Welcome to the Jobaaj Learnings Podcast Blog Series — where we feature real stories of our students who have successfully transitioned into the roles of their dreams.

In this edition, we speak with Ms. Uma Maheshwari, a graduate of our Management Consulting Program, who recently secured an exciting role as a Financial Business Consultant at Sharpen Stiller, a young yet impactful management consulting firm. In this candid podcast, Uma shares her story, her journey through the training, interview experience, and her thoughts for aspiring BCOM and MBA students.

Ready to pivot your career into Management Consulting just like Uma did?
Explore Jobaaj Learnings Management Consulting Program

Kickstart Your Management Consulting Career – Apply Now

Podcaster:
Good evening everyone! We're back again with another lovely discussion with one of our students. Today, we have with us Ms. Uma Maheshwari. Hello Miss Maheshwari, how are you?

Uma Maheshwari:
I'm great sir, how are you?

Podcaster:
I'm fine as well. So for our audience — let them know — Uma has received a lovely job offer as a Financial Business Consultant. So Uma, please introduce yourself.

Uma Maheshwari:
My name is Uma Maheshwari. I'm a B.Com graduate. I started the Jobaaj Learnings program in September last year, and I received my offer just last week.

Podcaster:
Lovely! So where did you pursue your B.Com from?

Uma Maheshwari:
Sir, from Shashadri College in Bangalore.

Podcaster:
Are you a Bangalore native?

Uma Maheshwari:
Yes sir, born and brought up in Bangalore.

Podcaster:
Nice! So, let me ask — what kind of job opportunities were you getting during college placements? There's a misconception that students don’t get jobs from campus. Was that your experience too?

Uma Maheshwari:
Actually sir, I did get an offer during my final year for an analyst role. But I wasn’t happy with the role and responsibilities. I felt there wouldn’t be much growth, so I rejected it.

Podcaster:
That’s a bold move! What kind of analyst role was it exactly?

Uma Maheshwari:
Although it was titled "Analyst", it was more of a sales role.

Podcaster:
That’s unfortunate, and it reflects a bigger issue in our education system — despite having a degree in accounting and finance, students often end up in sales roles. So how did you come across Jobaaj Learnings?

Uma Maheshwari:
I saw a post on Instagram about Jobaaj Learnings and registered. Then I got in touch with the team and enrolled.

Podcaster:
What kind of skills did you pick up from the program that you didn’t get during B.Com?

Uma Maheshwari:
Real-world finance knowledge — like financial modeling, advanced Excel, and understanding the stock market. We never learned these practically during B.Com.

Podcaster:
True. Most of us only saw formulas on paper, but no real-world applications. So, what was the interview process like at the company you’re now placed in?

Uma Maheshwari:
There were three rounds — a screening call, then an assessment test, and finally a face-to-face interview with the manager.

Podcaster:
And this assessment test was based on the actual consulting role, right?

Uma Maheshwari:
Yes sir, it was aligned with the management consultant responsibilities.

Podcaster:
And you're specializing in finance consulting too, not just general strategy?

Uma Maheshwari:
Yes sir, finance-focused.

Podcaster:
That’s impressive. Many MBA grads can't crack this level of role. And you've done it with a B.Com background — a big achievement. So which company did you get placed in?

Uma Maheshwari:
It’s called Sharpen Stiller. It's a two-year-old company that advises MNCs on pricing, expansion, and management.

Podcaster:
So you're now advising MNCs as a B.Com graduate. That’s huge. Most students would dream of this. And I remember your journey — the assignments, the mock interviews. How many interviews did you give with us?

Uma Maheshwari:
Only one. This was my first interview through Jobaaj.

Podcaster:
And you cracked it on your first attempt — that’s amazing. Many students need to go through 3–5 interviews before landing a good job. You deserve applause for that.

Uma Maheshwari:
Thank you, sir!

Podcaster:
You faced challenges during your assignments, right? Anything you’d like to share now that I’m not your trainer anymore?

Uma Maheshwari:
Yes sir, the only thing I found difficult was that you didn’t send me all the corrections at once. I had to keep resubmitting and getting new feedback each time.

Podcaster:
That’s valid. But it happens because we check your models with a real-world lens. Sometimes fixing one thing uncovers another area that needs adjustment. I know it’s frustrating, but your patience paid off.

Uma Maheshwari:
Yes sir, definitely.

Podcaster:
As a final note — what advice would you give to other B.Com or MBA students who want to land a role like yours?

Uma Maheshwari:
Focus more on market trends than just bookish knowledge. What’s happening in the industry matters more than what’s in the syllabus. Practical knowledge and certifications are crucial — a B.Com degree alone is not enough.

Podcaster:
That’s a great message. And any specific skill roadmap you’d recommend?

Uma Maheshwari:
It depends on the industry. For finance, investment banking, equity research, and strategic planning are really valuable. That’s what helped me.

Podcaster:
Well said. To sum up — focus on gaining real-world skills, keep an eye on market trends, and align your certifications with your target industry. Uma, we at Jobaaj Learnings are so proud of you. Vishakha and the entire team are thrilled by your success.

..............

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

 

General interview questions answered by Uma during her selection process

What do you understand by financial modeling? Have you built any models?
Sample Answer: Financial modeling is the process of creating a detailed representation of a company’s financial performance in Excel. It usually includes projecting the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flows. Yes, I have built models during my training, including a 3-statement model and DCF valuation model for companies in different sectors.

Tell us about a challenging assignment you worked on and how you handled it.
Sample Answer: One of the assignments in my program was to build a full valuation model from scratch. I initially made several errors, but with constant feedback and multiple revisions, I learned how interconnected each assumption is. The process taught me patience, attention to detail, and the importance of real-world logic in finance.

How proficient are you in Excel? Can you name a few functions you often use?
Sample Answer: I’m confident in using Excel for both data analysis and modeling. I frequently use functions like VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH, IF, SUMIFS, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and data validation. I’ve also built dashboards using charts and slicers for data visualization.

What would you do if a client rejected your recommendation?
Sample Answer: I would first ask for feedback to understand their concerns. Then I would review my analysis, validate the data again, and if needed, present an updated version or an alternative solution. I believe consulting is as much about collaboration and communication as it is about analysis.

How do you stay updated with financial and market trends?
Sample Answer: I follow financial news from sources like Economic Times, Mint, and Bloomberg. I also keep an eye on stock market updates, LinkedIn posts from industry experts, and economic indicators to stay aware of trends that may affect consulting work.

Why should we hire you over MBA candidates?
Sample Answer: Even though I don’t have an MBA, I have practical, hands-on skills in financial modeling and consulting thanks to my focused training. I’ve worked on real assignments and case studies and can bring both a fresh perspective and a strong work ethic. I’m confident that I can deliver results from day one.