On the right career path

By: Muaz Shabandri
Dubai, Mar 6,2011 (Bhatkallys News): Boarding a flight to Saudi Arabia, UAE or other Gulf countries in hopes of high-paying jobs, Bhatkalli natives are not alien to working with top companies in the Middle East.

While the generation 'Ahmed Seddiqi' has its own success stories, many young Bhatkalli's seeking a career in Dubai are unaware of employment trends and job procedures in the Middle East. From confusing work contracts to labour bans, the job market has its own share of twists and turns which can seem perplexing from a distance.

Turning to experts for their advice on what's best for job-seekers, a special panel of Human Resource experts met with a cross-section of 30 participants from the Bhatkalli community at the India Club in Dubai on Saturday.

Chandra Mouli, a senior Human Resource Expert in Dubai, kicked off the three-hour session with insights on the hiring process for FMCG companies in the region.

"During an interview, candidates should be prepared to receive 'blind spot' questions," said Chandra while explaining the tools used to filter candidates and assess their capabilities.

"Every candidate has their 'weaknesses' and during the recruitment process we use various techniques to know there weaknesses. There will be certain challenges in a particular sector (like aviation, banking, publishing etc.) where a particular problem is only known to the line manager or people who have previously worked in that sector. This is where a 'blind spot' question is used to analyse the participant," explained Chandra.

Other panelists at the session included, Simon O'Herlihy, General Manger, Mediaquest Corp and Priya Mujherjee from Zenith Consultants.

The event put together by the Career Guidance Committee was spearheaded by Shahriar Khateeb, Convener and Jilani Mohtesham. Abdul Rahman Seddiqi anchored the event and got together the panelists to put together

Here are the top tips from the experts:

Interview Tips

Research about the company in advance and plan in advance, the possible questions that may be asked during the interview. Also note down some questions that you would like to ask the interviewer to know more about the job position on offer.

Visit the place of interview in advance to know the location and avoid getting late on the day of the interview.

Arrive 15 to 30 minutes before the interview and wait at the reception. This extra time gives the candidate time to settle and get relaxed.

Hygiene and self-care are important in creating the right first impression when entering the interview. Look professional and co-ordinate your clothes. A white shirt and a tie are expected for junior positions, whereas, a blazer can be worn for a senior position.

Once the interview starts, ask the interviewer how much time you have for the interview. Pace yourself accordingly and do not try to get out of the room ahead of time.

During the interview, body language is important. Look relaxed and be in control of yourself. Listen to the questions and answer accordingly. Also, do not be afraid if the interviewer remains silent for some time.

In the closing stages of the interv

iew, remove your list of questions and take permission if you could ask the interviewee some questions.

Once the interview is over, ask for a business card of the interviewee before you leave. Follow up the interview with a 'thank you' e-mail and acknowledge their efforts to interview you.

CV Tips

Priya Mukherjee, Managing Director, Zenith Management Consultancy offered a series of tips in her talk on "Good CV's Vs. Bad CV's". Here are the best tips as presented by Priya.

Provide references: Recommendations from previous employers play an important role in the CV.

Be Honest: Providing false information in your CV can impede your credibility. Never lie about your grades, education or experience.

Bargaining Power: Be realistic when bargaining a pay package with the company. Do not hesitate to put forward your expectations.

Command: Good candidates negotiate their pay package and decide their 'price tag'. Remember not to be rude when negotiating the package.

Common Interview Questions

Question: What is your 'expected salary'?

Many candidates reply by saying 'ANYTHING'. This is not the correct answer. A better way of answering the question would be "As per market standards" or "As per company policy".

Question: Tell me something about yourself?

In this question, avoid giving a detailed story of your life. Answer in a maximum of five sentences providing a snapshot of your academic achievements, work experience and professional background.

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