. The practical methods and techniques give you more exposure and knowledge to the students to face the real problem in the professional world. It gives you a first hand experience while studying.
International Focus
The business across the world is undergoing a big change as everyone want more global exposure. Therefore, the chances of a student to get recruited in an international company are high. The school having international focus will offers you more case studies and facilities up to the international standard.
These are few major areas on which one can concentrate and pay more attention while choosing the right kind of B-School to hone their business skills and to give their career the right direction.
Best of Luck!
In this modern business world, it is very important to be an efficient manager to beat the competition all around. To sustain in this business world one should always upgrade him/herself to bring more business for the company for which one is working or managing the in-house people or making the right kind of strategies to grow with the organization. We can say that in almost every field and arena the role of a manager is not ignorable. To acquire such kind of business skill and strategies one should go for the respective MBA degree. MBA degree in present world is most sought after and recognized post graduate option. Those who have an urge to give new heights to business and management, should always go for an MBA. MBA is globally recognized professional course, and now it is being taught almost in every business schools and universities.
Now, the question arise in front of the aspiring student how to choose the right business school, so that you will get the value of time and money you invested to accomplish this course. Getting an MBA degree from on of the top most and reputed institution makes much of a difference itself to you’re your academic and professional career. Getting into a good B-School does not only mean that you will get the best faculty and infrastructure, but moreover it will give you a brand name which will stay with you throughout your professional career. Therefore, before stepping into an MBA institute its really important to evaluate it on few logical parameters.
Ranking of the B-School
To start the search one can first think about the ranks of the MBA institution. In the last few years many big organizations and media houses have conducted many surveys on B-schools in India and have rated the B-Schools in different criteria like: infrastructure, students teacher ratio, faculty, research conducted, practical exposure, placement and many other points. There are many organization which have gained good name and fame in quality education and other facilities. You can compare the past records of institutes and their present performance to find the right institute for you.
Subject to specialize in MBA
Today MBA is not only limited to marketing, finance or accounting. Apart from these traditional specializations there is lot more options in the field like: Foreign Trade, International Business, Rural Management, Information Technology, Hospitality, Retail and many more. Unfortunately, not all the institutes offer all kind of specialization. So while selecting a B-School always keeps this in mind that institute offer that specialization which you are looking for.
Placement Record
Analyze the last three years placement record of the institutes. The placement statistic of the B-Schools, the number of students placed, and number of companies visited for recruitment, top notch companies and their salary packages. Make a list of the companies that have selected the number of students for institute with whom you want to work with. You should always rank a recruiter on its global acceptance.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Most of the MBA programs are so expensive, but the financial issues should not stop you to pursue this course from a reputed B-School. The top ten management schools offer financial aid or bank loan facility to the students. There are many banks who offer education loan to the students and not required to be repaid till the student get a job. Some of the institutes offer scholarship to the students on merit or means basis.
Teaching Methods and Techniques
Faculties and teaching methods are main consideration of MBA institution and they pay a lot attention over it. The top B-Schools primarily focus on research and discuss the problem and try to solve it in putting the situation in the real world. The practical methods and techniques give you more exposure and knowledge to the students to face the real problem in the professional world. It gives you a first hand experience while studying.
International Focus
The business across the world is undergoing a big change as everyone want more global exposure. Therefore, the chances of a student to get recruited in an international company are high. The school having international focus will offers you more case studies and facilities up to the international standard.
These are few major areas on which one can concentrate and pay more attention while choosing the right kind of B-School to hone their business skills and to give their career the right direction.
Best of Luck!
Career in Retail management
Career in Retail Management
Today, the world is changing very fast. Now, the living standard of every individual is different and so do the shopping style. But, in present situation one fact is that now people love to shop a lot and they spend lots of time and money on it. Shopping becomes a hobby for most the young people. People shop with different reasons like some for fun, to avoid depression and loneliness, some for time pass. We can say that the whole concept of shopping has altered with the time, in terms of format and consumer buying behavior. To satisfy these new buying concepts and different demands, we should always give credit to urbanization and sprawling shopping centers, big malls and huge complexes that emerged at every small and big city. Due to this present scenario the retail industry has grown into one of the largest economic sector in the global economy and capturing the big chunk of the market.
