Geet Mala Jalota is a Career Specialist, writing on real people development issues in organizations in India. With over three decades of career in Corporate Human Resources (HR) function, she took to writing in 2012 while taking a personal break.
Her experience in Hiring, implementing performance measurement systems, assessment centres and Training gave her a fair bit of exposure into what distinguishes an average performer from a high performer, in a corporate job.
Her vast experience in implementing HR systems and processes and her intuitive observational skills prompted her to write to help solve human performance issues.
She took to writing for Gulf News UAE, on HR related topics and found a following which encouraged her to start on a book.
Her writing was aimed at helping people get better jobs, get promotion or get appreciation. This started a different career, doing content writing assignments for Emirates NBD Bank, National School of Leadership and a premier MNC HR resource body.
She is an also an avid learner and every two years takes a certification to remain current in her profession.
She continues to live and exercise in Mumbai, with her husband and two children. Training and writing are her karma to touch the soul of other human beings.
She hopes to travel and connect with other international bodies to talk on India specific systemic biases and solutions.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Geet Mala Jalota: After I finished my schooling. But I didn’t pursue it seriously till 35 years later.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Geet Mala Jalota: I wrote some articles for Jobs Ahead, Gulf News (UAE) and some of the readers responded that I wrote well. Even in my work, some of my clients loved the reports I used to write.
How many books have you written?
Geet Mala Jalota: I have written 2 books.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
Geet Mala Jalota: Come back from my walk, put my legs up, start writing without breakfast or bath. I have my breakfast and continue. Mostly I’ll stop at lunch time. If it is transcribing or editing then I might stop when my brain starts groaning.
How long does it take you to write a book?
Geet Mala Jalota: First book took 3 years. I kept changing the sequence of chapters. I wasn’t sure whether to use the problem solver approach or just give the interviews.
But then one morning I had a brain wave and started clustering the data. Even though it was all qualitative data, some trends began to emerge. Then whatever the data showed me, I segregated the chapters based on that.
When did you write your first book?
Geet Mala Jalota: In 2012 I started it. I was 52 then.
How do books get published?
Geet Mala Jalota: For my first book I self-published it, as I was in a hurry to get my book out to the readers. Publishing itself is a long-drawn process.
I didn’t understand the implications of choosing self-publishing over traditional publishing. It was like sheep mentality. More than writing, I am now learning the art of marketing my book.
What is the most difficult part about writing for you?
Geet Mala Jalota: Choosing a title. I am too involved in the writing to choose a title objectively.
What advice would you give a new writer?
Geet Mala Jalota: One – what is your goal in writing? Be clear about that. Promoting your book is a very tough process and unless you are highly motivated, you cannot keep on doing it.
And two – always have an income coming from somewhere else, because writing is a white elephant. It takes a long, hard climb to the bill board.
Where can readers purchase your books?
Geet Mala Jalota: Both my books are available on Amazon.
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