• 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

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

• 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?

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.

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 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.

• 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

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.

• 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.

Ans) A degree from Annamlai University is recognised in India but the degree may not have the weightage of a regular degree.

• 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.

Ans) 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.

• 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)

Ans) 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.

Back | Main | Next