Zigsaw Blog

Author: Saumya Khatri

  • How to Become Teacher in India?

    A teacher is an essential part of the economy; the service a teacher renders cannot be replaced by any other alternative. A teacher is practically grooming the workforce of tomorrow. Therefore it is very important for people who are aspiring to be teachers to be dedicated to this profession. It is also important for the teachers to identify what is their specific area of interest and what working conditions are the most compatible with. The teaching profession is very much divided and is not at all simple as it sounds. Therefore, it becomes really important for aspirants to familiarize themselves with the nuances. 

    First of all, the teachers are divided into the age group they are qualified to teach. There are professional and vocational courses available for teachers which determines their qualification to teach different age groups. For example, if you have a knack with toddlers and want to teach with children aged 3-5 you have to take up a course called NTT( Nursery Teacher Training), and if you’re going to teach children from elementary school, you need to take up a course called PTT (Primary Teacher Training). Apart from this, you need to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree, which mainly depends upon the requirement of the schools or organizations you want to work with. This article mainly elaborates upon how you can enter the teaching sector and work at different levels. 

    How to Become Teacher in India?

    As mentioned earlier, there are vocational as well as academic qualifications required to become a teacher. If you attained a bachelor’s or master’s in any subject, it would be better for you to take up a diploma course instead of doing B.El.Ed, which is a four year program. You can also take up examinations of central or state government examination after graduation or post graduation degree and go through the teaching training they provide. Since there are many courses and ways through which you can become a teacher in India, this article mainly tells you how to go about it through a course specific lens.

    1. Through B.Ed And M.Ed

    B.Ed and M.Ed, Bachelors of Education and Master’s of Education, are two integrated programs recognized by the Ministry Of Human Resource and Development, Government of India. Pursuing these two courses will make an individual gain a Bachelor’s and Master’s equivalent of teaching. They are two years long each if pursued separately, but the integrated course can be completed in 3 years, saving yourself time and labor. This course, however, can be pursued only by those who hold a PG degree in Science/Social Science/Humanities/Other relevant disciplines from a recognized University/Institute. Different institutes follow different criteria, but mainly they admit based on merit.  

    After completing this course, the candidate can sit for CTET (Central Teaching Eligibility Test) or its State equivalent and apply for teaching jobs at central or state government schools.

    2. Through NTT and PTT

    NTT (Nursery Teachers Training) and PTT (Primary Teachers Training) are also vocational courses available for you if you are aspiring to be a nursery or primary teachers. This courses done with bachelor’s or master’s in any subject can land you a teaching job easily. 

    Apart from appearing for CTET or its state equivalent you can also apply for teaching positions in private schools and institutions. But these jobs prefer previous experiences which eventually means you will have to work as a temporary teacher or at ad-hoc basis for a while before getting a full-fledged private school teaching job. 

    Qualities Schools Looking Out for While Hiring Teachers

    1. Compassion

    While dealing with toddlers, children and young adults, it’s very important to have compassion and empathy in your manoeuvre since it can hard to deal with them otherwise. Moreover, strict behavior to a tendency to get physical in a compulsive manner is entirely avoided since it creates a bad impression on the students and is prohibited in schools.

    2. Patience

    Patience goes hand in hand with compassion. Patience to listen to the students and dealing with mischiefs and mistakes with patience is the simplest and best way to get along with children without harming their mental space, and therefore it is a quality which is demanded by most of the educational institutions in their teaching staff.

    3. Innovative Ideas for Teaching

    Innovation and creativity are required in almost every job, but it is very much crucial in the teaching sector since monotony and rigidity in the curriculum can make children repulsive to education. To teach and make the children understand the concepts in an innovative or creative manner which can grab the attention of the children is essential in the personality of the teacher so that the children are always willing to learn.

    4. Thorough Knowledge of the Curriculum

    Although curriculums vary from school to school, it is important to make the interviewer believe that you are thorough with the knowledge provided to the children you are about to teach.

    There are many more things that need to be taken care of, but teaching is a dynamic profession, it is subjective and changes with time. Therefore it is very important to experience, and ten learn from it.

  • Difference between Salary and Remuneration

    While working in a professional space, we are rewarded for the services we render to individuals, organizations, or corporations. There are many ways to reward an employee’s contribution. Salary and remuneration are two such ways through which employees can be rewarded. Although there remains a thick line of difference between salary and remuneration, it can sometimes pose itself as a confusing question. This article is going to tell you what is the difference between salary and remuneration.

    To understand the difference, we need first to understand their basic definitions.

    What is Salary?

    Salary is an agreed upon money, signed by both the employer and employee, which the employee is supposed to receive at the agreed upon intervals, i.e., weekly, monthly, etc. Salaries are also sometimes referred to as wages. These can also be received at the termination of the working tenure if the job type is temporary or ad-hoc.

    Salary is determined by the employer; usually, organizations and employers follow a uniform pattern of salary in which workers are paid according to their position, job responsibilities, and seniority in the organization. These salaries or wages are based on the minimum wages set up by the authorities for different services and sectors. If the salaries are below the minimum wage set up by the government, then the employee can file a complaint against the employer as it is considered a violation of his right. For more information, you should learn about the minimum wage range set up by the central or state authorities for your particular organization and the sector it belongs to.

