Lecture 23 - Interview Preparation and Procedures

Figure 1: Job Interview

"The best interviews, like the best biographies, should sing the strangeness and variety of the human race." 

The biggest mistake in interviewing is not being fully prepared. It behooves job seekers to use every conceivable means possible to prepare for the interview and to allow ample time to fully prepare. Understand that interviewing is a skill; as with all skills, preparation and practice enhance the quality of that skill. Preparation can make the difference between getting an offer and getting rejected.

 

Learning from class:

Lecturer started off the lecture by stating that interviewee needs to preparer some potential questions that might ask in the interview which enable interviewee to familiar with structure of the answers that planing to provide.

After that lecturer stated that interviewee needs to prepare list of questions along with answers for them, that consist of questions and answers along with consequence such as,

1. What sort of TV programs you Watch?

• Avoid TV series and watching documentary programs that play in Discovery  and History Channel

2.  What are your Weaknesses?

• Mention only one weakness and provide a weakness that also can be seen as a strength. Examples:- Perfectionist, Inability to say No and Not giving Quick Response for highly critical tasks since its requires detailed analysis.

3. What are your Strengths?

• Always need to justify each point by giving examples. As an example if chose Leadership skills provide an example where you demonstrated it and state the outcome of it.

4. Why you need this job?

• Should come up with list of reasons and better to give three reasons and those reasons should highlights motivation and enthusiasm for that particular job. As an example state like "That I have more to offer to the organization and I think it reciprocal I have more things to get from the organization in terms of experience and skills"  
• Need to highlight interviewee dedication and motivation towards the company
•  Highlight the unique projects that company do and how the interviewee can support them 

5.  Why are you good candidate for this job?

• Find three reasons from the quick match sheet that highlight most suitability or best match qualification for the applied job.

6. What do you think or know about our organizations?

• Highlight the uniqueness and finical status of the organization as well as how it differ from its competitors

After specify above general interview questions lecturer stated in interviews there might be tricky questions shoots to interviewee after satisfy up to some extent with general question session. Those tricky questions are,

1. How much of salary you are expecting?

• A good answer would be "This job normally pays in range of  30 000 to 50 000 and I would prefer some upper bound salary"

2. What is your Ambition?

• Ambition should align with the line of work in that particular line or in job area. As example in Business Analysis or Developer the ambition should be a project manager.

3. What if kind of questions?

• These types of questions ask to check How good you are in problem solving. Basically given a mockup scenario or pseudo code to react open or provide the answer.

4. What type of dreams you see?

• Tell about some positive dreams you had.

Then lecturer mentioned that after come up with answers for the above questions candidate should practice those answers in front of a mirror with little bit of expression in face along with good body language movements relating to the answers been provided since the rehashing is the key to success. The more you practice the more you become comfortable.

Lecturer also stated that end of the interview before leaving, it a must to shake hand interviewer since it reflects your professionalism.

Before concluding the lecture for the day lecturer stated there are some Golden Rules to consider. They are,

• Always listen to the question completely and address it
• Always provide evidence what is stated and make sure it referenced in the CV
• Don't Rumble 
• Avoid slang words  

Reality of the Lecture:

From this lecture I understood how well I need to prepare for an interview and potential questions that interviewers might ask in a interview as well as how to structure the answers in a professional manner that outcome a better chance of getting me selected from an interview. The most of the artifacts that learned from this lecture can be define as commons sense that a particular candidate should develop before facing to an interview. I think I clearly grabbed the theoretical aspect of this interview code of conduct and I will use it for my future career requirements by mixing my own flavor of doing things in order to differentiate by self from other candidates.

Lecture 22 - Interview Skills

Figure 1: Interview

Get comfortable. Forget that you in an interview. Say what comes to the Mind.

When people are fed up, need a new challenge, want more money, want a more conducive work environment they start reading the want ads, polishing their CVs, pounding the pavements and trawling for jobs. The current situation, however, does tend to mean that a whole lot of other people are also looking for new jobs, so you need to have a jump on the competition by presenting yourself at interview in the best possible light, no matter whether you've been made redundant or are looking for something fresh and motivating. 

Learning from class:

 

Lecturer started off the lecturer by specifying why there is a requirement for an interview. According to lecturer main objectives were to identify candidates communication skills, practicality, appearance, energetic/enthusiastic level towards its organization.

Then Lecturer stated that there are few types of Interviews. They are

• One-to-One -  Consist of one interviewer (potential supervisor) and interviewee

• Two People - Consist of two interviewers. Normally questions were asked by one interviewer and both interviewers assets the interviewee. Both interviewers assessment will be consolidated regarding the interviewee at the end of the interview.  Normally interviewees address only to one person this is a big mistake that done by many interviewees. Should be address to both interviewers.  

• Panel (Conference) - Every interviewers in the panel assessing the interviewee. In some point every interviewer communicate with the interviewee. As from interviewee side they must challenge to convince each interviewer in to some extend. The success level of convince can be identify by interviewer's reaction such as from a smile since it reflects the sign of approval.

• Group Interview - Select few candidates, call them for an informal Question and Answer session. In the Q&A session all the candidates were short listed and allow candidates to ask question from interviewers. As from interviewees side they must ask really good and relevant questions from interviewers since they assets interviewees based on the questions that they ask. Basically the success dependents on the questions that candidate ask. Should ask questions that reflects the candidate's interest towards the job.   

Then lecturer stated besides the above types of  based on how the interview is conducted it can be further classified as, 

   

• General Interviews (Informal) - Normal discussion between interviewer and interviewee. Interviewer does not well prepared for the interview but there is some objectives to accomplish. Some questions were made depend on the scenario.

