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Nobel laureate Venkataraman failed IIT, medical entrance

At a public lecture at the IISc in Bangalore, Venkataraman Ramakrishnan who won the Nobel prize in Chemistry in 2009 recalled that he appeared for the IIT entrance test and in the reputed CMC (Christian Medical College), Vellore but did not get a single seat.

Ramakrishnan also recalled that years later, in 1981, after his post-doctoral, he could not initially find a job even though he had put in 50 applications in different universities (overseas) without success. He remembered his journey from Baroda where he went to school and college before moving to Ohio University for his Ph.D. He shifted to Baroda from Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu when he was three.

“My parents were somewhat old-fashioned; they did not believe in coaching classes (in preparation for entrance test),” Ramakrishnan told a packed J N Tata Auditorium, where many could not even enter because it was crowded. They (his parents) thought coaching classes were “nonsense”.

Also, giving an explanation for not qualifying the entrance tests for the medical college, he said that those days, there were only a small number of seats for men.

Source : siliconindia news bureau

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By admin – January 6, 2010

Results of Recruitment of Officers in Grade B in RBI

Candidates with the following Roll Numbers are successful in the Phase I of the Written Examination. The Phase II of the Written Examination will be held on January 02 and 03, 2010. Individual letters to the successful candidates are being sent. The Board regrets that it has not been possible to consider other candidates for Phase II Examinations. Note: The three digit number before the hyphen is the common prefix to the subsequent number running horizontally. AHMEDABAD 111 -  02824  02832  03043  03053  03096 03107  03267  03475  03593  03602 03808  04247  04304  04560 113 – 04690  04840  05111 115 – 00076  00121  00139  00144  00310 00328  00388  00389  00397  00444 00694  00723  00851  00925  00981 00985  01157  01260  01427  01463 01621  01814  01918  02078  02120 05233 116 – 05140  05141 117 – 02183  02186  02205  02249  02268 02288  02303  02334  02392  02396 02421  02477  02536  02542  02592 02647  02723  05236 AIZAWL 333 – 00024 BANGALORE 121 – 06357  06645  06779  06806  06870 06918  06939  07127  07264  07631 07819 123 – 08105  08188  08253  08472  08529 08572 125 – 00125  00165  00298  00689  00690 01161  01251  01356  01422  01855 02340  03176  03275  03276  03725 03792  08682 127 – 04421  04493  04528  04583  04598 04651  04653  04935  05026  05110 05151  05193  05970  06124 BHOPAL 131 – 04805  04898  05413  05595  05658 05746  06001  06280 135 – 00119  00170  00423  00488  00573 00599  00610  00626  00761  00784 00822  01139  01157  01194  01233 01299  01549  01650  01652  01710 01809  01909  02015  02055  02157 02195  02247  02308  02462  02558 03461  07355  07366  07373 137 – 03828  03859  03863  03890  03932 03974  04059  04095  04108  04275 04498  04582  04620  07253 BHUBANESWAR 141 -  02545  02567  02598  02641  02778 02784  02897  02969 143 – 03139  03391 145 – 00081  00089  00150  00188  00402 00415  00436  00459  00550  00667 00763  00881  00914  00950  00970 01291  01464  01496  01548  01696 147 – 01924  01938  01971  02062  02066 02154  02204  02237  02257  02289 02291  02326  02350  02376  02378 03622 CHANDIGARH 161 – 03988  04193  04241  04252  04355 04379  04404  04476  04530  04665 04826  05015  05658 163 – 05961  06004  06090  06103 165 – 00063  00106  00120  00188  00289 00292  00300  00374  00376  00426 00439  00521  00553  00561  00618 00669  00682  00726  00888  00895 00949  01251  01259  01273  01388 01410  01451  01474  01540  01608 01642  01649  01692  01919  01975 01980  02482  02871  02874  02932 02982  03037  03140  03142  03241 06254  06279 167 – 03404  03407  03435  03445  03447 03465  03486  03588  03605  03613 03678  03684  03761  03776  03823 03858  03892  03923 CHENNAI 171 - 11226  11943  12587  12795  13028 13412  13667  13999  14091 173 – 14465  14541  14558 175 – 00056  00275  00356  00444  00471 00478  00503  00524  00715  00732 00825  00901  00998  01608  01668 01717  02027  02094  02177  02308 02442  02459  02716  02736  02884 03436  03480  03613  03778  14977 176 – 14742 177 – 04366  04455  04488  04553  05023 05062  05069  05190  05203  05222 05296  05307  05489  05493  05577 05661  05725  05766  05813  06316 06358  06845  06991  07009  07156 07310  07319  07724  07799  07877 07898  08433  08530  08585  08595 08784  08886  08978  09487  09524 09570  09677  09694  14968  14985 GUWAHATI 181 – 00780  00826 183 – 01017  01037  01047  01057  01108 01112  01126  01193  01221 185 – 00094  00115  00222  00294 187 – 00647  00649  00729 HYDERABAD 191 – 08244  08334  08383  08420  08482 08540  08862  09082  09153  09468 09543  09756  10470  10541  10627 10752  10924 193 – 12287  12308  12341  12465  12473 12600  12627  12850 195 – 00163  00195  00404  00650  00748 00858  00978  00987  01227  01338 01382  01439  01524  01551  01599 01623  01628  01720  01762  01803 01804  01956  02011  02065  02416 02434  02485  02499  02603  02972 03148  03242  03884  04650  13138 13178 197 – 04804  05007  05055  05252  05260 05505  05656  05773  05878  05976 06058  06247  06397  06475  06481 06488  06515  06566  06607  06687 06744  07033  07460  07512  07657 07881  07891  13207 IMPHAL 343 – 00350  00409  00424  00429 347 – 00089 JAIPUR 201 – 04151  04160  04291  04502  04776 04839  05206  05469 203 – 06386  06399  06449  06450  06454 06603  06717  06830  06898  06975 07020  07172  07199  07361  07441 205 – 00023  00263  00267  00412  00414 00418  00501  00535  00547  00554 00687  00751  00772  00781  00910 00916  00985  01004  01013  01456 01520  01797  01945  02078  02104 02228  02374  02416  02539  02676 02728  02776  02852  02898 207 – 02948  02999  03042  03045  03058 03062  03072  03082  03112  03130 03139  03150  03176  03217  03238 03242  03475  03514  03531  03676 03685  03697  03701  03826  03856 04006 JAMMU 211 – 00747 215 – 00026  00058  00069  00076  00092 00133  00356  00380  00565 217 – 00660  00704 KANPUR 221 – 02212  02653 225 – 00010  00058  00092  00174  00213 00248  00315  00402  00516  00524 00578  01088  01100 227 – 01283  01287  01338  01355  01395 01421  01507  01528  01534  01605 01670  01677  01855  01858 KOCHI 231 – 03016  03099 233 – 03458  03465  03503 235 – 00572  00614  00699  00769  00911 01116  01192  01542  01735 237 – 01893  01901  01915  01966  02102 02139  02283  02294 KOHIMA 363 – 00048 KOLKATA 151 – 04403  04464  04507  04549  04678 04703  04724  04803  04980  05035 05260  05335 153 – 05732  06020  06076  06189  06536 155 – 00003  00004  00117  00169  00211 00235  00248  00269  00273  00362 00527  00557  00704  00720  00726 00729  00864  00895  00907  01031 01102  01140  01153  01239  01309 01325  01340  01346  01391  01452 01565  01589  01597  01735  02065 02151  02342  02544  02561  02629 02660  02919  02949  03023  03204 03271  03314  03619  03624  03669 03701 157 – 03752  03770  