Career Today: Help Tarun!!!

CAREERS TODAY: COUNSELLING
Help Tarun!!!

I am a 29-year-old man with a degree in human resource management from Lucknow University. For the past two years I have been working with QuantM Systems in the HR department. However, I am not satisfied with the way my career is progressing and believe that I am not learning anything. I am considering doing a master's degree in HRM from Australia. My aim is to work for a global HR consultancy. Will a certificate from an Australian university give my career a boost? Do these universities have a good standing in the global corporate arena?

Are you planning to stay in Australia? If you are, then it may not be a bad idea to get a masters degree from Australia. However, if you are going to return, I am not sure that will add value to your resume. Between Monash and Sydney universities, the latter is preferable. You really need to think about why you want this new degree-is it because you feel your existing qualifications are not sufficient? Going abroad makes for good exposure, but be clear about your reasons for doing so.

I am a 26-year-old chartered accountant (also appearing in the final exam to qualify as a company secretary). I worked for a year as an accounts manager for a tractor company in Chandigarh. But the work environment frustrated me no end and I quit my job in September. I thought I would find another job easily. But two-and-a-half months have passed and I have still not found a job. All job offers I have received so far are from manufacturing sector. I want a job in the financial services sector or any other growth-oriented service sector. Should I wait for an opportunity in the services sector or should I return to manufacturing?

Take a job that is relevant. Considering the state of the job market and given your limited experience, this is not exactly the best time to be choosy. The financial services sector is in a bad shape, so don't pin too much hopes on it. Instead of sitting around waiting for a dream job, try acquiring more experience. You can always look for better avenues later.

I have graduated in electronics and instrumentation engineering. At present, I am doing a management course in a regional engineering college that offers a dual specialisation with systems as a mandatory subject. The optional streams are marketing, human resources (HR), and finance. What would be the most suitable course for me? Considering market demand, what stream would you advise me to opt for?

That is something only you can answer. The answer should be based on your aptitude. Finance and systems is a good combination. Marketing and systems also make a good combination-you can make a career in marketing software or in plain marketing (systems is a good back-up to have these days in any case). If you intend to work in systems, expertise in either of these subjects (finance or marketing) would be an added advantage. However, I must advise you against a career in human resourses.

I am a 32-year-old software engineer in a top-rung software firm. I have been in my present job for the last three years and have been doing very well. My previous job was with another software firm, where I worked for six years. I was doing well there, but when my current company offered me a big promotion and huge salary hike, I opted to jump. My job is satisfactory, but also extremely demanding. At the end of the day, I have no time for myself. Recently, I got an offer from my previous company. I have been offered a reasonable hike in salary. I have also been offered a flexi-time work arrangement. What should I do? I do not want to disappoint my current employer who has put so much faith on me, though I want an easier life.

Talk to your current employer about the situation and your problems if you do not actually want to disappoint him. If he depends on you and appreciates your work, I am sure that your problem will be easily sorted out. On the other hand, if you feel your previous employer is offering you terms that are far more lucrative, there is no harm in considering it. You have given your current job three years, which is a reasonable period by any standards. Before you decide, make sure you consider and compare the quality of work in the two organisations and the enhancement in your learning any such change may bring about.

Tarun Sheth, the senior consultant at the Mumbai-based recruitment and training consultancy firm, Shilputsi, addresses your career concerns every fortnight. Write to Help,Tarun!!! C/O Business Today, F-26, Connaught Place, New Delhi-1.

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