• Chronological Interviews - Based on the life events interviewer conduct the interview. Interviewer try to picture interviewee based on the artifacts that they gain from questions. Seek for the logical of career changes and address gaps in the interviewees life. 

• Criteria based Interview - Seeking for evidence whether the candidate fulfill criteria or requirements that specified in job advertisement. This can be achieve easily through by Quick Match Template that provided by the lecturer that enables candidates to well prepare for expectations of job requirements.

Then lecturer described about the Quick Match Template. According to lecturer this allows the candidate to prepare well before facing to an interview or making the CV. First Candidate need to list down what are the qualification,experience and technical knowledge that the company asking for and then need to specify what are the consequence that ccandidate owns to fulfill each requirement of it. This should considered to be number one priority before apply for job since this outcomes facts to make custom made CV for the applicant.

• Technical of Creative Interview - This type of interviews quiz interviewees Technical knowledge

• Telephone Interviews - This conduct over the phone. Enable interviewers to short list candidates. This saves interviewers time since it enables the interviewer to get to know the communication skills of the candidate and enthusiastic towards the applied job vacancy. 

Then lecturer stated how to prepare for a Telephone Interview. They are,

• Need to check for the availability
• Check for a suitable place without any disturbances
• Better dress up formal
• Sit in a proper place without like relaxing on a bed etc.
• Prepare the documents and keep it in a way that easy to use.
• Interviewee can make a good impression by the way they answer to the questions that directed from them.

Then the lecture discussed what to consider before confirming and to face to an interview.

• Check the availability

• Confirm the candidate attendance. Ask the place, time, whom going to meet
  and required documents to bring

• Try to go little bit earlier

• Make a good first impression

There can be instances a person will get two interviews at the same time. If a person face such problem there are two options that candidate can do. 

• Inform one of the companies that called for the interview that by specifying that candidate have another interview and unable to make it. This depict in some ways that the company get to know that candidate have some demand form other companies as well.

• Let the company know that candidate unable to make it due to unavoidable circumstances and ask for another date and time if available. This depict that candidate owns some enthusiasm for the job.

Then Lecturer mention that candidate can be successful in an interview based on mainly three things. How good the impression is made followed by the type of answers that candidate give for the questions that shoots from interviewer. And both above factors possible if the candidate know their capabilities and how to utilize it.

Before concluding lecture, lecture spoke about consequences of better background preparation for an interview.

Background preparation for an Interview:

• Check for the organization profile

• Talk to some people who are currently working to the company. From that can get to know procedures of the company and will helpful to prepare for the interview.

• Try to do a Google search in order to aware of the changes that organization has done, new owner etc.

• Try to read annual reports of the company and find out what kind of issues/problems company has etc.

• Analyze the job - How to fulfill the requirements, do a quick match.

• Need to come up with potential questions that will be asked in the interview and prepared with answers for the questions.

As final word for the today's lecture, lecturer said more the level of preparation for an interview, applicant will get more chance of been selected for an job.    

Reality of the Lecture:

From this lecture I was able to gain different aspects of Interview and the background which related to it. According my understandability main outcome is of the interview is to mirror or picture the knowledge, qualification and experience that a particular applicant owns to its interviewer. In order to accomplish that objective applicant can focus into the main dimensions of interview as discussed in today lecture by fine tuning unwanted information will heading to make a good impression in interviewers mind. In my perspective this enables me to confidently face to any interview since I know the factors to be consider and focus on before go into an interview as well as to get through successfully from the challenge.  

Lecture 21 - Presentation Skills

Figure 1: Presentation

Grasp the subject, the words will follow.

Presentations skills and public speaking skills are very useful in many aspects of work and life. Effective presentations and public speaking skills are important in business, sales and selling, training, teaching, lecturing and generally entertaining an audience. Developing the confidence and capability to give good presentations, and to stand up in front of an audience and speak well, are also extremely helpful competencies for self development too. Presentations and public speaking skills are not limited to certain special people anyone can give a good presentation, or perform public speaking to a professional and impressive standard. Like most things, it simply takes a little preparation and practice.

Learning from Class:

Today the lecture was purely based on Presentation Skills. Lecturer started the lecture my showing a quote in the slide as,

"Your brain starts working the moment you are born, and never stops until you stand up to speak in public"  

The above quote phrases the frighten people normally get in a scenario of public speaking for larger audience. And lecturer stated public speaking is considered to be one of the biggest fears humans can have. After that lecturer discussed about types of presentations by specifying main two categories. They are,

• Formal Presentations
• Informal Presentation  

Lecturer stated that presentations mostly used in,

• Lectures
• Academic Conferences
• Business Presentations - Pitching a product or an idea
• Project Presentations

After that lecturer made an important statement which is that a presentation does not always requires presentation slides, presenter can use visual aids or verbal skills to acknowledge the target audience. 

Lecturer mentioned that as academic students need to face a project colloquium which need to be presented by students that considered to be the most important as well as an essential fulfillment for their final year project requirements.

Then lecturer said, ways to make a good first impression by stating below mention artifacts which results presenter to convince the audience at a glance. 

• Gather thoughts and ideas - Take some time to think what need to present does not requires to rush into the topic straightly

• Don't just read the paragraphs of the presentation paper just add your thoughts into it by giving example where it necessary

• Maintain good eye contact

• Control the voice - Basically control the pitch and the tone level

• Pause for while between topics since it helps to arrange the next topic details and allow the audience to understand what is been specified and conceptualize.

• Don't speak too fast audience unable to read the presenter

• Act naturally throughout the presentation

• Avoid items and topics that are not directly part of the speech since its distract the flow of presentation

• Before finishing the presentation summarize the main points have been discussed, this enables audience to recap the content.