Retailing can be defined majorly as the buying and selling of the goods and services. It can also be defined as the timely delivery of goods and services demanded by the consumer at prices that are competitive, reasonable and consumer friendly.
Retailing process involves a direct interface with the customer and the coordination of all the business related activities from the design stage to a products delivery and post-delivery service. Generally, this business can be categorized into several types depending on product’s size, amount of products, services, offers related to that product and the prices they charge for that particular product. Some of them are supermarkets, supply chain, factory outlets, malls, stores, discount stores and house hold appliances etc.
As a career option this field offers a dynamic and plenty of employment opportunities to the young and talented people. This industry offers around 2 million job opportunities to the aspiring professionals worldwide. As this profession is directly related to the customers and in other word public at large, so it required some qualities like good communication skills and analytical mind, presentable personality and more importantly customer friendly attitude. This field is related with the store and selling, but all the jobs in this field are not in store and outlets themselves. Career in retail sector can be developed as store manager, retail buyer, retail design/visual merchandise, merchandise planning and product developers.
A career in this sector can be very rewarding, as in this sector you can earn well. Before entering into this field you need to be well prepared in advance, so that you can understand the minute requirements related to the job. There are many institutes in India which are offering this course as MBA in retails management and PG course in Retail Management. A retail management course is about departmental store retailing and shopping mall retailing business. A course in this field from a reputed institute can help you to capture a good job in this industry. A candidate opting to enroll for a MBA course in Retail Management should have passed the Graduation Examination at least. Some of the institutes which offer this course are: National Institute of Retail Management (NIRM), Welingkar Institute of Management, K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies & Research, Mudra Institute of Communications, Indian Retail School, SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, Birla Institute of Management Technology
, New Delhi, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management & Higher Studies.
Companies like Reliance India, Pantaloons, RPG Group, Titan, Raymonds, Westside, Barista, Bata, Caffe Coffee Day, Crossword, Food World, Nilgiris and Trent are some of the big Indian companies who have opened their retail chains in India. This has created huge employment opportunities for trained retail management professionals. Jobs of department managers, assistant store managers, buyer trainee, merchandising assistant, customer service representative, and management trainees are available in the retail sector.
Some big companies like Reliance India, Pantaloons, RPG Group, Titan, Raymonds, Westside, Barista, Bata, Caffe Coffee Day, Crossword are some of the Indian companies who have opened their retails chains in India. So you can try your luck in one of the big names or even you can start your career with small scale industry. You can work there at different levels like department manager, assistant store managers, buyer trainee, merchandising assistant, customer service representative, and management trainees are few position on which one can work.
Today, the world is changing very fast. Now, the living standard of every individual is different and so do the shopping style. But, in present situation one fact is that now people love to shop a lot and they spend lots of time and money on it. Shopping becomes a hobby for most the young people. People shop with different reasons like some for fun, to avoid depression and loneliness, some for time pass. We can say that the whole concept of shopping has altered with the time, in terms of format and consumer buying behavior. To satisfy these new buying concepts and different demands, we should always give credit to urbanization and sprawling shopping centers, big malls and huge complexes that emerged at every small and big city. Due to this present scenario the retail industry has grown into one of the largest economic sector in the global economy and capturing the big chunk of the market.
Retailing can be defined majorly as the buying and selling of the goods and services. It can also be defined as the timely delivery of goods and services demanded by the consumer at prices that are competitive, reasonable and consumer friendly.
Retailing process involves a direct interface with the customer and the coordination of all the business related activities from the design stage to a products delivery and post-delivery service. Generally, this business can be categorized into several types depending on product’s size, amount of products, services, offers related to that product and the prices they charge for that particular product. Some of them are supermarkets, supply chain, factory outlets, malls, stores, discount stores and house hold appliances etc.
As a career option this field offers a dynamic and plenty of employment opportunities to the young and talented people. This industry offers around 2 million job opportunities to the aspiring professionals worldwide. As this profession is directly related to the customers and in other word public at large, so it required some qualities like good communication skills and analytical mind, presentable personality and more importantly customer friendly attitude. This field is related with the store and selling, but all the jobs in this field are not in store and outlets themselves. Career in retail sector can be developed as store manager, retail buyer, retail design/visual merchandise, merchandise planning and product developers.
