Showing posts with label experience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label experience. Show all posts

Friday, October 23, 2015

Are Military Veterans Fit for Civilian Jobs ?

Are Military Veterans Fit for Civilian Jobs...?

Maybe – I should paraphrase this question: 

“Is Military Experience of any use in “Civvy Street”...?

Maybe this apocryphal story will throw some light on this issue...


“FAUJI” LOGIC  How to Appear for Job Interviews
A Spoof
By
VIKRAM KARVE

“Fauji” military officer quit the “Fauj” after 10 years service and he decided to try his luck in the “Civvy Street”.

He was 30 years old.

[Most likely  he was a Short Service Commission (SSC) Officer]

The “Fauji” job seeker applied for a vacancy in the industry.

He was duly called for an interview.

The employer asked him: “How many years work experience do you have?”

“20 years...” the “Fauji” job-seeker answered.

The employer observed that the “Fauji” veteran looked relatively young – in fact  his age seemed to be around 30 years.

That is why he was surprised when the young veteran claimed to have 20 years experience.

So  the curious employer asked the young “Fauji” veteran: “Tell me  young man  how old are you...?”

“I am 30 years old... the young “Fauji” job-seeker answered.

“When did you start working...?”

“I joined the Army in July 2005...” the “Fauji” job-seeker answered.

“You joined the Army in July 2005 – and now it is July 2015  that means you have only 10 years service.”

“Yes,” the “Fauji” job-seeker said nonchalantly.

Getting exasperated with this answer  the infuriated employer shouted: “What nonsense is this? With only 10 years service  how can you have 20 years experience...?

The “Fauji” job-seeker answered in a cool and matter-of-fact manner:

In the Army  we work twice the amount as compared to you civilians. In the civilian world  you work 8 hours a day. But in the Army  we worked 16 hours a day – or even more – and – sometimes – on Sundays and Holidays too. We are always on duty 24/7. S in my 10 years service – I have certainly gained 20 years experience – probably even more... 

The employer had no sense of humour.

He could not understand this “Fauji” logic.

Hence  the employer was not impressed by the answer. 

And so  the “Fauji” job-seeker did not get the job.

Wondering why he did not get the job despite his brilliant answer  the “Fauji” job seeker spent the next one year reflecting in deep introspection and contemplation  trying to figure out the reason why he did not get the job.

Suddenly  one day  the “Fauji” job-seeker was enlightened. 

So – he immediately applied for a job at the same place again – and was called for an interview.

The employer  on recognizing the “Fauji” job-seeker  asked him: “So young man  how many years experience do you have now...?”

“One year – I have 1 year experience...” the “Fauji” job-seeker said – without batting an eyelid.

“One year...?  You are saying that you have only 1 year experience ...? Are you crazy or something...?” the dumbfounded employer asked, “Last year you said that you had 20 years experience  and now you say that you have only 1 year experience...”

The “Fauji” job-seeker gave the employer an astute look.

Then  “Fauji” Veteran said calmly:

“Actually – in the Army they make you do the same thing again and again – so  I realized that  I had learnt my job in 1 year  and  after that  I was doing the same thing for the next 10 years. That works out to be 1 year of experience  10 times  isn’t it...?”

He got the job.


Moral of the Story:

1. If your ultimate aim is to work in “Civvy Street” – is there any point gaining experience in the military? 

(I am baffled why some bright youngsters join the military as Short Service Commission (SCC) Officers when they know that they have get back to the Civilian World in 5/7/10 years. Why not join the corporate world/industry directly after graduation?)

2. If you are already in the military and want a good second innings in “Civvy Street” – the earlier you quit  the better for your career prospects in your second innings.

3. The longer you serve in the military – the more unfit you become for “Civvy Street”.

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:
1. This story is a spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.
2. This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

This spoof is an improvised version of my story was written by me Vikram Karve around 30 years ago in the 1980s and posted online by me earlier in my Academic and Creative Writing Journal Blog at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/11/work-experience.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/07/humor-in-uniform-fauji-logic-how-to.html

Thursday, September 6, 2012

THREE WAYS OF LEARNING


THREE WAYS OF LEARNING

By three methods we may learn Wisdom

1. First, by REFLECTION which is noblest

2. Second, by IMITATION which is the easiest

3. Third, by EXPERIENCE which is the bitterest

Confucius

Thursday, June 21, 2012

HOW TO BECOME WISE – THREE WAYS OF ATTAINING WISDOM


HOW TO BECOME WISE – THREE WAYS OF ATTAINING WISDOM

By three methods we may learn Wisdom

1. First, by REFLECTION which is noblest

2. Second, by IMITATION which is the easiest

3. Third, by EXPERIENCE which is the bitterest

Confucius

Do you agree with the ancient Chinese Proverb?