Then the lecturer drove the lecture to subject matters which describes thing to do when preparing presentation materials. They are,

Brief - Comprise the content of the slides that enables audience to read easily

Perceive -  Make the content interesting to the audience  

Effective - Make the content value to the audience that enables them to gain something from it

After specifying above characteristic lecturer discussed how to open a presentation basically the method to present the presentation in appropriate flow. Under that lecturer said just starts with a subject matter, some may not attracted to the presentation. To overcome the above problem presenter can use following techniques,

Present a joke

Prescribing facts - Explain a scenario

Starts with a story

Ask a question

Starts with a quote

Conduct a demonstration that align to the topic to be discussed

Showing a picture or a video to make the interest

After discussing above facts lecturer stated presenter should prepare a logical structure of the talk by focusing on areas such as,

• Opening (Introduction and Content)
• Presentation body
• Conclusion
• Follow ups 
• Be familiar with presentation materials - Add new ideas to the content and use cue cards where it applicable
• Oral Communication - Do rehearse and practice regarding on the presentation to be done

And then lecture mentioned key factors to be consider based on the presenter's role as in speaker and information delivery perspective,

As a speaker -

Know your audience - Identify the knowledge level of the audience

Professional attire - Consideration on speakers attire

Confidence - Believe in what you have done and talk on that. Make the audience feel that you know what presenting.

Body language  and Gesture - Use of non verbal communication where it necessary and appropriate

Avoid jokes - Use appropriate jokes depend on the audience background level

Stick to the Time - Utilize the time available for convey the important contents in the presentation to audience

When Delivering a presentation -

Speak Clearly -  Speak in a way that audience can understand

Don't rush or Don't talk deliberately slow - Talk in moderation speed

Have some variety of the content and presentation - Otherwise audience will get bored

Based on the topic deliver topic

Don't fix on an individual - Make eye contact but as in general

Leave time for discussion - Enable audience to present their questions 

Lecturer concluded the lecture by reading out a quote that stated as "You'll never get a second chance, until you make a first impression". 

Reality of the Lecture:

From this lecture I understood that I need to improve my presentation skills in a way that enables to effectively convey the expected information to target audience. During my earlier academic presentations many lecturers informed me that I talk too fast during the presentation that results in  some understandability issues for them. According to the theory discussed in the today's lecture I understood the root cause for this is nervousness and the restriction of the time. In future I'll try to prepare my upcoming presentation well where that I can control those two aspects favorable on my way that resulting a quality presentation that the audience seeking form a academic student. Since the the topic explained all the consequences of quality presentation as a student by focusing on each aspect thoroughly I'll be befit through out my life time since my career would be any how revolves around in business environment.

Lecture 20 - Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Figure 1 : Steps to dream job

"It is an Advertisement about You, Only valid function is to Get You Invited"

 

When should job seekers use a curriculum vitae, commonly referred to as CV. Curriculum Vitae is used primarily when applying for academic, education, scientific or research positions. It is also applicable when applying for fellowships or grants.

Learning from Class:

Today the lecture was entirety revolved around "Curriculum Vitae" topic. Lecturer started the lecture by specifying CV is the main marketing tool which can be used to market your self when you wiling to employe, also CV should be a reflection of your self and capability as well as what you can offer to the organization. As stated in Illinois (2012) a CV should be Relevance, Visual Appeal and Self-Promotion. The further description as mention,

• Relevance - Tailor the CV to the specific positions to which applicant are applying

• Visual Appeal - CVs may only be reviewed for a few seconds. During that time applicant need to convey information and to convincingly describe experiences and potential. CV must be well organized and easy to read.

• Self-Promotion - CV is the principal way that potential employers learn about your experiences and suitability for a position. People should present themselves in the best possible way.

After discussing above facts lecturer stated below facts as well,

A grate CV is the first step towards Dream Job. Its not efficient to use one single CV content and format to apply for various organizations since the job requirements can different as well as some times its depend on the organization background. To avoid above consequences people need to customize or tailor maid their CV to align with organization job requirement.

Simply a CV can influence a person (employer) through applicant's skills (Cognitive Skills, Motor Skills and Effective Skills), experience and achievement.

Objective of an CV

A CV is a sales document that highlights your skills, experience and achievements in such a way that the employer is motivated to meet applicant.

After discussing CV objective, lecturer dived the lecture to another aspect by stating how CV helps to market applicant.

Marketing or Advertising Applicant

• Applicant CV must sell you to a prospective employer, and compete against other applicants

• Applicant curriculum vitae must be presented professionally, clearly, and in a way that indicates an ideal candidate for the job - The right skills, experience, behavior, attitude, that the employer is seeking

• The way applicant present CV effectively demonstrates applicant's ability to communicate, and particularly to explain a professional business proposition

• The challenge in CV writing is to be more appealing and attractive than the rest

• Write down a description of the person they are looking for and use this as a blue-print of the CV. The better the match the more likely called for an interview

After explaining above guidelines lecturer asked to list down some attributes should reflects from a professional CV. They are,

1. Curtious
2. Consistence
3. Credible
4. Precise
5. Planner
6. Good listener
7. Collaboration
8. Punctual
9. Broad minded
10. Innovative

After looked in to above attributes lecturer stated what to content in a CV,

CV Contents

• Personal Data - Include only relevant personal data such as name, address, age, gender and marital status

• Career Objective - Position, Career Aspiration/Goal

• Education - Should include in chronological order

• Work Experiences - Related to industry that applicant applying for

• Professional Affiliations - Forums and Communities (Ex:- CIM, CIMA, ACCA, BCS, ISACA, CSSL)

• Leadership, Honors, Achievements - Special positions and awards that applicant gain.
  References - Should reference non-relative references.

