5 career needs of every professional

In today's economy, you need to evolve constantly if you want your career to go places. If you don't, there is every possibility that one of your colleagues/ classmates will walk away with the coveted position that you aspired to.
So how does one add value to oneself? Here are five steps that will meet all your career

advancement needs:
Self learning
Learning is an ongoing lifelong process, we learn a little from everything we do. Career advancement requires a structured form of learning. If you are aspiring to a higher role within or outside your organisation, you need to identify the competency that role demands and go about acquiring the same. Some of the best-managed companies provide such learning tools to their employees.
Self assessment
Know yourself and where you stand -- it's important if you're planning your own growth chart. We are assessed by others whenever we are interviewed for job openings and promotions, so stay one step ahead and assess yourself first. You need to work on areas where there is room for improvement. If you come from a technology background, for example and you think you have mastered a particular technological tool, go ahead and get certified. This will add a lot of value to your professional standing and will pay off richly in future.

Peer discussions
Life's lessons are learned through community interaction and that holds true for our professional lives too. Whenever you get time off from your busy schedule, utilise it positively by interacting with your peers and discussing common areas of interest. If you can't meet up in person, use the Internet -- there are lots of professional networking portals and some of them have large numbers of qualified professionals as members. This informal knowledge-gathering complements the disciplined self-learning approach discussed above.

Career counselling
Everyone needs expert advice and counselling from time to time. We hear about godfathers and political gurus all the time, but unfortunately we do not recognise the relevance of professional mentors, thanks to the job opportunities economic growth has brought to India. There are, however, several intelligent folk who model their careers along similar lines as their seniors and heed the latter's advice in matters involving career growth. Sometimes it's also a good idea to opt for career counselling -- it helps one identify which professional path has the maximum scope for growth and job satisfaction.

Look before you leap
Several youngsters take up new jobs/designations because they offer better monetary compensation. If you are clear about your career growth pattern, monetary return should be a secondary criterion -- first comes future growth potential. You also need to verify offers made to you by potential employers or your boss -- discuss your new responsibilities thoroughly and only if you are completely convinced should you take up the new challenge.

Don't hand out your business cards like freebies!

Picture this: Rahul Khanna, a dashing young B-school graduate, comes from a simple family and is looking to make it big in the corporate world.

He is currently in the lobby of a five star hotel where large corporate houses are holding a seminar, an excellent place to network for future career prospects.

He meets Mohit Suri, a head of HR who is in a position to offer Rahul a lucrative job opportunity. They exchange civilities and then comes the big moment -- Mohit casually asks for Rahul's business card.

Scene I

Like most people, Rahul keeps his newly-printed business cards in his wallet and he promptly reaches for his back trouser pocket. He struggles to wrest the wallet from his snug-fitting pants and clumsily drops it on the floor. It flips open and Rahul's loose change, petrol bills, other business cards, girlfriend's photograph and credit cards spill out for all to see.

Kaput -- so much for a great first impression!

Scene II

When asked for his business card, Rahul reaches into his front trouser pocket, effortlessly pulls out a business card holder, removes a card and presents it to Mohit. Poetry in motion! Mohit's eyes linger on the card holder and he is impressed with Rahul's style.

Would you like to be Rahul in Scene I or Scene II?

Here's another example: Ajay Verma, an executive with a multinational company is sitting at his desk. An old colleague drops in for a visit and asks for his business card. Ajay is quite comfortable since it is post-lunch. He pulls out his card from his drawer, holding it between his index and third fingers (like a cigarette) and casually tosses it to his friend across the table. Is that appropriate?

Your business card is an important part of your professional identity. It holds your name, designation, the organisation you represent, your office/ residential telephone numbers, mobile number, fax number, email ID, website address etc. It also carries your credentials, educational qualifications and designation. When you are presenting it to somebody, do so with respect. Your body language should also convey the same.

Always hold the card face-up, so that the print faces the individual you are presenting it to. This is a courtesy, so that he/ she doesn't have to turn it around to read it. Hold it firmly in one corner, using your your thumb and index finger to grip it as you extend it to the receiver.

How should I present my business card?

Always present your business card with your right hand, as in some cultures it is considered impolite to do so with your left.

