Blogs

900344

Introduction In today’s time, getting a job is an uphill task. Every year lakhs of graduates search for decent jobs, especially in the government sector. It is a fact that jobs for freshers are not in abundance. To overcome this, many students end up doing some add-on or certification programs to face this competitive world. There are lots of benefits of certifications. Undoubtedly, certification programs are an approach to improve your knowledge, mental self-view, and empower long-lasting learning. Certification perceives and archives your experience, information, education, and acts as an appraisal of your abilities. Banking is the foundation of a country’s economy. There are various work openings in the banking area. Doing a banking certification course after graduation will aid you, to get the upper hand for an incredible learning experience in banking and to expertly dominate in your work. If you are looking for a professional certificate for job, then don’t worry; we have got you covered. The following article not only highlights the relevant certificate for job, but you also get to learn about the various professional courses that are currently available.  The following are the top three certifications that can get you a job in the banking sector:- 1. Bank Credit Analysis Certification Course The bank credit analysis course furnishes students with the vital abilities to perform quantitative analysis of monetary information to decide the reliability of a borrower. After completing this course, you will get an opportunity to work as a bank credit analyst. They play a vital role in any banking establishment. Bank credit analysts are entrusted with surveying the reliability of likely borrowers to decide whether they create enough incomes to meet their monetary commitments. It implies that they should have the essential capabilities to play out their capacities productively. The duration of the course is 6 months. This course will prove to be very helpful for first-time job seekers as it will add up to their existing qualifications. The course covers the following topics:- Risk Assessment Financial Ratios Asset Investment Capital Structure Debt Financing Most of the banks hiring bank credit analysts favor candidates with some extra qualifications so that they can handle the work more efficiently. Students can do a credit analysis certification to improve their employability and acquire a suitable job in a bank. Apart from credit analyst jobs, students can apply in commercial and investment banks as well. The starting salary of a bank credit analyst is around 17 lakhs per annum; however, this amount varies from bank to bank. 2. Digital Marketing Course Certification Digital Marketing is one of the emerging fields in recent times in all sectors, including the banking sector. Digital marketing refers to promoting through advanced channels, for example, web crawlers, sites, online media, email, and portable applications. Banks these days take the help of digital marketing to promote their banks, credit cards, and other schemes. While surfing on Google, most of us must have encountered some bank advertisements. This is done by digital marketers hired by these banks. These are sales jobs, whose sole purpose is to increase sales of a bank, such as selling credit cards. The duration of the course is 8 months. The digital marketing certification course includes the following topics:- SEO (Search Engine Optimization) SEM (Search Engine Marketing) Content Marketing Branding Marketing and Sales Analytics Many banks are very much active on social media. In order to keep pace with changing dimensions, the banks have recognized the importance of digital marketing as with the assistance of social media marketing analytics banks, can discover what is the pie-share, for various item/service types – credit cards, Mastercards, salary accounts, credits, and so forth. They are utilizing digital marketing to look over their customer’s requirements and fabricate new products and services. The starting salary of a digital marketing manager is around 8 lakhs per year. 3. Banking and Finance Certification Program Before joining any bank, it is a prerequisite that one should have some basic knowledge of how a bank functions. The Banking and Finance certification will teach you all the nuances of the banking and finance sector. This course is more practical based than theory-based. The banking and finance courses assist you with acquiring a superior degree of knowledge and capability to perform work efficiently. Likewise, note that the demand for banking and finance experts are not simply restricted to the banking and accounting industry. You can work with organizations that require finance experts to deal with their funds and other financial activities. You can choose an industry of your choice and