AvantCareer a Delhi, India based Job Consultancy, has appointed Net World Solutions, India as its Digital PR Agency for India.

The NWS will provide communications support in a bid to contribute to the expension of presence in Digital world, It will include posting on Facebook, Twitter and other PR sites.

'With more than 10 years experience NWS will also increase the trafiic and other PR work of AvantCareer.'

'AvantCareer which is serving for Retail merchants to have shipping resource outsourced. Providing resource like Bikers, Office Boys, Data Entry Operators is continually innovating and advancing solutions to help business boost productivity and cut costs. Net Worlds People will help us convey this compelling message to businesses.'

Net World's Execustive Head Mr. Aakash Kanojia added: 'We are delighted to be working with such an eminent name in the world of Jobs Consultancy and look forward to a long and rewarding partnership.'

'We will strive to help drive the growth of this global brand, and cement its position as India's fastest growing Jobs service provider.'

Avantcareer was recently started proving services for Jabong.com, Flipkart.com and Homeshop18 like retailers to have their shipping service fast and effecient.

The CEO of AvantCareer.com Mr. Vishal confirms that the service will help us in securing more credibility in our domain.

How to get over a huge work blunder

So you messed up big time at work. The good news is that you are not alone. Most successful professionals admit to having messed up multiple times.

The bad news is you have to deal with it. If your blunder gets you fired, start looking for a job and figure out how will you explain the situation to prospective employers. If your huge mistake does not get you fired, here's how to recover your credibility and career.

Keep your feet on the ground

What could be the worst possible outcome? If you sent an inappropriate email to a client, will your company lose the account? What will it mean for your career? Will it cost you your reputation or job? Once you are mentally prepared for the worst, you can plan actions to reduce impact and initiate a recovery for your company and yourself.

Don’t act ‘hyper’

Cut the drama. Stop saying 'Sorry' excessively and apologising repeatedly to everyone while seeking their help to solve your mistake. You may be expressing remorse, but for your colleagues, you are wasting their time and thus the company's resources. To your boss, you are displaying an inability to handle pressure or take useful action.

Don’t be ‘chill’

You made a mistake and you wish to avoid telling others because it will spoil your reputation. When they find out, you act as if it isn't a big deal and have an excuse ready. This is a terrible idea. Your colleagues will believe that you do not care for consequences and are not truthful. Your team leader will decide that you lack judgement and cannot be trusted. By avoiding facts, you are denying yourself an opportunity to rectify the error and rebuild your reputation thereafter.

Own up

Come clean before someone else finds out about your error, advertises it and everyone makes negative assumptions about you. Figure out who you need to inform and apologise to. Usually this includes colleagues who are likely to be most affected and your boss.

If it is a client who will suffer from your mess up, then the sequence of telling people matters. Discuss it with your manager and client facing people first to figure out the best communication, timing and actions required. Taking ownership for your mistake displays maturity, concern and reliability.

Bring a solution

Your colleagues and your manager expect you to do your own thinking and to bring possible solutions to the table to reverse the error.

By presenting solutions, you save everyone's time and they find it easier to trust your abilities to solve the problem. If it is an irreversible mistake, then solve for what can be done to compensate. First, identify the actions that need to be taken and the people whose help will be required. If you sent a faulty shipment to a client, then you may need a few permissions for a second shipment. Second, articulate the correct communication plan to smooth ruffled feathers. Finally, spell out how will you do things differently in future to avoid such situations.

Allow for grief

It is ok to feel terrible for a while after having blundered but it is not ok to continue wallowing in it for ever. If you goofed up on a team project requiring rework and fresh deadlines, you will be mortified and will find it difficult to face your colleagues every day.

Permit yourself to feel wretched and guilty for some time. Thereafter forgive yourself, focus on your work and your positive contributions to keep your grief in check. No one has the time to remember your gaffes forever and neither should you dwell on them at the cost of performance.