    What is Remuneration?

    Remuneration is the entire payment that the employee receives instead of his services by the corporation or the organization. It includes the salary and all the privileges that the employee enjoys while being a part of the organization. It is also an agreed upon package wherein the employee and the employer are the signatories.

    Difference between Salary and Remuneration

    Difference between Salary and Remuneration

    Salary Remuneration
    It refers to the exact sum of money, payment in cash or cheque, or money transfer that you receive in lieu of the work that you have rendered to the organization. It refers to all the components of the compensation package that the employee receives in lieu of his services rendered to the organization.
    Salary is a part of remuneration. Remuneration refers to salary as well as all the privileges provided to the employee by the organization.
    Salary is fixed and agreed upon by the employee as well as the employer. In most cases, remuneration is not fixed, the nature of remuneration can be agreed upon previously, but the amount of remuneration can vary. For example, remuneration can vary depending upon commission earned by employees in some cases.
    Salary is provided to employees at all the echelons of the organization. In most of the organization, remuneration is enjoyed by employees at higher echelons of the organization.

    That’s all you need to know about the two terms and the difference that lies between them. Be aware of your wages, salaries and remuneration offered, and you will be good to go!

  • Difference between Questionnaire and Schedule

    We live in a time where data has become an asset; it’s equal to gold. Data collected both virtual or offline, stored in hard discs and iCloud, or in huge office files, have become important to organizations and authorities. The collection of data is very much important to the functioning of organizations, corporates, non-profits, and governmental authorities too. It helps them understand their audience, their customer base, their demands and needs, and level of satisfaction that they enjoy, and how you can make your product better.

    It is impossible to name a business working for a larger good, profit, or smooth governance that cannot better their out with data collection. The mode and quality of data define how they can utilize data as an asset and benefit from its analysis. Out of all the ways of collecting data, offline or online, two methods are extremely popular, which are questionnaire and schedule. Often these two might appear similar, but there is an ample amount of difference lies between them, which determines how the data needs to be analyzed or evaluated. It becomes extremely important, therefore, to know the meaning of the two terms and the distinction between them.

    What is a Questionnaire?

    A questionnaire is a research or data collection instrument used to collect primary first-hand data. The data collected from the respondents are then used to solve many problems or understand the challenges better. Questionnaires are actively used by corporate to understand the needs and behavior of their customer base.

    They are an ideal tool to understand the challenges or any specific issue that you face. It can help in collecting qualitative and quantitative data both and, therefore, a versatile option. Questionnaires are further divided into many categories and can be picked up according to the user’s need. Some of the types of questionnaires are exploratory and formal standardized questionnaires dealing with qualitative and quantitative data. They can be open-ended or multiple choice depending upon the need.

    What is a Schedule?

    The schedule is another research or data collection instrument which is filled alongside an interview. It comprises questions, statements and tables, and blank spaces which are to be filled by respondents. It is one of the most effective methods to collect data with utmost accuracy and without bias.

    Difference between Questionnaire and Schedule

    Difference between Questionnaire and Schedule

    Questionnaire Schedule
    Questionnaires do not involve person to person interview. Schedules are accompanied by person to person interviews.
    Questionnaires mainly involve questions. Schedules involves statements, blanks, questions, etc.
     Questionnaires do not involve participation of the collector. Schedules involve active participation of the interviewer.
    Needs to be filled by respondents. Can be filled by enumerators or respondents anyone.
    Response rate remains low. Response rate is high.
     Overall cost is all. The overall cost is expensive.
    Can’t be done when respondents are illiterate. Can be done when respondents are literate.

    That’s all you need to know about questionnaires and schedules. It is imperative to keep your needs in mind to decide what data collection method to opt for. I hope you found this article helpful!

  • How to Write Career Objective for Resume for Fresher with Samples

    There is no doubt that resumes are utterly crucial in seeking a job in any sphere. It hardly matters how have you got to know about the position and what are your experience until to push a glittering resume on the table of the interviewers. Your aim, your academic qualifications, your co-curricular activities, your hobbies, your past professional experiences and your details filled neatly and according to a professional resume standard.

    The importance of resume can be gauged from the fact that there are careers devoted to this craft of resume making. Some people have dedicated professional time to this craft and charge a handsome sum of money to do so. But you alone can make a good resume for your interviewer to get you the brownie points reserved for well-oriented resume if you follow simple unsaid rules of resume making,

    These rules are easy to remember but needs a great deal of attention to ace the deal. The format needs to agree with professional standards, your personal information present in the topmost section, followed by your career objective, your academic qualifications and professional qualifications. It is not a challenging task to follow; just a few careful things to keep in mind to write an effective resume.

    Also Read: 10 Best Free Resume Making Websites

    You need to be wise with your words. Nobody wants a 6 page long wordy document while assessing a candidate whether he is fit for a job or not. You need to be picky and smart with words. Mention relevant things and try to sum up in the least amount of words possible without sounding unprofessional. Mention something that is relevant. You don’t need to list each and every qualification and achievement while making a resume. To cut the unnecessary clutter, you can do a simple exercise. Take out a notepad, mention everything that you have done, which includes professional and academic qualifications, hobbies and extracurricular activities in no particular order. Cut out the irrelevant points and then organize them into serial order. 