join an organization as a finance expert. The duration of the certification is 6 months. The module of this course is as follows:- Indian Financial System Banking Regulation Retail Banking Banker’s special relationship Cash operations Agricultural Finances and many other topics. The duration of the course may vary, but the modules will remain the same. This course will aid to get a job in the banking sector easily. As a fresher, you can expect a salary of 12 lakhs per annum. Good mentoring is essential to enhance knowledge and to get success in professional life. You can refer to upGrad courses if needed. They provide various courses at an affordable price and have interactive and live sessions to resolve any queries. Hopefully, this has cleared all your doubts regarding the various professional courses that will increase your chances of landing a lucrative job offer. Moving forward, mentioned below are some of the highly valued job profiles that every MBA graduate should look out for.  Jobs Based On MBA Needless to say, MBA is one of the best degrees that will definitely give that much-needed boost to your career. Be it finance, marketing, or Human Resources, with an MBA degree, you can increase your chances of landing jobs in different sectors. Yes, it can be confusing to choose the right one since MBA offers many courses to students. Therefore to help you with the same, mentioned below are some of the most lucrative jobs based on MBA, that you should definitely look out for. Marketing Manager- The Marketing Manager is the first to make the list of top MBA jobs. As the name suggests, a marketing manager is responsible for managing a company’s market outreach. This also includes performing various tasks, such as implementing the relevant services or managing the delivery of a product in the market. They are usually considered to be very creative individuals who look after all the planned and unplanned reputations of the brand in the market. Therefore, a marketing manager is expected to have excellent communication skills and should always be open to new ideas and innovations.  Investment Banker- Investment banker is yet another high-profile job that you can land with the right MBA degree. An investment banker’s main responsibility is raising capital for any company or enterprise they are associated with. For this reason, they also have to maintain close relations with financial institutions. Furthermore, an investment banker is also responsible for dealing with large and complicated financial transactions and analysing the risks of investing money in different projects. They need to have good communication skills, followed by strong number-crunching abilities. They should also be able to work long hours if such a need arises. Financial Advisor- Financial advisors are those who provide the right financial advice to their clients based on situations. They are basically the planners or the educators in all kinds of money-related activities. Therefore, they are the ones you should trust when it comes to investing money in the right place and at the right time.  Human Resource Manager- Human resource managers are involved in various tasks, from recruitment and training to deal with compliance and grievance issues. They are present in every large organisation across different sectors, such as banks, hospitals, and universities. Managing all these different tasks with proficiency can be quite difficult if you do not have the required skill set. A human resource manager is expected to have excellent communication skills and the ability to analyse the legal framework regulating the employment of an institution. Furthermore, HR managers must also have strong business awareness and be technically competent.  With this, we have come to an end of the various jobs based on MBA. MBA undoubtedly opens your doors to different fields. However, it is also important to research the field before you finally select your course.  Conclusion Banking jobs are considered the finest jobs in the government sector; that’s why students wish to get a job in the bank. Certifications act as a cherry on the cake. Certification gives you an edge over others. As we all know, there is huge competition in the job market. In order to outshine others, it has become obligatory to do some extra courses apart from your regular degree programs. A student turns the learner when he pursues any certification. The above-mentioned certifications are simple, and anybody can do it who is seeking a job after completing his graduation. These courses are very much in demand in India and abroad. After doing the course, you will find a great deal of line of work openings in the banking sector, both public and private. You can check the courses offered by upGrad. You can visit their website to get more insights about the certifications.  

