What to Ask Before Taking a New Job

When you are in the process of job hunting, you get eager to land a job that you would love. And when you get an interview call, you obviously get very excited and face the interview well-prepared. At such times, it gets very tough to reject the job offer on the criteria other than salary. But, it is very important to find whether you will be ‘culturally’ fit within that organization or not. Remember, you can’t work where you don’t feel comfortable.  The culture of the company you’re applying for carries tremendous weight on your decision to work there. Therefore, before you accept a job, conduct ‘culture audit’ to assess company’s culture.

What is a culture?

Culture is one very important way in which employees describe where they work. It underlies their understanding of the employer’s business and helps employees orient themselves in the organization. Company culture is the shared values, practices and beliefs of the company's employees. From hiring practices to how people work, make decisions, resolve differences of opinions, and navigate change, the culture defines the unwritten but very real rules of behaviour. 

If you are job seeker in that company, you should take into account its culture.

• If you ask an interviewer following types of questions, you will understand a company’s culture:
• What makes you proud to work at this company?
• How would you describe the culture here in few words?
• What's the process for on-boarding employees, and how do you handle beginner mistakes?
• Are the firm’s executives approachable?
• Is employee input sought for new initiatives including strategy? 
• How are big decisions made?
• Does the firm get together when new sales records or big customer orders are achieved? 
• Could you please give examples of people who succeeded wildly within the boundaries of the organization?
• What’s the difference between an average employee and the best one in this role/department/company?
• Is risk-taking encouraged and what if people fail?
• How does the organization support professional development and career growth?
• Are there formal quality initiatives in place such as Six Sigma or Lean?
• What’s one thing you would change about this company if you could?

Company culture is everything. You can’t work where you don’t fit. Ask a few of these questions on your next interview, and you’ll be sure to find the organization that’s the right environment for you.

Start-up Advice for Women Entrepreneurs

More and more women are starting their own businesses and getting aware of the opportunities available outside their 9-to-6 jobs. But, for women it is challenging to focus on their new mission, as they have to struggle to strike work-life balance.

Here are the few tips that may help them to start a new business:

• Find your passion - You are going to spend long hours working for your business, so pick an industry that you don’t just like, but are passionate about. When you are passionate, it shows, and your enthusiasm and belief in what you are doing translates to your customers, sparking their enthusiasm about what you are offering.
• Keep your home and work life separate - It is important to set aside time for both personal and work lives, in order to give each the attention it deserves. Set specific office hours and unless there is an emergency, stick to them. Train yourself to work during office hours and do not accept calls or check emails after hours. Your customers and clients will also conform to your schedule as long as you stick to it.
• Don’t pay attention to any disadvantages - Don't put any energy into wondering if you have different challenges than any other leader or business owner because you are a female. If you are good at what you do, that's all that matters.
• Be positive, flexible and patient - It takes a good amount of time to build a business. Continue to have a positive outlook and don’t stop believing in yourself. There has never been a successful business owner that hasn’t run into some challenges!
• Don’t let the lack of confidence or fear hold you back – Women are generally more afraid of failure than their male counterparts. Moreover, cultural traditions also discourage women from taking leadership positions. Women are less confident than men in starting businesses. Don’t let the fear of failure stop you from being an entrepreneur.
• Believe in yourself – Actually, women have better communication and consulting skills, are more caring and loyal towards their organisation and peers and, compared to men, are less competitive, confrontational and aggressive, and less driven by money. They are far more dynamic and capable than previously believed. So, believe in yourself and be a leader!
• Get the right support - Seek out networking groups, coaches and mentors that will not only cheer you on, but challenge you to take your business to the next level. Network with other businesswomen in your field that can give you an eagle’s view of what’s working and what’s not.

 If you are dreaming of setting up your own business, log on to TheGongzuo.com. We will help you in launching your start-up.

