Never take on responsibility just to show you’re willing

Every fresh-from-college business major rightly seeks responsibility, recognition and remuneration in that order. But undertaking new responsibility without qualifying oneself for it can do more harm than good. Doing a superior job on selected items wins plaudits faster than doing a half-baked job on many.

Exception: In fields in which qualified men are scarce, executives with nothing more than willingness sometimes volunteer. But they make certain that management takes the gamble with them and expects a fall or two before success comes.

In short, a manager who is different is not out of bounds. More often he is a manager who sees a course clearly and pursues it. Abraham Lincoln, who managed the federal establishment during difficult days, talked a good deal about a common man. But in looking for political and military leaders, he turned to those who were, in every way, demonstrably uncommon.

Notes

up-and-coming –многообещающий

to hold in high regard –высоко ценить

Bob Cratchit – персонаж Ч.Диккенса из рассказа “A Christmas Carol”: несчастный, бесправный чиновник

to let one’s hair grow – отпустить длинные волосы

to sport granny glasses – щеголять в очках в тонкой оправе (по моде того времени)

departure – отступление, отклонение (от принятой нормы)

creativity, conviction and courage; responsibility, recognition and remuneration – примеры аллитерации (все слова начинаются с одной и той же буквы): литературный прием, используемый для звуковой выразительности

to dot the “i”s and to cross the “t”s = ставить точки над “i” - до мелочей продумывать и разрабатывать проект

plateau– прекращение роста, развития; здесь: завершение какого-либо этапа работы

major – основной предмет специализации в колледже; to major in business – специализироваться по бизнесу ( близкое по значению к МБДА – business administration)

takes the gamble with them – (осознанно) идет на риск вместе в ними

is not out of bounds – не запрещается, не нарушает общепринятые правила

What You Shouldn’t Ask in a Job Interview

The winning strategy for asking questions during an interview comes from a former director of HR in El Cerrito, California. “Questions should focus on your capacity to do the job, your motivation to do the job and how you will fit into the corporate culture. A few quesitons that impress me: What gains respect in this company more than anything else? What is the fatal error that someone can make in this job? What did the incumbent need to learn, but did not fully appreciate?”

Here are some of the things that you should-and-shouldn’t-say in the process of looking for a job:

1. What is the salary?Okay, it’s the one thing you really want to know. But asking about salary too early in the process will create the impression that you’re more interested in money than in getting the job done. Once the job is offered to you there will be plenty of time to negotiate your salary.
2. How much vacation and sick leave would I get? Interviewers may think you’re more focused on perks than in giving the company its money’s worth. Better to get this information by asking about employee benefits in general than about the specific benefits that come with the job.
3. How big an office would I have? This is another question that can lead the interviewer to think that you’re more interested in the icing than you are in the cake. If you’re dying to see the new digs, ask for a tour.
4. When would I be promoted? This question is apt to sound self-serving, as if you’re asking for a guarantee. Instead, ask about the company’s “opportunities for advancement.” That puts a positive spin on the question and almost always elicits the same information.
5. Negative questions. Perhaps you’ve heard that the company is anticipating layoffs, or that it’s losing market share. Don’t ask about those situations before the job is offered! Once again you’ll have time to discuss them later after an offer has been made. Before then, negative questions may make the interviewer uncomfortable or paint you as a troublemaker.

The Most Important Question in an Interview

A Hot Tip from Nick Corcodilo’s “Ask the Headhunter”

Career books fall all over one another claiming they can tell you what the Top Ten Interview Questions are. There is just one question that matters in a job interview, and proof of its power lies in the fact that it’s the most important question whether you’re the employer or candidate.

As a job hunter, the most powerful question you can ask the manager is: ”Would you like me to take a few minutes at your whiteboard to explain what I think are the challenges and problems you’re facing in your business today, and then show you how I would tackle them to make your department more profitable?”

As an employer, the most powerful question you can ask a candidate is: “Would you please go to the whiteboard and lay out the problems and challenges my business faces today, and then demonstrate how you’re going to do this job to address those p’s& c’s profitably?”

Notes

rule of thumb –приближенный метод

icing – глазурь на пироге, здесь: дополнительные блага, которые предоставляет компания

incumbent – пребывающий в должности

whiteboard– доска с ватманом для записей, расчетов и т.п.

p’s & c’s – problems and challenges