by Tanushree Jaiswal

21 Nov 2022

Blogs

899168

The Indian Financial market is one of the oldest in the world. It had come a long way from the 19th century, when the first securities exchanges were established in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata. Today, there are 23 regional securities exchanges throughout the country. Additionally, rising income is driving the demand for financial services across all income brackets. The penetration of credit, insurance, and investment is increasing in rural areas as well. According to PwC India, the finance sector will grow rapidly through 2035, driven by the government’s focus on financial inclusion and digital adoption.  In the present-day job market, there is a massive demand for skilled professionals in Finance. After all, the economy’s growth is typified by the growth of the financial sector, as it also enables the development of other sectors. In this blog, we will talk about a few promising finance jobs in India and also tell you how you can bag these roles. Keep reading to know all about the different career options and their skill requirements. 7 Leading Jobs in Finance Training in Financial Management is relevant for almost every type of professional. From IT practitioners and bank employees to managers and entrepreneurs, everyone can gain industry-specific skills and qualify for lucrative finance roles.  Here’s a summary of different jobs in Finance and what the employers expect in terms of educational qualification and practical competencies.  1. Financial Analyst Financial analysts are adept in performing financial forecasting, reporting, and creating financial models. Their everyday tasks include gathering and analyzing data, organizing relevant information, and making projections and recommendations to facilitate decision-making.  Additionally, financial analysts plan the annual budgeting process, manage cash flow forecast models, conduct variance analysis, and work with other financial performance tools. Sometimes, they may be required to assist with corporate development, such as merger and acquisition opportunities. As a result, banks, financial institutions, and corporations hire for such Financial Planning & Analysis roles. Typically, you need an academic background in a finance-related subject to pursue this career track. Entry-level positions are open to graduates from Economics, Accounting, and Statistics. However, students and professionals from other fields can also become eligible for this job with an advanced degree in Finance.  2. Treasury Manager This job involves the management of liquidity and financial risk. The treasury department of a business focuses on optimizing the cash inflows and outflows so that adequate cash is available for day-to-day operations. They keep a close check on the long-term strategy, serving as a valuable part of in-house corporate Finance.  If you want to become a treasury professional, you should work on your quantitative and analytical skills. Postgraduate study can help refine your conceptual knowledge of technical Finance, macroeconomics, and accounting. These topics make up a majority of the questions asked during job interviews.  3. Investment Banker Investment bankers play an advisory role in raising capital for corporations. They handle stock and bond issues, evaluate the worth of mergers and acquisitions, and arrive at the market-feasible prices for different alternatives. In some cases, they may work with the government as their client, but the responsibilities largely remain the same, i.e., to maximize the money invested and achieve the predetermined financial goals.  Investment bankers must have impeccable backgrounds in research and quantitative analysis. They should know how to calculate fundamental financial ratios and explain market events based on their client’s profitability and financial position. Over time, they build a working knowledge of deal structuring and corporate communication and advance to even higher-paying positions.  4. Credit Risk Manager As a credit risk manager, your primary responsibility is to calculate the potential losses incurred by a financial institution in case of loan failures. This entails measuring applicable metrics and ratios, preparing risk modeling frameworks, managing data, and setting up debt payment plans. Credit risk managers and loan officers are mostly hired by mortgage companies, commercial banks, and credit unions.  5. Chief Risk Officer These senior-level professionals work in financial firms to look out for any events that may threaten the company’s profitability or solvency. They monitor the investments, interact with the compliance department, and assess risks by applying their superior analytical skills. A good grasp of financial statements, company ratios, and long-term investment decisions comes in handy while solving day-to-day problems.  6. Financial Advisor Financial advisors come up with short-term and long-term financial goals for their clients. They also recommend the most suitable products and services to achieve those goals. For instance, insurance advisors research insurance offerings and suggest appropriate options to individual customers related to buying life, housing, and other types of insurance. Personal finance advisors track their clients’ income and expenses, providing their services in retirement and estate planning, investments, taxes, and budgeting assistance. Prior background in accounting or Finance is ideal for discharging duties as a financial advisor or starting a consulting firm.  7. Chief Financial Officer The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of a company manages the capital structure, cash flow, and future growth planning. CFOs must have in-depth knowledge of cash flow statements, cost of capital, capital budgeting techniques, measures of budgetary control, etc. These senior-level executives also manage financial teams, review the work of analysts, and make decisions about costing and technology infrastructure.  Almost every type of organization requires CFOs for streamlining the finance function. It is particularly common in the retail and commercial banking sectors.  With this, we have given you an overview of some top jobs in Finance. You can use these insights to chart out a career plan that aligns with your learning needs.   