03803  03819  03885 03893  03922  03939  03955  04000 04025  04034  04053  04090  04110 04116  04161  04174  04176  04181 04260  04271  04312  04314 LUCKNOW 241 – 04951  05188  05323  05536  05859 05919  05979  06278  06456  06458 245 - 00010  00017  00038  00081  00108 00133  00137  00183  00190  00217 00319  00328  00359  00374  00383 00428  00462  00465  00485  00487 00501  00671  00702  00771  00787 00899  00977  01002  01042  01134 01205  01224  01226  01233  01246 01310  01358  01403  01500  01530 01583  01600  01727  01739  01752 01762  01942  01975  01977  02004 02011  02102  02207  02458  02519 02547  02741  02744  02767  02780 02786  02831  02856  02949  06923 247 – 03454  03521  03624  03672  03699 03725  03751  03778  03781  03792 03800  03840  03961  03969  03978 03986  04070  04072  04101  04110 04155  04226  04267  04310  04356 04484  04503  04575  04577  06925 MUMBAI 251 – 08632  08766  09070  09302  09359 09535  09544  09629  09642  09972 10164  10171  10174  10230  10267 10339  10340  10723  10743  10759 10913  11058  11080  11206 253 – 11565  11573  11592  11617  11655 11660  11731  11801  11809 255 - 00004  00083  00113  00244  00265 00272  00352  00530  00535  00546 00611  00612  00627  00696  00748 00824  00873  00874  00882  00937 00969  00994  01066  01160  01245 01314  01341  01378  01561  01713 01790  01952  01956  01971  01994 02007  02080  02087  02099  02291 02351  02366  02436  02506  02579 02665  02674  02681  02817  02904 03116  03271  03338  03339  03361 03379  03498  03500  03613  03667 03715  03786  03788  03929  03952 03959  04031  04114  04119  04121 04346  04348  04435  04593  04798 05105  05133  05215  05271  05458 05511  05556  05561  05562  05564 05591  05673  05786  05890  05938 05963  06037  06061  06657  06663 06665  06751  06796  06911  12054 12065 256 – 11909  11918 257 – 07051  07082  07091  07135  07201 07226  07275  07306  07400  07427 07455  07478  07527  07550  07582 07654  07854  07893  07922  07939 07941  07984  08015  08052  08231 08238  08347  08379  08451  08466 08542  08589  08592 NAGPUR 261 – 02488  02725  03109  03544  03700 03772  03919 263 – 04411 265 – 00009  00302  00345  00411  00863 01176 266 – 04547 267 – 01385  01392  01501  01626  01770 01793  02045 NEW DELHI 271 – 12721  12777  12779  12795  12883 12945  12970  13005  13009  13326 13421  13429  13467  13520  13556 13672  13911  14010  14079  14109 14145  14164  14168  14303  14350 14372  14509  14524  14532  14537 14669  14707  14709  14770  15160 15326  15455  15551  15662  15688 15769  15777  15845  15859  15932 15994  16174  16256  16412  16526 16549  16589  16631  16773  16875 16957  17006  17007  17018 273 - 17035  17054  17102  17135  17165 17180  17193  17241  17284  17294 17328  17359  17417  17428  17449 17459  17469  17496  17519  17529 17586  17601  17609  17640  17672 17692  17702  17723  17801  17841 17845  17851  17908  17997 275 - 00038  00053  00075  00081  00100 00104  00119  00170  00195  00239 00267  00288  00322  00404  00483 00491  00511  00535  00584  00626 00627  00670  00695  00705  00719 00727  00749  00756  00775  00777 00778  00797  00966  01022  01025 01030  01043  01061  01126  01140 01273  01315  01353  01356  01433 01478  01524  01648  01660  01771 01790  01826  01830  01832  01836 01925  01935  01952  01957  01966 01993  02003  02028  02033  02034 02038  02039  02043  02061  02079 02081  02119  02129  02219  02295 02316  02329  02389  02394  02404 02476  02480  02517  02529  02539 02566  02567  02602  02639  02666 02669  02683  02692  02701  02715 02720  02763  02818  02838  02849 02874  02941  02961  02982  03043 03086  03130  03137  03255  03290 03298  03304  03305  03308  03311 03446  03454  03491  03507  03614 03637  03641  03646  03665  03679 03828  03873  03911  03963  04093 04109  04234  04275  04334  04352 04390  04402  04414  04432  04434 04587  04630  04710  04726  04735 04770  04885  04977  04984  05050 05078  05088  05198  05223  05334 05344  05345  05414  05441  05452 05457  05469  05522  05573  05575 05603  05661  05726  05727  05758 05980  06271  06284  06285  06369 06558  06680  06763  06864  06978 07002  07056  07069  07086  07383 07491  07510  07532  07550  07584 07651  07746  07786  07880  07888 07890  07957  07960  07991  08201 08225  08231  08632  08732  08800 08876  09064  09238  09264  09314 09656  09747  09822  09967  18237 18240  18267  18282  18285  18303 18317 276 – 18028 277 – 10046  10097  10129  10148  10226 10227  10234  10297  10383  10451 10498  10576  10579  10627  10628 10655  10658  10664  10702  10703 10706  10760  10784  10797  10807 10825  10885  10893  10952  11026 11032  11052  11084  11112  11158 11173  11221  11237  11252  11276 11323  11332  11348  11354  11369 11402  11403  11434  11435  11472 11494  11495  11496  11513  11541 11566  11608  11718  11733  11809 11902  11975  12074  12109  12121 12144  12191  12192  12200  12291 12407  12421  12484  12520  12557 12558  12594  12623  12647 PANAJI 285 – 00041 287 – 00128  00129  00132  00134  00155 00170  00177 PATNA 291 – 05185  05229  05526  05579  05662 05919  05966  06106  06188 293 – 06491  06504  06542  06554  06571 295 – 00048  00068  00069  00073  00102 00152  00166  00196  00234  00243 00289  00323  00360  00388  00418 00441  00469  00541  00555  00601 00684  00696  00708  00914  00933 00969  01130  01133  01135  01141 01161  01172  01207  01227  01245 01280  01284  01318  01338  01356 01381  01418  01422  01462  01464 01503  01516  01520  01523  01586 01587  01603  01639  01685  01699 01709  01729  01735  01736  01771 01783  01905  01962  01985  02005 02080  02103  02175  02210  02221 02293  02314  02354  02367  02368 02426  02617  02654  02753  02803 02820  06947  06966  06969 297 - 02930  02931  03011  03012  03048 03118  03132  03171  03212  03218 03226  03250  03331  03339  03344 03346  03350  03395  03416  03422 03440  03462  03494  03532  03586 03643  03691  03738  03762  03800 03822  03837  03844  03851  03854 03952  03966  03975  04036  04070 04155  04156  04210  04289  04321 04380  04406  04439  04480  04489 04493  04510  04546  04547  04665 04682  04721  04854  04862  04878 PORT BLAIR 377 - 00014 PUNE 301 – 03072  03207  03439  03509  04057 303 - 04183  04202  04233  04259 305 - 00110  00218  00270  00500  00593 00713  00774  00939  00947  01073 01106  01268  01290  01314  01505 04335 307 – 02274  02361  02379  02399  02429 02445  02537  02576  02676  02678 02802  02803  02846  02848 SHILLONG 383 – 00053  00099  00159  00170 387 – 00035 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 311 – 02875  02963  03054  03107  03198 315 – 00034  00344  00685  00890  01220 01261  01533  01614 317 – 01737  01753  01770  01921  01985 02023  02068  02106  02204  02205 02250  02267  02293  02328  02396 02587

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By admin – December 14, 2009

PM invites NRIs to return home

Considering the term “brain gain” to “reverse brain drain”, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh thanked the Indian-American community for their contribution in building bridges between India and the U.S., and invited the Indians worldwide to return home.

