HR MATTERS 30-12-2008

Q: I have been working as a software engineer in a reputed information technology company in the UK for the last four years. I want to become a writer. I have a flair for writing in Bengali, though I do not have any specific qualification in that subject. Can I get a job in any leading newspaper? What is the process of applying to newspaper houses? If I do get a job, what kind of job profile would it offer? Will I be able to work on a freelance basis?

Sohini Mukherjee

A: I hope you have decided to opt for a change in your career after considerable thought. It is good to do something in which you are interested; then you enjoy working to your full potential. This is beneficial for you as well as the organisation. If you have a flair for writing in Bengali and have some published articles, then you can submit them to the human resources department of the various Bengali dailies for review and consideration. Yes, it is possible to work on a freelance basis for newspapers. You can also freelance for various organisations which provide vernacular content to magazines and websites.

Q:I passed Class XII in 2001 but could not continue my studies due to financial constraints. I have four years’ experience as an electrician. I am now pursuing BSc in physics. I wish to join a BPO. How do I go about it?

Samrat Mitra

A:I am not sure why you would like to make a career in the BPO industry. I think you should study your own strengths and weaknesses and also the requirement and job profile of the BPO industry and analyse if it would be a good choice for you. If you really have thought about your career then why did you choose physics as a subject for graduation? You could have opted for a subject like English, which would have helped you in your job.

Q:I hold a diploma in tool and die making and have about two years’ experience in that field. I want to do a bachelors in engineering with specialisation in tool and die making. I am currently based in Jamshedpur. Is there any institute where one can pursue night classes? I don’t want to do a regular course as that would mean leaving my job. There are several institutes which offer diploma courses in that subject. Should I opt for a degree or a diploma? Please advise.

Chattish Nayak

A: You can opt for a correspondence course which will give you the required exposure in your chosen field. This way, you can pursue your job as well as enhance your educational qualification. You can get the information about these institutes on the Internet.

Q:I have completed masters in business administration with specialisation in marketing from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. Right now I am pursuing an executive programme for young managers from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. I have close to four years’ experience. I am currently working in a leading multinational company as an assistant manager. I am interested in shifting to the information industry and want to know whether I would be able to fit the profile of a business analyst in strategic sales and marketing. Do you think my skills are right for the new job? Would a course in SAP functional module be useful?

Abhijit Ganguly

A:If you want to shift to the information technology sector and perform the role of a marketing professional, you should not have too much trouble. For an opening in the marketing field, you would need to have basic marketing skills. The product training would be provided by the organisation. In case you want to become a business analyst then you need to have functional knowledge of various softwares and business processes.

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