Feeling Stuck: How Do I Explain My Shift from Engineering to Finance in Placements?

I have my placement session next month, and a question is bothering me a lot. Can you guys help me with it? I completed my B.Tech in Oil and Engineering, then worked for 3 years at Accenture. Currently, I am pursuing an MBA in Finance. The question that troubles me is: what made me choose Finance? I achieved a decent score in CAT and am pursuing my MBA from one of the best colleges in India, renowned for its finance program. Please help me out.

Frankly, only you can answer that question with confidence and believability. For that, you need to honestly answer that question yourself. Let me share some pointers on how to go about finding a suitable answer:

- Give a brief rationale for taking up B.Tech in Oil and Engineering.
- Link your work experience in Accenture with your educational qualification.
- Then, move to your fascination with numbers and accounting that you were exposed to in Accenture. You may also indicate that a senior in Accenture strongly suggested that a degree in finance would help you leverage your technical background when complemented with financial acumen.

You will have to fine-tune the broad outline given above depending on the facts. (e.g., I have no clue about your job profile in Accenture. Furthermore, your rationale for choosing finance is also unknown to me.)

Obviously, the above is just one approach to tackle the problem. I am sure you can give the most convincing explanation provided you have worked it out and personally believe it.

Best wishes.

I really appreciate your answer and the way you explained it. However, my concern is that there is no direct connection to my B-Tech, as my specialization was in the manufacturing of edible oil. During my time at Accenture, I worked as a developer focusing on the search box feature using the latest Microsoft technology for an e-commerce client.

To be candid, I am unsure how to tie all these experiences together. I would greatly appreciate it if you could provide some insight on this matter. Your help would be invaluable. Please assist me with this.

Thank you.

The details presented by you are like seeing a jigsaw puzzle. Perhaps the following questions would help you find your own answers.

1. What is your academic record/rank in school finals?

2. Your joining Oil and Engineering -

How was this branch selected by you?

Was it by your choice or by Hobson's choice?

3. How did you get the job in Accenture?

Were there any questions about your qualification?

Did you have any idea of what sort of job you would be doing there?

What was your performance rating in Accenture over three years?

Did you make any exceptional contributions or achievements worth sharing?

4. What made you quit the job and take up an MBA in Finance?

Was it against stiff competition or easy to get in?

At that time, were you asked any questions about your B.Tech degree and the job?

If you can get very strong, positive answers to the above, you can project yourself as an adventure-loving, result-oriented, successful person. Every change you made was into a new area, and you came out with laurels.

In all probability, the interviewers would be questioning the depth of your experience and your proficiency in Finance. Prepare well, focusing on your specialization field in Finance and Project work.

Good Luck,

Regards,
V. Raghunathan
Navi Mumbai

Mr. Raghunathan has elucidated the questions that you need to honestly answer. Once you have the reality in front of you, then you can attempt to make the linkage that you believe should hopefully convince the interview panelists. Try and put yourself in the place of the panel member and ask yourself if the answer you give for a query would be acceptable.

Finally, don't be too tense or worried about the linkages. The last paragraph of Mr. Raghunathan's reply is the key to your success in your interview.

All the best.