As the main part of this CV topic lecturer discussed some rules that incline for a great CV.

10 Rules to a Great CV  

Rule 1 - Don’t Play resume roulette

•   Customize the each CV that sends to different organization by conducting a thorough research from available resources such Job Ads, Websites, Network and Public Info (Annual Reports, Newspaper, Media Reports and Industrial Specific)

Rule 2 - Skip the Summary (Puffery)

•  Include an Need and the Objective as well as reflect the content based on content of the CV.
• Career objective may include - Applicant career goal, Strengths, Prefer environment to work and contribution applicant given to the company 

Rule 3 -  Sell not Tell

• Eliminate all self serving descriptions and focus on facts
• Give evidence as mush as can

Rule 4 - Mind your Language

• Never use jargon words since CV reader may face difficulty in understanding

• Don't Use "I", Always better to write in 3rd person perspective

Rule 5 - Nothing Personal

• Keep personal details short and add only relevant personal details. Depending on the job that applying for applicant can add hobbies that relating to the career

Rule 6 - Drop the Irrelevant Affiliation

• Affiliations and memberships can be controversial and create an unintended/unwanted consequence

• Don't use following:-

Member of Jewish society (Religious)
Member of the Royal Golf club (elitist)
Member of “Right to abortion” society (trouble
Maker)
Avoid Famous/Public/Political References – include References that are relevant to the job ONLY

Rule 7 - Keep it Real

• Skip the history lesson (focus on a 5 year period)
• Don’t be dishonest instead be creative

Rule 8 - Include a Photo

• Eliminate doubts

• Better chances at the interview

• Serious, well dressed, not a crowded background – professional passport size photo is best

Rule 9 - Write a Cover Letter

• Short and sweet
• Personal name of the Manager
• Re-emphasize your contact details
• Sections

-1st paragraph – Why you are writing
-2nd paragraph – Why the particular vacancy interests you
-3rd Paragraph – What skills, contributions would you bring in. Why pick you over the others
-4th paragraph – Closing. End on positive and futuristic note

Rule 10 - Don’t forget the basics

• Use good paper (conqueror – cream)

• Word Process

• Spell checked

• Easy to read not verbose

• 1 – 2 page (max)

Before concluding the lecture for the day, lecturer stated what to consider before submitting or sending a CV to the applying organization.

Check List for a better CV includes,

• Keep it short - identify accomplishments and present an impression of substance and capability

• Portray what you can do by revealing what you have done

• Highlight results

• Keep it simple and straightforward

• Be accurate

• Use quality resume paper

• Pay attention to the balance of white space and type

And lecturer also highlighted its better to hand over the CV directly to the person whose reviewing rater than placing it through the HR Department.

Reality of the Lecture:

Today lecture was very important to my self since it enables to gain a clear view regarding the Curriculum Vitae and I realized CV is more than just specifying personal information, educational qualifications and activities done. Basically a better CV should reflects who you are and what you want to be in career path. I was able to focus on consequences by tune out the wrong knowledge that I had regarding the CV's that enabled me to properly understand theoretical dimensions such content to be added, flow of information and how to align the CV relating to the applying job. As the final output expected by considering all the facts is to impress the employer at a glans from the CV content and format. In employee perspective the expected achievements is to get invited for a job interview where the submitted CV act likes a foundation to everything. When moving from the theoretically to reality I will use above learnt knowledge to outcome a unique, effective and relevant customized CV that would coup with today's industrial expectations by reflecting the best I can give through the CV which would results high probability to get called for a job interview.      

References:
 
Illinois. (2012). Curriculum Vitae. [Online]. Available at: http://www.grad.illinois.edu/careerservices/cvs [Accessed 23rd August 2012]

Lecture 19 - Negotiation

Figure 1: Negotiations

"Negotiating means getting the best of your opponent."

 

Many people think of negotiation as a formal process involving businesses closing a multimillion dollar deal. However, this is only a small part of the picture. In fact, whether they know it or not, everyone in their every day lives is a negotiator. Getting what you want in these everyday situations can improve your life and well-being by reducing stress and contention. Getting what you want more often affirms your personality, identity, and confidence. When you often succeed in everyday negotiations, you will feel greater synchronicity and serendipity in your life. Things will really be going your way.

Learning from Class:

Today our lecture conducted by an invited lecturer Mr. Shamer an he started the lecture by specifying what is Negotiation and where it take place. Lecturer stated that negotiations happen when people try to solve a problem.  After that lecturer mentioned that the area mainly focus under this chapter as,

• Methodical ways of negotiations

• Improvements in negotiations

What is Negotiations?

Negotiation is a settlement of problems in order to come to an agreement that acceptable to both parties. This negotiations process can be happen individually as well in a scenario like a person dealing with his thoughts to come to come to a final decision to take.

Negotiation Styles

After stating the definition of the negotiation lecturer stated that Negotiation is basically a choice which includes different ways of sorting an particular problem. Each person adopting different styles (strategies) of negotiations depending on each persons characteristics and behavior. Lecturer mentioned that those strategies can categorize mainly into five types based on Thomas Killman's identification.

Figure 1: Thomas Kilmann Negotiation Model

Avoidance - Ignore or avoid the issue rather than confront them directly. Employ strategies such as denying there is an issue, using jokes as a way to deflect, conflict or trying to change the topic.

Competing - Person try to persuade another person and forcing the other person to come to an conclusion. This is a win end strategy.

Accommodation - Let the other person to decide agree to that opinion. This is a lose win strategy.

Compromise - Occurs half way between competition and accommodation. Both parties give up something and come to a conclusion or settlement by considering the both parties ideas where it outcome better fair conclusion by resulting some downgrade in the strength of argument levels in each parties.