“In the past few years we have already experienced what has been called a ‘reverse brain-drain’. I would prefer to call this ‘brain gain’ or, indeed, a meeting of minds,” the PM said during his integration with prominent members of the Indian-American community. Prime Minister Singh highlighted the ‘Five Es – economy, energy, environment, education and empowerment’ – forms a critical part of the “next phase” of the relationship between the two countries.

“Let me take this opportunity to extend an invitation to all Indian Americans and non-resident Indians who wish to return home to India in one capacity or another,” said Singh. The Prime Minister further noted that Indian-Americans no longer had to make a choice about whether to work in India or America. “Modern technology and our flexible policies have opened possibilities of working in both places,” he noted.

Singh noted that both nations could be described with metaphors like ’salad bowl’, ‘melting pot’, ‘rainbow’ and shared values and interests would make it easier for Indians and Americans to work together. “This is what makes it easy for Indians to adapt themselves to the U.S. and, dare I say, for Americans to adapt themselves to India,” he said. “I hope you will be the bridge that will continue to connect our two nations and societies.”

Singh described his visit as “stimulating” and “fruitful” while laying out the five Es that would take their relations forward over and above the existing agenda of defence, security and counter-terrorism. The Prime Minister also underlined that the relationship between India and the U.S. was not born out of “crisis” but carried the potential of being mutually beneficial, which made it long-lasting.

“Our relationship is not born out of a crisis or any one concern; nor does it exist in the context of any other relationship,” the PM said. “It derives its vitality from recognition of the enormous potential for mutually beneficial cooperation.” A prominent Indian-American, who has been here for 42 years and now heads the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, told PTI that the community viewed the Prime Minister’s trip as a historical benchmark in Indo-U.S. relations.

“Let me take this opportunity to extend an invitation to all Indian Americans and non-resident Indians who wish to return home to India in one capacity or another,” Singh said at the event on the evening before he leaves Washington after being hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama in the First State Visit of his administration.

A noted lawyer and Senior Policy Adviser in the Obama administration, Preeta Bansal, described Singh’s visit as a “success”. “These State visits are about building personal relationships and it is these relations that are invaluable.” Also, the Director of Policy in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rajen S Anand, noted that out of the several State Dinners that he has attended in the past, the one on Tuesday was, “best in terms of decorations, entertainment and grace of the first lady.”

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By admin – December 3, 2009

TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY POWER

15 Tips to Improve Your Memory Power

Everyone can take steps to improve their memory, and with time and practice most people can gain the ability to memorize seemingly impossible amounts of information. Whether you want to win the World Memory Championships, ace your history test, or simply remember where you put your keys, this article can get you started. Scientists believe that exercising your brain can create a ‘cognitive reserve’ that will help you stay sharp as you age.

1. Convince yourself that you do have a good memory that will improve.

Too many people get stuck here and convince themselves that their memory is bad, that they are just not good with names, that numbers just slip out of their minds for some reason. Erase those thoughts and vow to improve your memory. Commit yourself to the task and bask in your achievements it’s hard to keep motivated if you beat yourself down every time you make a little bit of progress.

2. Keep your brain active.

The brain is not a muscle, but regularly “exercising” the brain actually does keep it growing and spurs the development of new nerve connections that can help improve memory. By developing new mental skillsespecially complex ones such as learning a new language or learning to play a new musical instrumentand challenging your brain with puzzles and games you can keep your brain active and improve its physiological functioning.

3. Exercise daily.

Regular aerobic exercise improves circulation and efficiency throughout the body, including in the brain, and can help ward off the memory loss that comes with aging. Exercise also makes you more alert and relaxed, and can thereby improve your memory uptake, allowing you to take better mental “pictures.”

4. Reduce stress.

Chronic stress, although it does not physically damage the brain, can make remembering much more difficult. Even temporary stresses can make it more difficult to effectively focus on concepts and observe things. Try to relax, regularly practice yoga or other stretching exercises, and see a doctor if you have severe chronic stress.

5. Eat well and eat right.

There are a lot of herbal supplements on the market that claim to improve memory, but none have yet been shown to be effective in clinical tests (although small studies have shown some promising results for ginkgo biloba and phosphatidylserine) . A healthy diet, however, contributes to a healthy brain, and foods containing antioxidantsbroccoli, blueberries, spinach, and berries, for exampleand Omega-3 fatty acids appear to promote healthy brain functioning. Feed your brain with such supplements as Thiamine, Vitamin E, Niacin and Vitamin B-6. Grazing, eating 5 or 6 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 large meals, also seems to improve mental functioning (including memory) by limiting dips in blood sugar, which may negatively affect the brain.

6. Take better pictures.

Often we forget things not because our memory is bad, but rather because our observational skills need work. One common situation where this occurs (and which almost everyone can relate to) is meeting new people. Often we don’t really learn people’s names at first because we aren’t really concentrating on remembering them. You’ll find that if you make a conscious effort to remember such things, you’ll do much better. One way to train yourself to be more observant is to look at an unfamiliar photograph for a few seconds and then turn the photograph over and describe or write down as many details as you can about the photograph. Try closing your eyes and picturing the photo in your mind. Use a new photograph each time you try this exercise, and with regular practice you will find you’re able to remember more details with even shorter glimpses of the photos.

7. Give yourself time to form a memory.

Memories are very fragile in the short-term, and distractions can make you quickly forget something as simple as a phone number. The key to avoid losing memories before you can even form them is to be able to focus on the thing to be remembered for a while without thinking about other things, so when you’re trying to remember something, avoid distractions and complicated tasks for a few minutes.

8. Create vivid, memorable images.

You remember information more easily if you can visualize it. If you want to associate a child with a book, try not to visualize the child reading the book that’s too simple and forgettable. Instead, come up with something more jarring, something that sticks, like the book chasing the child, or the child eating the book. It’s your mind make the images as shocking and emotional as possible to keep the associations strong.

9. Repeat things you need to learn.

The more times you hear, see, or think about something, the more surely you’ll remember it, right? It’s a no-brainer. When you want to remember something, be it your new coworker’s name or your best friend’s birthday, repeat it, either out loud or silently. Try writing it down; think about it.

10. Group things you need to remember.

Random lists of things (a shopping list, for example) can be especially difficult to remember. To make it easier, try categorizing the individual things from the list. If you can remember that, among other things, you wanted to buy four different kinds of vegetables, you’ll find it easier to remember all four.

11. Organize your life.

Keep items that you frequently need, such as keys and eyeglasses, in the same place every time. Use an electronic organizer or daily planner to keep track of appointments, due dates for bills, and other tasks. Keep phone numbers and addresses in an address book or enter them into your computer or cell phone. Improved organization can help free up your powers of concentration so that you can remember less routine things. Even if being organized doesn’t improve your memory, you’ll receive a lot of the same benefits (i.e. you won’t have to search for your keys anymore).

12. Try meditation.

Research now suggests that people who regularly practice “mindfulness” meditation are able to focus better and may have better memories. Mindfulness (also known as awareness or insight meditation) is the type commonly practiced in Western countries and is easy to learn. Studies at Massachusetts General Hospital show that regular meditation thickens the cerebral cortex in the brain by increasing the blood flow to that region. Some researchers believe this can enhance attention span, focus, and memory.