Slog it out

When things go wrong, be prepared to dig deep and work really hard. Reach early to work and make sacrifices to deliver beyond expectations. Take on tasks no one wants to do, go the extra mile to exceed targets and put in effort to turn in the highest quality outcomes. Remember to make and keep promises to your team, manager and clients in output and deadlines. This rebuilds your credibility and marks you out as a person who works hard when there is a problem.

Accept micro-management

If you have messed up a deadline that is critical for your boss or your firm, it is natural for them to be concerned for the future. Accept that your team leader may micro-manage your output until you prove your reliability once again.

Have a positive attitude when you report your progress on an hourly or daily basis and help the person quickly audit and question your work. Be extra careful in meeting deadlines and quality standards and view this as an opportunity to rebuild trust. When things return to normal, you will know your credibility is restored.

Find the gold

Turn your mistake into an opportunity for learning. Once you have taken immediate actions, get a good night's sleep. After the initial agony, reflect on what went wrong and what attitudes, thoughts, communication and actions caused the error. Identify what needs to change. Most big mistakes offer solid takeaways for you to strengthen your career and join the league of the successful.

Process is critical

If you are focused on concrete goals, chances are you will forget to take the right steps and miss your goal by a mile. Though you may have a deadline and numbers to achieve, keep your mind focused on building and getting processes right.

Feelings are not important

Giving importance to how you feel is unproductive. When you dwell excessively on temporary feelings, output suffers and you make bigger mistakes. Focus on the present and the small tasks you are engaged in. That leaves no space to think about negative stuff.

Life plans are not fixed

Obsessing about your life plan and how your career is doing leads to loss of attention and mistakes in the present. Plans are based on past information while circumstances change. Review your plan every few months and focus on doing well at work every day.

Don’t seek acceptance

Do not be concerned of what people think of you. Your colleagues are too busy worrying about their own careers. Seeking popularity and acceptance leads to mistakes at work. Choose to work on what makes you happy and in doing it really well.

Guilt wastes energy, time

Observe the inner voice criticising what you are doing and the guilt that follows a blunder. Both prevent you from taking corrective actions and right decisions. Get going with a task to restore your energy levels and to make productive use of your time.

The Verdict is In - Professional Networking is the Key to Better Jobs

Job seekers have casted their votes. Based on a recent  Professional Networking is considered the most important asset to find better jobs. The poll was conducted across India and South Asian countries such as Singapore, Philippines, and Malaysia to assess top habits and preferences of online job seekers. Pollsters were questioned on the importance of networking, research, and knowing industry trends in finding better jobs.

Here’s what they had to say:

A network of possibilities – Building Robust Professional Networks

Majority of job seekers in India believe that networking is the most important asset in finding relevant jobs, a sentiment which is echoed across South Asia, especially in Malaysia where three-fourths of the pollsters rated it at the top. Networking with peers or seniors is also considered important to better understand market insights and get necessary career guidance. 66% Indians believe this while Singaporeans and Malaysians give a 100% nod to the same. When asked to rate the best avenues to locate new job opportunities, strong professional networks again came out at the top; followed by the need to build and maintain relations with recruiters.


Know thy prospect – Building knowledge of the industry, sector and potential employers 

Another important step in the job search process, according to the job seekers is researching about the company and sector before applying for a post or going for an interview. Over 80% people across India, Singapore, Philippines and Malaysia on Monster’s poll said they research about a company before applying for a job. In India, company research is a close third, denoting the desire for incisive information on companies and the market to make the right career decisions. Pollsters especially want to know about salary trends with 95% people voting for this as a key insight to power job search. The Mobile app offers a smart job search experience with real-time updates on recruiters and/ or companies one follows, including company news, job postings and other relevant alerts. the mobile app also offers market insights such as hiring trends and salaries in the industry.

Coming recommended - Finding Better with Endorsements and Recommendations

Majority of Singaporeans voted for professional endorsements & recommendations to find good jobs, something that is generally low on the list for other countries. At the same time, it is interesting to note that 86% Indians believe that having good relationships with people in one’s professional network can make it easier to get these recommendations and referrals. What this points to is the increasing importance of building strong professional relations, not just to find better but also stand better amongst the competition.