A career in this sector can be very rewarding, as in this sector you can earn well. Before entering into this field you need to be well prepared in advance, so that you can understand the minute requirements related to the job. There are many institutes in India which are offering this course as MBA in retails management and PG course in Retail Management. A retail management course is about departmental store retailing and shopping mall retailing business. A course in this field from a reputed institute can help you to capture a good job in this industry. A candidate opting to enroll for a MBA course in Retail Management should have passed the Graduation Examination at least. Some of the institutes which offer this course are: National Institute of Retail Management (NIRM), Welingkar Institute of Management, K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies & Research, Mudra Institute of Communications, Indian Retail School, SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, Birla Institute of Management Technology
, New Delhi, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management & Higher Studies.
Companies like Reliance India, Pantaloons, RPG Group, Titan, Raymonds, Westside, Barista, Bata, Caffe Coffee Day, Crossword, Food World, Nilgiris and Trent are some of the big Indian companies who have opened their retail chains in India. This has created huge employment opportunities for trained retail management professionals. Jobs of department managers, assistant store managers, buyer trainee, merchandising assistant, customer service representative, and management trainees are available in the retail sector.
Some big companies like Reliance India, Pantaloons, RPG Group, Titan, Raymonds, Westside, Barista, Bata, Caffe Coffee Day, Crossword are some of the Indian companies who have opened their retails chains in India. So you can try your luck in one of the big names or even you can start your career with small scale industry. You can work there at different levels like department manager, assistant store managers, buyer trainee, merchandising assistant, customer service representative, and management trainees are few position on which one can work.
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
How to Prepare for an Interview
How to Prepare for an Interview
An interview is a meaningful conversation between an employer or an institution providing admission and a candidate to learn more about each other for the purpose of filling a position within a company, organization, government department of academic institution. Candidate and the interviewer each have a need: you want admission or job and the interviewer wants to find the right person to fill the job or seat. The interview is an opportunity for further screening. Through an interview both parties start to form impression of whether a 'fit' exist between your qualifications/personality and the organization/ academic institution. Interviewers look at areas such as your motivation initiative, creativity, Problem solving ability and team work skills.
Interview is the measuring rod of a person's knowledge, personality and ability of expression through face to face contact. A popular quotation best describes the purpose of an interview. An interview provides an inner-view of an individual. Interviews are most widely used as a selection technique. The primary objective lying behind is to select the right person, no matter how impressive a resume may be, no matter how high the ranking in the written test, the aspirant must be well aware of the significance of an interview. The two important factors which play a decisive role in the interview are- your knowledge and also the power of expression. An aspirant must undergo mock interviews. They enable you get an actual feel of what facing on interview could actually be.
Interviews are typically thought of one of the most stressful aspects of admission in a reputed management institution or the job search. It is natural and expected that a candidate will be a little nervous for an interview. In fact having some adrenaline is good: it means that you care and it will keep you on your toes. The key however is not to reach a level of such anxiety and tension that it begins to have a negative impact on the interview. The key to maintaining your nerves is preparedness. It is common to hear students say," Interviews are hard because I don't know what they are going to ask me," or 'I have no way to prepare". How many times have you gone into an interview and left thinking, 'why did I say that?" or "why didn't I say that?" The idea that you can't prepare for an interview is completely false. There is a great deal of work you can do prior to an interview that will make you much more competent in your answers and much more comfortable in your demeanor. The saying 'knowledge is power' particularly rings true for interview. The more you know about the interview process, the more comfortable you will feel, which will be reflected in your eloquence and professional demean our.
What to Do
Prepare yourself sincerely. Schedule a mock interview with friends, family and even in front the mirror.
Self-Assessment: Conduct a careful self-assessment of yourself. Review your resume with a particular focus on experience related to the position at hand. Objectively evaluate your qualifications, skills, goals, interests and abilities, both inside and outside of the classroom, and think about how they contribute to the position for which you are interviewing. Anticipate your weaknesses and decide how you will respond to any questions that dip in to this territory.