Tell us, Dear Reader, which do you think is the best and most effective way to learn?

Sunday, June 10, 2012

CHANGE MANAGEMENT - a Primer

Change Management
A Teaching Story - Slow Death
By 
VIKRAM KARVE 


I once read a teaching story called "Slow Death" which encapsulates the art of change management. 

Here is the story for you to read...


If you try to place a frog in a pot of boiling water the frog will immediately try to scramble out.


Now try this.

Gently place the frog in a pot of water which is at normal room temperature and don’t scare him.

The frog will stay put and remain in the water.


Now place the pot of water with the frog on a stove on a very slow fire so that the temperature of the water starts changing very very gradually so it’s hardly discernible.


You may observe something very interesting happening.

As the temperature rises slowly the frog will do nothing.

At first, the frog may show every sign of enjoying himself.

As the temperature gradually increases, the frog will start becoming groggier and groggier until he is unable to climb out of the pot.


Though there is nothing restraining him, the frog will sit there and peacefully boil to death in the water.


Why?


Because the frog’s internal apparatus for sensing threats to survival is geared up to react to sudden changes in his environment, not to slow, gradual change.


It’s the same with us, isn’t it?  

This story about boiling a frog is generally narrated to illustrate the concept that change management must be a slow gradual process.  

It tells us that the essence of change management is that you must bring in the change so slowly, gradually and seamlessly that the change is almost imperceptible. 

But there is a much more interesting inference from this story. 

Conventional wisdom says that one learns from experience. 

But this story debunks this theory and in fact highlights that the fact that the concept of learning from experience is in fact a delusion, a fallacy, and in some cases, relying too much on learning from experience may make you complacent.

In fact, sometimes it is better to "empty your cup" and start afresh. 




VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like this story?
I am sure you will like all the stories from my anthology of Short Fiction COCKTAIL - stories about relationships, comprising 27 short stories. 
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html
COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com      


© vikram karve., all rights reserved.



Sunday, September 25, 2011

NEVER "LEARN" FROM EXPERIENCE - IT COULD BE DANGEROUS


LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE
SLOW DEATH - A Teaching Story
By 
VIKRAM KARVE 


Do you believe in the concept of LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE? 

You do? Then, here is the story for you to read...


If you try to place a frog in a pot of boiling water the frog will immediately try to scramble out.


Now try this.

Gently place the frog in a pot of water which is at normal room temperature and don’t scare him.

The frog will stay put and remain in the water.


Now place the pot of water with the frog on a stove on a very slow fire so that the temperature of the water starts changing very very gradually, so the rise in temperature is hardly discernible.


You may observe something very interesting happening.

As the temperature rises slowly the frog will do nothing.

At first, the frog may show every sign of enjoying himself.

As the temperature gradually increases, the frog will start becoming groggier and groggier until he is unable to climb out of the pot.


Though there is nothing restraining him, the frog will sit there and peacefully boil to death in the water.


Why?


Because the frog’s internal apparatus for sensing threats to survival is geared up to react to sudden changes in his environment, not to slow, gradual change.


It’s the same with us, isn’t it?  


This story is generally narrated to illustrate the concept that change management must be a slow gradual process. 

But there is a much more interesting inference from this story. 

Conventional wisdom says that one learns from experience but this story debunks this theory and in fact highlights that the fact that the concept of learning from experience is in fact a delusion, a fallacy, and in some cases relying on learning from experience may make you complacent. 


In fact, sometimes it is better to "empty your cup" and start afresh. 



VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2011
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like reading this story?
I am sure you will like the 27 stories in COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html
COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 14 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com         
vikramkarve@gmail.com
Fiction Short Stories Book
COCKTAIL : Short Stories about Relationships By VIKRAM KARVE
Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o


© vikram karve., all rights reserved.