[paragraph]Continuing our series of Interviews with business leaders and technology experts, this month we are publishing an authored article by Bijesh Amin, Co-founder, Indus Valley Partners, who shares some hard-hitting facts about How ideal CV should be? and Whether you should select a disruptors or incumbents as your employer? [/paragraph] Ideal CV
Important Elements of Ideal CV in 2017
HARD SKILLS:
1. Adaptable software engineering skills / “true” coding aptitude.
Many Indian engineers are performing what amounts to software assembly – relying on IDEs and not writing “native” code from scratch. As programming languages evolve they will struggle relative to engineers who are well-versed in the actual art of coding. For example, Python has overtaken C++ in many financial engineering and fintech applications; for true engineers this is a relatively straightforward conversion.
2. Appreciation and understanding of hardware as well as coding expertise.
For example, shave milliseconds off run times on trading platforms requires knowledge of optimization at both the software and hardware level.
3. Cutting-edge Tech Becomes the Norm in a Digitized Business Model.
The emergence of credible fintech players across retail financial markets as well as capital markets has ensured that expertise in machine learning, AI, computational disciplines such as statistical analysis, data analytics/modelling etc. will be prized. The more academic the better; good news for PhD and Masters students in these areas.
Similarly expertise in cyber security, digital encryption, Blockchain and related technologies will also command a premium. Some Academic institutions in the US and Europe are offering courses in cryptography and Blockchain, but there are few such credible courses in India currently.
BACKGROUND:
1. Agile is not just a software methodology…Agile Intellects: Tech co-exists with Business
It is often easier to cross-train technologists on functional domain knowledge than business-oriented professionals on technology. In India there is an embedded model of business analysts explains functional knowledge to developers; this will be an increasingly anachronistic model of delivering technology solutions. Particularly in a digitized business where understanding the possibilities (and limits) of the business goes hand-in-hand with an innate understanding of technology.
BUSINESS SKILLS:
2. True Domain Experts will command a Premium.
True functional experts in specific finance verticals (e.g. insurance, hedge funds, re-insurance etc.) will be harnessed by fintech players to extract and codify their domain knowledge and heuristics – via AI and Machine Learning – to build platforms that can perform both low-level and mid-level tasks previously performed by professionals. Across a variety of white-collar professions from legal/compliance to investment banking and insurance these platforms are being put in place and forcing bankers and lawyers to elevate their value-add to generating original content, winning client deals or creatively designing new value propositions for their respective businesses. ****GOLDMAN I-BANKING SYSTEM****
SOFT SKILLS:
3. Read books…yes REAL books not just online blogs about them….
STEM MATTERS, LIBERAL ARTS MATTERS TOO…in some cases MORE…
As employers look for technology and analytical skills they are also looking to combine these with communication skills – verbal and written – Liberal Arts education which is often seen as the “poor relation” to STEM subjects will take on a new lease of life in this context.
In the West, alliances are being formed between corporate and governmental bodies to fill the gaps in this from of “hybrid” education to prepare graduates for the “new collar” jobs of the future.
Show that you have a propensity to travel (ideally outside of India), show where you have met people and TALKED to them…..Instant Messaging does not create a rapport or win new deals and clients…..neither does winning your college chess tournament…
FINALLY…
BE ORIGINAL IN YOUR CHOICE OF EMPLOYER: Following the herd is rarely disruptive…
The Turf war between Disruptors and Incumbents offers a multitude of Opportunities.
It is not only start-ups that offer cool new roles involving the latest technologies and large compensation packages. Aspiring talent should also look to Incumbent players who “get it”; Ant Financial (retail) or Citadel (capital markets) or Indus Valley Partners (consulting).
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About Guest Author:
Bijesh Amin, Co-founder, Indus Valley Partners
Following initial success in the investment banking and management consulting industries, Bijesh embarked on a more entrepreneurial venture co-founding IVP with Gurvinder Singh in 2000. Bijesh had previously worked with Oliver Wyman and JP Morgan in London and New York in senior strategic consulting and internal re-engineering roles. Bijesh holds a BSc (Hons) in Business Administration from the University of Bath, a Diploma in International Finance and Management from École des Hautes Études Commerciales, Lille and graduated from the Building New Ventures program at Harvard Business School. Frequently sought out for his opinions and insights by leading industry publications and the financial media, Bijesh is responsible for IVP’s on and offline media presence.
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