13. Sleep well.

The amount of sleep we get affects the brain’s ability to recall recently learned information. Getting a good night’s sleep a minimum of seven hours a night may improve your short-term memory and long-term relational memory, according to recent studies conducted at the Harvard Medical School.

14. Build your memorization arsenal.

Learn pegs, memory palaces, and the Dominic System. These techniques form the foundation for mnemonic techniques, and will visibly improve your memory.

15. Venture out and learn from your mistakes.

Go ahead and take a stab at memorizing the first one hundred digits of pi, or, if you’ve done that already, the first one thousand. Memorize the monarchs of England through your memory palaces, or your grocery list through visualization. Through diligent effort you will eventually master the art of memorization.

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By admin – November 16, 2009

Tips for Young Entrepreneurs by Deep Kalra, Founder & CEO, MakeMyTrip.com

1. Introspect to get clarity on what really makes you happy – job satisfaction, doing your own thing, or simply making more money. Once you know this, you can make a better decision on your career path. Don’t force yourself to do what is considered the right thing universally – everyone is different and you need to figure out your strengths and play to them.

2. Choose your business model and industry very carefully – industry potential should ideally be ‘huge’; large is not good enough especially since markets and technologies change rapidly in current times. If you don’t have personal expertise in this field, get a team of domain experts locked-in, preferably as partners or co-founders.

3. Plan your venture’s funding very carefully – ideally one should raise as little cash as possible in the pre-revenue stage as you end up diluting too much equity. However, given the current clime for investing this needs to be modified and it’s worth raising a little more than your business plan suggests. Try to raise the first round from Angel Investors as it is most time-efficient and typically one manages to stay away from onerous terms that come with most venture funding. However, for later rounds, never risk starving your company of cash …..this has killed many a good company! Always keep a buffer of cash or line of credit you can dip into when times are tough.

4. Get the team right… this is the single most important determinant for success. Everything else can and will change; a fledgling business is nurtured by its people so hire the best folks in the business. Don’t hesitate to hire people better than you in specific domains. Colleagues who challenge you and make you feel uncomfortable are your best friends and the ‘yes-men’ are your worst enemies!

5. Make friends at work and promote an honest and open working atmosphere. Ensure that everyone has fun at work, particularly when they are putting in superlative efforts. People tend to give their best when they are enjoying their work.

6. Don’t focus too much on exits, especially not too early in the game. Concentrate on building a solid business; the rest will take care of itself!

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By admin – November 16, 2009

Dealing with Questions about Salary History

Q: How do I respond to the salary history question when I am currently grossly underpaid for the work that I do, and I am trying to correct that as I interview for new jobs?

A: Your best strategy is to keep them focused on what is an appropriate amount for you given your experience, skills and credentials today. This requires some homework, since you have to translate those intangibles into a dollar figure or a range of figures. In addition, be prepared to explain why you are seeking a significant jump in your salary and be ready to help the employer justify paying you this increased amount – those people do not want to feel as if they are overpaying you. You could try saying, “I chose to work at my last job for less than my market value for very specific reasons (e.g., gain experience, restart career, they had money problems). Now that I have benefited from experience, as I look for a new employer, I want to make sure that I am being paid fairly for my talents.” As you follow this advice, do not forget that you have to be prepared to discuss your current salary, even though it ought to be irrelevant. If that information matters to the employer, they will either insist on talking about it, or they will learn it another way. Try to cover the issue quickly and steer the conversation back to its rightful place – what you ought to make, given the value of your talents in the market.

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By admin – November 16, 2009

Top companies that are hiring in India

Top companies that are hiring in India

Source : Economic Times

The pick-up in the economy has kicked off hiring plans in India Inc,with companies

across the manufacturing and services sectors looking at new recruitments as they

go into expansion mode.

They are not just expecting more business from the domestic market, but anticipate

a boom in overseas business too, thanks to cash-crunched foreign companies looking

at cost rationalisation.

Cisco: 12,000

Cisco has drawn up huge recruitment plans as it shifts some of its activities from abroad

to India. The company plans to boost its manpower in India to 15,000 over the next two years,

adding 12,000 new workers.

Cognizant: 8,135

Cognizant has added a net 8,135 people since December last year. Cognizant CFO

Gordon Coburn said the company will continue to hire aggressively.

Accenture: 8,000

Accenture said it will add around 8,000 new people in India by the end of next year,

taking its total employee strength to 50,000. Accenture’s focus in India is going to be

in the analytics space, company chairman and CEO William D Green said at the India

Economic Summit where the overall mood was buoyant. Hirings in the IT space have

in fact been continuing over the last few months.

TCS: 7,880

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)has already hired 7,800 people.

TCS had made some 24,000 offers in 2008-09, according to its Q2 analyst call.

Wipro: 2,000

IT major Wipro has also been hiring and after recruiting 1,000 people in the first

six months of the fiscal, plans to add another 2,000 in the second half. The company

is also planning to extend salary increments across the board in Q4, which is significant

considering it had not even budgeted for a hike at the beginning of the year.

Infosys BPO: 2,000

Infosys BPO said it would hire 1,500-2,000 people by the end of this fiscal. The company

is also reportedly planning to set up a new delivery centre in the US before end of 2009-10.

Infosys, in its Q2 earnings call, indicated that it would add 20,000 people instead of

18,000 indicated earlier. The additional 2,000 would be partly in BPO while the rest would

make up laterals at Infosys Technologies.

iGate: 1,500

iGate said it plans to add about 1,500 new recruitments in 2010. CEO Phaneesh Murthy said

he expected IT budgets to be up 2-4% next year.

Hyundai: 1,200

Hyundai has added a new manufacturing line to meet increased demand, has hired as many

as 1200 workers between July and September this year and plans to further boost its

strength as it looks to attract NRIs and expatriates to join its Indian workforce.

Nissan: 800

Nissan has said it would be more than doubling its manpower in India as it hopes that rising

economic activity and disposable incomes will boost demand. The company, which is setting

up a new plant near Chennai, has plans to boost its manpower from 700 to 1500 by May.

Maruti: 400

Maruti, which plans to boost annual production to one million units, has plans to add around

400 new people including a mix of engineers, technicians, MBAs and CAs.


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By admin – November 17, 2009

What not to say or do at a job interview!

Source : ECONOMICTIMES.COM

Ever wondered why, despite being one of the most suitable candidates for a particular post, some job seekers get eliminated in the first round of interview itself? Though there may be numerous reasons for the elimination of a candidate, usually most relate to the job seeker’s conduct and attitude, like being unable to control one’s emotions or simply sounding over-confident.

“An interview is a vital process for the recruiter to eliminate doubts/mistakes before hiring. Recruitment errors can be quite expensive and can cost the company a fortune. A good recruiter, therefore, will probe to hunt for signs of diffidence, arrogance, lies etc to eliminate,” says Raj Louis, chief human resources officer, Knight Frank India Pvt Ltd.

In the light of this, it’s very important for the candidate that he/she projects himself/herself on the K-S-A – Knowledge, Skill and Attitude.

Here we take a look at some important things which a candidate must avoid doing or saying at a job interview:

Never ague

Stating facts as you know best is good, but you should always try to avoid a debate with the recruiter.

“I have seen candidates getting into an argument about facts which the recruiters know best. There is no use of proving a point over the recruiter,” informs Louis.

Never lie

If you do not know something – say it. Don’t hazard a guess. Simply because honesty is usually more appreciated than guess work.

Never sound over-confident

Sometimes interviewees tend to be what they are not in interviews with a view to impress the interviewer which is not right.

