Ask
Murali
Last
week's Q & A
•
Q:
My
current assignment is Private Client Servicing - I am working
for a Financial Powerhouse of our country and am into servicing
High Net Worth Clients. This is my first job after completing
my MBA. At the moment I am also being offered a chance of becoming
the equity dealer of my branch and cater to the HNI''s. I just
want to know whether taking this up would limit my career advances
as this would lead to specialisations. I generally love relationship
management ie building and creating relationships be it any
line.Pls. advice
Balaji
A
: Dear Mr. Balaji,
You have to find out the level of responsibilities that will
be assigned to you in your equity dealer offer.
1.
Is it just the dealing, which you will put through to various
brokers, while the decision of selecting the Industry, company
and the volume is taken by others?
2.
Do you have to decide on behalf of your customers, the industry,
company and volume and also conclude the deals yourself?
In
case 1 you will have to be well versed with market movement
and specific stock movement. Timing is very important and you
will also have to be quick in action. Understanding the reason
to buy or sell at any point of time is necessary. A buy decision
might have been taken for investment or for reversing the earlier
sale. You will also need to be in constant touch with the decision-making
team and give your opinion on the market and specific stock
movements.
In
case 2 you will be taking the total responsibilities on yourself.
It starts with understanding the customers, their requirements
in terms of liquidity, income, and tax and risk profile. In
addition industry and companies have to be understood. Each
time a deal is decided sufficient justification needs to be
done.
As
seen from the above equity dealing is a high stress and highly
specialized job. You need to possess strong analytical skills.
Though such a job may not limit your progress, you can become
a good fund manager if you prove your performance. But there
is lesser scope for relationship management in this field. You
may have to make a choice between relationship management and
being an equity dealer.
You
may like to look at the "sell" side of the brokerage
firm and seek opportunities in institutional relationships.
This will be in the nature of Business Devlopment and hence
a natural progression from your current job.
All
the Best.
Please feel free to write in to Ask Murali about any career
related issues or for more tips on managing your career in its
early stages you could visit
•
Q:
Thanks a lot for your prompt reply.
In
my current assignment, I would be doubling up as an equity salesperson
and dealer. During the market hours, I speak to clients over
the phone, help them arrive at decisions(buy or sell), punch
in the orders. After market hours, I go on client calls - It
coild be existing as well as new clients. I would also like
to know whether it is possible to shift into forex operations
or retail management from my present line ? I am presently in
the 6th month of my job and its the 1st job after my graduation.
If I am comtemplating a jump, what kind of industries can I
look at?
A : Dear Mr. Balaji,
A career in the forex market demands very high levels of energy
apart from being highly stressful. Two minutes is too long a
time in the forex market. Quotes will appear on-screen, sometimes
covering only the last two decimals to save time. Overnight
open positions will give you sleepless nights. There is a likelihood
that you may be worn out within 5 to 6 years of active operation.
Of course you make your money if you are smart. Presently in
India, the operation is restricted to forward cover and transactions
related to trade. But once the capital account convertibility
is allowed, it would be a real game. It would be better for
you to observe some operator, speak to them about the field,
watch Reuter's or other monitors, familiarize yourself with
their movement and then decide on it.
If
you are contemplating a shift, Mutual funds is one area you
can consider as funds are going to be popular among small investors.
Insurance is another sector that is expected to open up. Debt
market is also another area, which has not gained popularity
as of now.
•
Q: What
qualifications do I need for the post of a public relations
officer? What are the other skills one needs to possess for
a career in this field. Is there any scope for persons without
prior experience?
Kumar ballo, Bangalore
A
: A degree or PG in the Journalism and Mass communication
is considered as the necessary qualification for Public relations
Officer. You should have a general understanding of the social,
cultural, economic and political affairs in addition to formal
education. For persons without experience, some consultants
and PR firms provide on- the- job training.
•
Q:
I have done my B.Com and I am planning to continue further studies
in Computer Science. I have attempted entrance tests for MCA
and DOEACC 'B' level. Is DOEACC recognised by the AICTE? Is
it Internationally Recognised? Please advice.
Anandham Kumar, Cochin
A
: The AICTE/DOE accreditation is given by the Department
of Electronics -Government of India and is equivalent to MCA.
It is a good course, especially the 'B' and 'C' levels .As for
international recognition is concerned, an MCA Degree will have
more weightage internationally as it is a Postgraduate degree.
As far as the syllabus goes, DOEACC is much more contemporary.
If you cannot get into MCA then make DOEACC your second choice.
•
Q:
I am 35 years old defense personnel doing M.A. in Public Administration
from Annamalai University through distance education. I would
like to know whether distance education through correspondence
from Annamalai University is under U.G.C. and whether it is
valid or not.
M. Srinivas, Kanpur.
A : A degree from Annamlai University is recognised in
India but the degree may not have the weightage of a regular
degree.
•
Q:
I am BA graduate working in Central Government service as
a Lower Division Clerk in the Ministry. After four years of
service, I would like to join a private or government Public
Relation Department as Public Relation Officer. In this respect
I would like to do PG (Journalism Mass Communication) course
from IGNOU and may be in this academic year I may enroll my
name in M.A. (Mass Communication & Journalism) also. But
due to the market requirement and competition, I am still in
dilemma. How can I make myself as a perfect PRO? How many other
courses are available in the market? Is there any scope without
experience?
Guru Dutt .M, New Delhi.
A : A degree or PG in the Journalism and Mass communication
is considered as the necessary qualification for Public relations
Officer. Apart from this qualification you should have a broad
general understanding of the social, cultural, economic and
political affairs to have a good launch pad. Personal skills
and motivation are the most important in the PR functions. I
believe you should not have any apprehension about the future
of the PR field as all the organisations have realised the pervasive
power of public relations. The PR profession is all set to take
the country by storm.
•
Q: I am a finance professional (C.A.) with 12 years
experience in accounts/finance/system including 17 months as
system analyst. I would like to switch my career completely
to software. Please advise me on the opportunities and avenues
available for my background. I have done ERP course in Oracle
financials and I am also willing to undergo adequate training
to achieve my purpose of establishing a career in software/IT.
Presently I am working as an accountant in Liberia, West Africa.
Hariharan, Liberia (West Africa)
A : You can definitely make a career in the software field.
ERP jobs essentially come to those fulfilling certain educational
criteria, functional experience and implementation exposure.
Since you possess the needed educational background and the
necessary experience you could make a switch as a functional
consultant. ERP is well paying and popular in the US as compared
to its popularity in India.
•
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