THE KEY IS COMMUNICATION

Work Tools For You
By Mary Rose L. Gob 

Every time I make an analysis on the root causes of issues in our office, I end up bumping into the same solution or lack of it – communication. Let me cite this one issue I encountered in my work.  One manager drilled down on his subordinate for not being able to secure the reimbursement from the SSS because of lacking in some documents.  The field employee who availed the maternity benefit went on indefinite leave and thus, our employee found it hard to secure the medical history being requested by the agency.  When the manager took the initiative to contact SSS, he learned that the agency doesn’t necessarily need the medical history but a copy of the birth certificate that is duly issued by the National Statistic Office.  The later would show the history of how many births the mother has gone through and that would tell SSS if the employee is indeed entitled to maternity benefit.  In the end, our company was able to reimburse for our field employee’s maternity benefit.  It took the internal process two months before she was able to identify what seems to be the problem in her filing with SSS.  But it only took the manager a few minutes in making that call to the branch manager of SSS to determine what other options the company has to make the reimbursement valid.

Looking at our cited example, you would see that communication is important for you to get by in your work.  In all aspect of the service sector, one tool for work effectiveness is communication.  Without it, you will find difficulty getting by in delivering your task.  Without communication, it can result to wasted time, wasted effort and so much stress.

So how can we practice communication?  What is effective communication?  Here are some tips given by The Inside Coach, which I wish to share with you.

In communicating with managers and co-workers always maintain a cool temperature.  Remaining civil despite stressful situation would help open the communication lines. Stay aware of how you are communicating.

• Listen for content instead of delivery. We never really know the pressures people are facing in their lives that could be underlying their tone or delivery.
• Don't react to their reactions. Take a moment to truly assess the situation to find out what would be an appropriate response.
• Keep your cool. Speaking in a clear and calm voice that mirrors back the person's sense of urgency can often brings a calming influence to an over-reaction.

Note:  by Dawn Kohler of the Inside Coach

With the above tips, I hope we were able to provide you another tool to help you succeed in the work place.  Keep in mind that diplomacy and proper communication protocols can easily be learned if you keep an open mind.  Listen with your heart and with your mind.

If you feel that this blog is helpful, feel free to share it with your friends.  Have a great day!

How to be successful in your chosen career?

Tips on Starting Up Your Career

 

In the Philippines, when a child finished his or her high school studies, they decide the course to take by referring to what is popular to their peers or what course their families or their parents asked them to take. It is seldom done that the interest of the child is being considered.

There are now career counseling programs offered by some private schools. However, for those belonging to average earning families or on the poverty line, they realize what career they take right after they secured their job and start earning. Others has already finished a specific course, for instance computer engineering, but when they started looking for a job or are already working, they realized that they are not happy with the job they have secured because it is not actually their own interest.

As a result, they shifted courses if they are studying in college, while others shifted career but find less success securing a job that they love. Thus, they have to get a second course, which is very costly. In the end, it took longer time to start with a career and be successful on it. Also, not to count the effort invested by the individual just to finish the course. One would then compensate the loss by reasoning that "it is better to be late than never at all."

Now, if you are reading this article, then you can help others by sharing what you've learned from it. This time, you can tell friends and members of your family how to help them develop their careers.

Early in the child's life, one would notice the interest of a child. It may be in singing, playing instruments, playing with construction toys; the kind of toys they play indicates what they would want to be like playing doctors or engineers. When they go through their studies, they get introduction to the different type of careers. You as parents or as adults may also help expose them in the different kind of jobs or work experiences through movies or TV programs that they watch. For example, showing them ER, Glee or even high school musicals would provide them idea of the different profession they can consider. Ask them as well what they want to be whenever there's a chance for you to talk with them. It also helps to provide them reading materials on specific programs or even handouts offered by universities. Do not enroll them immediately on specific courses. They can enroll on two (2) year programs or applied courses. This way, when they shifted courses, some of their units or subjects can still be credited to their new course.