“An interviewee must avoid being dishonest in an interview and also avoid exaggerating about himself or his accomplishments. He should also keep from over exposing himself,” says Prafullachandra Bhamare, HR manager – Neev group of companies.

Never belittle the recruiting company or former employer

Always avoid saying wrong things about the recruiting company or your former employer, as this may put off the recruiter and also reduce your chances of getting a job in that company. “I have seen candidates from competitor companies blowing their trumpet and belittling the recruiting company. The question then is ‘Why did you come here?’” asks Louis.

This also holds true for your former employer or team members. “Some of the candidates criticize their former employer or team members. This comes across as displaying negative team skills and showcasing a lack of professionalism and ethics,” says Jacob Jacob, executive vice president, HRD, Oberoi Constructions.

Vinit Durve, VP – corporate human affairs, Zicom Electronic Security Systems Ltd, is also of the view that you should never criticize your current employer or the current manager who you report to. “This gives an impression of you not being adaptable and suggests that you have strong ideas,” he says.

Never get intimidated or be emotional

Sometimes the recruiter could be intimidating and may ask basic questions. Be prepared for the same and have honest answers. Don’t get emotional/offended.

An interviewee should also not get nostalgic and try to encash emotionally to the interviewer.

“It is absolutely important to be professional because that is exactly what an interviewer is looking for in someone they plan to hire,” says Bhamare.

Avoid salary discussions

Avoid initiating salary discussions or making demands in the early interview stages.

“Let the prospective employer initiate salary discussions. It is ok to give a range or to ask what they feel the range is for the position. However, it can be a turnoff if you are the one to initiate the subject of salary,” says Yasho V Verma, director, HR & management resource, LG Electronics.

Never get hard-to-get

Do not talk about serving long notice period and that you are indispensable in your current organization or a huge bonus is awaiting you after a few months and you also have the ESOP’s to consider. “This subject should never be raised in the first meeting till an offer is being discussed,” says Louis.

Never talk about other offers

You may have other attractive job offers. But don’t talk about having other more attractive offers in the first meeting. This will show that you are not very serious about the job you are trying to get.

Avoid talking about vacations, promotions

Do not talk about vacations, promotions or holidays.

“This can be a turnoff because you may seem more interested in time off rather than the job itself. Would a hardworking, dedicated employee be more focused on days off or doing a good job?” asks Verma.

Never make hypothetical plans

You should avoid making hypothetical and intangible plans in the interview.

“An interviewee should avoid building castles in air. It is very important to be practical — another quality that will reflect in the way work,” says Bhamare.

Never use unprintable words or stereotypical language

At all costs avoid loosing cool and never react with unpleasant/unprintable words. You will leave a very bad impression on the interviewer if you do so.

Also, “do not refer to people of other genders, sexual orientations, nationalities, ethnicities, races, handicaps, religions or other diversity in any slang terms, slurs, or other denigrating language. Ever,” says Verma.

Don’t blame yourself

You should also avoid blaming yourself for anything wrong with you.

“When asked about your weaknesses, never make a blanket statement blaming yourself as it will indicate that you are unable to introspect,” says Durve.

Never get jittery/nervous

Your body language will show if you are nervous and will be noticed even in your voice. You should avoid doing that.

The best thing to do is always being positive. “Avoid giving negative responses in an interview. Your body language & gestures speak a lot about you. Sit up straight, speak clearly, do not seem restless and always keep a warm smile on your face,” says Bhamare.

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By admin – November 17, 2009

U.S. students prefer India as key study destination

Source: Silliconindia

Just like U.S. is the top study destination for Indian students, India too is a preferred destination for U.S. students. A new survey has found out that India is one of the five nations preferred by the U.S. students as a key educational destination. China, Japan, South Africa and Argentina are among the other preferable educational destinations for U.S. students.

According to the Open Doors 2009 survey conducted by the Institute of International Education, the number of Americans studying abroad increased by 8.5 percent to 262,416 in the 2007-08 academic year. The survey shows that the number of students to nearly all of the top 25 destinations increased, notably to destinations less traditional for study abroad: China, Ireland, Austria and India (up about 20 percent each), as well as Costa Rica, Japan, Argentina and South Africa (up nearly 15 percent each).

At the same time, the number of international students at colleges and universities in the U.S. increased by eight percent to an all-time high of 671,616 in the 2008-09 academic year while the number of ‘new’ international students – those enrolled for the first time at a U.S. college or university in fall 2008 – increased by 16 percent.

This represents the largest percentage increase in international student enrollments since 1980 – 81. According to separate joint surveys conducted by eight leading higher education associations, overall enrollments of international students increased this autumn at half (50 percent or 348) of responding member campuses.

For the first time, the number of institutions reporting increases in students from India does not outweigh those who are reporting decline (29 percent reporting increase and 29 percent reporting decline).

When looking specifically at the largest host institutions (those 121 responding institutions enrolling more than 1,000 students), 50 percent of responding institutions are reporting a decline for students from India and only 31 percent are reporting an increase.

“Despite the economic downturn, many campuses are still seeing increase in international student enrollment for fall 2009, while others are seeing declines or flattening of enrollments,” said Allan E. Goodman, President and CEO of the Institute of International Education (IIE). “The impact also varies by country, with reported declining enrollments from India and a few other countries offset on many campuses by surging number of students coming from China and strong increase from certain other major sending countries.”

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By admin – November 18, 2009

Salary Center – Research and Compare Salaries

Click the picture below to go to the Salary Center website.

Salary Center - Research and Compare Salaries

Salary Center - Research and Compare Salaries

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By admin – November 19, 2009

For job seekers, it’s still dress to impress

Whenever Eddie VanArsdall ventures out to sell himself in a job interview, he errs on the side of being too dressy instead of not dressed up enough.

“Even if you get there and find that everyone is dressed in swim trunks, you’ve at least shown initial respect,” said VanArsdall, 52, of Alexandria. A freelance technical communications consultant, he typically meets clients before securing contracts.

Clothing trends seem to have changed dramatically for hired workers, but they haven’t budged much for job seekers. No matter how casual the culture is where you’re interviewing, the safest bet is to dress more formally than the rest.

A job candidate arriving in proper attire demonstrates an awareness of upholding the company’s corporate image. “If they were to send you out on their behalf to represent them in a professional setting, this is your statement of ‘I know the look,’ ” said Steve Braun, president of the Maryland Recruiters Association and owner of an executive search firm, Sales Consultants of Baltimore.

Choose a conservative color that compliments you, said Marva Gumbs Jennings, executive director of the George Washington University Career Center. “If you buy a classic interview suit, you will use it again and again,” she said. Alternating the shirt or blouse and accessories often makes it feasible to wear the same suit for a second interview. Women can find variety in mixing and matching a skirt or pants with a coordinating jacket. For men and women, some fabrics are suitable year-round. “Given a tight budget, they may not be able to have multiple suits in their closet,” Gumbs Jennings said.
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Tasteful ties help round out interview outfits. Power ties in pink and other flamboyant colors made their mark in the late ’80s and early ’90s, she said, but they’re no longer considered appropriate interview attire for men. Steer clear of wild patterns and prints that may be overly distracting.

Then again, this depends to some extent on the position. Candidates in the banking or legal industries tend to be clad more conservatively than those in fashion, media or dot-com, said Linda Lee, the New York-based group vice president of Macy’s By Appointment, a free personal-shopping service available in many major markets.

“You want to approach it from the subtle aspect, assuming that it’s not a job for fashion director.”

