In today’s blog, we bring you an inspiring success story of one of our recent graduates from our Investment Banking Program. Adnan Khan, who faced challenges despite having an MBA and LLB, shares his unique journey of securing a financial analyst role at G&M Financial. His story sheds light on the value of continuous learning, practical exposure, and the right mentorship in transforming a career. Through this podcast, Adnan discusses how he overcame his hurdles, gained the skills he lacked, and landed a job in an industry he had no prior experience in.

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Podcaster:

Good afternoon and welcome to this podcast. We’ve been waiting for you to share your success story. First of all, congratulations on getting placed.

Adnan:

Thank you, sir. Thank you very much.

Podcaster:

I believe you're very happy with your placement, right? You've secured a role in the company you desired. That’s fantastic! You have an interesting story to share, and I believe that everyone listening will learn a lot from it. So, let's get started. First, could you give us a quick introduction?

Adnan:

My name is Adnan Khan. I’ve completed my BBA, MBA, and LLB, along with a degree in Investment Banking from Jobaaj. I’ve also done several finance modeling courses from Jobaaj. I have 8 years of experience, which includes working at HDFC Bank as a sales executive. My role involved providing auto loans and processing loan files. After that, I worked at Prince Construction Company, handling financial aspects and supervising materials. Unfortunately, I lost my job due to COVID, but during that period, I completed my LLB and worked as a legal executive under a senior lawyer. I then came across the Jobaaj program on Instagram, enrolled in it, and today, I’ve secured a role at G&M Financial as a financial analyst.

Podcaster:

That's an incredible journey, Adnan. So, the company you've joined is G&M Financial, correct?

Adnan:

Yes, it’s a knowledge processing outsourcing company that deals with underwriting real estate and financial modeling in real estate.

Podcaster:

That sounds great! And you’re working as a financial analyst, right?

Adnan:

Yes, sir. Today is actually my second day on the job.

Podcaster:

How’s the work going so far? Is it a work-from-home job?

Adnan:

Yes, it’s a permanent work-from-home opportunity, and I’m currently in the training phase.

Podcaster:

Fantastic! Now, I understand you're from a place where investment banking opportunities may not be plentiful. Where are you from?

Adnan:

I’m from Chhatrapati Samaji Nagar, Maharashtra.

Podcaster:

I imagine there aren’t many opportunities like this in your area.

Adnan:

Yes, sir, that’s true.

Podcaster:

Now, let’s get into the problem statement. You already had an MBA, but during COVID, you lost your job. Despite having a solid educational background, it was challenging for you to secure a job, right?

Adnan:

Yes, sir. I completed my MBA from a Tier 2 college, and the main reason I struggled to get placed in higher firms was the lack of practical exposure and the skill set required in the job market. The MBA program didn’t provide me with the hands-on knowledge needed for roles like investment banking.

Podcaster:

So, you’ve identified that the job market is shifting from qualification-based placements to skill-based placements, correct?

Adnan:

Exactly! Even someone who’s just a graduate, but has the right skills, can land a higher CTC compared to someone with multiple degrees but without the necessary skills.

Podcaster:

Let’s talk about your placement process. How difficult was it?

Adnan:

It wasn’t difficult for me at all, thanks to the HR team at Jobaaj. They were very cooperative and helped me throughout the process. I didn’t have a LinkedIn account before, but they created and optimized one for me, found suitable jobs, and helped me prepare for interviews.

Podcaster:

It sounds like you had great support. Can you walk us through the placement process? Was there a case study or HR round?

Adnan:

Yes, first I had a quiz. After that, I was assigned a case study, followed by an HR round. Then there was a technical session where I had to complete a financial modeling task live on a video call.

Podcaster:

So, the interview was designed to test practical skills. What skills did they focus on?

Adnan:

They tested my communication skills first, followed by analytical skills, Excel proficiency, and current affairs related to real estate and macroeconomics. For example, they asked me about the impact of rising interest rates on the economy.

Podcaster:

And I assume financial statement analysis, valuation, and formulas like IRR and NPV were part of the process too?

Adnan:

Yes, definitely. It involved time value of money concepts, which we covered in the course.

Podcaster:

What made you decide to take a course on investment banking despite already having an LLB and an MBA?