Tech Jobs with High Salaries

Everybody knows tech industry pays well. But specifically which jobs will put you in higher income tax bracket? Check out these tech jobs with enviable salaries:

• Software Architect - Designs complex software applications. Average salary - $130,000
• Software Development Manager – Project leader for software projects. Average salary - $123,000
• Solutions Architect – Designs and engineers complex software or computer systems. Average salary – $121,000
• Analytics Manager - Performs business and financial analysis to help the company measure its success and predict its needs. Average salary – $115,000
• IT Manager – Manages a company's technology infrastructure. Average salary – $115,000
• Product Manager - Helps run the teams that design and market a product. Although a product manager isn't a tech-specific job, it's a major role at many tech companies. Average salary – $114,000
• Data Scientist - Helps a company find insights out of heaps of data. This is one of the super-hot fields within IT. Average salary – $105,000
• Security Engineer - Designs, deploys and monitors systems that secure a company's network, software and other assets. Average salary – $102,000
• QA Manager - Performs tests to make sure a product, service or software performs like it should. Average salary - $101,000
• Computer Hardware Engineer - Designs computers and all sorts of other electronic devices. Average salary - $101,000
• Database Administrator - A company's database is among the most important bits of software it owns, keeping track of customers, transactions, and inventory. A database administrator runs it. Average salary - $97,000
• UX Designer - A "UX" designer, or "user experience" designer are the ones who make sure the product looks and feels good and functions in a way that is easy for people to use. Average salary - $97,000
• Software Engineer/programmer - Every company needs them, from the tech companies building software to sell to others, to the Sales Engineer - The technical resource for the sales force that helps them make sure bids and contracts meet the customers' technical specifications. Average salary - $91,000

Success Tips for First-Time Entrepreneurs

There are thousands of people who are working on or have just launched their company, but are worried about making wrong decisions. While you are working on building your team and designing marketing strategies, getting advice from successful business owners does help in avoiding mistakes and ensuring that you are on the right track!

The following tips are a summary of advices given by experienced businessmen that will help you navigate across the unseen world of entrepreneurship:

• Do what you know and are passionate about – Don’t jump into a business just because profit margins are high or because the business idea seems trendy. Do what you really love. Businesses built around your strengths and talents will have a greater chance of success. It's not only important to create a profitable business, it's also important that you're happy managing and growing it day in and day out. Pick something that excites and motivates you.
• Take that leap - There is never a perfect time to launch a start-up, so follow that famous advice and “just do it.” Take the first step to building your business, even if it’s only part time while you still have a paying job‎.
• Don’t be afraid of failures – In fact, look forward to failure. This is how you learn to succeed. There is plenty of time to get it right - so go ahead and just do it and get it wrong.
• Take care of your finances – You are running a start-up! So, learn to be frugal. Forget about stylish offices and expensive business lunches. Watch every dime and triple-check every expense. Maintain a low overhead and manage your cash flow effectively.
• Study your competitors - Make sure you are thoroughly researching competitive products or services in the marketplace, and keep yourself updated about new developments and enhancements from your competitors.
• Build the right team - You need to hire employees who have the relevant background and experience. They need to fit into the company culture you are trying to build. They need to be hard-working and flexible, as employees in start-ups often have to function in multiple roles‎.
• Focus on customer service – One way to be successful is to provide outstanding customer service and support. Getting customer referrals early on will immensely help you in growing your start-up. Go the extra mile to make your customers feel valued and when they refer your name to their friends or family, show your appreciation.
• Learn from other business owners – You are surrounded by experts in different areas. Talk to them, ask them questions and leverage their hard-earned knowledge. Along with the success stories, also learn about what didn’t work with them. You can learn as much by others’ failures as you can from the success stories.

If you also have jitters about starting up a new business, we at TheGongzuo.com are here to help you at every step of the way. Register at our website and share your business idea with us. We will connect you with our investors and mentors to guide you, so that you launch your business with confidence.

Tech Start-ups Founded by Women

Women population in tech world is low, but a positive sign is that they are taking action! Many aren’t waiting for companies to give them leadership roles; instead they are launching their own businesses.