Develop an Interview Strategy: Based on your self assessment and research, identify the qualification and criteria the company will look for in an "ideal" candidate. Develop a list of five "success stories" instances in which you've been particularly effective and proud of your performance. You have no way of knowing exactly what questions will be asked of you, but if you have five strong examples prepared, you'll have them immediately available to draw upon in your answers. Additionally, find out who you will be interviewing with, for how long, and the anticipated format. This information will help you prepare by giving you a sense of the "flavor" of the interview. A 30-minute interview with a human resources representative will have a completely different feel than a half-day interview with a departmental hiring manager, and requires different preparation.
Practice commonly Asked Interview questions: You have no way of knowing what specific questions will be asked of you during an interview. However, there are certain questions that are asked in nearly every interview, such as:
· Tell me about yourself.
· Why are you interested in working for us? What do you know about us?
· What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
· What are your short term/long term goals?
· Why are you the best on the position?
· What questions do you have for us?
Day of Interview: Arrive about 15-20 minutes prior to your interview. You want to be prompt, but not too early. Camping out in the lobby for an hour doesn't make you look professional but instead shows a lack of scheduling ability.
There is no excuse for being late to an interview; in fact, this is one of the most damaging things a candidate can do. If you are unfamiliar with the interview location, locate the company, building and specific office prior to the interview. Keep in mind traffic time, particularly if you are interviewing in a large urban center. For example, if you checked out the location at 10p.m. Chances are it is going to take you much longer to reach your destination at 8a.m. Also, keep in mind how long it will take to find appropriate parking and any packing details in advance (i.e., if you will need a parking pass or special entrance to the facility).
Sometimes there are just "flukes" that happen that will make you late. A flat tire or accidents on the road are things you just can't plan for. If you are running late for a legitimate reason, immediately call to let the employer know the situation. Find out if he or she can wait for you, or if it is simply better to reschedule. It also bears mentioning that you should never cancel an interview, unless in the ca-e of an extreme emergency. You may never get a second opportunity to interview, and certainly not get a second chance to make a first impression.
Have your clothing figured out in advance of the interview. Also bring an extra copy of your resume and references in a professional portfolio; a notepad and pen/pencil; your list of questions to ask the- interviewer; and any information you might need to fill out a job application. You may not need any of these "tools," but it's better to be over prepared.
Once you get into the interview room the interviewer will show you where to sit. If there are other people in the room, the interviewer will typically introduce them at this time. Say hello to everyone and, if possible, try to shake each one's hand depending on the seating arrangement.
The interviewer will then do a quick introduction to the interview process. If you have any questions feel free to ask. For example, if you were not given any time duration, you can ask how long the interview is and approximately how many questions in order to gauge the amount of time you need to respond to each question.
Discussion of Your Background, Education, Activities and goals: This is a stage when a standard list of questions will be asked for you to answer back to the interviewer(s). This is typically the largest stage of an interview.
Listen carefully to each question and answer directly. Don’t be tempted to answer if you don't fully understand the question; it is always evident when a candidate doesn't understand the question and tries to make something up. Do not be afraid to ask for a restatement or clarification. If your mind blanks at that moment, politely ask if you can go back to that question later in the interview, or if you may have a few moments to think about the question. It is perfectly acceptable to pause for a moment before "launching" into a response.
Give concise answers. Provide specific and concrete examples rather than generalities. Don't be afraid of pauses. a silence of pause can be very positive and powerful. Avoid filling what you may feel is an uncomfortable silence with "you know" or "uh."
Stay positive and emphasize your strengths. Interviews, by their very nature, should have a positive focus, even when you are asked to venture into “negative territory” (e.g., “What is your greatest weakness?”). Always strive to highlight the positive in a situation, or to communicate what you learnt from a negative experience. Keep answer to “negative question” brief, and elaborate on your answers to “positive questions" that ask you to talk about your skills and strengths.
Eye contact is important. However, avoid extreme behavior like never looking at the interviewer or never looking away. Do what feels natural in a professional conversation. Before leaving the room, extend thanks and good wishes to every member of the interview board.
