Careers

It's half past 8 in the office but the lights are still on...
PCs still running, coffee machines still buzzing...
And who's at work? Most of them ??? Take a closer look...

All or most specimens are ??
Something male species of the human race...

Graduating from college is a significant rite of passage. For most graduates, it signifies an important transition into the real world of being totally independent and earning a livelihood full-time.

It's the day the Class of 2004 has been looking toward for a long time: graduation. The actual ceremony is a rite of passage complete with robes, caps, speakers, gifts, and depending on your school, even some confetti and a band. But after all the awards, diplomas, and scholarships are handed out, the graduates must face an even greater challenge than an AP biology test or the Presidential Physical Fitness Challenge: Students must face the real world.

A career in the field of information technology (IT) is one of the most sought these days. Most engineering college graduates land up in the IT industry. While, a job as a software engineer looks very lucrative at first glance, once you get into the industry, you realise that it is not just your technical skills that will keep you in the race.

If you are good looking, then you surely have an edge over any other average looking person, especially if the interviewer is of the opposite sex, revealed a study.

There comes a point in your career when you realise you deserve a salary raise. However, asking for one is often uncomfortable and intimidating. Usually, you get a raise of no more than five per cent when you stay at the same company. Most people fall in the bracket of two to three per cent but, with some smart planning, you really can get what you deserve.

The other day I was speaking with a young fellow who had been laid off from his job at a large consulting firm. His education and work experience were exceptional so I was surprised to learn he had been out of work for eight months. "Why so long?" I asked him. He launched into a list of things he couldn't do, experience he didn't have, and technology he didn't know. All of these deficiencies plus "the economy" were why he was still looking for a job. It wasn't until I asked him what he wanted to do in his next job that a glimmer of passion entered his voice.

Nearly every professional will have to lead a presentation before a group of colleagues or customers at some point. Delivering a good speech, however, is no easy task, even for those who do it frequently.

After polling our Young Entrepreneur readers, here is our list of the top 20 mistakes that startups make when creating a new business. I’ve also included a few of the comments that were left for some of the top points.