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pleasure of doing what you thought you can not do

Today morning a friend’s messenger status said – “Great pleasure of doing thing what others thought you can’t do” Well, quite true. I always enjoyed pleasure taking challenges. Challenge had been my motivation many times. This challenge need not be posed by a real person always. Often its the challenging task itself, as if it is laughing at you and telling that you can’t handle me. A mathematics problem stands in front of your eyes and mocks at you. Or a difficult client consulting assignment which cannot be handled using known wisdom. Its the pleasure for me cracking such tasks, mathematical problems or assignments. [Read more →]

Experiments with CV – unconventional approach

In view of my campus placements at XLRI I had been experimenting with my Cirriculum Vitae/CV. I have identified some key issues. These were especially true for internship or summer placements.

1. Most of the recruiting managers do not have time to read the entire CV. In the initial stage, CV’s are generally used for process of elimination rather selection. I know cases where HR manager selects 20 people from 120 CVs  during the 20 minute drive from airport to campus. Thus first objective is to make CV stand out, help manager get key information in shortest time period.
2. Once the CV passes through elimination, it should possess all relevant information, without missing any. This calls for following some standard conventions, which stress on standard modules in CV like Academic information, professional experience, Position in leadership, etc.
3. This was specific problem which I had encountered, or most people with work experience might have. Most of the traditional CV are chronological CV or functional CV. For me with enough to write on projects done during previous job, it is difficult to choose between chronological or functional format. Often this made my CV run beyond 2 pages. Setting priority to different content was also difficult.

During my experiments, I have tried to create a CV format which tries to overcome above difficulties. However I am not sure, how HR managers or recruiters would respond to this. I wish to know your feedback on the same – Did this CV format help you give more information in less time? Your take on acceptability of the CV in the market?

So far I have tested this format with my collegues, friends, placement consultants, few HR managers. Response till date had been encouraging.

Here I would like to share my CV. People can feel free copying the format (Copyleft policy!). You can also send some donations through Paypal (donate button below), all donations would go towards projects related to physically disabled children. If not, just drop me a mail mentioning how you felt about it, more importantly whether you got a job because of it. It would provide me sense of satisfaction.

Mumbai Marathon 2009

just before the finish line

Thanks to your support (over Rs.40000 pledged so far) and motivation, my long training finally paid off. I completed the half marathon [21.097 kms] in 1hr59m [update chip data reads 2hr00m36s]. The timings were well within target of 2 hours, though I could have still performed better.

I stopped my training 4-5 days before the event, shifted to carbo-loading strategy to increase the glycogen stored in the body muscles. Train travel to Mumbai was tiring but gave the necessary sleep. A day before the race, I stayed in hotel close to the race venue to avoid exertion and get necessary sleep.

Mumbai was very different on the race day. The race started from CST, whole roads were closed for traffic and heavily guarded. At 0545 in morning, Azad Maidan was filled with runners. Over 36000 people had registered for the race, 4000 for full marathon (42 km) and 7000 in half marathon category. We lined up at the start line few minutes before the race; I managed to be in front with some elite runners and other celibrity runners including Milind Soman and Gul Panag. The atmosphere charged up few minutes before the race, with loud music and commentary by Radio Mirchi. Finally the countdown began..5…4..3..2..1.. and the race begins at 0645hrs.

Managed to start at a comfortable and steady pace. The weather was pleasant in morning. I had decided to maintain a steady slow pace till Marine Drive and allow my body to warm up. Only after reaching Marine Drive I gathered pace. Found couple of runners who were running at a steady pace which suited me, kept them as pacers ahead and followed them till half way. Cheering by Mumbaikars was really worth seeing. There were rock band performing on the road, young-old everyone on road cheering us, helping us with water and lime juice.

I underestimated the gradient on the route. Though Marine Drive was flat, road from Kemp’s Corner towards Worli had a steep gradient and over long distance. This took toll of many runners including me. I dont remember, but I would have managed the 12.5 km mark (where we took U turn) within a hour. However return journey was tiring, gradient didnt help at all. With just 5 kms remaining I was totally exhausted. Somehow managed to push myself a little ahead each time. The most difficult was the last kilometer. One could see the finish line so close, but had to fight mentally and physically to keep body moving. Finally I crossed the finish line. I looked at the digital clock, it read 0844. I had managed to finish the race in 119 minutes! Amazed at myself, down by fatigue I took some time to regain my breath for my return journey back home.

The whole experience had been absolutely exciting. Found many people who had been running for a cause similar to mine. This had been my first marathon experience, and definitely moments to remember. Now looking forward for next half marathon – may be Delhi Half Marathon in November. It would take somewhile before I take the next challenge of Full Marathon.

In case you have already pledged support – http://kaushal.info/2008/12/27/cause-for-the-run/ – I would be contacting you soon. If you havent and want to contribute, contact me for details.

Cause for the Run

Hello Friends!

Greetings for the season and the new year ahead. Hope this mail finds you in great health and mood.

In my first year of Engineering (2000), I participated in inter hostel cross country. It was a 7 km run. I had never ran that much in my entire life. But still somehow managed to complete the race. (though I was bedridden for couple of days). I had challenged myself of running a marathon someday. It took me 8 years to reach a bit closer to my dream. I have registered for the Mumbai Half Marathon in January 2009. I have been training for the 21 kms run since past one year. In my last practice run, I completed 20 kms in 2 hours 7 minutes. I feel confident to complete the run in 2 hours. I know you must be feeling proud of your friend. [or that Kaushal is boasting himself ;) ] For me its feeling of ecstasy and am excited about it.

But what troubles me is that there are 650 million people Did you know, about 6% of India’s population is disabled? There are millions who cannot even walk. I want to contribute for these people. I want every inch I run be counted for this cause. Through this marathon I plan to raise INR 1,00,000  for NGOs working for physically challenged people.

I look forward to you to pledge your support for my cause; in your own capacity. You can contribute minimum of Rs.10/km and anything above that.

NGO details: ASTITVA (Dombivli, Mumbai) (Statutory details)

(It is the NGO I know; if you are aware of any such NGO or projects, let me know)

If you interested in supporting the cause, please help me with more details:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=psnKRd14dKWscKFX5LWuqCA

All money would be collected after the race. Race organizers use an electronic chip which is attached to the shoe. This chip measures how much I ran and the time I took! (so that you are sure of my claims :D ) I would contact you to collect funds after the run along with my completion certificates.

Looking forward to your motivation to run for the cause.

kaushal