I have worked in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for many years now and am planning a transition to the corporate sector. However, there is a general perception among recruiters that NGOs are not as professionally demanding of their employees as the corporate sector is. Consequently, they doubt the competence of people working with NGOs in meeting the demands of the industry. This is making it difficult for me to make the switch. How do I convince prospective employers about my competence?

Unfortunately, the stereotyped image you are talking about does exist and you can only counter that during the interview, where you can highlight your achievements and also explain how the NGOs you worked for operate. This should help. If you have been doing something that is relevant to the corporate sector (like marketing cards or gifts to institutional buyers or raising funds), then focus on it. If you have no such items to list, you are right, it will be difficult for you to switch to a company. One solution: compromise on the position.

I have just been promoted to a managerial position in my organisation. How soon should I begin to evaluate, reassign and, if necessary, remove members of the staff under me? I feel a number of changes are due, but I don't want to discourage my staff right at the outset or jeopardise my image by appearing to be ruthless.

You must evaluate your staff daily at an informal level. But formal evaluation and reassigning of duties is usually done not before three months of taking over as a supervisor. As for relocating people, a lot will depend on how senior you are, what kind of people you are removing, and the approvals you need before doing that. There is no clear rule about this-it should not be too early or too impulsive a decision, nor so late that it jeopardises your image as a competent manager and your seniors think you to be indecisive or laid back. However, I would recommend that you spend some time not only to familiarise yourself with your staff, but also to make sure you have come to the right conclusions about the people in your department. You would do well to decide upon a plan of action, then.

What is likely to be more effective when supplying references in a resume for a prospective employer-a reference with an impressive title, a high-level connection in the industry or a friend or co-worker who knows the quality of my work and is therefore in a better position to vouch for me?

A friend is not likely to be looked upon as an authentic reference because he or she will, in all probability, underplay your shortcomings, which is not what the prospective employer wants. A good reference will be someone you have worked with, especially if that person also happens to be your senior or at a 'high-level' as you call it. A co-worker would be a good reference, as would be an ex-boss or a client with whom you have worked. But make sure you have no history of unpleasantness with the person you name as a reference because a wrong reference can do more damage than no reference at all.

I have never had a problem landing a job I apply for, not when the company in question grants me an interview. I do my interviews as well as I do, at the risk of sounding boastful, my job. However, my problem is that interview calls from the companies that I apply to take time. For nearly every 20 resumes that I send out, I receive just one interview call. I'm trying to switch jobs and this is proving to be a major problem. Please help.

Perhaps your resume doesn't convey all the information that is desired by prospective employers before they call someone for an interview. A resume is the only source of information about you that a potential employer has. When an employer has a choice of many resumes, he or she usually goes for the one that sounds more promising. The people who are granted the interview may not be the best qualified, but they are most likely ones who have the best resumes. You would do well to review your resume by putting yourself in the company's shoes. Try taking professional help to write your resume afresh. Your aim should not be overplay your achievements but to present them in the best possible manner.

Answers to your career concerns are contributed by Tarun Sheth (Senior Consultant) and Shilpa Sheth (Managing Partner) of HR firm, Shilputsi Consultants. Write to Help,Tarun! c/o Business Today, Videocon Tower, Fifth Floor, E-1, Jhandewalan Extn., New Delhi-110055.

SECTOR WATCH
The Great IT Invite
The IT industry has thrown open doors to graduates and managers, besides recruiting engineers.

If there's one sector that has single-handedly managed to put India on the global map in a short span of time, it is it. With a contribution of close to Rs 60,000 crore to the country's GDP, not only is it a key economic driver but also India's great white hope for the future. And in competitive times such as these, the extent of it adoption is what differentiates the smart companies from the laggards. With companies, small and big, making significant investments in it to up their efficiencies, the demand for it professionals in the country is almost perennial.

Hot jobs: The opportunities in it could range from bread and butter code-writing to developing embedded systems to it-enabled customer relationship management. Verticals like banking and financial services, retail and telecom that are growing exponentially in the country require massive it support. Specialisation in a high-growth vertical is invaluable. "The growth areas are integrated circuit (IC) design, digital/analog chip and board-level design, algorithm design and optimisation to embedded software development, system engineering in communications, control, media processing and medical applications," explains Srini Rajam, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ittiam Systems. Another area that has seen an explosion in job opportunities is the BPO sector. Notwithstanding a recent proposal in the US state of New Jersey that seeks to cut down on the amount of work outsourced by the US Government to India, analysts insist that the boom in the industry will continue for some time to come. Currently, the BPO sector employs close to two lakh people and the number is expected to go up to a million by 2007.

Basic qualifications: While engineers and MCAs have an advantage in the areas of software development and R&D, the ITEs segment offers great new opportunities for graduates from the non-technical streams. "An engineering degree in electronics and communications, electricals or computers is still a passport to a good job. Engineers with three-to-five years' relevant experience are much in demand," points out Rajam. Adds Jayaram Easwaran, VP (HR), Hughes Software Systems, "There is an increasing demand across all levels. Engineers, MCAs or advanced diploma holders, in it there's room for everyone."

-Moinak Mitra