I am hearing-impaired and have to wear hearing aids. Although I manage quite well in most situations, there are times when I don't catch all that is being said, or may need an accommodation such as volume control on a telephone. How important is it to disclose this disability to a prospective employer during an application process or an interview? If I hide my handicap, will that lead to an eventual job-loss?

It is absolutely necessary to disclose the truth to a prospective employer. You could do that during an interview, unless there is an application form that specifically asks for it. But you shouldn't let your impairment overshadow your competence. Unfortunately, unlike the US, there are no equal employment laws in India. So, you may face situations where your impairment may become an obstacle. At the same time, I am sure there will be plenty of areas where your disability will prove quite irrelevant. These are the opportunities that you should look at. There are, however, jobs where your disability may be an impediment to performance, for example, a call centre.

I had been working in a company for eight years when I was charged with 'misusing' the office internet connection and asked to leave. This has left a negative impact on my career prospects. How do I explain the incident to my prospective employers? I have a part-time degree in management from the Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi. Will this qualification help overcome my other shortcomings?

It is unfortunate that after being with a firm for eight years, you have been asked to quit for something as trifling as the 'misuse' of an internet connection. You now need to apply to as many relevant jobs as possible. This incident will have negative impact on your job prospects, but is by no means the end of the road for you. Although a management degree or an additional qualification is always a bonus, it will be difficult for me to assess what job opportunities these may translate into since you have not given details about your work-profile and the industry you had been working in. A part-time business administration certificate may also not carry the same weight as a regular one with prospective employers.

I am a final-year management student currently attending placement interviews. The common question that I have faced from most potential employers so far has been about my goals for the next 5-10 years. I find the question extremely difficult to answer. How should I respond? What do prospective employers expect when they pose such questions?

The question does make sense from an employer's perspective. All employers seek certain qualities in their prospective employees and this question is a part of the quality assessment process. What they want to know is whether you think in terms of tangible goals, whether you are ambitious enough to handle the responsibility you are being considered for, and how serious you are about your future. Everyone has aspirations and that is what you are required to clearly let your prospective employers know. So go ahead, give the question serious thought and answer it-don't avoid it. You should, however, also make it amply clear to your prospective employers that you reserve the right to change your goals in keeping with changes in circumstances. This might even work out in your favour during the interview.

A potential employer wants me to apply for a position that, we both agree, I am overqualified for. There is quite a mismatch between the job requirements and the kind of qualifications and experience I possess. I want the prospective employer to consider me for a more responsible post. How do I explain this to him?

You have not given any details about yourself and the kind of experience you have. But irrespective of the field you belong to, you should be very honest and clear about what you expect from your prospective employer. You need to tell the person your details upfront and ask him for a more senior position in his organisation. If there is a possibility of the company meeting your expectations, it will be conveyed to you during your meeting with the prospective employer. The tone of the meeting will give you the answers you seek. In case the company doesn't accept your terms and conditions, you are free to wait for better offers.

Tarun Sheth, a 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-110001.

"Old Economy Isn't Really Old"

Akshay Kumar, Head (Marketing & e-Commerce), Consumer Banking India, Stanchart Group

Standard Chartered Group's Akshay Kumar speaks to BT's Mily Chakrabarty on his shift from a new-economy organisation-Caltiger, where he was the COO-to a typical old-economy company, albeit in a cutting-edge function. He delved at length on what prompted his move back to the old economy.

Q. You have worked in both the new economy as well as the old economy. What have you learnt from your recent experiences?

A. The new economy is still evolving and the emphasis there is on speed. Caltiger gave me the thrill of building something up from the scratch. I chose to move on to Stanchart because the banking sector has been a fast adopter of high technology and uses technology in high doses. A lot of the excitement that the new economy offers could also be had at Stanchart, and that without many of the downsides of working in a new economy company.

What is it in the old economy that stimulates you?

The focus here is on analysis and then doing it right. Old economy companies operate on a different scale, and there is a larger pool of managerial talent as well as bench strength. Younger people can learn from their seniors who have years of experience. There is room for give and take in managerial learning.

How is the old economy work culture different from the new economy one?

The financial services sector has a lot of depth and offers a lot more stability. On the other hand, at Caltiger or any other new-economy company, the daily pressure is so high that you need to leverage the daily highs to keep up the spirits.

Did you have to take a pay cut to get back to the old economy?

No, I did not have to take a pay cut, though I did lose out on the stock options offered by Caltiger.