Smart career tactics – Career Guidance in your pocket  

In Philippines, career guidance is considered the top priority in job search while for Indians it is the second most important factor. You need smart career guidance suitable to your career stage and requirements so you can make the right moves. The uniquely smart Mobile app works as a mini career guide by providing seekers with insights on their profile, job activity and connections and also recommends smarter jobs matched to their career stage.

On-the-go Connections and Access to Smarter Jobs – The power-packed combo

90% pollsters in India agree that bringing all of these elements - one’s professional contacts, market & salary insights, job recommendations and company updates – in one place can be extremely helpful, even provide a head start, in the job search process. 

The powerful combination of  Professional Networking and Mobile app does just that! While the Professional Networking brings a unique recruiter-seeker engagement, the mobile app offers smart job recommendations and real-time company updates, all this along with key market & salary insights to aid smarter career choices. This powerful combination comes together to provide all the incisive information and capabilities which are the most desired by job seekers looking for the best and most relevant opportunities online – with quicker access and better connections.

Contract Jobs - Myth Vs Reality

Though many companies have begun contractual basis hiring, there is still a lot more hype around contract jobs than there are some real facts. Many scoff at them, as sometime contract jobs are generally based on the requirement, necessity and urgency of the situation.

It's time for a reality check. Contract jobs can be an attractive option, especially if you're a working mother or a retired professional and need a regular source of income. Even if you're employed but looking to switch jobs or land a new position, contract work offers you to try out a job and keep your resume alive at the same time.

We debunk the biggest myths surrounding Contract Jobs:

Myth #1: A contract job is a low-level work

Reality: With the changing business landscape, workers' needs have also changed over the years.  Both businesses and professionals have begun realizing the importance of having greater flexibility at work, especially in jobs like accounting and finance.

Professionals are looking forward to the consulting as it offers them to secure challenging projects, diverse work culture, competitive pay scale, while still working on your own terms and conditions. At the same time, contract jobs let employers fill their positions that demand years of experience – for both immediate and long-term projects without increasing the head count.

Myth #2: Contract Jobs are short term, sporadic and low paying

Reality: The salary in contract jobs vary according to the position and skills required, as in the case of regular jobs. In fact, employers are more considerate of the consultants’ needs and offer adequate variable and fixed bonuses, benefits for family and other allowances thereby making a contract job more competitive than regular jobs.

As for the tenure of the contract jobs, they offer a flexi work arrangement allowing the consultant to work for fewer hours than a full time role; skilled professionals can work as much as they want.

Contract jobs can last from a few months to more than a year or two years. Moreover, extended assignments are even more likely in the current business environment, as more employers wait for signs of a sustained recovery before adding full-time head count.

Myth #3: One cannot show a contract job on a resume

Reality: With a high proliferation of contract jobs, interim assignments have nowadays been regarded as high-level consulting projects than so-called "contract work". Recruiters very well understand that project work offers short term but valuable experience and has the ability to add to the individual's skill set. This is also one of the reasons for more and more people, especially working mothers to consider a long period of consistent contract job than a full time position.

Myth #4: Contract jobs do not let to develop new skills  

Reality: Contract work generally includes projects and assignments that need specialization and a particular skill set. They can be highly challenging and demand to stay abreast with the industry knowledge and developments and offer complimentary training to help project consultants continually upgrade their skills and earn recognition.

6 most steps to make the perfect job search strategy

A good job search strategy does not start with applications or job searches. It starts with you.

Unfortunately, most of us don’t put much thought into devising a job search strategy. We just apply for the jobs that seem most exciting to us at a given point in time. As a result, we may be missing out on finding our dream job or feeling professionally fulfilled.

Job hunting requires reflection, information and conversation. To land a job you’ll love, these are the steps you need to take:

First figure out what you want

Find a quiet place to sit down and introspect. Hone in on the strengths and weaknesses you are known for in your professional and personal life. Then think about which one of those strengths brings you the greatest fulfilment. Determine the field, industry or sector you want to work in and the role you want to play there. Now see how your skills sets fit into that slot.

