The document provides guidance on developing job readiness through maintaining composure during interviews, thoroughly researching the company and role, highlighting one's accomplishments, and communicating effectively. It emphasizes the importance of demonstrating problem solving skills through a project that analyzes an issue using defined steps, diagnoses the root cause, develops remedies, and ensures improvements are sustained. Completing such a project using a structured methodology can help job applicants differentiate themselves and prove their ability to think through problems and deliver results.
2. Interview Checklist
Maintain calm
Do your homework
Sell yourself
Communicate well
You may have a good IQ but do you have a good Emotional Quotient?
Maintain your calm even under extreme pressure!
Research the company. Analyse the Role. Plan and
rehearse your answers to the most probable questions!
Highlight your accomplishments. Let the employer know that you have
the skills, background and ability to do the job
Complement your knowledge, skills and accomplishments by
communicating them effectively. Ask relevant questions as well
5. Theory & concepts
Proven soft skills!
Degree & a certificate
First - Let’s take stock of what you know
That’s great!
Your PASSPORT to a job is ready!
6. Can you now APPLY what you have learnt?
And delivering RESULTS!!
By SOLVING a Problem…
But what about your
VISA?
8. Did you also work on a Project that
solved a problem?
Is your Project a declaration of your
experience in delivering results.
And if this is your first job…
You may have done a summer internship... but
Showcase your experience
10. THE PASSPORT THE VISA THE DESTINATION
Theoretical and
conceptual
knowledge
Graduate/post-
graduate degree
Soft skills
A comprehensive
Project which is a
live example of your
Application Skills
Proof that you can
effectively think
through a problem
Employers today
look beyond CV
based selection
They target result-
oriented candidates
who showcase
Problem Solving
skills
11. What should an ideal Project do?
That’s what matters to employers!
It should solve a Problem!
13. Defining the problem is 70% of the solution process!
Define the problem, whether it is a chronic problem (repetitive in
nature) or a sporadic problem (occurs occasionally)
Create a problem statement defining the problem on specific,
visible and measureable parameters
1
Problem
Definition
2
Problem
Diagnosis
3
Problem
Remedy
4
Locking the
Improvements
14. Problem diagnosis helps you analyze and identify the main
cause, due to which the problem occurs
Analyze the symptoms causing the problem
Formulate and test various hypotheses
Identify the root cause of the problem
1
Problem
Definition
2
Problem
Diagnosis
3
Problem
Remedy
4
Locking the
Improvements
15. In this step you develop various solutions and controls
Evaluate the alternative solutions
Address employee resistance to change
Implement the solution
1
Problem
Definition
2
Problem
Diagnosis
3
Problem
Remedy
4
Locking the
Improvements
16. This is the final step in the problem solving process.
Lock the solution into a system
Monitor the improvements and benefits
1
Problem
Definition
2
Problem
Diagnosis
3
Problem
Remedy
4
Locking the
Improvements
17. Choose a problem from one of the following:
Admission process
Examination process
Housekeeping process
Safety process
Maintenance process
Your Project
For your project use the structured methodology for Problem
Solving
18. The ROI of a Problem Solver:
1000% of CTC
Industry Acceptance
Organizations want competent employees who can:
Define problems correctly
Solve problems in a structured manner
Deliver long-term gains for the organization’s bottom line
19. Here is what Industry Leaders say
“Problem solving is a critical skill needed in all managers.
Defining the problem correctly, going to the root cause of the
problem, working with a team and dealing with cultural issues are
important aspects..”
Deepak Parekh, Chairman, HDFC
“I would say the quality of a good manager is the ability to deal
with problems, issues, crises. In these cases, the skill of problem
solving is critical and often distinguishes the successful from
the not so successful manager.”
Ajay Srinivasan, MD & CEO, Aditya Birla Financial Services
20. 4 Steps to
Effective Problem Solving
An online certification
2014
4 STEPS TO EFFECTIVE
PROBLEM SOLVING
CERTIFIED
Editor's Notes
Correctly defining a problem is almost half the problem solved!
While most people would assume Problem Solving to be a soft skill, it is hardly so.
Problem Solving is a competency that is much valued in the Industry as it has delivered some outstanding results across the years.