    The task of building a good resume is incomplete without talking about the first section, i.e. the career objectives. Since it is the first line that the interviewer reads, it needs to be well thought of. It is also the line that is going to be similar in most of the applications since all of the candidates are applying for the said post. Your choice of words can make a difference here, therefore, which makes the career objective an important section deserving a considerable amount of time. 

    How to Write Career Objective for Resume for Fresher with Samples

    What Exactly is Career Objective in a Resume?

    In a resume format agreeing to the professional standards, the first section after your personal details needs to be devoted to your ‘career objective’ i.e. the position you are applying for vis-à-vis your long term career goals. It is hardly two sentences long and therefore needs to be carefully written.

    Things to Keep in Mind While Writing Career Objectives

    1. Make it crisp and informative: The two lines can determine whether the interviewer perceives your application. It is therefore very important to mention things that are relevant to your job application in as presentable way as possible.
    2. Always relate it to the position you are applying for: This cannot be emphasized enough. Always relate your current job aspiration to your long term career objective to prove that you are devoted to this job religiously. Anything stated otherwise can be detrimental to your probability of getting selected.
    3. Be wise about words, grammar and spellings: The first thing that the potential employer sees should not be full of grammatical errors or spelling mistakes; therefore, be wise while drafting your career objective.

    Sample Career Objectives For Resume

    1. To secure a managing position in a reputable organization to expand my experience, knowledge and skills.

    2. I am a highly passionate recent engineering graduate seeking a full-time position in product management where I can lend my knowledge of software development to help your organization improve profitability and reach out to as many consumers as possible.

    3. Strong problem analyser and out of the box solution seeker aspiring for an administrative position to enhance skill set and processes in a corporate setting.

    4. Experienced sales manager in a successful and established business seeks a challenging management position to apply sales management, problem-solving and comprehensive planning to oversee a team of professionals in a thriving sales driven industry.

    5. Goal driven individual seeking a leadership role preferably team head with a thriving, growing fintech start up to apply management, leadership and communication skills when overseeing a team of professionals and working toward a common goal to enhance productivity.

    6. Psychology graduate with proven communication, operations-planning, and email management skills. I am seeking a position as an HR assistant at ZYLMA Inc., to leverage organizational, research and communication skills to support internal and external communication.

    7. Pre-school education teacher looking for a position at a global school affiliated with IB, where I can apply my seven years of teaching experience and communication skills with kids.

    8. To apply my six years of face to face communication with clients experience, public speaking skills, and expertise in the finance and sales industry into a Human Resource role with Tesla and Sons Corporations.

    9. Passionately career driven and hard-working business management graduate with proven communication, leadership and organizational skills seeking to apply my abilities to the position of manager of the North Delhi branches of Offices at Batra Finances.

    10. To learn more about the healthcare industry and gain first-hand experience about the responsibilities and requirements of healthcare startup as Project Manager. A fresh graduate from management studies, I have proven my communication and managerial roles. I aspire to gain the first-hand experience of managing teams and co-ordinating with different departments to deliver the best product user experience.

    Don’t forget to adjust your experiences, preferences and long term career goals according to your own need and you all set to grab some brownie points with your resume.

  • 8 Best Farewell Quotes for Boss – Thank You Quotes for Boss

    The kind of relationship that you share with different people at different positions in the work environment is crucial for you as an employee. It not only keeps you on good terms with everybody but also keeps your working surrounding positive. One cannot bloom professionally if the relationships at work are sour or bitter. To be welcoming, positive, and vocal about how you feel and cherish the bond that you share with people is, therefore, very much important. 

    One of the most important people with whom it is essential to have a good bond is your boss. You may be supervised by more than a boss, and it is crucial to share a good professional bond with those. Maintaining good bonds, however, need to be considered for personal and professional boundaries. There are many ways to embrace professional relationships, such as celebrating each other’s successes, being there for each other’s failures, and sharing warm smiles and hand-shakes.

    When you share a perfect bond with someone, you are not only creating a positive space for two people but the entire environment. Your strong bond with one person also somehow determines how people perceive you. To embrace somebody’s important juncture such as promotion, farewell, or retirement is thus very important. This article is written for you to showcase how strong and positive a bond you share with one of the very important people in your professional life, your boss, on his farewell.

    Best Farewell Quotes for Boss

    1. We all have gathered here to celebrate our boss, Mr. ……..’s going away or rather his journey with our organization. I remember joining his team as a young lad, full of questions, and passion. Often I used to doubt whether I have taken the right decision or not, but there was one person who immensely trusted me and my talents as he did his entire team. You might not be with us after today, but whatever you have given to the organization will stay. Whatever you have made your co-workers and juniors learn through dedication, trust, and compassion will remain with all of us forever. Thank you for your amazing and enriching service to our organization ………….. .

