This blog captures a real podcast conversation with Tarun Shindai, a student from our Investment Banking Program who successfully transitioned from a science background to securing a finance job at EClerx. In this inspiring episode, Tarun shares his unconventional journey, his learning curve, and practical advice for others seeking to enter the finance world. Whether you're a fresher or changing careers, this is a must-read!

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Podcaster: Good afternoon everyone! We’re back with another exciting session and today, we’re joined by one of our recently placed candidates — Mr. Tarun Shindai. How are you, Mr. Shindai?

Tarun: Sir, I’m fine. How are you?

Podcaster: I’m doing great, Tarun — and I’m very happy to have you here. For our audience, could you please introduce yourself?

Tarun: Hello everyone! I’m Tarun Shindai, originally from Barara. I’m currently based in Pune and working at EClerx as a Financial Analyst in the Capital Markets division, specifically in the Asset Servicing domain.

Podcaster: Tell us a bit about your education background.

Tarun: I did my BSc in Chemistry, Zoology, and Botany. Then I completed my MSc and eventually pursued an MBA. Now I’m working at EClerx.

Podcaster: That’s quite an academic journey — from science to finance! What made you switch domains?

Tarun: Honestly, I always wanted to pursue an MBA, but my parents wanted me to stay in the science stream. During my MSc, the lockdown happened. I had a lot of time and started exploring financial markets, did online courses, started trading — made profits, made losses — and learned a lot. That’s when I developed a deep interest in finance and investment banking. I realized an MBA alone wasn’t enough — I needed real skills. That’s when I joined the Investment Banking Program through Jobaaj Learnings. It taught me practical things like financial modeling, equity research, Excel — which MBA didn’t.

Podcaster: That’s an important point — many students think MBA alone is enough to get into finance roles. So what made this program different?

Tarun: MBA teaches mostly theory. But the industry wants practical skills. In my interviews, Excel came up a lot. The program helped me master Excel, financial modeling, and live simulations. I remember how others struggled to even use basic formulas — but I was confident because I had practiced everything during training.

Podcaster: Absolutely. Excel is fundamental — whether it's investment banking, accounting, or audit. What would you say to students who only focus on salary in the beginning?

Tarun: Don’t chase salary in the beginning. Focus on learning and gaining hands-on experience. Salary will come with time. EClerx doesn’t offer high packages to freshers, but it gives excellent learning in domains like Asset Servicing, which is critical if you want to enter investment banking or capital markets.

Podcaster: Well said! Tell us about your role — what does Asset Servicing involve?

Tarun: I’m still in training, but broadly, it involves handling client transactions, dealing with custodians, and working with securities like bonds and derivatives. Our client is Morgan Stanley, so it’s a high-responsibility role.

Podcaster: That's a huge client! How was the interview process at EClerx?

Tarun: Very structured — three rounds in a single day. The first was an introduction round. Then HR round where I was asked about AML, KYC, and assets. Finally, a tough manager round — they test your communication and confidence. I was asked logical questions like “What’s 7% of 7?” to see if I’d change my answer under pressure. I stayed calm and gave the right answer — and I think that confidence helped me.

Podcaster: Love that — it’s not always about knowledge, but also how you handle pressure. And what happened after you got selected?

Tarun: I received a take-home test — English, logic, and aptitude. After clearing it, I got my joining date. The onboarding process helped me understand the company’s structure, team, and work culture. Since I work with sensitive financial data, I don’t get to work from home — we work on a secure floor with restricted access.

Podcaster: That’s standard for sensitive finance roles. Any final message for our learners or freshers looking to get into finance?

Tarun:
– Learn practical skills — not just theory. Excel, financial modeling, research — they matter.
– Don't worry about starting salary — worry about experience and learning.
– Take internships — they teach you more than college.
– Be open to referrals, rejections, and interviews — keep going.
– Reduce screen time and mobile addiction — especially if you’re aiming for floor jobs in finance.
– Reach out to mentors. I got help from my seniors, friends, and people like Vishakha who guided me during this journey.

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

 

General interview questions answered by Tarun during his selection process

Why did you switch from science to finance?

Sample Answer: While I pursued science due to family expectations, I always had an inclination toward finance. During the pandemic, I had the time to explore financial markets, started trading, and realized that I was passionate about the finance world. I believe the analytical mindset from my science background supports my finance career well.

What do you understand by Custodian and its role in capital markets?

Sample Answer: A custodian is a financial institution that holds customers’ securities for safekeeping to prevent theft or loss. They handle settlement, reporting, corporate actions, and compliance on behalf of institutional investors. They are crucial in ensuring smooth asset servicing and safeguarding client assets.

How comfortable are you with Excel? Can you name some functions you know?

Sample Answer: I’m very comfortable with Excel. I’ve used functions like VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, IF, INDEX-MATCH, SUMIFS, COUNTIFS, and pivot tables. I’ve also worked with data simulations, filtering, and formatting during my certification and internship projects. Excel is one of the most essential tools in finance, and I’ve practiced it hands-on.

What is KYC and why is it important?

Sample Answer: KYC stands for Know Your Customer. It's a mandatory process of identifying and verifying the identity of clients to prevent money laundering, fraud, and illegal financing. It ensures transparency and regulatory compliance, especially in investment banking and asset management.

Can you explain what derivatives are and name their types?

Sample Answer: Derivatives are financial contracts whose value is derived from underlying assets like stocks, bonds, commodities, or interest rates. The main types are Forwards, Futures, Options, and Swaps. They are used for hedging risk or for speculative purposes.

What is your understanding of Anti-Money Laundering (AML)?

Sample Answer: AML refers to the laws, procedures, and regulations that prevent criminals from disguising illegally obtained funds as legitimate income. It includes monitoring transactions, flagging suspicious activity, and maintaining compliance to protect financial institutions from being used for illicit activities.