Prepare a mission statement

Trust a ‘mission statement’ works. Once you have answered these questions, you will get closer to knowing what you want from your job. Use the answers to craft a mission statement. This is a two or three sentence declarative statement about the ideals, values and beliefs you hold true. It will be at the heart of your job search strategy and define your professional goals.

Do your research

Now that you have your career goal, you must try and reach that goal. This phase entails a lot of research. Which companies have the kind of jobs that match your career goal? Make a list of organizations you want to work with and read up everything about them, including their annual report. Then research industry trends, opportunities and history by looking up the Internet and going through a few trade magazines.

Also, keep in mind what kind of work environment you are looking for while conducting background checks on organizations. At this stage, you may want to learn a skill that will put you ahead of others in the hunt for a job.

Work on finding job leads

Next, you must decide what sources you will use to find potential employers. Job announcements like those you will find on job boards are one way to go. Networking is another. Connect with company managers and industry insiders via social media platforms. Attend industry conferences and seminars and try and meet the speakers. Speak to people in your social circle who are related to the company or the industry in some way and ask them what you should do to find your dream employment. If need be, apply for an internship in an organization of your choice.

A successful job search always needs a strategy. It requires planning, so make a weekly list of things you want to do and keep track of what you’ve accomplished. You also have to give it time. Irrespective of how busy your schedule is, set aside a few hours every day or week to putting your job hunt plan into action.

Social philosopher Thomas Moore said, “It isn’t enough that we have meaningful work. What is also required is work that satisfies the soul.” A well-planned out job search strategy will reward you with both.

Why There's Nothing "Soft" About Soft Skills

The notion of "soft skills" has been in the news a lot lately. For instance, a recent Wall Street Journal article explained how liberal arts majors may trail their more career-oriented peers in earnings at first, but not over the long haul – thanks in part to the broader education and related soft skills that the liberal arts experience offers.

Let's clarify how we discern between hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are learned in order to perform a specific job function. They're more easily identifiable and even quantifiable. These are the skills that are more about "what you know" or "what you can do."

Soft skills are less tangible. They're more associated with your traits or personality. They determine how you interact with others and the approach you take to your job – your professionalism and personal values. If hard skills are more about what you know or can do, soft skills are more about how you act.

What are some of the soft skills that help make employees truly successful? They range from work ethic and compassion to critical thinking and the ability to give and receive feedback. They include attributes like the ability to focus, capability to network and factors like tenacity, patience and empathy, as well as creativity, negotiation skills, accountability and many more. Each of these skills, in the right setting, and coupled with the right hard skills necessary for their job function, can dramatically impact an employee's ability to perform within an organization.

The data proves that employers take soft skills seriously.

A CareerBuilder study shows that 77 percent of employers believe they're just as important as "hard skills" … and 16 percent believe they're more important!

Another study, conducted by Millennial Branding and Beyond, finds that cultural fit is the single most important factor when making a new hire, and this is for both the job seeker and the hiring organization.

And a recent article in the Harvard Business Review talks about hiring for emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is a person's capacity to recognize their own and other people's emotions. It's another type of soft skill. Research tells us that people with emotional intelligence make better employees. They're able to deal with stress, overcome obstacles, inspire others, manage conflict and they are generally happier at work.

Here's the bottom line: for teams to perform at the highest level, having people with soft skills is an absolute must. And employers know it.

That's why as a job candidate, it's more important than ever for you to be able to make it clear to employers that you have the soft skills they're looking for. Here are some tips for getting the soft skills part of the job-hunting process right.

Don't devalue soft skills. Yes, hard skills are critical – and you need to have them to get the job you want. But don't make the mistake of completely downplaying or ignoring your soft skills. First of all, that means doing more to practice and hone your soft skills. Students can focus on getting more involved in group work and contributing in constructive ways. Professionals can concentrate on teamwork as well. They can also think critically about key soft skills like how they handle stress – and seek out additional coaching or advice if they need help. (In the same way you might take a course to learn a new hard skill like programming.)

