Office Politics - to participate or not?

One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors," said the great Greek philosopher Plato. 

One may call it the art of diplomacy, buttering, backbiting, earning brownie points etc. But if you want to survive and excel in this highly competitive and complex corporate world, you can't ignore office politics. However, it's an indisputable truth that office politics is in other words a sacrifice of self esteem and many argues that people involved in this contribute very little to the organization. But there are some simple ways to deal with it to remain unhurt.

• Be a team player: Being a good team player is attained at the point of realization that the company and the team come before you. Outperforming in a team project lifts your morale, which obviously increases your chances of being promoted. Personal attitude matters a lot here. Not everyone in the team can be your good friends, never a possibility. What counts is your professional maturity of not voicing your difference against another while at work.

• Be a good observer: There is no excuse if you miss to observe what is happening around you and how things are done in your organization. Observation means involvement too, rather an indirect participation. Here you should try to find out what are the values of the company and how are they enacted? What is the process of decision making? What is the risk tolerance level? You will get an accurate idea about the culture of your organization by finding out the answers for the above questions and thus you can design your style of work in your organization.

• Be a good communicator: Communication doesn't only mean that you talk and develop a good rapport with everyone around you. Rather, it's how you let everyone know what you have achieved in a con vincible manner. But at the same time, a fallacy of exaggerating your success or taking undeserved credit for your role in teamwork will land you to neck-deep office politics. A good communicator creates friends and a makes even enemies talk good about him - he is the master of diplomacy.

• Respect all: Respecting your subordinates is as important as your superiors. While you shower your boss with countless salaams and behave with people working under you or co-workers in an autocratic manner with the wrong notion of positional hierarchy, you can never expect respect from anyone. In the heavily complex professional and personal relationship web in an organization, you never know to whom someone might be connected.

• Manage your own behavior: You got to be calm and cool at times of tensions. Refrain from gossiping, questionable judgments and spreading rumors. Grow beyond interpersonal conflicts. You should never compromise on your integrity. Professionalism and work ethics should be the basis of your actions. Above all, you should be extremely careful when revealing things to others - never blindly rely on confidentiality.

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50 Common Interview Questions & Answers

Review these typical interview questions and think about how you would answer them. Read the questions listed; you will also find some strategy suggestions with it.

1. Tell me about yourself?

Answer: The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to work-related items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing for. Start with the item farthest back and work up to the present.

 

2. Why did you leave your last job?

Answer: Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem with management and never speak ill of supervisors, co-workers or the organization. If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something special or other forward-looking reasons.

 

3. What experience do you have in this field?

Answer: Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have specific experience, get as close as you can.

 

4. Do you consider yourself successful?

Answer: You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that you have set goals, and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others.

 

5. What do co-workers say about you?

Answer: Be prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a specific statement or a paraphrase will work. Jill Clark, a co-worker at Smith Company, always said I was the hardest workers she had ever known. It is as powerful as Jill having said it at the interview herself.

 

6. What do you know about this organization?

Answer: This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview. Find out where they have been and where they are going. What are the current issues and who are the major players?

 

7. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?

Answer: Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention.

 

8. Are you applying for other jobs?

Answer: Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focus on this job and what you can do for this organization. Anything else is a distraction.

 

9. Why do you want to work for this organization?

Answer: This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the research you have done on the organization. Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be sensed. Relate it to your long-term career goals.

 

10. Do you know anyone who works for us?

Answer: Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organization. This can affect your answer even though they asked about friends not relatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they are well thought of.

 

11. What is your Expected Salary?

Answer: A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, That's a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position?

In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range.

 

12. Are you a team player?

Answer: You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence of your team attitude. Do not brag, just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point.

 

13. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?

Answer: Specifics here are not good. Something like this should work: I'd like it to be a long time. Or as long as we both feel I'm doing a good job.

 

14. Have you ever had to fire anyone?

Answer: How did you feel about that? This is serious. Do not make light of it or in any way seem like you like to fire people. At the same time, you will do it when it is the right thing to do. When it comes to the organization versus the individual who has created a harmful situation, you will protect the organization. Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in force.

