Dated June 24, 2006
(Questions answered on career concerns)
What are the career prospects for operations management?
Venkat Narayana
Hyderabad
'Operations' in the world of management encompasses almost all the sectors that reflect the efficiency of organisations including inventory management, vendor development, purchase management, and also a few others, which demand multi-disciplinary skills like SCM (supply chain management), and even ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and all cost optimisation initiatives. Depending on the type of organisation, one might be responsible for a few activities / regions in the initial stages and subsequently handle broader areas. A typical career would see one handling a few plants/ vendors initially, followed by the responsibility for an entire factory and eventually undertake a more strategic view like global sourcing / alternate materials / imports etc. Experts in operations management can be employed in computer integrated firms, such as manufacturing companies, multi-branch banking, retail chains, international assembly plants and production and distribution centres.
How should one deal with a salary question? I have heard several versions. Can you guide me?
Pavan Kumar
Chhattisgarh
This is difficult for most candidates. When possible, it is to your advantage to let your recruiter handle this to make sure that both your needs and the needs of the employer are met. You have already provided the employer with a salary history, so you most likely will not be asked this question at the interview unless there is a way for the employer to make it worth your while. It is also in your favour to postpone the discussion of money for as long as possible so that the employer realises the benefits of hiring you first. This reply works most often: "I trust that if you find my skills and abilities acceptable, you will make a fair offer. I have been working with (company name), and I feel confident that you will be able give me a satisfactory compensation." If this doesn't satisfy the interviewer, it is acceptable to give a range of about Rs.5,000 beginning at your current or last salary. Anything over 15% (and given the current economic situation, 10%) seems excessive, unless you are working from a very low base or are looking at a major career move. Another option is to defer responding by asking for 24 hours to think about the question.
What are the career prospects for biomedical engineering?
A Balakrishnan
New Delhi
Biomedical engineers are proficient scientists who use the principles of engineering and life sciences to conduct research on the biological aspects of human and animal life. The products biomedical engineers have invented have revolutionised the field of medicine. Some examples are the artificial heart and other artificial organs, prosthetics (artificial limbs), use of lasers in surgery, cryosurgery, ultrasonic and the use of computers in diagnosis. You will find openings with hospitals and manufacturing units of medical equipment. An attractive avenue for biomedical engineers interested in the applied sciences is the medical equipment industry, where one is involved in the design and manufacture of diagnostic or therapeutic instruments. In India, companies like BPL, Larsen & Toubro, Wipro Medical and Siemens have a large presence in this field. In these companies, you may be hired for their research and development (R&D) section or into sales and marketing, depending on your skills and preferences. Graduates can look forward to exciting careers in medical and healthcare sectors, to provide R&D services, direct engineering support as well as sales and marketing.
[The FAQ column deals with career concerns addressed to the C&K Management Ltd. P.O. Box 2178, Secunderabad 500003 or emailed to faqs@cnkonline.com]
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