Individuality matters in Lee’s work environment. A candidate with a pretty scarf tied in good taste may score bonus points. Well-maintained footwear won’t detract attention, whereas serious scuffs can plant seeds of doubts in the interviewer’s mind. For women, a comfortable mid-sized heel, not a stiletto, would be a wise choice, preferably in a dark color, said Christine Harriger, a career counselor at James Madison University.

A purse, portfolio or briefcase should complement your ensemble and hold the relevant tools of the trade, said Melissa S. Fireman, founder and chief executive of Washington Career Services. “If you’re a tech person or a Web master, then you probably should be bringing in your laptop,” she said. “You want to show people your work.”

Jewelry should be minimal. Beware of bulky bracelets that interfere with shaking hands. “It’s not a time to really make a fashion statement,” Harriger said. “Sometimes you can get away with more if it’s a creative industry — something that might be a little bit of a conversation piece.”

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By admin – November 21, 2009

Late? Your boss won’t believe your excuses

The next time you arrive late for work, don’t start giving excuses to your boss, for a new study has found that employers don’t believe excuses for not coming on time. The study involving 1,000 employers showed that just seven percent of them trusted the reasons that their employees give for being late.

One in five respondents said long, over-complicated stories were the biggest giveaway. Almost a third said avoiding eye contact was another hint. A fifth of bosses said hearing the same excuse again and again made it less convincing, while 12 percent said any excuses given on a Monday morning were even less believable. Nearly two-third of employers believe that they were experienced enough to tell when an employee is lying about why they were delayed.

The researchers also uncovered 10 weakest excuses. Topping the list was being unable to shut a window. Then came a broken burglar alarm followed by sick pets, spillages and, at number five, claiming to be snowed in. However, female employers were found to be more trusting, with eight percent fully believing the excuses staff give compared to just six percent of male bosses.

“As a nation, problems within our homes certainly seem to be a common reason given for lateness,” the Daily Express quoted Mike Pickard, Head of Risk and Underwriting at UK based Esure Home Insurance, which compiled the study, as saying. “If we are to believe even half the excuses included in this study, then we anticipate a lot of calls about emergency home cover or claims for accidental damage this winter,” he added.

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By admin – November 23, 2009

Bad bosses can be good for economy

Pay cuts, layoffs and unemployment – recession couldn’t have been worse. On top of this if you have a bad boss you might have a tough time surviving. But an expert is claiming that bad and evil bosses are better suited for recession.

Scott Adams, the Creator of Dilbert, the cartoon strip that adds a comic element to 2,000 solemn newspapers across 70 countries, has discovered merit in evil bosses. Adams is convinced that difficult bosses can be good, as they help spawn entrepreneurs. “The worse bosses are, the better it is for the economy. In the old days people were born entrepreneurs, but today people are forced into entrepreneurship whether they like it or not,” he told Economic Times in an interview.

His comments might be based on the U.S economy and its worst recession since Great Depression, but California resident Adams could well be looking at India and Indians from the same entrepreneurial prism going forward. And future Dilbert strips could see India and Indians depicted differently. Adams says that Indians have moved far ahead of the image of the smart, yet inexperienced office intern Asok, who is one of Dilbert’s colleague. An IITian by qualification, Asok has been bestowed with psychic powers but continues to work for someone. But this might change soon. “He’s the most confident person with the least power. Maybe, I’ll have him strike out and be an entrepreneur some day.”

“Trouble is that in order to be a good boss you got to be kind of a jerk, you got to be selfish and be willing to hurt other people to advance your own cause. I’m not like that. People try and take advantage of me pretty easily,” says Adams, who has for years entertained millions every morning with his wit on employer-employee relationships. Asked about the impact of the U.S. recession on Dilbert, Adams has his own, and distinctive take.

“There are two things going on in the U.S. right now. If you don’t have a job, and that’s a lot of people, then things are pretty bad obviously. But those people who have kept their jobs, what they’re finding is that the price of stuff is lower. When you order something that used to take a lot of weeks to be built and get shipped to you, you’re getting it in a month. In a weird way, there are a lot of people who are moving into houses they couldn’t have afforded before the crash,” Adams added.

From a Dilbert point of view, the U.S. recession has done some good. “There’s a period when everything is great and it’s an employee’s market and they ask for more money or they’re going somewhere else. But right now we’re in a period, where obviously you want to keep your employer happy because finding another job is going to be hard,” says Adams. And this new insight has a source. Adams, who is building a new ‘green’ home in Pleasanton, California, is seeing attitudes change first-hand.

“You’ve never seen such good cooperation from all the sub-contractors. Everybody shows to work because there isn’t that much work to have. It turned out to be the very best time to build a house because everybody’s so eager to work. It’s strange because usually the upside is not very obvious. I’m sure during the Great Depression there probably wasn’t anybody who was better off.”

For the past 20 years Adams’ cartoons have ridiculed corporate workplaces and the ‘Cubicle life’ and everything around it, from management fads to consultants to evil bosses. But he says the central character of Dilbert borrows a bit from his own personality. “I certainly have shared some of his traits. I’m socially awkward and had trouble getting dates when I was his age, and a bit nerdy, so there’s a lot of me in him. But I am more of Dogbert, the side of me that has a running conversation in my head saying inappropriate things. I use Dogbert as the character who says out loud the things I’m thinking,” he said.

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By admin – November 23, 2009

India’s workforce unskilled? Only 5 percent certified

Pointing out that enhancing the skill sets of the workforce in the country is a challenge, President Pratibha Patil regretted that large chunk of workforce in India did not have skill certification, contrary to the developed countries.

As reported by the Indian Express, the President said, “Only five percent of the workforce in India has some kind of certification. This is in contrast to over 85 percent in the developed countries. Encouragement of work-integrated learning followed by examination, certification and accreditation through distance education will be of help. However, to make it effective there would be a need for active two way collaboration with industry and other players.” Participating in the silver jubilee celebrations of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Pratibha said that the open university system being flexible and innovative can be useful for a wide section of society and should help in improving skill sets.

The President also said that the spread of education among women is very important. “By spreading education amongst them, not only is an individual educated, but rather the seeds of progress of the next generation are planted,” she added.

Moreover, Pratibha said that the gross enrollment ratio (GER) in India in higher education is very low as compared to the world average. She pointed out that strenuous efforts are required to reach our goal of enhancing the GER in India to 20 percent by 2020.

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By admin – November 23, 2009

The Industry’s 10 Best IT Certifications

IT pros tend to have strong opinions when debating the value of professional certification – and views become even more polarized when it comes down to a discussion of which certs are meaningful. Erik Eckel put together a list of the accreditations he believes currently hold value for IT pros.

IT certifications boast numerous benefits. They bolster resumes, encourage higher salaries, and assist in job retention. But which IT certifications are best?

Technology professionals generate much debate over just that question. Many claim vendor-specific programs best measure a candidate’s skills, while others propose vendor-independent exams are the only worthy way of measuring real-world expertise. Still other observers believe the highest-level accreditations – Microsoft’s MCSE or new Architect Series certification, Cisco’s CCIE, etc. – are the only credentials that truly hold value.

Myself, I don’t fully subscribe to any of those mindsets. The best IT certification for you, after all, is likely to be different from that for another technology professional with different education, skills, and goals working at a different company in a different industry. For that reason, when pursuing any professional accreditation, you should give much thought and care to your education, experience, skills, goals, and desired career path.

Once a career road map is in place, selecting a potential certification path becomes much easier. And that’s where this list of the industry’s 10 best IT certifications comes into play. While this list may not include the 10 best accreditations for you, it does catalog 10 IT certifications that possess significant value for a wide range of technology professionals.