Important Guidelines
· While facing the interview board, it is advisable that the candidate keeps an eye contact with the interviewer. It is pertinent to look into the interviewer's eyes. It gives a negative impression to look down or look away from the interviewers.
· A candidate should reasonably have a pleasant face. In fact he/she should appear not only pleasant but also enthusiastic. He/she must be self-confident.
· As a further step, a candidate should try to sit comfortably and reasonably upright with no sprawling or slouching. Indeed, comfort is important for relaxation in the interview, but at the same time it must not give a lazy image. It is better to lean slightly forward than to lean backward. It communicates interest and attentiveness.
· A candidate should not chew gum or betel or anything else during the interview. This habit distracts the board and also creates an impression of casualness on the part of the interviewee.
· A candidate should be attentive and alert during the interview. She/he should listen to the questions asked very carefully and give himself/herself a few moments to frame the reply in mind.
· One should always be conscious that if he/she is speaking much faster than the normal. However, do not go too slow deliberately
· If a candidate does not understand the question asked, he/she should not hesitate to reframe the question and ask Stay positive and emphasize your for confirmation of some other way so that he/she is clear about the intent of the interviewer.
· Sometimes interviewers ask multiple questions. In such a situation, do not worry too much about the order of the questions or their totality. Your one answer can give birth to other questions.
· Several candidates speak so quietly and softly that the interviewer cannot understand. Hence, a candidate must speak in clear, audible and self-confident manner as far as possible.
· A candidate must guard against too much talking. Let your answer not ramble on too long.
· Sometimes an interviewer may misunderstand or misinterpret your answer. If such a situation arises, never be reluctant to interrupt. A candidate can say. "I am sorry, That is not really what I meant".
· Sometimes a candidate's views may be sought on controversial or hotly debated issues. In this situation the candidate should try to argue with the interviewer. While expressing one's views on such matters, do not be assertive. Express one's views in a modest manner corroborating reasons therefore. It is better to avoid firm expression of disagreement with the interviewer.
Monday, 21 February 2011
Interview Questions Grouped by Student’s Background - Management
Interview Questions Grouped by Student’s Background - Management
1. What is meant by PM and IR? What is the difference between motivation and morale? Are motivation and manipulation the same?
2. If you’re the consultant to the MD of Dunlop, what method will you suggest to improve the condition of the company in the next 10 years?
3. What is your favourite paper in finance?
4. What is an option?
5. I’m an India MNC with operation in Hong kong, Singapore. How do I hedge my transnational risk?
6. What is the difference between a forward and a future?
7. What is the job of a manager?
8. What is the job of a profile of a VP?
9. Suggest a strategy for a furniture manufacturer.
10. What is a responsibility centre? How is it different from a cost centre?
A note on Economic Terms
A note on Economic Terms
Gross Domestic Product and Gross National Product : - Measure of level of production of a country. Actives resulting in the production of marketable goods and services are included in the figure. Thus, household activity is not a part of GDP. There are, however exceptions to this rule. Smuggling is excluded whereas self-consumption by farmers of produce is included.
GNP = GDP + Net factor income (Y) from abroad.
Net factor income = Factor income (Y) from abroad – Factor income (Y) paid to other countries.
Factor – Any means which helps in production, e.g. labour and capital. So Y of all Indians in the Gulf remitted will be a part of GNP, but not of GDP.
NDP = GDP – Depreciation
NNP = GNP – Depreciation (N stands for net)
Per Capita Income: NNP/Population, i.e. average income per hand in the country per year.
Taxes: Taxes are either paid directly by an individual/company (direct taxes), e.g. income tax or the brunt is born by an intermediary and finally passed on indirectly (indirect taxes), e.g. sales tax.
Excise Tax: Tax levied on production. Tax is paid on the total value of the output.
Value Added Tax(VAT): Means taxing goods and commodities produced only on the value added to that product in that stage of production, e.g. while producing bread, flour and yeast are ingredients which have already been taxed. So, the tax is on the value of the output – the value on the input.
Expenditure Receipts
1. Revenue Expenditure
• Salaries,
• Interest,
• Maintenance
• Capital Expenditure
• Creation of infrastructure.