by Tanushree Jaiswal

22 Oct 2021

Blogs

899108

Introduction Do you know that as per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Banking sector is quite possibly the most developed and well-capitalised sector in India? It was discovered that between the financial years 2015-20, deposits accumulated at a CAGR of 13.93%, and arrived at US$ 1.93 trillion by FY20. In addition, the absolute resource estimation of this sector in India is almost US$ 270 billion. It mirrors the true potential of the banking sector in India. With such magnificent growth, Sales jobs in the banking sector are surging like never before. Sales jobs in banks offer high salaries and add-on perks like medical benefits, low interest on loans, safety, and old-age benefits to all their employees. It guarantees stability and security. Every year, many jobs for freshers are offered by Banks and Banking Institutions. However, for first-time job seekers, getting into sales might sound strenuous, but by imbibing some skills, you can easily get into it. Ways to Get Freshers Job in Sales in Banking Sector Here is the rundown of the ways to get freshers job in Sales in Banking Sector 1. Obtain a Degree The first and the foremost step for the fresher to get a job in sales is to acquire a degree in banking and finance. A degree will help you get a grassroots idea about the banking and finance industry. Moreover, upGrad offers finance and banking courses specially designed for first-time job seekers, where they get in-depth knowledge on various topics like data visualisation in finance, digital fraud and risk analytics, design thinking, and leadership essentials for the business that makes them industry-ready. All class content gets curated by leading faculty and industry leaders in the form of videos, case studies and projects, assignments, and live sessions. 2. Good Communication and Interpersonal Skills Have you heard the story of selling a comb to a bald man? Here, your communication and interpersonal skills come into play. Your communication skills play an important role, from your opening pitch to your closing statements. Communication style and the tone should not look like a sales pitch but should be full of empathy and trust. One has to learn the art of communication and excel at soft skills. Soft skills can be learned through various certifications and acquired through a life-long experience. If you professed communication skills, you get a job as a fresher in the banking sector.  3. Learn Relationship Management The role of the sales manager includes selling banking products to clients. Product means Credit Cards, Mortgage, Loans, Bancassurance, and cataloging and pitching the new customers. Selling these products might not be an easy task. Remember the number of times sales assistants from the bank have called to sell credit cards? Sales are all about building relationships.  It becomes cardinal to learn relationship management to acquire clients and fabricate a favorable relationship with them. You can refer to the marketing masterclass by upGrad that teaches how to market the products more efficiently. The knowledge of marketing acts as a foundation stone to build a staunch career in sales. 4. Apply For Certification Programs In this age of stiff competition, getting a certification can help you stand out in the market. Certification refers to the add-on skills that amplify your candidacy. With the latest trends and emergence of new technologies in the banking industry, it has become quintessential to update your skills to remain acclimatised with the changing scenario and rising competition in the market. upGrad offers many certification courses, like PG certification in Digital Marketing and Communication, that equips students about the digitalisation of various sectors, including banking, and imparts thorough knowledge about SEO, SEM, Social Media, Content Marketing, Branding, and Marketing/sales Analytics. Also Check, Job-ready Program in Financial Modelling & Analysis from upGrad. 5. Storytelling Storytelling has lubricated the hoop of humanity for ages. As a sales manager, you have to sell the story about the product. Learning to be a storyteller comes with an array of benefits, as it is the blend of emotions, motivation, and psychology. Today, you cannot sell products without narrating the perfect story that your target audience can resonate with and relate to. The best way to learn storytelling is to observe everything around you. As sales professionals, you should know the pain points of your customers and ways to gratify them using your storytelling skills. Every year lakhs of Sales jobs get announced, and many first-time job seekers apply for these jobs. Added skills can help you to turn the wind towards your favor. 6. Product Management User research, prototyping, and product analysis are a pivotal part of sales that every fresher should know. With the help of product management knowledge, sales professionals can assist in how much to invest in sales and enable the banks to reach their business goals. Today, this is one of the most underrated skills among sales managers. Financial institutions like banks need to have a full-fledged sales strategy to pitch the leads and convert them into clients. You can learn this skill through the Product Management Certification Program offered by upGrad that includes various nuances of product management in association with sales. Above mentioned stratum are some of the best ways for a fresher to get a job in Sales. Getting employment in the banking sector becomes feasible if you are confident about your skills and talent. Conclusion                         Sales are among the most rewarding and performance-based careers. The more you sell, the more you will earn. Anyone with a strong desire and the will to work hard can turn it into a successful career. Good sales managers respect their customers and never go against them. It is all about negotiation skills. People in sales jobs enjoy building contacts and meeting new people every day that ensures more exposure and growth. The biggest quality in life is to change the obstruction into a chance. ‘Now’ is consistently the best ideal opportunity to upskill yourself with the latest sales skills that you must possess as a fresher. upGrad offers the best in -class courses in Banking that can assure high paying jobs for freshers. So build your career with upGrad. Enroll today!! With upGrad, aspirants can choose to pursue Job-ready Program in Financial Modelling & Analysis in association with PwC India.