#1: MCITP

The new-generation Microsoft Certified IT Professional credential, or MCITP for short, is likely to become the next big Microsoft certification. Available for a variety of fields of expertise – including database developer, database administrator, enterprise messaging administrator, and server administrator – an MCITP validates a professional’s proven job-role capabilities. Candidates must pass several Microsoft exams that track directly to their job role before earning the new designation.

As with Microsoft’s other new-generation accreditations, the MCITP certification will retire when Microsoft suspends mainstream support for the platforms targeted within the MCITP exams. By matching the new certification to popular job roles, as has been done to some extent with CompTIA’s Server+ (server administrator), Project+ (project manager), and A+ (desktop support) certifications, Microsoft has created a new certification that’s certain to prove timely, relevant, and valuable.

#2: MCTS

The new-generation Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) helps IT staff validate skills in installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting a specific Microsoft technology. The MCTS certifications are designed to communicate the skills and expertise a holder possesses on a specific platform.

For example, candidates won’t earn an MCTS on SQL Server 2008. Instead, they’ll earn an MCTS covering SQL Server business intelligence (MCTS: SQL Server 2008 Business Intelligence), database creation (MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Database Development), or SQL server administration (MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance).

These new certifications require passing multiple, tightly targeted exams that focus on specific responsibilities on specific platforms. MCTS designations will expire when Microsoft suspends mainstream support for the corresponding platform. These changes, as with other new-generation Microsoft certifications, add value to the accreditation.

#3: Security+

Security continues to be a critical topic. That’s not going to change. In fact, its importance is only going to grow. One of the quickest ways to lose shareholder value, client confidence, and sales is to suffer a data breach. And no self-respecting technology professional wants to be responsible for such a breach.

CompTIA’s Security+ accreditation provides a respected, vendor-neutral foundation for industry staff (with at least two years of experience) seeking to demonstrate proficiency with security fundamentals. While the Security+ accreditation consists of just a single exam, it could be argued that any IT employee charged with managing client data or other sensitive information should, at a minimum, possess this accreditation. The importance of ensuring staff are properly educated as to systems security, network infrastructure, access control, auditing, and organizational security principles is simply too important to take for granted.

#4: MCPD

There’s more to information technology than just administration, support, and networking. Someone must create and maintain the applications and programs that power organizations. That’s where the new-generation Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) credential comes into play.

The MCPD accreditation measures a developer’s ability to build and maintain software solutions using Visual Studio 2008 and Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. Split into three certification paths (Windows Developer 3.5, ASP.NET Developer 3.5, and Enterprise Applications Developer 3.5), the credential targets IT professionals tasked with designing, optimizing, and operating those Microsoft technologies to fulfill business needs.

A redesigned certification aimed at better-measuring real-world skills and expertise, the MCPD will prove important for developers and programmers. Besides requiring candidates to pass several exams, the MCPD certification will retire when Microsoft suspends mainstream support for the corresponding platform. The change is designed to ensure the MCPD certification remains relevant, which is certain to further increase its value.

#5: CCNA

The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) accreditation captures most of the networking company’s certification glory. But the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) might prove more realistic within many organizations.

In a world in which Microsoft and Linux administrators are also often expected to be networking experts, many companies don’t have the budgets necessary to train (or employ) a CCIE. But even small and midsize corporations can benefit from having their technology professionals earn basic proficiency administering Cisco equipment, as demonstrated by earning a CCNA accreditation.

As smaller companies become increasingly dependent upon remote access technologies, basic Cisco systems skills are bound to become more important. Although many smaller organizations will never have the complexity or workload necessary to keep a CCIE busy, Cisco’s CCNA is a strong accreditation for technology professionals with a few years’ experience seeking to grow and improve their networking skills.

#6: A+

Technology professionals with solid hardware and support skills are becoming tougher to find. There’s not much glory in digging elbow-deep into a desktop box or troubleshooting Windows boot errors. But those skills are essential to keeping companies running.

Adding CompTIA’s A+ certification to a resume tells hiring managers and department heads that you have proven support expertise. Whether an organization requires desktop installation, problem diagnosis, preventive maintenance, or computer or network error troubleshooting, many organizations have found A+-certified technicians to be more productive than their noncertified counterparts.

Changes to the A+ certification, which requires passing multiple exams, are aimed at keeping the popular credential relevant. Basic prerequisite requirements are now followed by testing that covers specific fields of expertise (such as IT, remote support, or depot technician). The accreditation is aimed at those working in desktop support, on help desks, and in the field, and while many of these staffers are new to the industry, the importance of an A+ certification should not be overlooked.

#7: PMP

Some accreditations gain value by targeting specific skills and expertise. The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a great example.

The Project Management Institute (PMI), a nonprofit organization that serves as a leading membership association for project management practitioners, maintains the PMP exam. The certification measures a candidate’s project management expertise by validating skills and knowledge required to plan, execute, budget, and lead a technology project. Eligible candidates must have five years of project management experience or three years of project management experience and 35 hours of related education.

As organizations battle tough economic conditions, having proven project scheduling, budgeting, and management skills will only grow in importance. The PMI’s PMP credential is a perfect conduit for demonstrating that expertise on a resume.

#8: MCSE/MCSA

Even years after their introduction, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) credentials remain valuable. But it’s important to avoid interpreting these accreditations as meaning the holders are all-knowing gurus, as that’s usually untrue.

In my mind, the MCSE and MCSA hold value because they demonstrate the holder’s capacity to complete a long and comprehensive education, training, and certification program requiring intensive study. Further, these certifications validate a wide range of relevant expertise (from client and server administration to security issues) on specific, widely used platforms.

Also important is the fact that these certifications tend to indicate holders have been working within the technology field for a long time. There’s no substitute for actual hands-on experience. Many MCSEs and MCSAs hold their certifications on Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 platforms, meaning they’ve been working within the industry for many years. While these certifications will be replaced by Microsoft’s new-generation credentials, they remain an important measure of foundational skills on Windows platforms.

#9: CISSP

As mentioned with the Security+ accreditation earlier, security is only going to grow in importance. Whatever an organization’s mission, product, or service, security is paramount.

(ISC)², which administers the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) accreditation, has done well building a respected, vendor-neutral security certification. Designed for industry pros with at least five years of full-time experience, and accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the CISSP is internationally recognized for validating a candidate’s expertise with operations and network and physical security, as well as their ability to manage risk and understand legal compliance responsibilities and other security-related elements.

#10: Linux+

While pursuing my first Microsoft certification 10 years ago, I remember debating the importance of Linux with several telecommunications technicians. They mocked the investment I was making in learning Microsoft technologies. These techs were confident Linux was going to displace Windows.

Well, didn’t happen. Linux continues to make inroads, though. The open source alternative is an important platform. Those professionals who have Linux expertise and want to formalize that skill set will do well adding CompTIA’s Linux+ certification to their resumes.

The vendor-neutral exam, which validates basic Linux client and server skills, is designed for professionals with at least six to 12 months of hands-on Linux experience. In addition to being vendor-neutral, the exam is also distribution neutral (meaning the skills it covers work well whether a candidate is administering Red Hat, SUSE, or Ubuntu systems).

Let the debate begin

Technology professionals almost always have strong reactions when debating certification’s value. Listing the top 10 certifications leaves room, of course, for only 10 credentials. That means many favorite and popular designations, such as HIPAA and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) certifications, have been necessarily omitted. Other important accreditations, including those for VoIP providers and from PC manufacturers, Red Hat, and even Apple, have also been left out here.

Which certifications would you leave off this list and which would you add in their place? Join the discussion (link below) and share the logic behind your choices.