    2. Putting my feelings into words for our beloved Mr…………..’s farewell was no easy task. AS much as I am happy for him that he is going to take a step further in what we call ‘employee life cycle’, it pains me that we no longer can be work associates. I can no longer pop into his office with a random doubt, and he can no longer give me probable solutions for it. There is no other way I could have learned so much personally, this organization would have gained so much professionally, and there is no way I can, or we can think of right now of thanking him, except for wishing well of his health and prosperity in the coming years.

    3. I tried to list everything that Mr ………… has contributed to this organization, mind my words, ‘tried’ and found the task excruciatingly daunting because he has done so much in such a small tenure that none of us can possibly think. I am making this speech on behalf of the entire team, but I am seriously running short of words. There was still so much to learn and assimilate from Mr…………… . But, nonetheless we feel happy that he is going to embark on a journey so much closer to his heart if not with us. To his success and prosperity in his new job and new role, three cheers.

    4. It is a kind of mixed feeling seeing Mr. ………… retiring. It is nearly impossible to imagine walking into the office early in the morning and not seeing old Mr……….. Already sitting at his desk at work, passing on a warm smile. It is impossible to imagine a birthday, an anniversary, a success being celebration inside this office ending without Mr. ………….. hilariously witty yet enriching speech. I don’t know how we will proceed, but as the saying goes, ‘The show must go on’. The show must go on with Mr ……… retired from his job, relaxing in his house with his family and us working towards taking this place to newer heights than what Mr. …….. is leaving us at. All the love and gratitude in my heart, I wish Mr………… a happy retirement.

    5. If there is anyone who has dedicated his entire life to make what our organization is today, it is none other than Ms. ………….. . I have seen her work the hardest, go through the toughest and yet be the kindest of all. I fondly remember her teaching many lessons to this branch and especially our team. Bidding her farewell with the kindest regards, Thank you. 

    6. I cannot think of anyone as dedicated, as passionate, and as enthusiastic about learning and contributing as much as Ms. …………. . She has been with our organization since the beginning and has been the very reason we can reach many milestones. It is sad for us that we can no longer cherish her presence but indeed joyous for her as she is stepping a step ahead with a new role that was much desired and deserved by her. Wishing her all the very best for the coming years! Thank You.

    7. If there is a single feeling that I would like to associate with Ms………… is its admiration. I have admired her ability to do everything and excel in them. I have admired her ability to take up, try out new things, and continue them with passion and grace. I have admired her compassion, kindness, and empathy, I hope after years of working under her, I have assimilated a few of these qualities into myself. After many relentless years of struggle and success, she deserves a happy and quaint retirement. Thank you for everything you have done!

    8. Keeping it short and happy, just the way Ms. …….. like I would like to wish her adieu and all the very best for the career and life she wishes to lead ahead of this. Achieving so much at a young comes with a lot of learnings and experience, and personal input. I hope she carries forwards her very much passionate self into the roles she is aspiring to in the near future and nourishes young minds like me with all her good qualities. Thank you!

    Don’t forget to modify these statements according to your peculiarities and circumstances, and you are good to bid farewell to your beloved boss!

  • Top 10 HR Magazines in India 2024

    Human Resource, like any other professional field, is an ever changing concept. There are trends, news and innovations happening every day and people associated with an organization, especially people working closely with Human Resource Department need to keep up with these updates so that the organization doesn’t miss out on effective and efficient innovations.

    One of the easiest ways to keep up with the newest trends is through magazines. Specifically, curated information and innovation is in a magazine can help your organization keep up with the latest developments in the HR sector. Given below are some of the reputed HR magazines in India, read and discussed by many reputable firms and HR professionals daily.

    Top 10 HR Magazines In India

    1. People Management

    People Management is a UK based magazine ranked number one by many trusted sources in the global HR network. It is the biggest publication on HR worldwide and also the official publication of Chartered Institute of Public Development (CIPD). It is published by Haymarket Media Group. It is trusted by many organizations in India as well as abroad due to its comprehensive knowledge dissemination through its varied content. It can brief you about specific issues, newest trends and familiarize you with known faces of HR world all around the globe through one issue. You can check their website for more details at www.peoplemanagement.co.uk

    2. HRD Connect

    HRD connect is again one of the more respected HR journal trusted by many organizations and professionally associated with Human Resource sphere. It again a UK based publication providing information on nearly all the spheres of Human Resource. HRD connect also provides a digital subscription for individuals and organizations to make it more accessible. One can also look into their podcast by the name HRD Connect Podcast to look into various topics or subscribe to their newsletter for specially curated news delivered into your email. For more information, check out their website www.hrdconnect.com

    3. HR Grapevine

    HR grapevine is a professional network of HR, mainly from Europe. It publishes a magazine by the same name covering the latest news, case studies, trends and innovations which is widely trusted by HR organizations and professionals worldwide. Their digital, as well as newsletter collection, is very much comprehensive in dealing with diverse topics at one go. Although the magazine is specifically talking about the UK, or more so Europe, it is widely read and respected by the global Human Resource network. Check out their website with this link, www.hrgrapevine.com

    4. Recruiter

    Recruiter is another magazine based out of the United Kingdom and mainly deals with the Human Resource culture of Europe but is widely read and respected by many Human Resource professionals. It deals with news articles, opinion pieces, culture and travel and everything related to the human resource field. For the organizations that want to take up a comprehensive discussion on Human Resource, this is the best option available in the market. Their online issue is available at www.recruiter.co.uk/magazine

    5. Employee Benefits

    Employee Benefits can be reached out with the following click on employeebenefits.co.uk/. This magazine is ranked in the top five HR and Business organization magazines that are available in the market about employee well being and human resource development in general.