Adnan:

Honestly, I didn’t have the practical knowledge of how the market works. At first, I thought the course might be a scam, but when I saw the mentorship and practical approach, I decided to enroll. The course gave me certifications, a LinkedIn profile, and the right exposure, which I hadn’t received from my earlier degrees. I was really shocked when I got placed.

Podcaster:

How long did it take for you to complete the course and get placed?

Adnan:

It took me 8 to 10 months to complete the course because I was working at the same time. The assignment phase really helped me build confidence in applying what I had learned. After completing everything, it took me about 3 to 4 months to get placed. The interview process with G&M Financial took around 1.5 months.

Podcaster:

That’s great progress. Despite having an MBA, you were able to break into a finance role through practical learning. You were able to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application, which is often the challenge for many professionals.

Adnan:

Yes, exactly. The course really prepared me by providing real-world tasks and practical assignments. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.

Podcaster:

What advice would you give to someone aspiring for a similar role?

Adnan:

I would say focus on continuous learning. Don’t just rely on qualifications. Work on building practical skills that align with the job market needs.

Podcaster:

Great advice! Continuous learning is key to staying relevant in today’s job market. Thank you for sharing your journey, Adnan. I’m sure many aspiring professionals will find your story inspiring.

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Don’t miss the full conversation—watch the podcast now and get inspired by Adnan's journey!

 

General interview questions answered by Adnan during his selection process

Tell us about your experience with financial modeling. How do you ensure your models are accurate and reliable?

Sample Answer: I’ve developed financial models as part of my coursework and assignments during my time in the Jobaaj Investment Banking program. To ensure accuracy, I focus on using clean, verified data and ensuring all assumptions are well-documented. I also perform sensitivity analysis to test the model's robustness under different assumptions. Additionally, I make sure to validate the results with real-world data and review the outputs with peers or mentors to ensure the model is aligned with market conditions.

How do you approach financial statement analysis, and what key ratios or metrics do you prioritize?

Sample Answer: In financial statement analysis, I start by reviewing the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement to assess the overall financial health of a company. Key metrics I prioritize include profitability ratios like ROE (Return on Equity), liquidity ratios like the current ratio, and leverage ratios such as the debt-to-equity ratio. I also closely monitor cash flow statements to assess a company's ability to generate cash from operations. These insights help in determining the financial stability and potential risks of the company.

Describe a time when you had to make a quick financial decision. How did you approach it?

Sample Answer: During my time at Prince Construction, I was involved in a situation where we needed to make a quick financial decision regarding whether to proceed with a large capital expenditure. I quickly gathered relevant financial data, including the company's cash flow and the projected ROI of the project. After a quick but thorough analysis, I presented a recommendation to the management team, which involved delaying the expenditure for a few months to improve cash flow. The decision was well-received, and the company was able to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

What steps would you take if you were tasked with analyzing the financial feasibility of a real estate project?

Sample Answer: To analyze the financial feasibility of a real estate project, I would first gather all relevant data, such as the projected costs, expected revenues, financing structure, and market trends. I would create a detailed financial model, incorporating assumptions about financing, construction costs, rental income, and market demand. Key metrics like NPV (Net Present Value), IRR (Internal Rate of Return), and payback period would be calculated to assess profitability and risk. Additionally, I would perform a sensitivity analysis to evaluate how changes in key variables like interest rates or construction costs would impact the project’s feasibility.

What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful financial analyst?

Sample Answer: The most important qualities for a successful financial analyst are attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate complex financial data clearly. A financial analyst must be able to evaluate data critically, identify trends, and make data-driven recommendations. Additionally, strong problem-solving skills are essential for addressing challenges as they arise, and being adaptable to changing financial environments or market conditions is equally important.

Describe a situation where you identified a financial risk. How did you manage it?

Sample Answer: During my work at Prince Construction, I identified a financial risk related to fluctuating material costs. This could potentially exceed the project budget and delay timelines. I proactively brought this to the attention of the project manager and suggested a more detailed risk analysis, including contingency plans and price-lock agreements with suppliers. By addressing this risk early, we were able to manage costs effectively and complete the project on time without compromising quality.