About the Author

Erik Eckel is president of two privately held technology consulting companies. He previously served as executive editor at TechRepublic. Read his full bio and profile.

This article reprinted courtesy of TechRepublic.

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By admin – November 24, 2009

IT industry age-biased, jobs for older techies stagger

The anti-ageism legislation in UK isn’t working and the IT industry is continuing to discriminate against older techies. That’s the verdict of the 2009 silicon.com Skills Survey.

The majority (51 percent) of survey respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the IT industry discriminates against older workers, compared with less than a fifth (18 percent) who held the opposite view.

The result is largely unchanged from last year’s survey – suggesting anti-ageism legislation passed by the UK government back in October 2006, that made it illegal to discriminate against individuals based on their age during the hiring process; when considering promotion; or providing on-the-job training – has done little to help older IT pros get a fair crack at getting hired.

Almost half (45 percent) of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement ‘employers are happy to recruit IT workers over the age of 40,’ with only a quarter (26 percent) saying that organizations are content to hire over-40s.

The survey also shows that many tech workers remain unsure whether anti-ageism legislation has made it easier for older IT pros to find work or not, with almost half (48 percent) saying they don’t know whether the government’s intervention has had an impact or not.

Meanwhile, a third of 2009 respondents believe the legislation has failed, versus less than a fifth (18 percent) who think it has helped older tech workers get jobs.

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By admin – December 3, 2009

Are engineering students being fooled by IT firms?

“Infosys, TCS or Wipro! Somehow I need to have a placement in any of these IT companies,” voiced over 400 students, who took admission in a Chennai-based engineering college in 2005.

Among all those voices, was a frail, but a determined voice of Raman Sharma, a boy from Chhattisgarh, who studied day and night to get admission in this college. Dressed in white shirt, black pant and leather sandal on the first day of his fourth-year engineering course, Raman thought that he had crossed the first hurdle of making his dream true of becoming an IT engineer. But at the same time, he was unaware of the words like recession, lay-off, firing, cutting costs, virtual pool and bench strength, which he faced, once he passed out from his college in May 2009. Helping his father in the field, Raman is still waiting for his appointment letter from TCS.

Raman’s case is not the only one. In the last one and a half year, most of the 2008-09 graduates have not been given joining letters after they were handed offer letters in the campus. Now, most companies are coming back to these graduates, asking them to join the BPO division instead of the technology division, which is a frustrating situation for the engineering graduates, who worked very hard for four years in college to get through an IT company. Saurabh, who did not prefer to mention his college name, said, “I studied IT for four years, but now when I go to any company for job, they say that there is a vacancy in the BPO sector, but not in the main stream.”

Wipro had given offer letters to 8,000 graduates for jobs in the IT services segment, but when these graduates joined the company, they were asked to work in BPO division. Pradeep Bahirwani, Vice-President (Talent Acquisition), Wipro Technologies said, “This was part of its new initiative to let engineering graduates commence work without delay. Their experience at the BPO would be considered relevant and continuous when they move into the IT services after 12 to 18 months.”

Similarly, Mahindra Satyam had 3,000 campus hires waiting to join the telecom solutions company till September. The company sent an email to the campus recruits, saying, “We are glad to share our plans with you for adding fresh engineering graduates to our Network Implementation Services operations in the near future. The candidates who accept this offer, the salary package offered will be Rs.1.7 lakh per annum, which is Rs.1.2 lakh less than what the campus recruits were supposed to get as per the company’s initial commitment. In case the ‘freshers’ do not accept this offer, its earlier offer issued through campus selection stands good and very much valid, but will depend only as and when company has the requirement.” Also Infosys, which had hired around 18,000 graduates last year, asked more than half of the recruits to work in its BPO section. But it did not reduce the salary.

Even though these companies have not offered joining letters to all the previous campus recruits and placed many of selected candidates in BPO division, they have started making rounds of engineering colleges for the campus recruitment once again. This year too, they plan to hire ‘freshers’ in large numbers.

According to recent NASSCOM report, Infosys has plans of hiring 20,000 graduates this year, even though 30,000 people at Infosys are ‘benched’. Similarly, TCS has plans of hiring 25,000 people this year, even though 100s of students like Raman are waiting to get the joining letter. TCS officials denied of giving any information regarding the last year campus recruits, who are yet to get the joining letter.

As already we have a large number of students waiting to get their joining letter, these companies seem to be doing the same mistake again by planning to hire large chunk of students. Some IT professionals also believe that this step may be a sign of major lay off in middle level positions.

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By admin – December 3, 2009

CAT goes online, students go offline

After a disappointing start to the online CAT, the authorities have given different theories to the problem ranging from a virus attack to server crash. However, in the eyes of students who are left in the lurch, things seem to be different.

With his eyes set on the top B-schools in the country, Srinath R.P. had prepared hard to bell the Common Admission Test (CAT) this year. His exam was scheduled to be held at R.V. College of Engineering, Bangalore at 10 am on 28 November. But, after reaching the centre, during the process of checking, Srinath got the shock of his life when he was informed by the authorities that his name was not downloading in the Prometric site.

“The authorities got in touch with Prometric/IIM authorities for more than three hours, but could not solve the problem. Then they told me that I can’t take my CAT exam since my name is not downloading into the test site Roster,” says Srinath. After the poor response, the authorities gave him Prometric Candidate Care contact number and asked him to call them for rescheduling the exam.

With a shimmer of hope left in his heart to take the exam this time, Srinath tried contacting Prometric, but this didn’t put an end to his misery. “Even though I have tried contacting the number more than 20 times. There is no response and it only goes for redialing,” says a dismayed Srinath, who is among thousands of candidates facing similar kinds of problem after the CAT went online. The students are also unsure about the rescheduled dates for their exam. The irony is that though India is touted as a technology hub, the dream of one of the prestigious exams in the country to go online is short-lived and the students are left in the dark.

Students who arrived at Garden City College in Bangalore were shocked when officials told them that the test had been called off because of a faulty server. There was complete confusion at the venue as none of the administrative officers knew what was happening and why the server was not working. Students held a dharna inside the exam hall.

Around 5,000 students will now have to take the CAT afresh at new dates throwing the original 10-day schedule into disarray. Technical experts blamed U.S. based Prometric – the agency entrusted with carrying out the first online version of CAT – for underestimating the magnitude of the task. “They didn’t even have a Plan B,” said a top official of another firm that runs online examinations, on condition of anonymity. Prometric said it has quarantined 50 labs across 14 centres on Sunday, and blamed the fiasco on a virus attack that went undetected.

The agency said that the problem was being sorted out, and the test was being rescheduled for the several affected candidates who would be informed through SMS and emails. A new date however, brings in new set of problems for the aspirants many of whom are employed and find it difficult to reschedule.

The seven IIMs and about 150 top B-schools base their admissions on CAT scores, and this year the exams were moved online hoping that it would speed up the process for the institutes and the 2.4 lakh candidates. IIMs’ CAT panel gave the task to Prometrics, which runs online exams like GRE and TOEFL. However, with the situation taking a chaotic turn, IIM directors took stock of the situation and held a video conference on Sunday.

IIM Ahmedabad Director Samir Barua said computer labs were being sanitized. “We need to find out from where the virus attack happened,” he said. Around 100 Prometric engineers have been pressed into service, said IIM Bangalore Director Pankaj Chandra.

“We, along with Prometric and NIIT, are trying to figure out where the problem lies. Since these computers were located in institutes, their backbone was used to download the software. In some places there were serious virus attacks. So we blocked some affected centres and others which we felt might get affected to clean up the computer system, remove viruses and reload the software,” he said.

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By admin – December 3, 2009