Here is the list of tech start-ups owned by females:

• AdmitSee - This start-up seeks to bring transparency to the college and grad school application process. It makes easier for students to get admitted to college. Students can find the profiles of other students, see where others have applied and got accepted, strategize their own applications and can even get access to successful college essays. AdmitSee transforms an overwhelming, time-consuming grad-school admission process.
• Dot Laboratories - Dot offers diagnostic tests for endometriosis. Dot is creaking a path for early awareness; their technology will arm women everywhere with the knowledge they need to make critical health decisions.
• FINDMINE - FINDMINE runs product catalogues and retailer looks against user data. They then match your goods to shoppers’ tastes. This means shoppers see their perfect outfit on the website, in ads, in emails, etc. It leverages the power of data! Retailers use data to cater to customers and personalize marketing.
• Give InKind - A platform dedicated to providing comfort for those who need it, from organizing meal delivery to products to advice articles. Taking the hassle out of providing care for loved ones is a great concept.
• Indian Moms Connect - This is an online community for Indian moms. They share stories, tips, recipes, you name it. It’s all user-generated content, which creates an immediate sense of community. Plus, they have great product suggestions embedded within their content.
• Pace Match - Pace Match helps you find a running partner who lives near you, and whose speed matches yours. This was the result of a developer using her spare time to play with a runner’s API—and she realized that speed was the ultimate data point.
• ResultCare - An app dedicated to evidence-based medicine. It factors in cost so that clinicians can make smarter decisions. Healthcare is begging for innovation and the fact that this app takes costs into account is the key.
• Stilla - The smallest security system that fits into your hand. It can link to anything—a door, a bag, a laptop—and it will alert you if the object moves. The ease-of-use aspect here is fascinating. You can use the system for the objects you need, when you need it.
• Vidcode - A JavaScript coding platform targeted to teens. Platforms like this, that teach code in a fun, respectful manner, are in high demand.
• Hitlist – Hitlist lets you build wish lists of places you want to travel to. When there are fare deals for those places, Hitlist will send you an alert so you can buy tickets cheap.
• Control – Control helps businesses manage the payments they receive online from customers. Businesses can manage multiple accounts with Control on different devices (mobile on iOS or Android, or with the desktop web app).
• Shippo – Shippo wants to shake up the shipping industry by making it cheaper and easier for online marketplaces and merchants to send you your stuff. Shippo's software lets e-commerce companies connect with different shipping providers to get better rates and labels at a low cost.

If you are one of those women, who dream of starting your own business, but hold back due to certain reasons, get inspired by these women. We at TheGongzuo.com will help you launch your dream. Register at our website for free and let’s get started!

Tech Skills in Demand

It’s a perfect time to be in Information Technology field. In the US, unemployment rates in this industry are lower than other industries. There are plenty of opportunities for IT professionals.

Here are the top IT skills in demand today in the US:

• UI/UX designers/developers - User experience and user interface (UX/UI) designers are going to be in high demand to help make software interfaces as intuitive as possible. Consumers won't settle for anything less than a quick, seamless and painless user experience.
• Web and product developers – Web developers, especially skilled in Java, JavaScript, PHP are in high demand.
• Network engineers - Networking is the foundation of web and streaming technologies. For digital businesses as well, networking professionals are in high demand.
• Security professionals – Actually there is a shortage of this particular skill in the US. Hackers are creating threats to breach systems, so businesses and governments are scrambling to find security talent.
• Mobile engineers – Mobile is the most heavily used digital platform. There is a major market for mobile application developers.
• Business analysts – Business analysts play a critical role, as they are liaison between IT department and business. They ensure IT projects are meeting business needs and meeting strategic goals. Organizations need them as they speak both the languages – language of business as well as IT.
• IT project managers - With an increase in IT spending to pursue new innovation, IT project managers are in great demand. Managers who specialize in one particular field, for example banking and financial sector have the best chance to get placed.
• Cloud architects - With the continued shift toward public cloud infrastructure and hybrid cloud adoption, IT pros skilled at setting up, performing integration and securing cloud deployments remain in high demand.
• Data scientists - Companies are currently struggling to handle the overflow of data they're receiving - everything from user data, customer behavior data, purchasing data, sales leads, marketing data etc. Professionals who can develop solutions to capture, process, analyze and interpret data continue to be necessary for an organization's success.

If you are an expert in any of the above mentioned areas, please log on to TheGongzuo.com to find which employers are looking for your skill sets and apply today to get hired!