    6. Personnel Today

    Personnel Today, which goes by the name of PT amongst its followers is again one of the best ranked magazines on employees, human resources and professional work environment in general. From day to day development in terms of factual news to the ways new ideas can be incorporated to make Human Resource more compatible and efficient, this magazine covers it all. The newsletter and digital subscription are also available, which makes it accessible to more people. For further information, check out their website at www.personneltoday.com

    7. Training Journal

    Training Journal known by the name of TD is again one of the widely read journals by human resource network worldwide. Although it deals with recruitment, training, apprenticeship and other similar opportunities for the benefit of job seekers as well as the organizations, it is widely trusted by HR professionals to make their work environment more compatible with the changes that are occurring the workspace. Further information can be accessed at www.trainingjournal.com.

    8. HR Magazine 

    HR magazine is again one of the most trusted reads by the emerging corporate workforce. It deals with the issues of employees as well as the employers and everything that is mildly related to HR. It gives a holistic framework to understand every role and responsibility of Human Resource professionals. You can check out about subscription plans and other information at www.hrmagazine.co.uk.

    9. HR Zone

    HR Zone, contrary to its various counter parts, is an online publication and does not come in print format. However, it deals with the various topic, issues and studies related to employment, management and work environment. Crafted especially for HR professionals, it touches diverse themes and hence is trusted by many across the globe. HR Zone can be accessed at www.hrzone.com.

    10. Changeboard

    Changeboard is a platform maintained by HR specialists and deals with each and every HR related issue in a very comprehensive yet varied way. One can find all sorts of information about every famous professional, event and trend from this magazine. For further information, check out their website at www.changeboard.com.

    These magazines are altogether one stop destination for all the quests and questions that you have regarding HR and everything around it.

  • 5 Stages of Employee Life Cycle

    Like everything else, the employment of a person also has a life cycle. It has its ups and downs and consistencies. There is a time when your career peaks and then follows years of recession, not in the bad terms. But before it lies a few years of constant struggle. You have to give your best to the organization you are working for. Throughout your employment period, the level and nature of your engagement with the organization vary in many ways. This pattern of varied engagement with the organization is understood through a framework called the employee life cycle.

    Right from the start, i.e., the recruitment till the end, i.e., the retirement, the employee life cycle covers all stages. Although the basic framework involves five stages of the life cycle, different organizations and experts can manipulate it a bit and make it six or four depending upon their needs and other peculiarities. This article will expand with the five steps of the employee life cycle and everything you need to know about it.

    Also Read: Recruitment Life Cycle – Different Stages of Recruitment

    What is the Employee Life Cycle?

    The employee life cycle is a pattern of engagement that the employee follows during their employment tenure with an organization. It is a framework carefully utilized by organizations and companies to keep their output optimal. It usually has five stages, tracked from recruitment till retirement covering all the adventure that occurs in between.

    5 Stages of Employee Life Cycle

    1. Recruitment

    Recruitment is the very first step of the employee life cycle, crucial for the employee as well as the employer organization. It holds importance due to the gravity of this step. The employee needs to find a job which is best suitable for him, according to him. His skill- set, expertise, and interest should align with the company. Moreover, the perks and privileges offered instead of the services rendered should seem satisfactory to the candidate. Their entire career depends upon this significant step that they are about to initiate; therefore, it becomes crucial.

    On the other hand, the employer needs a perfect fit for the opening since it will be an investment. The kind of services they receive should be worth the money they are investing in. Moreover, employees can prove to be real assets and sometimes catalysts for developmental change. Therefore, the first step of the employee life cycle becomes essential.

    2. Onboarding

    Onboarding is the very next step that occurs post recruitment. Your baby steps with which you start your professional career is called onboarding. Often, employees witness a humble beginning. The privilege, recognition, and responsibilities are not huge contrary to the learning that takes place. Since it is the new time in the professional workspace, it teaches the newcomer new etiquettes, on-ground realities, and new interpersonal skills required in the workspace and can be taught only through a trial and error method.

    It becomes essential not only for the employee because it lays the stepping stone to further advancement but also for the employer since new employees can harbor recent changes with their passion and innovative solutions.

    3. Career Development

    Although career development in the employee life cycle occurs after onboarding, there not a discernable distinction between them. But career development as a step involves career advancement at a much higher pace. The rewards, responsibilities, and recognition drastically increase as compared to the previous stage.

    When the employee can make their career path a distinguished one by taking the right baits and delivering the best they can. One needs to be very mindful of the amount of time and resources one is ending at this stage. Even the slightest miscalculation can cause a considerable fall out considering the roles and responsibilities associated with one particular employee at this stage. This is the time where an employee becomes a real asset to the organization.

    4. Employee Recognition

    Having delivered their best and optimum output at the employee deserves concerning recognition and respect that comes with consistency. The employee earns rewards according to the reward system adopted by the organization. At this stage, the amount of output contributed to the organization doesn’t matter, but their involvement is respected and deemed necessary in the organization.