Collaboration - Both parties agrees to positive settlement to the issue and attend fully to the other's concerns while not sacrificing or suppressing their own. The issue not resolved until each side is reasonably satisfied and can support solution. This is a win-win strategy.

After discussing above negotiation styles lecturer directed the lecture to Negotiation Skills

Negotiation Skills

• Search for Interest - Before getting into the negotiation, consider each parties interest.

• Try to Understand - Listen to others carefully and encourage them to explain their side first then they will be willing to listen to you. Also listen carefully to the arguments of the other party and assess the logic of their reasoning.

• Control Emotions - Keep calm and use assertive rather than aggressive behavior. Use tact and diplomacy to diffuse tensions.

• Avoid the presumption of Evil -  Always be optimistic when negotiating. Never consider about the bad side of the subject rather than thinking on the positive side of the subject. 

Beside above main negotiation skills people can use below skills to make the negotiation process more realistic and effective.

• Break down bigger issue to smaller parts - List all the issues and identify key issues depending on that focus on smaller issues that ultimately which settle the core issue.

• Move Away from Blame - Make other party happy and through that achieve the objective hat looking for.

• Maintain Integrity - Having the character quality of being honest, reliable and fair.

Before concluding the lecture for the day lecturer stated that negotiation has two basic approaches. They are,

BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Settlement) - The negotiation carries out depending on the best consequences (options) that a particular person already have.

WATNA (Worst Alternatives to a Negotiated Agreement) - The negotiation carries out when there is no any consequences (options) that a particular person owns.

           

Activity Done:

Lecturer gave a court case and asked for students opinion based on the lecture specified three answers. Those answers were,

- Would he hanged death penalty
- Should be jailed
- Should not be punished

Based on the answer lecture jotted students were put into groups, where a group consists of 6 or 7 members in each. 

Reality of the lecture:

From this lecture I understood all the theoretical aspect of negotiations which consist of types and styles that enables myself to come to a better conclusion when a problem courses by following a successful negotiation with related parties. Since negotiation known to be an common process to everyone the main advantage of learning the concept of it is to how well, that I could apply different types of strategies to a one particular scenario to overcome the problem with a better settlement.

Lecture 18 - Personal Branding

Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken.

Figure 1: Personal Branding

Personal branding is a revolution in the way we manage our careers or businesses. It's a way of clarifying and communicating what makes you different and special and using those qualities to separate from yourself from your peers so that you can greatly expand your success. Personal branding is the strategy behind the world's most successful people. People like Oprah, Madonna, Richard Branson and Bill Gates. It is the difference between an ordinary career or business and an exceptional one.

It is only a matter of time before your peers or competitors jump on the 'brandwagon.' So uncovering, building and nurturing your brand now will ensure that you get out in front of the pack and experience professional success beyond your dreams.

According to Difrisco (2011) Personal Branding,

•     Helps to define who you are and what you are about (or why a patient should choose you)
•     Is a way of associating great value with a product (the product being you)
•     Is not about getting a prospect or employer to choose you over your competition.
•     It is about getting them to see you as the only solution to their problem

Learning from Class:

Lecturer started the lecture by stating that students needs to act as professionals now on wards because the students including myself will be in industry within one years time. With lectures explanation students realized today's lecture going to be revolves around Personal Branding. Lecturer stated "Creating a brand called you " helps each individual students or person to selecting a job as well as to further progress in career. After stating above artifacts lecturer asked some questions as stated below,

What is a brand? 

As lecturer stated brand gives some leverage, advantage or distinguish over the others.

What is a Personal Branding? 

This basically says how you brand your self. How you distinguish your self from others. A particular person needs to communicate well to a third party as "Who I am and This is how I'm different from others". This process known as "Branding Your Self" in general term.

After explain answers for the above questions lecturer said as students we need to crate a Logical Brand for our self. People need to self aware them self to convince that the him/her self is unique than the others capabilities in business environment. Basically it should be self awareness about them self that compromised with unique Strength and Weaknesses. Out of that list people need to identify what are the strengths that would actually appeal more to the others or organizations. According to my listed strengths I recognized that I can work under pressure (robustness) which is good capable that I have as well as lecturer stated that fear for public speaking is one of the biggest threat that affecting to a persons capabilities. Beside that according to lecturer there were two type of people whom like to work as a team and they perform well when working on groups as well as the other type was people who working along since they prefer that because of its more productive to them than working on groups.

After specifying above artifacts lecturer showed us a slide which contains a quote by Claude M.Bristol which state "Every person is the creation of himself, the image of his own thinking and believing". Above statement basically explain that persons image basically reflects from the persons thinking and believing. As persons view point "How other people to see your themselves". 

After that lecturer stated an important point as "Creating a Brand is all about expressing yourself with sugar coated where it sometimes distinguishes from the persons actual reality".

Before concluding the lecture, lecturer discussed about various way which a person can market him.her self;

• Personality - Realistic, Conventional, Social, Enterprising, Investigative and Artistic

• Networking/Social Groups - It is important to have contacts with well established people and as students we can network in Toastmaster's Club, Lion's Club, Rotaract Club etc. Also, there are professional associations like ISACA, BCS and CSSL which students also able to enroll in.

• Presentation of oneself - Conducting and maintain a personal website  

• Attire - It is important to dress professionally

• CV - Curriculum Vitae

As an home work lecturer asked to create an individual brand name and logo for our self that can be represents based our characteristics and interest.

Reality of the Lecture:  

From this lecture I understood my strengths and weaknesses as well as the tasks that I'm more capable of. I gained knowledge about branding and it's benefits and how well personal branding that could be used to out stand my self from my competitors. This personal branding is more applicable for enterprise level engagements where it requires my self to stand out from others as an example in a scenario like an interview or to get new positions throughout the professional career.  