If you are dealing with clients from Asian countries like Japan or China, hold the business card with both hands and offer it accompanied by a small bowing gesture. Europeans and Americans do not pay as much attention to business cards as the Asians do.

In India we follow a middle path. East meets West!

Where should I store my cards, if not in my wallet?

Always keep you business cards in an elegant-looking business card holder. The stores that sell wallets and other accessories also stock card holders. Take your pick. Metal ones look extremely classy, but you also get very stylish ones in leather. Pick one that is slim, capable of holding about 10-15 cards at a time. I need not tell you to replenish them frequently!

Unlike a wallet, where business cards tend to get misshapen, a card holder keeps your cards in pristine condition. It prevents smudging and creasing, keeping the cards crisp and at their most attractive. (I'd like to mention at this point that most men don't think it is necessary to go shopping for new wallets either -- they get married to their wallets and fall into a comfort zone with what ends up looking like a relic!)

Is it okay for me to jot down extra details on my card or on someone else's card with a pen?

Always make sure that the information on your card is current. Avoid scratching out old numbers, email addresses etc and overwriting with a pen -- it looks shoddy. It's worth investing in a new set rather than doing that.

Moreover, it is rude to write something and deface someone else's card in their presence. When you are out of sight, by all means pen any reference required.

I have seen some people put business cards that they have just received down onto the table/ desk in front of them. Is that acceptable?

If you are in a conference/ meeting where there are more than a few people, it is acceptable to put business cards neatly and in an orderly manner on the table/ desk in front of you. You may do so through the course of the meeting -- this helps you to refer to the names of the attendees/ participants as and when required.

If you are in a meeting, you may pick up the cards that you have kept on the table and put them in your planner, diary or folder. Again, the body language should be such that you are collecting your valuable papers and documents. Just make sure you don't leave any behind. It is very insulting.

At times like this, it is wise to carry a whole bunch of your own business cards in your planner, as the supply in the card holder may soon be exhausted.

How does one show respect to an individual who has handed you his/ her card?

Simple -- just smile while accepting it. Say thank you. Spend a few seconds reading it -- 5 to 10 seconds should be enough to acknowledge all that is printed there! Nod your head approvingly and if you can think of an intelligent or complimentary thing to say, do so -- "Oh, so your office is in Noida?" or "That's an impressive/ interesting logo your company has".

What does one do with the card then?

Put it back deliberately in your own business card holder.

This denotes that you are keeping it safe along with your own valuable cards and will file it when you get back to your office.

When should a business card be presented?

Ideally, at the commencement of a formal meeting. But there is no hard and fast rule. You can even present one in the midst or at the end of a meeting, as and when the need for an exchange of information emerges.

Please also keep in mind that in Asian countries no business commences till a formal exchange of business cards has taken place.

Who should present his/ her card first?

Ideally, you should not offer your card to an individual who out-ranks you, since it then becomes obligatory for him/ her to present you with his/ her card also.

If, however, some time has elapsed conversing and you have managed to strike up a measure of familiarity, it may be okay to offer yours and ask for his/ hers.

As for those at the same professional level or below you, it is perfectly alright to ask them for their business cards and present yours anytime -- no protocol is required.

Open office? More reason to watch your manners!

From closeted cabins to open offices, we sure have come a long way. Everywhere you look, closed confines are giving way to open spaces in workplaces in different industries. As Suniti Joshi, an interior designer and planner in Mumbai says, "It is cost-effective, and you can accommodate more people in the given area. Open plan offices are economical because heating or cooling the workspace is done easily. Also, if the layout needs to be rearranged, or a few extra work stations accommodated, it can be done quickly and without too much additional cost."

Apart from the obvious practical value, open offices may very well be a way of 'breaking down' walls and repositioning one workplace as one with a more 'open' culture. Some like Solomon Abraham, Practice Lead at Ikya Human Capital Solutions, are all for it. "Open spaces are one of the best things to happen in India. They energise employees, knowledge flow is quick and accurate, and performances are at an all time high."