 

15. What is your philosophy towards work?

Answer: The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done?

Yes. That's the type of answer that works best here. Short and positive, showing a benefit to the organization.

 

16. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?

Answer: Answer yes if you would. But since you need to work, this is the type of work you prefer. Do not say yes if you do not mean it.

 

17. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?

Answer: If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying negative things about the people or organization involved.

 

18. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization?

Answer: You should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship.

 

19. Why should we hire you?

Answer: Point out how your assets meet what the organization needs. Do not mention any other candidates to make a comparison.

 

20. Tell me about a suggestion you have made?

Answer: Have a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then considered successful. One related to the type of work applied for is a real plus.

 

21. What irritates you about co-workers?

Answer: This is a trap question. Think really hard, but fail to come up with anything that irritates you. A short statement that you seem to get along with folks is great.

 

22. What is your greatest strength?

Answer: Numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples: Your ability to prioritize, your problem-solving skills, your ability to work under pressure, your ability to focus on projects, your professional expertise, Your leadership skills, your positive attitude

 

23. Tell me about your dream job?

Answer: Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you are contending for is it, you strain credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with this position if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say something like: A job where I love the work, like the people, can contribute and can't wait to get to work.

 

24. Why do you think you would do well at this job?

Answer: Give several reasons and include skills, experience and interest.

 

25. What are you looking for in a job?

Answer: See answer number 23.

 

26. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?

Answer: Do not be trivial. It would take disloyalty to the organization, violence or lawbreaking to get you to object. Minor objections will label you as a whiner.

 

27. What is more important to you: the money or the work?

Answer: Money is always important, but the work is the most important. There is no better answer.

 

28. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?

Answer: There are numerous good possibilities: Loyalty, Energy, Positive attitude, Leadership, Team player, Expertise, Initiative, Patience, Hard work, Creativity, Problem solver

 

29. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor?

Answer: Biggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. If you fall for it and tell about a problem with a former boss, you may well below the interview right there. Stay positive and develop a poor memory about any trouble with a supervisor.

 

30. What has disappointed you about a job?

Answer: Don't get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include: Not enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction Company did not win a contract, which would have given you more responsibility.

 

31. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.

Answer: You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relates to the type of position applied for.

 

32. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?

Answer: Probably this one. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more than this one.

 

33. What motivates you to do your best on the job?

Answer: This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are: Challenge, Achievement, Recognition

 

34. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights / Weekends?

Answer: This is up to you. Be totally honest.

 

35. How would you know you were successful on this job?

Answer: Several ways are good measures: You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a success. Your boss tells you that you are successful.

 

36. Would you be willing to relocate if required?

Answer: You should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if you think there is a chance it may come up. Do not say yes just to get the job if the real answer is no. This can create a lot of problems later on in your career. Be honest at this point and save yourself future grief.

 

37. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?

Answer: This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about the deep ethical and philosophical implications. Just say yes.

 

38. Describe your management style?

Answer: Try to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like progressive, salesman or consensus, can have several meanings or descriptions depending on which management expert you listen to. The situational style is safe, because it says you will manage according to the situation, instead of one size fits all.

 

39. What have you learned from mistakes on the job?

Answer: Here you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. Make it small, well-intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. An example would be working too far ahead of colleagues on a project and thus throwing coordination off.

 

40. Do you have any blind spots?

Answer: Trick question. If you know about blind spots, they are no longer blind spots. Do not reveal any personal areas of concern here. Let them do their own discovery on your bad points. Do not hand it to them.

 

41. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?

Answer: Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have.

42. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?

Answer: Regardless of your qualifications, state that you are very well qualified for the position.

 

43. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience?

Answer: First, if you have experience that the interviewer does not know about, bring that up: Then, point out (if true) that you are a hard-working, quick learner.

 

44. What qualities do you look for in a boss?

Answer: Be generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable, a sense of humor, fair, loyal to subordinates and holder of high standards. All bosses think they have these traits.

 

45. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute?