by Tanushree Jaiswal

27 Jan 2021

Blogs

5713

Ideally, learning should be a lifelong process for every professional. But the working populace often finds it difficult to search or manage the relevant learning opportunities. It is observed that the more qualified a professional is, the more is he/she inclined to seek learning experiences. On the other hand, newly appointed employees are not fully aware of the learning opportunities that can be availed conveniently. Whether you are working in the BFSI sector, IT company, education industry, or any other domain, there are many effective ways to learn while making a living. Given below is a glimpse of some smart learning options for newbie professionals: Enroll in Workplace Training Programs Most of the reputed organisations provide training programs for skill development and career advancement to their employees. These programs may be in the form of workshops, mentoring sessions, seminars, on-the-job-training, etc. This training can relate to any functional area like technical skills, soft skills, business management, marketing, project management, safety measures, leadership exercises, etc. While some companies make these programs mandatory for the employees, some others offer optional facilities for the same. If you have long-term plans to establish a career in your current workplace, it is a good idea to enroll in their training programs as it will not demand much of your extra time outside work. Besides, even if you switch from one company to another, but continue in the same field, your acquired knowledge will boost your chances of faster and better promotions. Take up Side Projects Side projects present an excellent way to infuse your interests with learning opportunities. It can be a personal project or a professional one. The purpose of taking up a side project is to stay motivated and grasp new skills simultaneously. This will be especially useful if your major source of income does not serve your ultimate career goals. For instance, some professionals work on their dream projects alongside their regular jobs. Similarly, some youngsters carry on remote work or internship projects besides their full-time jobs. These side activities may or may not lend monetary benefits, but will help in the accomplishment of your real aspirations. You can choose short-range or long-range side projects, but make sure that they align with your final career objectives. Also Check, Job-ready Program in Financial Modelling & Analysis from upGrad. Attend Local Events Industry events, conferences, and workshops are often conducted by organisations and educational institutes in various cities. Some of these events are also held online on video conferencing platforms. These sessions provide a valuable chance to learn from the top industry leaders, as well as strengthen your professional network. Here, the experts and experienced professionals discuss and teach about the latest trends and changes in the industry. Further, the connections you make at industry events can prove significant in the attainment of your career goals. You will get to know about these events from the local news channels, social media, and similar websites. You may also follow the local industry leaders and similar people on social media sites, as they frequently post about the important events they are going to address or attend. Hence, keep yourself updated about such events and attend the ones that dwell upon your chosen career path. Opt for a Work-Study Position Several first-time job seekers prefer to take admission in the universities or colleges that offer work-study programs. These programs are basically designed to let you attend classes while you are working in a flexible manner. In other words, if you have joined a work-study program, your class schedules will not conflict with your work timings. Thus, it will be really easy to manage learning and earning at the same time. Though the work-study positions are primarily meant for individuals who need financial aid for their education, they serve as great learning alternatives for all sorts of student learners.  However, you need to fulfill certain eligibility conditions to get into a work-study program. Pursue Online Courses Online learning is considered the most efficient way for working professionals to continue their education. Today, online courses are available for every field and specialisation. A number of renowned organisations and universities extend educational programs in alliance with e-learning platforms. For instance, upGrad, one of the best online education companies, offers post-graduate programs in collaboration with top companies like HDFC, PNB Met life, Sales Academy, etc. These programs belong to various in-demand disciplines like insurance, sales, marketing, etc. Post completion of these certification courses and internships, the students are wholly qualified to seek technical, sales, or banking jobs in high-ranking companies. In the case of paid internships like the PG program in Life Insurance with TATA AIA or HDFC, the learners are guaranteed full-time jobs with the respective companies. upGrad’s programs are equipped with fully interactive and live sessions, case studies, and one-on-one mentoring from industry experts. Use Your Time Productively When you are working and studying together, you must use your spare time productively. Apart from learning informal ways, you may also incorporate certain informal ways to build a regular learning habit. For example, spend your free time reading good books, articles, magazines, and newspapers. In addition, you can subscribe to newsletters and blogs relevant to your industry to stay abreast of the latest developments. Eventually, your enhanced knowledge and skills will improve your overall profile and secure your future career. While there is no dearth of jobs for freshers and experienced youth, yet if you wish to bag a lucrative salary package and witness a spurt in your career graph, inculcate learning as a way of life. Thereby, you open yourself to an enormous scope in all suitable sectors, including education, engineering, IT, management, and insurance jobs. Conclusion Further, you must always monitor your learning progress and test the related skills periodically. This will allow you to remain focused on your priorities and stay on the right track. Lastly, remember to keep your employer informed about your learning initiatives. Employers are generally appreciative of the employees who work towards upgrading their skills and hence, will extend cooperation in helping you balance work and study. With upGrad, aspirants can choose to pursue Job-ready Program in Financial Modelling & Analysis in association with PwC India.