Teach focus to children as early as possible. Shifting from one job to another may provide multitasking skills but takes time to develop specialization. Having focus on developing your career would mean plotting your life plans.  To site an example, when I was still studying college, I encountered a very young vice president of a Telecom Company.  He gave a talk on Career.  I said to myself, one day I will see myself speaking in front of a large crowd the same way that he do.  I plotted my career plan; first step is to finish my study, then secure a job related to my finished course, which is Industrial Psychology, then from recruitment, I worked my way up to a recruitment specialist position, got exposed on different areas of expertise covered by Human Resource, become a supervisor, take a step to officer position and then become a manager.  Now, I am thinking that if I reach retirement age, I will not totally retire but instead I wish to teach in a university where I can share my expertise to students and guide them as well.  To prepare myself for the teaching profession, I need to get some extra units in masteral studies then get a part-time job as an instructor.

Career planning does not stop by securing a job.  It is a continuous process that would last to as long as you wish it to be.  Reaching 65 years of age does not mean you would stop working.  Think that like the learning process, career development is also a continuous process.

How to Pass A Job Interview?

The Key To Successful Job Interview is Coming Prepared

You applied for a specific job and you've sent your resume to the company that you would want to work for.  You were confident that you can land this job.  But then, during the initial interview, the interviewer informed you that they will just give you a call.  You wondered why you did not proceed to the next step of the recruitment procedure.

There could be several reasons and you could have gained an insight to where you are lacking by having the confidence to ask the interviewer about where you could improve during the interview process.  Usually, interviewers are HR practitioners and they are usually willing to help applicants by sharing information that could improve the applicants’ chance of getting a job.

The key to successfully landing a job lies in the preparation you've made.  When you sent that resume, you've assessed already that you are fit for the position you are applying for, skills-wised.  However, your confidence in answering the questions also counts for the interviewer to consider you for the next step.  So what are that things that you need to prepare when you are scheduled for an interview: 

Personality - The way you carry yourself, your confidence should be enough for the post that you are applying for.  If you are applying for a marketing position, you should exude confidence and sell yourself with sincere reply to questions and do not be too shy in answering questions.  Be clear with your answers and expound on points.  The interviewer wants to learn more about you, your strengths, weakness, potentials and what you can offer to the company.  If you just answer yes or no, or if you are too critical with the answers that you give, the impression left to the interviewer is that you are too privy and not honest enough.  Others may think that you have poor communication skills.  Also, check the way you wear your dress, is it well ironed and not too loud; the way you sit and the gestures you have during the interview.  Relax and think that during the interview, you are talking to a potential friend.  Be candid with your answers and be careful not to offend the interviewer.

How well you know yourself? - There are some situational types of questions.  Cite examples from your past experiences in providing the answers. Do not give theoretical answers and do not assume.  Also, remember that your weaknesses are not really weaknesses that would never change. When you are asked what your weaknesses are, provide an answer that would tell them that your weaknesses are actually areas for improvement and that you acknowledge it and intend to improve it. 

Proof and Credibility - When you sent your resume, the contents of it are actually declaration of what you can do.  Now, what you need to bring are proof documents or hard copy of what you declared in your resume.  Bring a copy of your training certificates, diploma, and transcript of records and even NBI or police clearance.  The last two (2) documents are actually pre-employment requirements.  Seeing that you have it would only tell the interviewer that you are keen on securing the job and that you are a trustworthy person.

Be prepared with your questions - The interviewer usually ends his or her questioning by asking if you have any question.  The best questions would be those related to the company or the job you are applying for.  Of course you need to make a research about the company.  But what you can ask from them is their expectation for the kind of worker they need for specific positions.  Do not immediately ask about the compensations and benefits package.  Wait until you reach the job offer.  Because asking about it would only show that you don't really care about securing a career and that you are more concerned with what you can get from them.  Get inside the organization first then prove that they've made the right choice.  The proper time to ask for an increase is when you've provided an exemplary performance and output.

These are just few tips on how to start your career right.  I hope it also provided useful insights in the interview process.