Answer: Between others. Pick a specific incident. Concentrate on your problem-solving technique and not the dispute you settled.

 

46. What position do you prefer on a team working on a project?

Answer: Be honest. If you are comfortable in different roles, point that out.

 

47. Describe your work ethic?

Answer: Emphasize benefits to the organization. Things like, determination to get the job done and work hard but enjoy your work are good.

 

48. What has been your biggest professional disappointment?

Answer: Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance and no negative feelings.

 

49. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.

Answer: Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the organization.

50. Do you have any questions for me?

Answer: Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to the organization are good. How soon will I be able to be productive and What type of projects will I be able to assist on? are examples

And, finally, Best of Luck! Hope you will be successful in the interview you are going to face in the coming days.

 

"Never take some one for granted, hold every person close to your heart, because you might wake up one day & realize that you have lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones."

 

Remember this always in life!

Image Source: @Freepik

Dr Kalam on Success & Entrepreneurship

'A clear aim, knowledge, hard work and perseverance spells success'

A vibrant octogenarian -- that's what describes Dr Kalam best. For a man of 80 summers, Dr Kalam is extraordinarily full of life even at 8.15 pm when we sat down for a freewheeling chat, nay an experience. We ask him about his famous 'thinking hut' at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

"It is a great place," he says. "Two books came out of there. Here, I don't have sufficient area -- but everywhere I capture thoughts." His infectious enthusiasm overpowers us all as we hear him talk about how to live a life to its fullest possible potential. Here are the excerpts of his interaction with Team Careers360.

Q. Sir, you always say that we must dream big & follow our dreams. What makes one follow one's own dreams?Parents, access or commitment?

A. Dreams are finally nothing but goals or mission in life. In my case I had great teachers in various phases of life. And also my parents, my father & mother were very useful teachers to me throughout their lives. I was the only fellow in the family studying, & their commitment to me was absolute. The spiritual environment at home shaped me. You should convert your goals & mission to success in spite of problems. That is my lifelong commitment.

Q. Sir, what is more important, the ability to handle failure or the ability to respond to failures?

A. Of course, I have myself gone through many successes & a few failures. And I have also met a number of successful people throughout the world wherever I have gone, & when I discuss with them, they reveal how many problems they have encountered, what kind of failures they have had. So, I have come to the conclusion that great success has some element of failure also. I still remember Prof. Satish Dhawan, he gave me a project in 1973, were you born then?

'...if you don't do any work, you don't experience any problem'

Q. I was born in '73.

A. (A burst of laughter) He gave me the SLV Project in 1973, & named me the Project Director. I found that there were a lot of senior people above me, you know, experienced people, they should support me & there were a number of youngsters with high technical knowledge. So, I had to bring them all together to succeed. At that time I was in my thirties, 39 or 40. So, I was frightened, whether I can do it. It's a great job, how can I do it for the first time, how to build a rocket, to make a satellite, & it's a big vision and how can I do it?

Q. And the nation's expectations were on you?

A. A lot of expectation. So then Prof. Satish Dhawan, the chairman saw my hesitation. He called me and gave me some advice, famous advice. He said, "Kalam, if you don't do any work, you don't experience any problem." Even in media, if you don't report there is no problem. If you report, problem starts. (He laughs heartily at this). So, Prof. Dhawan said major programmes are always coupled with major problems. But don't allow problems to become your captain, you should become the captain of the problem. Defeat the problem & succeed. This advice he gave me in 1973, even now it's true. It is true for politicians, educationists, media people, it's true in every area. So, the message I'm giving is we should take control of the problems, okay?

Q. Sir, why do we find 2/3 of India's engineering graduates unemployable? What do you think is the underlying problem?

A. During my recent visit to Canada I visited a University called Waterloo. For an engineering degree students are taught in the classroom for one year, the next year they go to the industry. So two out of four years they spend in the industry. And in the industry they learn to work within the system, it may be the software system or the hardware system, machine system, electronic system, or chemical system. But they learn to apply what they studied at the university. So when they graduate there is good demand for them. They can hit the ground running.