by Tanushree Jaiswal

27 Jan 2021

Blogs

15391

With remote learning and virtual education coming to the forefront, the education sector has opened up a billion different opportunities for students to pursue careers that they like; especially for students in the 10th and 12th standard, who are currently standing at the brink of this tough decision making. While traditional education models (even though online) still require candidates to clear competitive entrance exams and go through a rigorous selection process – the entry of Edtech players has changed the scene magnificently. Pursuing a degree of your choice after you pass your 10th and 12th grade is no more dependent on grueling entrance exams or putting your thoughts across perfectly in a high-pressure group discussion. Then how does it work, you may ask? Well, the answer to this is simple – Online Degrees! Edtech platforms have time and again tied up with leading global universities to bring to candidates degrees of their choice without the hassle of going through a rigorous admission process. These degrees offered by premier Indian Universities include a host of Mumbai University and Chandigarh University programs for example, as well as courses from leading international universities and professional colleges of India. Further, the programs offered by these platforms are completely self-paced and online, and the candidates have the comfort of pursuing them right from the comfort of their homes. Plus, they even have internships and placement assistance! For a novice to online education, the vast number of options may well be enough to fluster you. However, in this article, we bring to you some of the most practical and fulfilling courses that you can pursue as a fresh graduate, to help you set a strong foundation for your future career aspirations. 1.  Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) For 12th standard pass outs interested in studying business administration and gaining the technical know-how of running a successful organisation, online degrees offered through Mumbai University and Chandigarh University are worth every penny spent. These bachelor programs can be pursued immediately after your 12th grade result is out, and are fully remote. With a special syllabus methodically curated by the esteemed faculty of these established universities, these programs provide the exact same training and knowledge that a classroom course would ideally provide. These Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) programs train candidates in all aspects of business management, financial management, business accounting, marketing management, human resource management and digital marketing; thus, ensuring that the degree holders have the perfect mix of technical and real-time skills, as well as high employability. Post completion of this degree, you can successfully apply for opportunities like management trainee, social media manager, marketing manager, and financial manager. The starting salary for these positions can be anything between INR 3-6 Lakhs, depending on your expertise level and the organisation that you are working for. Just completed your 12th in science and curious about your future? Navigate through the career options after 12th science to find a path that aligns with your interests and aspirations. 2. Master of Business Administration (MBA) Post the completion of the Bachelor in Business Administration program, you can also move forward to pursue the Masters in Business Administration (MBA). Here again, this program is completely online and self-paced, for a total duration of two years. For the benefit of students and to provide them with as close a practical experience as possible, these courses offered, for example through Mumbai University and Chandigarh University programs, also have mandatory internships as a part of their curriculum, as well as placement assistance. Further, if you are pursuing this course while preparing for any kind of competitive exams, then there is an added advantage for you here. Along with a legitimate MBA degree from a UGC recognised university in India, this course will also provide you with foundational training for your competitive exams; thus, helping you sharpen your skills further. If you’re interested in learning beyond a general management degree and chasing a specialised stream in your career – then most of these degrees also have specialisations incorporated in them for you to choose in your second year. These specialisations include, but are not limited to Human Resource Management, Digital Marketing, Finance, Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Depending on the courses and the platform that you select, the courses may offer more or fewer specialisations. 3. Computer Applications and Data Science Keen interest in the banking sector, but a BBA or MBA is not your thing yet? You can also pursue a degree program in Computer Applications or Data Science. These online Bachelor’s and Master’s programs will put your math and analytical skills to good use, while also teaching you wholly practical concepts, making your job/ employment-ready as soon as you pass out. Generally, for a period of two years, Edtech platforms like upGrad that offer a special degree program in these subjects provide a number of advantages to students, from interactive classroom training to 24×7 on-ground support; not to forget the comprehensive understanding of concepts in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning that these courses provide, thus, making candidates suitable for any kind of job in a private or government sector enterprise, especially the banking sector. So, what are you waiting for? There was a time when universities offered classroom programs for full-time, as well as distance learning courses for students. However, for an employer, a classroom program was always considered more worthy than an online degree. The entry of edtech portals and virtual education has changed this perception completely now. With platforms like UpGrad curating programs that have inputs from international faculties and can accord alumni status to its graduates, these programs are slowly catching the attention of employers; thus, bridging a very important gap in our education system. Conclusion Moreover, who wouldn’t like to study from a university of their choice, without having to give any entrance exams or competitive tests of any kind? With these programs, you can study whatever you wish to, without any limitations or restrictions, right from the comfort of your homes, and even while pursuing another degree, employment, or activity of your choice. A total win-win scenario, isn’t it?

