HR MATTERS 27-04-2010

Q: I completed BCom (Hons) in 2000 and enrolled for a course in cost accountancy. I could not pass the exams initially. So, I sat for various bank examinations but did not succeed. Now, I am preparing for the final exams of cost accountancy. I am 31 years old and do not have any work experience, except audit training for a period of six months as a cost and management trainee. What should I do?

Prashant Kumar

A: I think you should immediately look for accounts related job. You could have started working after graduation and simultaneously appeared for the exams. As you are 31 years old, you have lost some vital years of your work life. Organisations would be sceptical in offering jobs to you at this age. One of the possibilities is to join the direct sales associates of any banking or insurance organisation.

Q: I am 21 years old and in the final year of engineering in information technology. I want to do an MBA. I got 99.08 percentile in CAT 2009 and 83 per cent marks in both secondary and senior secondary exams from the ISCE Board. What should I do if I do not get any calls from the Indian Institutes of Management?

Sidharth Udani

A:Each IIM follows its individual criteria for giving interview calls to candidates. These are based on a combination of CAT scores, secondary and higher secondary scores and work experience. You should expect a call from some of the IIMs. If you do not get any calls from the IIMs, you could at least expect interview calls from some top institutes. In case you have decided on studying at any premier institute, then you would have to wait for another year and appear for the CAT exams. In that case, the prudent step would be to work in an organisation and also gain some experience.

Q:I am 44 years old. I completed MSc in chemistry in 1994 and BEd in 2006. I am preparing for CSIR-UGC-NET to be held in June. I am interested in teaching and research. What are the opportunities available to me at my age? What should I do to get a good job?

Meera Bhowmick

A: If you have done MSc in 1994 and are interested in research, then why did you not do it earlier, rather than think about it 16 years later. Also, since you completed BEd in 2006, you should have become a teacher long time ago. As it is, age is not on your side. You need to ponder what you want to do in life. You can do PhD any point in time, but need to find out how do you want to utilise it.

Q: I have been working in a knowledge process outsourcing company in Bangalore as a team leader for the past six years. I completed bach- elors in mechanical engineering four years back. Is it possible for me to get a job in the mechanical industry? Will it help if I do a SAP course?

Arindam Chakraborty

A:Your job is not related to your education which is why you are considering a shift. Yes, you can definitely get a job in the mechanical industry. Since you have spent four years doing something unrelated to your education, you have to join as a trainee. If you do a SAP course in a preferred module, you would get a job as a specialist.

Q:I am an MBA with specialisation in marketing. I have five years’ experience in sales. I have been working with HDFC Standard Life as a sales development manager. However, I don’t want to remain in direct sales and am eager to shift to software. I know the basics of computers. I want to pursue the SAP sales and distribution (functional) course. But I will have to quit my job if I enrol for it. Should I pursue this course at all?

Diptendu Biswas

A: Since your work experience is in sales and you have a specialisation in marketing, doing the SD module of SAP will help upgrade your skills. Quitting the job for a full-time course would be the best option. I would suggest you put in extra effort and do a part-time course while continuing with your present job.

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