'It taught me the value of planning, of teamwork, of time'

Q. So, it is lack of integration between real-life work & academia that is the problem?

A. I want to share with you my own experience. In 1957 I studied aeronautical engineering in Madras Institute of Technology. It was a difficult discipline to get into & we were only 9 students. Now, Prof. Srinivasan gave us a six months project in our final year. The project was to design low-level (low altitude, he clarifies) attack fighter aircraft. So, having studied, aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, control, etc., here we have to put them together into a workable aircraft system design. I was the Project Leader for that. I was the ninth, so eight other people are there, someone would give propulsion, some other aerodynamics etc. So, after four-and-a-half-months of study, I was there in my laboratory. The teacher, my guide comes. At that time we did not have computers, I was using the design board for drawing the design of the aircraft & my friends were all around me. So, he comes and sees and says, "I'm completely disappointed with your work; I am going to stop your scholarship if you don't complete the design in two weeks time." (Dr Kalam laughs.) It was a very costly education, if my scholarship stopped, I had to return home. I talked all kinds of things, gave him excuses, told him we had worked so hard, all of us are suffering etc. But to no avail. And so, finally all of us joined together day & night, Saturdays, Sundays; we didn't even go to our hostels. And we designed the fighter aircraft. On a Sunday evening Prof. Srinivasan came, exactly one day before the deadline. He saw the design, he was very happy. Then, he gave us Madras coffee in his house. (Dr. Kalam laughs again as he remembers).

It taught me the value of planning, of teamwork, of time. But what we learned most out of that is that in the education system, while we study mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering etc. we should also have a clear understanding of how it all fits into a larger system, a productive system. So students must also be taught system design, system integration, system management, since that is what the industry wants. Our educational system should promote that.

Q. Why, sir, is entrepreneurship and skill development very important to you?

A. We add seven million people every year at 10+2 level & three million graduates every year. So, we inject ten million people into the society every year as employment seekers. This is because entrepreneurship is not taught, either in the secondary school education or in higher education or university education. Entrepreneurship is not part of the curriculum, neither is acquisition of usable skills. That's why I'm saying if 30 per cent people have to procure their skills, that training should be started during the period of education itself.

Q. Sir, what would be three qualities which you think one requires for success in life?

A. I will say four qualities, okay. Number 1, a clear aim in life, without it you will be going in all directions. Second, you should acquire the knowledge. You acquire knowledge in multiple ways. Great books should be your friend, great teachers should be a friend, & even home environment & parents can help you gain knowledge. The third aspect is hard work with devotion. I am saying since your work is towards your mission, it should be permeated with the devotion to that mission you have in mind. And the fourth one is perseverance. Persevere continuously. You do these four things & you can become anything. All these four things you have, work for it, you will achieve anything.

'Report the success story of a fisherman, an agrofood processor, a farmer, a craftsman'

Q. Sir, would you then say, that it finally boils down to focusing on one mission in life?

A. No, it is finally that the goal should be in front of you. That is my experience. We are always tempted to do many things simultaneously. But if you start doing one thing, have one goal & put all your efforts into that, then definitely you will succeed. Of course, you have to win! A problem always appears here & there but you have to face the problem & defeat the problem.

Q. Sir, how do we, at Careers360 add better value for our readers?

A. You should not become just like any other magazine. You see 700 million people are living in the rural area, you are reporting about 300 million people. So you should report the success story of a fisherman, an agrofood processor, a farmer, a craftsman. The message is become the magazine of a billion people population.

Q Sir, one last word to our readers.

A. They must think in a big way. I remember 2000 years back, there is a famous saying in Thirukural by Saint Poet Thiruvalluvar -- Vellathanaythu Malar Neetam Mandartham Ullathanaytu Uyarvu. It means that, just like the height of the water in a pond determines the height to which a lily would grow, it is the heights of thoughts that determines the heights to which you could aspire for. So as human beings they should have great thoughts, great aims, & when thoughts become transformed into actions performed with perseverance & devotion, success has to follow. Thank you very much sir.