We'he done dome number-crunching and lots of homework to put together this exclusive guide. Work on this classified info now, and you can thank us later.
Perfformance management, 360 degree programmes, people planning we don't blame you if you haven't a clue where you fit in to this sea of jargon. It isn't easy sassing out what HR-the shadowy department that works behind the scenes to work out your hikes, promotions and pink slips-wants. "Secrecy is an integral part of the functioning of the HRD. They have to be sensitive to all candidates and therefore this 'cloak and dagger' approach," says career counselor and University of Warwiock rep Kanika Marwaha. Well, you don't neeed to remain in the dark any more. Cosmo decided to nail down the personnel pros-top HR guys from a cross-section of industries- to clear the confusion. Memorise these eight essential employment truths and never feel out of your depth again.
Be the Leader of Your Posse
We've told you this million times, now hear it from the experts: all six of our polled HR honchos billed leadership as one of the top five qualities that make all the difference b etween an average employee and an excellent one. How good you could be as a boss is what employers keep in mind not just when they are promoting you, but at the recruitment state as well. 'Companies are looking for employees with long-term potential, someone who can perform at the next post and take on responsibilities two levels beyond," says Ashok Narain, executive vice president HR, Pepsi. What really scores high on the list of must-have leadership traits is team skills – no one wants a bossy bitch. Learn to work with and get the best from your team. Identify the bright kids in your crew sand motivate them by example, listen to what others have to say without losing focus on the job at hand and take decisions quickly. "Besides concrete results, being a team player is the most important skills needed in the advertising industry. You just cannot operate as a lone wolf," says Sapna Srivastava, associate vice president, HRD, J. Walter Thomson Associates.
Grow Ten Arms ( and Two Heads)
Multitasking is the new buzzword in corporate corridors and the faster you lear
n it, the quicker you'll rise. Fancy schmancy specialist degrees look great on your CV, but you'll have to do a lot more than twhat you've been trained fro to be of real use to your firm. "Fresh out of engineering college and brimming with self importance, my first experience at my IT biggie firm was a rude shock. For the first week, all I was made to do was run around getting printouts. Where was the cutting edge software I was itching to get my hands on? It was only after another few weeks as general Girl Friday that I got my first project," says Ronita, software engineer, who now admits that there is much more to her job than sitting behind a computer. "For example, recently, I had to work in tandem with our marketing team to sell a software package that I'd helped create." Doing the 'dirty' work on occasion is a big part of the working deal, says our expert panel. "One of the biggest misconceptions candidates suffer from is that organizations look for functional managers (specialists) as opposed to business (general) managers. Employees who can handle different activities and situations are far more valuable to us than one-talent wonders," says Narain. So have you morphed into a Jane of all trades yet?Smile, Nice Gals Finish First
You're busting your gut to meet targets, working overtime to be seen and heard in all the right places and laying on enough butter on the big Caboose to cause a national shortage, but it's still the puky sweet chica in the next cube who gets an increment. Why? Maybe it's the smiles and general warm manner that's doing the trick-friendliness gets a big thumbs up in our survey. And we're not talking about idle socializing or lazy chit-chat on the job. "People skills are as important as technical know-how, because even in hi-tech jobs, you have to work with others. Average performersw who can interact easily often last longer than abrasive experts who win at the expense of others," says career advisor William Frank on careerlab.com. While its obvious that any boss will prefer an enthusiastic worker who tackles problems with a positive attitude, you can't afford to ignore the others in your office. If only because many firms follow an appraisal system that takes feedback from supervisors as well as colleagues and subordinates. And, guess what, important customers too. So, remember this the next time you want to be nasty. "Whether you are an entry-level shipping clerk or a CEO, a warm, enthusiastic, caring and positive attitude-outwardly expressed to to others-is your single biggest career asset. Every person is important, treat all others with kindnesss and respect and your career will benefit," says Frank.
Get the Highest Score
This one's a given. No matter what else you do right or wrong, your performance record is the bible the personnel police will go by to suss out your potential. If you aren't perceived to be competent, there's little you can do to hoodwink the HR guys into giving you the raise you've been angling for. Take a look at this case study: Sujata has average skilols, unimpressive ideas and a so-so academic record. But she's ambitious, always has a busy air about her and is voluble at meetings. Rachna, on the other hand is quiet, not so assertive, definitely not as visible, but has fared better on the appraisal form. We asked our super six who they would choose for a promotion. You guessed it – Rachana won hands down. "There is no question about it. We will choose the candidate who has better performance rcords," says Srivastava. Also under close scrutiny at appraisal time will be the attributes that make you’re a better worker- how well you tackle problems, the pace at which you work, your intellect and ideas, your knack for learning on the job and adaptability to different situations.
If you Are late, You Are a Loser
You're doing well at your job so it's no big deal to walk in 10 or 15 minutes late every other day, right? Wrong! Punctuality is much more important than you think. While the service-based industries have it as the most desired quality in an employee, the others are almost as strict about the issue. "Punctuality is not just about coming on time, it's an indicator of how disciplined a person is and how
seriously she takes her job, "says Narotam Ahluwalia, manager-Human Resourses, The Oberoi, New Delhi. For example, Natasha could be a brilliant worker with fantastic ideas and a quick brain, but she'll still be denied a promotion if she has no sense of time, cries at the drop of a hat and remains disorganized. "If we give her a higher designation it would mean that we're actually trying to encourage her negative aspects. It's essential for an employee to be balanced and in complete control of her life to be of any value to the company," he says. But, if it's impossible for you to drag yourself out of bed at the crack of dawn every morning, you'd do well to look at other professions that aren't as unkind. Advertising agencies, for instance, are often generous to their creative teams when it comes to discipline issues. "Highly creative people do not always stick to norms. We hyave handled these types of people through counseling and found that their behavior does get altered," says Srivastava. Take your pick.
seriously she takes her job, "says Narotam Ahluwalia, manager-Human Resourses, The Oberoi, New Delhi. For example, Natasha could be a brilliant worker with fantastic ideas and a quick brain, but she'll still be denied a promotion if she has no sense of time, cries at the drop of a hat and remains disorganized. "If we give her a higher designation it would mean that we're actually trying to encourage her negative aspects. It's essential for an employee to be balanced and in complete control of her life to be of any value to the company," he says. But, if it's impossible for you to drag yourself out of bed at the crack of dawn every morning, you'd do well to look at other professions that aren't as unkind. Advertising agencies, for instance, are often generous to their creative teams when it comes to discipline issues. "Highly creative people do not always stick to norms. We hyave handled these types of people through counseling and found that their behavior does get altered," says Srivastava. Take your pick.
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