References:

Difrisco, M.G. (2011). Personal Branding. [Online]. Available at: http://www.how-to-branding.com/Personal-Branding.html [Accessed 20th August 2012]

Lecture 17 - Critical Evaluation

If you can’t think critically, you can’t think creatively. And if you can’t think creatively, you can’t produce compelling content and copy.

Figure 1: Critical Thinking Process

Today lecturer started the lecture by discussing What is a Critical Evaluation Is. 

According Deakin (2012) "Critical evaluation is a central process in all academic work. It involves thinking critically, which is applying rational and logical thinking while deconstructing the texts you read (and write) at university".

Browne and Keeley (2001, p. 2) define critical thinking as:

1.     an awareness of a set of interrelated critical questions
2.     the ability to ask and answer critical questions at appropriate times
3.     the desire to actively use the critical questions

As lecturer stated a critical evaluation is a formal argument which highlights both, the positives and negatives and there is sufficient amount of evidence to support the argument. Upon completion of the argument, the writer should mention his/her justification i.e. which side does he/she support and why. So, to summarize a critical evaluation consists of the following:

• Argument
• Evidence
• Justification

After stating above criteria before concluding the lecture for the day lecturer showed us an audio clip on critical evaluation where different university students express their idea of critical evaluations. Lecturer asked to jot the important points expressed by university students from that video relating to the critical evaluations.

Reality of the Lecture:

From this lecture I understood how to write a proper critical evaluation for my future projects including my final year project since so far I misunderstood that critical evaluation only reflects the layout of the assignment and the overall authors point of view.

References:

Deakin. (2012). Critical Analysis. [Online]. http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/study-support/study-skills/handouts/critical-analysis.php [Accessed 16th August 2012]

Browne, M & Keeley, S 2001, Asking the right questions: a guide to critical thinking, 6th edn, Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, N.J.

Lecture 16 - Research

Figure 1: Research

Today lecturer started the lecture by asking a question "How do you know what to research ?" As the Answer for the above question lecture told research should be based on Proposal which consists of Problem Statements and the Project Objectives.

After that lecturer explained what types of things need to do for a better research. A research should includes following factors ,

•     Systematic Investigation and Study - Need to plan and prepare for the research.

•     To Establish Facts - Data/Information must get from right sources (Survey, Interviews, Questionnaires etc.)

•     To Reach Conclusion - Must have a purpose (Commonly use recreational activities)

After specifying above criteria lecturer discussed about the types of research. They are technical research and domain research which together they make up a literature review. The technical and domain research each consists of Academic, Primary and Secondary research which author comprehensively stated in authors Research Design Post. To refresh the knowledge of that topic author briefly mention each Type of Research under this post as stated below,

1. Academic Research is what you find from other people's research using scholarly sources like books, journal articles etc.
2. Secondary Research is also, what you find from other people's research but from non-scholarly sources like magazines, newspapers and other published sources.
3. Primary Research is what you find out yourself through observations, interviews, questionnaires, brainstorming, focus group and experiments.

Then lecturer asked a question which comes first or to be done from the Research Type. The correct answer was the Secondary research since without having an idea on the topic its difficult to conduct the research further more.

Before concluding the lecture for the day lecturer stated what are the consequences that makes a research to be successful. They are,

• Integrative
• Independent
• Interesting
• Intellectually Challenging
• Innovative

Reality of the Lecture:

From this lecture I understood the importance of conducting a Research before continue to work on the project which helps me to identify and gather the background as well as the literature knowledge through Three Types of Research that conducts in different stages. As I understood research helps to identify my own potential mistakes that can occur during the project time line as well as to be clever on others experienced mistakes while they conducted to find a similar approach solution.

Lecture 15 - Research Design Activity

Figure 1: Research Design

Today lecturer started the lecture by stating the practical importance of conducting a research for academic projects. According to lecturer research uncovers and enable the students to map the path and to get a clear picture which is not clear to them at the beginning that enables them to find a proper way and a solution during the project time line. After stating that lecturer suddenly change the lecture into a practical Activity that related to the topic Research and Design.

Activity Done:

Lecturer given a topic as "Intelligent Clinic Management System" and asked to write a report on above topic that outcomes plan and produce a Research Design align to above scenario by the end of the lecture in groups.

Our group stayed at the Class Room and decide to review past lecture which is about Research Design Activity in order to get an idea as well as to continue on assign task. We were able to finish the task at the given time and lecturer asked different questions from each group. As overall all the groups answers were incomplete and lecturer corrected them where it necessary and stated that we need to do improve our proposed Resign Design Methods and Tools based on the problem assign to us.

Before concluding the lecture for the day lecturer assign us an homework to be done on next Monday. The topics were chosen from a draw lots. As a result of this we got "Interview" as the Research Tool. The question lecturer assigned to our group was to " ".

Reality of the Lecture:

From this lecture I was able to gain more knowledge about the practicality of Research Methods and Tools as well as how each person react to the same problem in different approaches to find a proper solution. In personal aspect this a better approach to evaluate my current application of research methods and tools which will immensely help me to coordinate my final year project.

Lecture 14 - Research Design

Some parts of this post based on Nadeesha's Blog Research Design Entry

Click Here>> to Visit Nadeesha's Research Design Blog Entry

Today the lecture was revolved around Research Design Topic. The main aim is to identify the importance of the Research Design when its align with academic projects.