    5. Off-boarding

    Off-boarding is the last step in the framework of the employee life cycle. It merely refers to retirement or the process through which the employee breaks off the tie with the organization. It marks the end of employment tenure, and the employee is no longer obliged to render their service(s) instead of salary. However, few organizations may choose to provide a few of the benefits.

    It is an essential step for both parties, i.e., the employee and the employers, just because the investments done by both the parties seem to wane off with time. With recruits, innovation, and technology, new changes are welcomed, and the workspace is changed over time gradually. To keep up with the pace, the off-boarding is required by the employers to be initiated on time with due credit, respect, and recognition.

    The name and number of these steps might be slightly different for different organizations, but their meaning more or less remains the same and their importance too. These steps each depict a particular challenge thrown at the employee and employer throughout the engagement period to keep the organization going and growing. A separate case and trajectory need to be made of different candidates, maintaining their strengths and weaknesses in mind, which can benefit both employers and employees all at once and at its optimum.

    image source: https://www.digitalhrtech.com/employee-life-cycle/

  • 50 Group Discussion Topics for Interview

    Recruitment and the entire process that is built around it is daunting in many ways, not just for the candidate who is seeking a job but also the organizations that need the perfect candidate to join them with their given resources. An organization and people who have bestowed the opportunity to run the interviews and group discussion have to assess many qualities at once and within a limited time frame and resources. It is important to hire the perfect candidate because it will be profitable, a long term investment and surely work according to the company’s interest.

    An ordinary round of selection these days involves group discussions and interviews taken together to check the compatibility and skillsets of the potential candidates. Interviews have always been simpler to execute and manage since they have been longer in the game and also dealing with one individual at a time. Group discussions, on the other hand, remain a complicated and complex process for many. To assess a large number of people at once, to check and assess their knowledge of the concerned field, to check the quality as well as the accuracy of the arguments presented as well as assess persona attributes such as compatibility to work in teams, accommodation to contrary viewpoints and general behavior with fellow peers.

    Here’s is a curated list of tips to ace the group discussion both as a candidate and as an organization with hundred topics to practice with. But first, we need to understand how a group discussion works.

    Also Read: Do’s and Don’ts of Group Discussion

    Procedure for a Smooth Group Discussion and Other Tips for The Organizers

    The group discussion generally begins with all the candidates seated in a hall, often facing each other to make the communication more effective. The hall chosen for the meeting is usually disturbance free so that every word spoken is loud and clear as a crystal.

    The organizers, i.e., the company that is hiring, sends a team of professionals who are there to represent the organizers as well as assess them. They begin the group discussion as soon as everyone is seated. The organizers first need to introduce themselves and ask all the individuals to introduce themselves, too, to ease the assessment for the panel. Once everyone is familiar to everyone, the tension eases, and this familiarity helps candidates be a bit more confident.

    The topics are already chosen by the organization and need to be dealt with one at a time strictly to prevent confusion. The time slots for every topic must be decided beforehand to maintain decorum and prevent the discussion from swaying away from the given discourse. The organizers need to be mindful that all candidates must be provided with fair speaking time, and the discussion should not be dominated by a few voices. If any such thing happens, they need to interrupt and assess the candidate according to their discerned behavior. Assessment can be quite tricky, and therefore, the panel needs to be carefully chosen.

    List of Group Discussion Topics for Interview

    Group Discussion Topics for Interview

    1. Impact of Covid19 Pandemic on the global economy
    2. Impact of COVID19 Pandemic on Indian Economy
    3. How can the Indian Economy Rejuvenate from the pandemic induced recession?
    4. How is the educational sector impacted by the pandemic?
    5. How is the startup sector impacted by the pandemic?
    6. What are the long term impacts of Covid19?
    7. How have digital communications navigated and bolstered communication during the Covid19 Pandemic?
    8. How have the health related startups responded to the pandemic?
    9. What policies should be adopted by authorities in the distribution of the Covid19 vaccine?
    10. What do you think gender equality has been impacted by the Covid19 pandemic?
    11. What the class of 2020 need realizes with regard to the recession, employment, and pandemic?
    12. What do you think the new normal is going to look like in workplaces?
    13. How has work from home impacted productivity?
    14. What were the limitations of work from home strategy?
    15. Do you think work from home can be adopted in the post COVID world to make the professional work environment more inclusive?
    16. What, according to all of you, is rejuvenation after the recession is going to look like?
    17. What, according to you, are the problems that children faced in the COVID induced lockdown?
    18. What were the different ways in which people tried to find sanity?
    19. How did the social sector respond to the pandemic induced crisis?
    20. How will textbooks remember Covid 19 pandemic?
    21. Women at the workplace: how to make it more inclusive
    22. How can diversity and inclusivity needs to be maintained
    23. How do international politics affect cross border trade?
    24. Migration and work-force
    25. How is brain drain affecting the Indian economy?
    26. How is overseas work migration impacting demography?
    27. How can cross border trade strengthen diplomatic relations?
    28. How have internships impacted the job market?
    29. What securities should interns enjoy?
    30. Do internships need to be paid?
    31. What policies do you think Indian Startups should adopt to maintain an all-inclusive workspace?
    32. How can women in leadership roles bolster the gender parity ratio?
    33. What are the areas in which the social and corporate sectors come together?
    34. What is the role of an organization in maintaining the mental well-being of its employees?
    35. How can workplaces be more sensitive towards the mental health of employees?
    36. How can organizations maintain the sense of social responsibility of the employees?
    37. How can businesses capitalize on social media platforms?
    38. How has business engagement changed with social media campaigns?
    39. What steps can organizations need to take to decrease plastic consumption?
    40. How can healthy work environments be created in organizations?
    41. What positive impacts can co-curricular activities at the workplace ensure/
    42. How can workplaces be more sensitive towards animal rights?
    43. What are the boundaries of healthy workplace banter amongst colleagues?
    44. What can be done to ensure a sense of security is enjoyed by minorities in the workplace?
    45. Engagement of businesses with media?
    46. What can be done to ensure proper customer redressed?
    47. How can the entertainment industry and startups collaborate?
    48. Influence of Pubg on society?
    49. How has content creation as an industry emerged with the internet and social media?
    50. Internet censorship: good or bad?