• Loan repayment
Revenue Receipts
• Taxes (Direct/Indirect)
• Income
• Dividend
• Interest
• Capital Receipts
• Borrowings
Non – debt receipts
• Sales of shares
• Aid/Grand
Modified VAT (MODVAT): This modified – form of VAT allows the manufactures to deduct from the amount of taxes to be paid, the amount of taxes paid during the purchase of the goods.
Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT): The tax to be paid by the corporate sector on book value of profits @ 10.5%
The Budget: Plan for revenues and expenditures within a financial year. Vote on account happens when the govt. is unable to pass a budget.
Plan expenditure is expenditure on five – year plans. Other expenditure falls under non- plan expenditure.
Deficit and Types of Deficit: Excess of expenditure over the revenue in termed as deficit.
Revenue Deficit: The excess of expenditure: (i) over the revenue receipts, (ii) it shows the deficit of the government on the current account.
Fiscal Deficit: Total expenditure (1 + 3) over the revenue receipts (2) and Non – debt creating capital receipts (5). It represents the total borrowing requirement of the Central government.
Budgetary Deficit: Total excess expenditure (1 + 3) over total receipts (2 + 4+ 5) including revenue receipts capital receipts and all borrowings.
Monetised Deficit: The part of fiscal deficit financed by Reserve Bank of India by printing money.
Primary Fiscal Deficit: The fiscal deficit net of interest payments. It represents the non – interest defict and the current fiscal efforts of the government.
Cash reserve ratio (CRR): Minimum percentage of total deposits with banks to be maintained with RBI in form of cash.
Statutory Liquidity ratio (SLR): Percentage of total funds to be retained by banks in govt. approved securities.
Inflation: Rate of increase in the price level of an economy in a financial year. Measured with the help of Wholesale Price Index (WPI) or Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Balance of Trade:- Balance between total imports and exports of goods.
Balance of Payments (BOP): It is the net account of all transactions by a country with the rest of the world in one financial year. It is divided into current A/C and Capital A/C.
Current A/C consists of all transactions pertaining to goods (trade A?C) and Services *invisible A/C).
Capital A/C consists of all financial transactions. These are invariably of a longer period, e.g. foreign investment, NRI deposits, external assistance, etc.
Sunday, 20 February 2011
Career in MBA
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. For enhancing career prospects and better job opportunities the students go for higher degrees. MBA degrees are globally considered as the most valuable post graduate degree and have exciting career opportunities. In order to get a better job and make career in their current jobs students take MBA program. One can notice the difference in career while in current job as pre-MBA and post-MBA. With an MBA degree the employees are elevated to managerial positions with the knowledge gained through the program and have a whole new world opened up to them.
Most of us think several times before investing in higher education during hard economic times is a good or a bad idea. The students who are having MBA degree may be of a higher caliber than those with only a bachelor’s degree. MBA as a career provides springboard to your future dreams, but any thriving career requires much more than a degree alone.
Marketing:
The student who wants to build there career in marketing the goods or services of any organization desires to create effective marketing strategies and express their message to people resourcefully. Students should opt for MBA program which offers both theoretical knowledge as well as practical marketing skills.
Finance:
People who see there future in finance need to be quick thinkers, have a good knowledge of financial markets and top of all they should have patience to deal with clients. MBA degree is a great way to choose the right finance course to be successful in the field.
Government Jobs:
There are many people who are having a misconception that an MBA degree is good for business. It has a very good career prospects in government sector as well. Now, MBA degree holders have a great career in a government job and many of us choose to commit themselves to work with government agencies.
Personal Business:
MBA program is valuable for those who want to startup their own enterprise and make their own way in the marketplace. The degree can provide you with all necessary skills that are required to start a business endeavor by giving tremendous career opportunities as an entrepreneur.
MBA is an investment in yourself and your career. As far as MBAs career opportunities are concerned this is just an iceberg tip. After completing an MBA degree, one can get countless job opportunities, mostly in top level positions, and can help to further your career immensely. MBA programs help students to fabricate management and leadership skills that will help them work in higher level positions.
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