    

Figure 1: Research Design

Figure 1 Illustrates How Research Design revolves around in a particular project and lecturer discussed the Processes Involved in Research Design as follow,

1. Aims and objectives of the research

                                - Out comes (Tangible outcomes-document / Intangible outcomes)

2. Solutions and deliverable

3. Literature Review- Required domain research

                                 - Gather information about what others have done

                                 - If there any mistakes how to overcome from that

4. Selected Data Collection Methods (Primary Research)

5. Selecting Sampling Methods

6. Selected Data Analysis Methods

7. Rationale for selected technical aspects

8. Selected Design Approach

9. Timelines

Lecturer stated that entire final year project based on the research problem, in students point of view they need to identify the objectives in order to complete the project successfully as well as to identify objectives students needs considerable amount of rich sources and artifacts.

What is Research?

Oxford Dictionary (2012) has defined research as "the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusion". 

After identifying objectives students need to come with Research Design which consist of three parts,

• Primary Research
• Secondary Research
• Academic Research

Primary Research

This includes what you do or the research you do. In primary research can include,

-Interviews that conducted

-Observations

-Brainstorming - Brainstorming is a technique which place points of a particular topic in an order which in a way to understand easily.  Metaphorical analysis, lotus blossom and mind maps are some of the methods use in brainstorming.

-Questionnaire

-Experiments
-Focus Groups - In focus groups set of people gather and conduct a group interview in order to gather different ideas and opinions. The discussion will be guided by the mediator. The mediator make sure each and everyone stick into into the topic that talk and also make sure that not go beyond the scope.

and other activities that did during the investigation, document, and other evidence

Secondary Research

Which found out from other peoples' research.(From non-scholarly Sources)

-Magazines

-Other published sources

-Written by journalists, professional writers etc.

Academic Research

Which found out from others people's research (From Scholarly Sources)

-Books

-Journal Articles

-White Papers (not reviewed)

-Specialized and cited

-Available in colleges/universities' libraries

-Written by scholar in subject area, credential given, reviewed by peers

Sampling

After stating above research types lecturer discussed about sampling and the different sampling methods. Basic definition of Sampling is to  systematically selecting representative elements of the population. And Objectives of Sampling are:

• Containing Costs
• Speeding Up
• Improving Effectiveness
• Reducing Data Bias

Lecturer also stated that sampling need to focus on following factors:

1. Sample size- How many items in a particular sample
2. Sampling method

Mainly there are two types of sampling methods:

1. Probabilistic Sampling - Believes that everyone in the population has equal chance to getting selected. It consist of four types:

•  Systematic Sampling - According to Catillo (2009) systematic sampling is "the researcher first randomly picks the first item or subject from the population. Then, the researcher will select each n'th subject from the list. For example, selecting the eighth element first, then adding 20 for the next set of elements.

• Simple Random Sampling - Get the entire list of sampling and choose using random number table. Randomly select a number from the table, then If the selected number is not in the sample as an example if you choose 98 as the number and the sample consists of 50 there is no 98th item. Then you can add 9 and 8 and get 17 and choose 17th item from the sample.

• Cluster Sampling - A group of sampling units close to each other. As an example Crowding together in the same area or neighborhood. From the clusters a sub-cluster is then selected.

• Stratified Sampling - The population is broken down into different stratas/groups after which one strata is selected and from the selected strata a sample is selected.

 2. Non-Probabilistic Sampling - According to Trochim (2006) "non-probabilistic sampling does not involve random selection". Simply its a sampling technique where everyone doesn't have equal rights of getting  selected. It consists of two types: 

• Convenience Sampling - As mentioned in convenience sampling (2011) "Convenience sampling refers to the non probability process by which a scientist gathers statistical data from the population. This form of selection is done based on the ease if gaining the statistical data." Simply its a sampling method where the researcher goes with whatever population is there.

• Snowball Sampling - According to Trochim (2006) "In snowball sampling, you being identifying someone who meets the criteria for inclusion in your study. You then ask them to recommend others who they may know who also meet the criteria". In simply its a sampling method, the sample gets bigger and bigger like a snowball as more and more samples are added.

Furthermore lecturer explained about the different types of Research Methods and Research Tools.

Research Methods

The are five Research Methods following:

• Survey - This can be done in either a longitudinal way or a snapshot way and is done using questionnaires. Take a current snap shot or do longitudinal research. For surveys can use tools like questionnaires and questionnaires in the best tool, also can use documentary reviews, interviews. In the list of questions can include close ended questions and some open ended questions. Innumerater is the one who ask questions. There are two types of questionnaires such as mail-order questionnaires and traditional questionnaires

• Case Study - This is where you observe an organization and write a case study like an interesting story.

• Action Research - This is a participated research where the researcher observes problems.

• Experiments - This is mostly conducted by people in the science field when trying to prove a fact  or testing new products.

• Ethenography - This is also a participatory research.

Research Tools

The Research Tools are as follows:

• Interviews- 

-Come up with set of questions

-Additional prob questions(ex:- how it happen?, Why did you say like that? etc.)

-Mostly use open-ended questions-From open ended questions can collect more qualitative and rich responds

-Accuracy is high

-Verbal and non-verbal communication includes.

• Questionnaires- a mix of close ended questions and one or two open ended questions.

• Document Review- In document review a form is used to capture data and there are two types namely interviewer lead questionnaire where an enumerator asks questions and jots the answers, and Mail order questionnaires where the questionnaire is sent via mail and answered.

-Examining hard data used in the system.

-facts would be recorded on a document description form:

    list of all items on document

    size of data items and format

    person responsible for entering data

    source and destination of each copy

    purpose of document

    name of document

    additional notes

• Observation- this is where you observe how people do their work and so you get to see first hand what's happening unlike in interviews which is second hand data. Though the problem in this is that when being observed, a person's behaviour changes giving rise to the Hawthorne Effect.

-Do not engage with audience

-Monitor the audience

-Disadvantage of this is behavioral changes

- Hawthorne Effect - Study that identifies how various changes in the environment affect employee productivity.