  • Do’s and Don’ts of Group Discussion

    The recruitment process is one of the first and possibly the most intimidating process of bagging a job at any organization belonging to any sector. The process is long and challenging and seems daunting for a newcomer. It is equally elaborate for the organization as well since conducting the entire process is a lengthy task. Finding potential recruits, arranging logistics as well as panels for the interview, making sure the interview is fair and just, conducting group discussions and following back with processed results is no easy job. 

    It takes time, effort and a whole lot of other resources to compile a set of questions which may assess the candidates in an overall manner. Judging the capabilities of these candidates based on half an hour interaction is not an easy task as well. The organization needs to recruit the best promising candidate as much as the candidate needs the job. We can say that it is a mutual negotiation between recruit and recruiter.

    One of the few steps of the entire process of recruitment is called group discussion. Group discussion might sound a simple process, as denoted by the name but it too crucial to be taken lightly. As a candidate applying for a job, the way you present yourself at the Group Discussion amongst all the other peer members can determine whether you will be trusted with the opportunity or not. Therefore, it becomes essential to know the dos and don’ts of a group discussion. But before that, it would help to understand why group discussions are considered essential and on what basis the organization is going to assess your performance.

    Why are Group Discussions Important?

    Group discussions are first and foremost important to judge how you conduct yourself amongst other peers. Your basic skills and knowledge about the specific sphere are already assessed in the interview, which few organizations may conduct while others may conduct after the group discussion. In the group discussion, you have to present yourself, your knowledge of your experience while sitting in between like-minded individuals who might be your future colleagues and competing individuals.

    It is going to depict whether you have the knack of working with peers. Whether you showcase mutual respect, accommodate a various point of view and how do you amicably present your own opinion, especially when it is contradictory.

    It shows your compatibility, accommodating capacity and ability to create a dialogue when confronted with a polarizing point of views. The organization needs a candidate who could portray all of these characteristics and help the organization in growing both in terms of quality and quantity.

    Do’s of Group Discussion

    Do’s and Don’ts of Group Discussion

    1. Introduce yourself before making your first point

    Group discussions are generally a process where you would have to speak time and again. You might need to take stands and present convincing arguments. So, before making your first statement, politely introduce yourself to your group and panelists. It will help the panelists as well as your peers to interact with you or refer to your point quickly. Do give an elaborate introduction, kindly mention your name and background in two sentences without taking much time.

    2. Formulate an opinion in your mind before speaking

    When you venture into speaking about a particular issue without giving it a good thought, it is sure that you might lose track of the argument or even mumble and fumble for words. It is better to give yourself some time to think about it, form an opinion and formulate that opinion in witty words. Remember, the first impression that you create is going to matter.

    3. Allow others to speak

    One of the critical characteristic to show that you are accommodating and readily listening person is by giving other members a chance to speak. It is most important to keep in mind that you don’t interrupt when someone else is speaking. If you don’t understand or agree with something, you need to keep patience and speak up when others have finished speaking.

    4. Be Assertive about your opinion but stay calm

    Group discussions involve a lot of people together speaking on a single subject. The time is also limited, which makes people easily cut other’s point in between which is not a good trait, as said earlier. You need to be assertive but not lose your calm since it might cost you a few good points.

    5. Speak up. Don’t hesitate

    When a group discussion is taking place, extroverts will likely dominate the conversation. In such scenarios, it becomes difficult for introverts to speak up. People who struggle with imposter syndrome or under-confidence might also face difficulties. It is very important, therefore, to pay special attention to the conversation and speak up whenever you feel comfortable. Don’t rush but also don’t let the opportunity pass. Speak less but make your presence felt.

    Don’ts of Group Discussion

    1. Don’t be argumentative

    Since group discussions are generally a place where a lot of diverse opinions come together, there lies a high probability that these might breed arguments and unhealthy interpersonal debate between people. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that the discussion shouldn’t end up as an argument.