Some like Pragya Thakur, Circulation Business Director at a consumer-publishing group, are not so keen on it for strong reasons that delve beyond the obvious. "I suppose people thought open offices would promote more sociability and dissolution of hierarchical perceptions. Of course, that didn't happen because those who are higher up in the corporate food chain still have their window offices with the spectacular views."

Well, whatever be the intent behind the concept of open offices and whether we want them or not, offices and their cultures are opening up in more ways than one. If you happen to work in one of these open offices, there are some 'unwritten' rules you might want to follow to keep your work environment conducive and productive.

Here's how to work effectively and make the most of your open office:
Keep the noise level down: Don't yell or talk loudly across cubicles or across the working hall. Keep the volume of your phone on low and answer calls preferably in the first two rings. Don't talk on your phone loudly. Use speaker phones only in closed rooms/ areas designated for making conference calls. It is extremely rude and distracting to those working around you. Use the receiver unless you must have your team members in the conference call. Make sure others around are not getting disturbed, or use it only late in the evening when the office has emptied out. Also avoid chatting in groups around others' desks. If you wish to convey something, especially unpleasant, use a closed room to avoid any embarrassment.

Respect others' privacy: Don't peep into others' monitors or open drawers that don't belong to you. It can be infuriating to find that your neighbour has been going through your desk drawer or peeking at your monitor on the pretext of looking for a stapler.
As Jagdeep Kaur, Senior Curriculum Developer, Oracle, says, "Working in open spaces becomes very uncomfortable when one is dealing with confidential content on one's computer. You never know when who might see what, especially if you have a nosy neighbour. This puts a strain on you to be alert and on your guard at all times, which becomes very inconvenient and tiring after a while."

Pragya concurs, particularly with regard to lunchtime. "There's the thing about watching people eat their lunches at their desks, or being watched eating one's own lunch. We live a large chunk of our lives in our offices, at our desks, and it really affects our quality of life when nothing we do or say in those hours is private."

Don't just land up at someone's work station: If you need to speak to someone but are not sure if they are available for a little 'chit-chat', check their status message on the office communicator. If not, you can always send them a short mail indicating the purpose of your meeting. They'll revert whenever they are relatively free.

Some elements, especially social butterflies, are in constant need to touch base with people and can end up at anybody's work station without considering the fact that others might be busy and not in the mood to spend time gossiping. It can be is very annoying when people land up at your desk without any intimation while you are trying to either meet a deadline or focus on your work.

Keep your desk and cubicle uncluttered: Nothing leads to a shabby, unprofessional impression more than a cluttered, dirty desk in open view, especially if you are sharing a cubicle. Keep loose sheets, scraps of paper etc out of open view. Organise your desk by keeping it dust free, with all papers filed or clipped and stationery and other random items in a drawer.
Don't become an island: Don't use individual work stations as a pretext to become an island all your working hours. Get involved in topics of common interests and try to help your team members when someone is stuck.

Avers Jagdeep, "I have always enjoyed working in open spaces and have never found myself yearning for a cabin or closed private space of my own. In offices, I like being able to just turn around and speak to my neighbours. Or, just stand up and look around and just gesture to attract their attention whenever I need help. Proximity also helps team members bond with each other."

Suniti too feels that open offices make communication and supervision easier. "Issues and problems reach the management very fast as they too are part of the central office space, and therefore solutions are arrived at faster."

A few other dos and don'ts:
Avoid strong perfumes/deodorants: Some colleagues might be allergic to strong smells and odours. It's better to keep it light and soft. Also be mindful of food and feet odours that are far from pleasant and hang in the confines of air-conditioned environment for a while.
Health and hygiene: When you sneeze or cough, cover you mouth or use a tissue. Do not leave used tissues lying around to spread germs and diseases.
Sit up straight: Slouching indicates laziness and disinterest in work. And, that's the last thing you would want your colleagues and bosses to perceive.
Keep your soft board non-offensive: Watch what you put up on the soft board so that your colleagues are not offended. Avoid jokes or cartoons of a sexual, racist or political nature, these could stir up tensions or make colleagues uncomfortable.
Don't wriggle your way through work stations: Use the designated passages/ aisles instead of wriggling and maneuvering your way through people's work stations and chairs. A little discipline never hurt anyone.