• Case-Studies

Write case-studies including findings

Interesting read.

• Action Research

Action research is a process in which participants examine their own educational practice systematically and carefully,using the techniques of research. It is based on the following assumptions:

Teachers and principals work best on problems

they have identified for themselves

• Teachers and principals become more effective when encouraged to examine and assess their own work and then consider ways of working differently

• Teachers and principals help each other by working collaboratively

• Working with colleagues helps teachers and principals in their professional development

                                                                                                                    (Ferrance, 2000)

• Experiment Research

Do the research by doing experiments

• Ethnography Research

Anthropologists, ethnographers, and other social scientists may engage in something called ethnography. Ethnography, simply stated, is the study of people in their own environment through the use of methods such as participant observation and face-to-face interviewing. (NPS, 2011)

Reality of the lecture:

From this lecture I learnt the importance roles that the Research and Design Methods and Tools enables to shape and scope our project aspects as well as I gathered in depth idea of how to do a research and what kind of research methods and tools to be used depending on the selected scenario. I was able to fetch some more sources form internet relating to the topic since I wanted to get a pure understanding about the in and out of the Research and Design Subject that would be help me to successfully start, continue and finish my Final Year Project as I expected without any unexpected interference.    

  
References:-

Castillo, J.J. (2009). Systematic Sampling. [Online]. Available at: http://www.experiment-resources.com/systematic-sampling.html [Accessed 9th August 2012]

Convenience Sampling. (2011). Convenience Sampling. [Online]. Available at: http://www.conveniencesampling.net/ [Accessed 9th August 2012]

E, Ferrance. (2000).Action Research. [Online]. Available at : http://www.lab.brown.edu/pubs/themes_ed/act_research.pdf [Accessed 9th August 2012]

NPS. (2011). Ethnography Research. [Online]. Available at: http://www.nps.gov/ethnography/aah/aaheritage/ERCb.htm [Accessed 9th August 2011]

Oxford Dictionaries. (2012). Definition of Research. [Online]. Available at: http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/american_english/research [Accessed 9th August 2012]

Trochim, W.M.K. (2006). Non Probabilistic Sampling. [Online]. Available at: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/sampnon.php [Accessed 9th August 2012]

Trochim, W.M.K. (2006). Snowball Sampling. [Online]. Available at: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/sampnon.php [Accessed 9th August 2012]

Lecture 13 - Final Year Project (FYP) Requirements

Figure 1: FYP

Stick to the basics. Without that there is neurosis.

Learning from Class:
  

Today the lecture was extended from the previous day lecture by more focusing on depth of the FYP. Lecturer started the lecture by specifying that the outcome of the solution that students planing to come should be minimum wastage, optimize and and shows the evidences of maximum utilization of available resources. For the problem identified there are various optimization algorithms available to come with better solution basically a system for the problem. To have better solution students must requires more statics and data to prove the problem in the aspects of proper variables.

After that lecturer stated  required elements such as that students would need to contain in their final year project proposal after they identified a particular problem in an organization. Those element are,

• Quantify the identified problem (Simplify the problem)
• Problem should be clear to everyone
• Ability to provide evidence (Statistics)
• Objective of the project (Achievement that expected end of 9 months) - These objectives needs to align according to SMART. These objectives helps to evaluate them self projects at end of 9 months whether to check the project was success or not. As an example a good SMART objective would be like "To improve marketing department efficiency from 54% to 80% within the 9 months".
• Describe intended methodology and underlying assumptions -  

There are two main methodologies:

• First is Research Methodology where it specify what systematic approach a particular student under go to complete primary research. 
• Second is what Software Development Methodology a particular student carry. The basic idea of software development methodology is to overcome problem in projects. 

After discussing above factors lecture stated the importance of prototyping which is sub phase of software development methodology. According to lecture evolution of prototyping consist of steps as,

                - Identify Initial Requirements
                - Initial Prototyping
                - Give to users
                - Users feedback
                - New Prototype Development
                - Convert into the final version

                         There will be a iterative process between "Give to users" and "New Prototype Development" since the users confirm that the prototype product according to their specification after that final step will execute. The main objective from following those methodologies is to identification of various problems that will encounter. The problems can be in getting requirements, Development and Design. If the problem is with the Design then can look at SSDM (Structured Systems Analysis and Design) where it more document driven and emphasizes on requirement gathering. When focusing on Research Methodology (such as  Spiral, Agile, SDSM or XP) basically what structured approach the student under go to carry out primary research. 

• The student must mention what sort of structured methodology they using and the reason for selecting a particular research basically a critical evolution of the methodology (possible outcomes).

• After identify a proper methodology students must come with a project plan. In the project plan student must display level of detail as a work breakdown structure

Then lecturer stated some criterias that makes a good proposal. They are,

• Accuracy of the title - 

       Format: Investigation into Research Area to develop What type of system for Company Name .

Example - Investigation into Multiple Criteria Decision making and fuzzy logic to develop Loan Approve system for NDB Bank.

• Aims and objectives need to clear and SMART
• Have to show relevant literature according to selected domain
• Research methods must clearly describes
• Whether plan is reflection of the project objective
• Whether the research can be done within the given time period
• Including a Feasibility study on project 

Before concluding the lecture for the day lecturer stated important content and the general structure that should be include in final year project. Those content are,

• Abstarct
• Introduction
• Body
• Conclusion
• List of references quoted in the text
• Bibliography
• Appendices 

Reality of the lecture:

From this lecture I was able to depict the overall basic structure and the way of using methodologies relevant to the business problem chosen and there are some consequences to consider in order to deliver meaning full project that can be understandable to my self as well as to other parties who interested on.