    2. Don’t let the discussion see the hegemonised conversation

    Discussions can easily be hegemonised by a handful of people if equal chances to speak are not provided to everyone. This not at all reflects well upon people who are trying to create the hegemony. There remains a healthy way to put forward your opinions in an amicable manner, follow that course.

    3. Refrain from making personal comments

    Personal comments made while arguing in a professional sphere seems highly unprofessional as well as disrespectful. It would look a lot more professional if you could keep personal out of professional and move along the subject-specific discourse to sustain the credibility of the group discussion.

    Dos and don’ts of group discussion don’t stop at mere bullet points, but as long as you are patient, optimistic and respectful, you are good to go and ace the GD!

  • Best Answers for “What Does Teamwork Mean to You” Interview Question

    Answering questions with firm clarity of what you are speaking helps us portray ourselves in a good light. It allows you to show that you have got enough confidence and accountability and the skill set required by the said job. Answering questions don’t have to be immediate and impulsive; you can take your time. Analyze the question, look for the answers they are looking for, take your time to put the answer in coherent thought, and speak.

    The above given advice sounds easy for anybody to ace the interview or group discussion and bags the job they are striving for, but like many other things, it is easier said than done. The questions asked in the interview are relatively simple, but the answer might not come out easily. The questions can be tricky at times, but answers might be fairly simple. It is upon our minds to find out what the interviewer is looking out for. It can be related to the job and position you are seeking, but it can also be entirely detached from the employment. 

    Although numerous questions can be asked in a group discussion, one of the most commonly asked questions is- ‘what does teamwork mean to you?’ Now you remember the drill. Pay attention and follow it. The simplicity of the question might urge you to jump right into blabbering your thoughts. Still, if, by any chance, they sound incoherent, not aligned with the agenda, and not reflective of your personality, your words can do serious harm to the impression you are trying to create. Therefore, follow the steps, analyze the question, look for the kind of answer they are looking for, take your time to put the answer in line of coherent series, and then start mouthing it patiently, realizing the importance of every word you are speaking. 

    We have put together a few potential answers to the question of what team work means to you. You can sincerely follow these answers or make a few amends here and there to align it with your needs. But before jumping on to that bandwagon, let us try to understand what does teamwork means and why do organizations insist to ask this question while recruiting candidates. 

    What Is Teamwork? Why Are Organizations Seeking This Quality?

    Best Answers for What Does Teamwork Mean to You Interview Question

    A simple google search will tell you that teamwork refers to the combined action of a group, especially when effective and efficient. This clever and poignant explanation of the term gives a clear reflection of why does this quality is much sought by organizations. 

    Organizations, as the work itself, denotes that it is a group of people working together in different capacities for a goal. It, therefore, becomes really important to coordinate and manage the tasks in an equally dispersed mechanism. Lack of coordination amongst people who are working to deliver a goal can seriously hamper production and mess with the quality of product the organization is trying to manufacture. Not only this, lack of teamwork creates an unhealthy and negative environment which is not at all conducive to production. 

    What Should Be Included In An Ideal Answer?

    An ideal answer to the question of ‘what does teamwork mean to you?’ should reflect your ability to coordinate with your fellow members through effective communication and inclusion. Mention equal and fair distribution of responsibilities, adequate communication network set up amongst team members, a healthy exchange of ideas and favors in an environment conducive to productivity, and overall positive being. You can put in interesting anecdotes from your prior experiences to make your answer more engaging and aligned with your personality. But make sure you do not elaborate an answer so much so that it becomes boring and stretched. This will only make the interviewer less interested and conclude that you cannot comprehensively produce your thoughts.

    Sample Answers

    Answer 1:

    I would like first to mention the literal meaning of the word itself. Teamwork means when an activity is undertaken by a group of people together with proper co-ordination. Although we cannot vouch for equal distribution of responsibilities under all circumstances since organizational hierarchy might come into operation in a few instances, we can mention the fair distribution of responsibilities. Teamwork builds a healthy environment where good productivity is ensured with the assurance of the mental well-being of the individuals partaking in the production process. 

    Teamwork is essential in any organization that aims to build a healthy work environment where a specific goal is achieved. A healthy trust is to be made amongst people working for the organization.

    Answer 2:

    Teamwork is a very crucial component of any organization. Therefore, its meaning should be inclined with what work you are doing at the given time, like many other things. Teamwork is also subjective to certain conditions. Although there cannot be an equal division of responsibilities due to hierarchies, we must try and bridge the gap as much as we can. A healthy cycle of learning and disseminating information should be built with people who are part of the team. Mutual respect and trust also come into play.

    Therefore, teamwork, in my opinion, means this particular healthy cycle of exchange and a fair share of responsibilities.

    Answer 3:

    From my point of view, teamwork is indispensable and present at all stages of an organization. An organization cannot be run by one person; the extent to which the teamwork is healthy or not matters. Healthy teamwork consists of just distribution of roles and responsibilities as well as accountability. Strong communication and ethical exchange of work talk, as well as workplace banter, is what makes it healthy teamwork, which should be strived to be maintained in every organization.

    As mentioned earlier, you can make slight changes, modify these statements, or go with one of your own according to the steps mentioned above. Don’t forget to breathe in and out before attempting an answer, and you will indeed create an everlasting impression.