Do You Need Career Counselling?

Every day different careers and professional opportunities are emerging. No matter how much interest you have in more than one field, you will have to prioritize and choose the best option for you depending upon your strengths, weaknesses, interests, personality and aspirations.

Whether you are in the process of choosing a career, deciding whether or not you should change careers or jobs, re-entering the workforce, job hunting, or recovering from a job loss, you may realize that this is an overwhelming process and you need some help.

Reasons to meet with a career counsellor:

• You have no idea what you want to major in
• You have a major but do not know what you want to do with it
• You want to take an assessment to explore possible careers to help with career decisions
• You need to start your job search but you are not sure what you are looking for 
• You completed an internship and discovered that your chosen career is not a good fit for you
• You want to discuss your future with someone other than your friends or family

How will a counsellor help you?
A good career development professional can help you explore career options, can inform you of labour market trends, and can assess your skills, interests, and work related values. A career development professional can help you sharpen your job search skills, and can help you learn how to move up the corporate ladder.

A counsellor helps students discover their true potential and interest in various subjects in order to help them choose the right career. Several institutes including schools and colleges, offer career counselling through a series of aptitude and IQ tests. The advice and counselling provided is based on three deciding factors — personality, aptitude and interest.

Before hiring counsellor or coach, do your homework. Explore free or low cost online and community resources. Join job clubs and career workshops. Learn about jobs and market situation in your area. This will tell you what positions are in demand. Check out salary information websites.

A word of caution
Career counselling and coaching are unregulated fields, meaning anyone can claim himself/herself to be a counsellor. So, be sure to check the credentials and experience of your prospective consultants. The bottom line: Success in landing a good job of your interest is up to you.
When you find your niche area, register on TheGongzuo.com to search the perfect job you are dreaming of!

Is My Resume ‘Unprofessional’?

You have the right skills and experience and now you are eager to move ahead with your career. But, if your resume fails to convince your prospective employer, you will have a hard time getting a new job. Resumes need to be used as a personal marketing tool. You need to focus on its style as well as contents. Prioritizing your accomplishments in the right order is very crucial.

Here are the issues which could hurt your resume and make it look ‘unprofessional’.

• Formatting – If your resume ends at the middle of the page or above, leaving more than half of blank page creates wrong impression on employer’s mind. He/she may infer that this candidate does not have much to say about his education or experience. This doesn't mean you have to stuff your resume with fluff. Describe more about what you have done, what you know, and how you can contribute to this job. Fill that white space with meaningful information that can set you apart.
• Fonts – Your prospective employer should notice the actual text or words in your resume and not the font! No Comic Sans font for resumes. Do not use colors, curly-cue fonts, and clip art. Keep your total font styles—including different points/sizes, bold text, and italics—limited to four.
• Keep personal life out of your resume - Try to keep references to your children, marital status, age, lifestyle, and religion out of your resume. If you have worked for any religious organization etc., let only its name talk about it. Don’t add additional details on your own.  
• Grammatical errors and spelling mistakes - All grammatical errors and spelling mistakes are a problem in a resume, but some may cause a proportionally higher level of damage than others. 
• Negative statements – Watch out for negative tone of the resume and edit it immediately. For example, statements like “I was not happy with my last job profile” sound negative. Instead, you can write “I learned a lot during my last job and now ready to move on”. 
• Sending unprofessional photo - If a photo isn't specifically asked for in the job application process, don’t send one.  If it is asked for, make sure that it portrays you as professional and personable.  Send a photo where you are dressed nicely and smiling.  Use your judgment. 
• Sending blank email with resume attachment – In your email, you should type a simple greeting, explanation of who you are and what you are sending. Sending blank email is not at all professional.
• Sending resume to multiple employers in the same email – If you do this, your email will most likely get deleted! 

Avoiding these mistakes is as easy as stepping back for a minute, proofreading, and engaging your common sense.

Invest enough time in writing your resume and when you are ready to apply for a job, register on TheGongzuo.com for free. Top IT companies are eager to hire professional employees. They will call you for an interview only if your resume reveals your professionalism!