by Tanushree Jaiswal

21 Jan 2021

Blogs

899670

According to estimates by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), by 2022, the banking sector will add 1.6 million skilled workforces. That is in addition to the 1.38 million already employed by the banking sector as of March 2018. This is great news for those exploring careers in the banking sector or BANCA (bancassurance or selling insurance through banks).  The banking sector continues to grow and is providing exciting job opportunities even post COVID. And if you consider the benefits of banking jobs, such as job stability and loans at discounted interest rates, it is undoubtedly an excellent sector to make a career. A common question is how one gets a job in the banking sector. Let us try and answer this question in detail. Decide Whether Banking is the Right Choice for Your Career While the banking sector offers many opportunities, the first step is to determine whether banking is the right choice for your career. Some of the basic banking job requirements are excellent numerical skills, a high degree of attention to detail, and good communication skills. Also, one should have a keen interest in finance and banking related subjects. If you enjoy the subjects related to banking, it can be immense fun. If not, banking can be a wearisome career for some. Understand the Eligibility Criteria The starting point is to understand the eligibility criteria to get started in banking. In terms of educational qualifications, for public sector banks, graduation is a minimum requirement. Candidates need to have anywhere between 55-60% in their final year (depending on whether they fall under the reserved or unreserved category). Depending on the position applied for, candidates need to be between 18 and 30 years. Private sector banks tend to prefer MBAs with knowledge of finance and banking. Crack Entrance Exams (for Public Sector Banks) For employment in public sector banks, one needs to appear for a banking exam. These exams are conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) and State Bank of India. Some of these exams are as follows: SBI PO (Probationary Officer) SBI SO (Specialist Officer) SBI Clerk IBPS PO IBPS SO IBPS Clerk IBPS RRB (Regional Rural Banks) Reserve Bank of India Officer Grade B Reserve Bank of India Officer Grade C Each of these exams has a different pattern. Typically, these exams involve testing candidates on reasoning ability, quantitative aptitude, English language skills, and general awareness of the economy and banking. There are lots of books and courses available for preparing for these exams. Depending on your skills, you may need up to 6 months (6 to 8 hours per day) to prepare for IBPS exams. However, the actual preparation time may vary. For example, engineering graduates may require less time to prepare for the mathematics part of the exam. Must Read: Job-ready Program in Financial Modelling & Analysis Understand Requirements on Job Portals Private sector banks list their requirements as well as on job portals. Those aspiring to get jobs in the banking sector should spend a great deal of time on job portals and various banks’ career sections. Requirements vary by the role. For example, in a sales-related role, one would require a basic knowledge of products and excellent convincing skills. If it is a more technical role, such as an audit specialist, one needs technical knowledge of finance and accounting. One should also be able to make reports and presentations. Private banks also recruit through campus placements. Network with People from the Industry Like every other industry, networking is a great way to open new doors. One should leverage their network within family and friends and talk to people working in the industry. Even if they do not have a job, they may share insights about the skills required to enter the industry. One can also meet people from the banking sector in job fairs or through their alumni network. Make the Right CV The CV for a job in the banking sector will differ from one for a job in, say, a creative field. The banking industry places a lot of emphasis on professionalism. You should highlight your analytical skills and financial literacy, and acumen wherever possible (through test scores in finance-related subjects or if you have completed any finance-related projects). It will help if you highlight any extra-curricular activities related to communication (such as writing or speaking) or any projects related to quantitative skills or data analysis. Including a professional picture on your CV can be an added advantage. Update Your LinkedIn Profile You should update your LinkedIn profile with the right headline and right content suited for the banking industry. One should also join groups related to BANCA careers to know more about the requirements of this sector. Additionally, follow people from the leading banks’ HR departments to stay updated on any requirements from their side. Invest in Quality Banking Education One way to enter the banking industry is by investing in a professional banking course. For example, an MBA in banking is a lot different from a general MBA. Banking is a huge industry and has its unique educational requirements. upGrad offers advanced courses in digital finance and banking.  upGrad’s Job-ready Program in Financial Modelling & Analysis has been designed specifically for the banking sector. upGrad has developed the curriculum of this course in close coordination with members of the banking industry. The course covers all the essential banking and finance-related subjects. The course also covers the latest developments in banking and finance, including artificial intelligence in banking, digital finance, blockchain and cryptocurrency, and digital fraud. The course also covers case studies, real-world projects, mock interviews, peer-to-peer networking, and much more. The course is highly appreciated by leading players in the BFSI space who partner with education partners such as upGrad to provide jobs.

by Tanushree Jaiswal

08 Jan 2021