Lahore School of Economics

A distinguished seat of learning known for high-quality teaching and research

Forging Your Career
May 09, 2024

Ms. Sadia Irfan, Human Resource Director Fatima Group visited the Lahore School of Economics on 8th May 2024 to deliver a session to the MBA 2024 cohort on “Forging Your Career”.

Ms. Sadia’s talk included various aspects of Career Management, especially ‘Interview Management’. She believed that some 50% of the evaluation of an interviewee’s performance depending on the way they carry themselves, their facial expressions, their eye contact, their confidence and even their personal hygiene. As you walk in, you are your own brand.

It is also essential to go to the interview fully prepared. If you have done a project, you will not be forgiven if you say “I did this project that I mentioned in my CV but I have forgotten about it.” Do not try to influence the panel by name-dropping. At your age, you cannot be assumed to think like the panel does, but it is your logic that will impress them.

One thing that you need to remember: Do not go on and on. Nobody has this much time. The panel may or may not stop you but this will go against you.

If at the end of the interview they ask you if you have questions, ask them questions around their culture, development programs, priorities, outlook and your growth trajectories rather than hinting ‘I know all’.

Once you get in, what will be evaluated is your attitude and your ‘motivation to extract’. You have to come out of your ‘comfort zone’, get into ‘strategic programs’ and show you are willing to learn. At the same time, there is now a lot of emphasis on ‘workplace civility’. Corporations are different from universities: they have their own norms, there are seniors, and there is a hierarchy that needs to be respected. Yes, corporations promote difference of opinion but that has to be done within a zone of decorum and respect. It is the job of the senior to train you and yes, if the seniors ‘derail’ there is the HR to oversee them.

Ms Sadia then talked about boss management. It is often said that people join an organization but leave because of bosses. It is important though to understand the boss and keep lines of communication open with him or her. Second, close the loop: Don’t assume the boss has given you some work and has forgotten. Third, do not embarrass your boss in public.

At the end she noted “Fear is in our heads. If you can overcome it, nothing can stop you.” Ms. Sadia is a very senior guest speaker at our program and we are grateful for her mentoring our students.

Labels: Guest Speaker