Be willing to talk about your soft skills. Many interviewees make the mistake of talking far too much about their specific job qualifications – and fail to paint the broader picture of what will make them a good employee. Much of the color in the palette of a well-rounded employee is related to soft skills. So don't be afraid to discuss how you got your teams to work together more effectively, or how you were gritty when overcoming an obstacle at work. These kinds of anecdotes can be incredibly revealing. Not only will they help potential employers remember you – they will give employers a good sense of the soft skills you can bring to the table to help their teams.

Make sure others can fairly represent your soft skills, too. Even if you do a good job communicating your soft skills directly, the best endorsements in this area will come from others you've worked with. Your job references can provide a candid window into the kind of person you are at work. So make sure that they've seen you at your best. Select references that you're confident have a clear understanding not only of your hard skills, but of your work ethic, dedication, problem-solving capabilities and more. These are the people who can offer the most compelling case for why you can be a great addition to an organization.

Remember – the term "soft skills" can be a bit misleading. These aren't just "nice to haves" on the job. They are an increasingly essential piece of the 21st century workplace – and the attention you give to them will pay off in the long run.

Three Strategies to Succeed in a New Leadership Position

It can be very exciting to secure a promotion to a leadership or management position, especially if it has been something you have been working toward for a long time. Landing the promotion can be exciting and feel like a relief. And, once the celebrations and elation wear off, for some, the weight of the responsibility can start to sink in. In some cases, it may leave you feeling overwhelmed or uncertain of your exact next steps. If this type of leadership position is uncharted territory for you, these tips can help you navigate through the initial murkiness to help you create the right perspective to have in your new position.

Check your ego at the door. 

You may be feeling on top of the world with your new position – for good reason. Now it's time to move out of the role of proving yourself worthy and move towards focusing on how to grow into your new position. You may have been very successful as an employee; remember you are just starting out as a leader. You may have a ways to go to prove that you can be a successful leader. That will take time, and that's OK. Be patient with yourself. Show humility, be gracious and accept suggestions from your fellow leaders. You will win the respect of your team and it will be easier for them to follow your lead.

Action tip: For the first month, focus on listening and understanding your new role. You will have plenty of time to present your ideas and implement new systems. Take the time first to learn what you can about your department and team. Listen to what they need and where they are with their roles (their goals and feelings). Take the time to understand their strengths, what motivates them, even what frustrates them so you understand how you can support them. Make sure to show them you are excited to work with them. Create a plan for next steps and for improvements. If you find changes that need to be made urgently, only pick one thing to work on for the first month.

Focus on learning 

While it is important to focus on growing the business or producing results to prove your worth, don't forget about learning. To secure long-term success, you will need to learn about your new business environment. This includes the politics, the culture and the strategy of the company you work for. Every business and every department is different, so find out what makes the wheels turn. Even if you have accepted a promotion within your organization, the politics and culture as a leader can be different than they were when you were a lower-level employee. The faster you learn these aspects of the business, the more comfortable you will feel.

Action tip: For the first six weeks, schedule time each week to learn about one new aspect of your department and your team members. This could be meeting with a more experienced leader, observing employees during a meeting to understand their style or asking fellow leaders for their top five pieces of advice.

Build relationships 

No man or woman is an island. As a new leader, you will need allies who will support you and your vision for your department. You could have the best ideas in the world, but if you don't have anyone to help you implement them, they are essentially worthless. It is important to spend time to get to know your fellow leaders and your employees, as well as gain their support for your ideas and vision.

Action tip: Schedule a special meeting with your team to introduce yourself. Keep your first meeting a bit more casual, as a time to get to know them. If a special meeting isn't appropriate at your company, try the same idea at break time with your employees. To build rapport with your fellow leaders, invite them to lunch or coffee. Take time to get to know them and find out how you can support them, as well as how they can support you.