Changes

I started a morning walk / jog routine today. I had been planning some sort of early morning physical activity for quite some time but always found reasons not to get going with it. I enjoyed the jog this morning and by the time I got back home, I could not stop myself from wondering. What was it that kept me from starting this earlier?

What was more difficult – to stop being a late riser or to start getting out of the house for a jog? Or was it both? I think it was both. And the fact that both the activities are so closely related but yet unique made the beginning all the more difficult. I think that the two activities are unique as there were instances when I woke up early (by my standards) and yet never stepped out of the house!

Isn’t it strange, how its difficult to start some things where as its equally difficult (even more at times) to end others? I guess its all got to do with changes – they always get some challenges along. Even if the change is a pleasant one, it’s not a certainty that it’s going to be easy adapting to it. To make the situation all the more complex, I’m told, that change is the only thing constant in life!

Once upon a time...

Once upon a time leadership mattered, now dealership rules the world.
Once upon a time quality was a craftsman's pride, now it is a departmental mess.
Once upon a time a mouse was a untouchable mammal, now it is a handheld pest.
Once upon a time wisdom was cultivated by wise people, now it is flashed on T-shirts.
Once upon a time teachers taught and students learnt, now teacher trade and students consume.Once upon a time population was a problem, now it is a flourishing mass market.
Once upon a time competition brought out the best in products, now it brings out the worst in people.
Once upon a time there was a golden rule, now if u have gold, u rule.
Once upon a time truth telling was good for ur soul, now it is bad 4 ur promotion.
Once upon a time success meant living by the ideals, now it is about rising above all principles.
Once upon a time beauty was in the eye of the beholder, now it's a booming business

P.S. Got these lines from a forward!

India Poised

If you are an urban Indian aged between 20 and 30*, there's one point that almost all of you will agree to - India's bright future. Keeping in mind that there are many areas that we still need to start improving upon, you can see the winds of change sweeping the minds of the land. There is this buzz around you, telling you about the country's fortune being northbound! And mind you the buzz is no illusion.

The Times group has started this campaign, called India Poised. As a part of this campaign, they intend to highlight not only the best but also the areas that we need to work upon as a Nation to be a true international force to reckon.

The campaign's anthem is beautifully written and does an excellent job of capturing the sentiments of the nation. Mr. Amitabh's Bachchan's voice just adds to the magic of the words. Log onto www.indiapoised.com to hear the anthem and get inspired!!

P.S. You will have to register in order to listen to the Hindi version of the anthem, but its gonna be truly worth it.
*The chosen subset is just the group of Indians I relate to most!

Job Fair Tips

I represented my company at a job fair recently. I was supposed to select candidates for my department. The candidates short listed by me were to be later subjected to a long selection process. So, it can be said that I was the first hurdle for anyone interested in being a part of my company.

This was a first for me in a couple of ways. Firstly, I had never attended a job fair before and secondly, this was my first time on the other side of the table - selecting candidates. Based on my experiences there, here are a few tips that may help you bag that job at the next job fair you walk into.

1. Carry your latest resume. No need for any fancy stationery, plain A4 size paper will take you places if you’ve got the right content on it.
2. Do not hesitate approaching the company’s stall as that beats the very purpose of you going to a job fair. In the worst case you’ll be dinged. But you would never find this out unless you approach him.
3. Avoid approaching the company’s stall in large groups. It only dents your chances as you may not be able to cement your position in the minute or so that you are given for your first shot.
4. In case of a rush, wait for your turn. Do not jump the line or be pushy.
5. Feel free to ask company / job specific questions. A conversation is a best way of showcasing your communication skills.
6. Pay attention to the conversations the representative is having with the other candidates. It would only help you know more about the vacancy / company and you could market yourself better.
7. Be clear about the kind of job you looking for. You could get away without this if you are a fresher, but for someone with experience – you got to know what you getting yourself into.
8. Avoid asking salary related questions at the job fair unless you sure that you’re talking to the HR person OR sure of landing yourself the job.
9. Never be rude to the company person, even if your application is turned down.

10. Don’t force him / her to keep your resume. Because, if he is not interested in the first place, your resume is going to land up in the dustbin anyways. So, why waste a copy of your resume?

Decisions

In my twenty-four years of existence, I’ve been at the crossroads on a number of occasions. Times, when I’ve had to take a decision for myself based on the situation at hand and ready myself for the future. Some of these decisions have been taken with full cognizance of the fallouts, whereas others have been risks. In either case, the decision was made and fallouts accepted.

For me, taking decisions affecting just myself are a lot easier than those that affect not only myself but also the ones I care. Over the years, I have found myself in more and more instances wherein the decisions taken have been of the second type as above. I guess this is what terms like growing up and being responsible are all about. Whatever be the case, the fact remains that its difficult deciding things for oneself and picking options keeping others in mind just makes the process all the more interesting(!).

I am the low risk-taking types when it comes to matters involving people I care for. And over the last few years, this trait of mine has been a major flash point for some of my friends. I’ve been found guilty of not taking the popular approach on a couple of occasions. I’ve even had to pay a price for doing this.

I would like the people concerned to spare a moment and digest the fact that I cannot keep all of them happy all the time. And I need to be true to myself in order to do full justice to their importance in my life. Thus, unless I am convinced about something I will not vote in favor of it. I’m aware of the consequences of such a decision and I’d rather be true to myself than fight myself into playing a role I’m not convinced about.