Need advices - Bank job or Cisco job?

[Sajid20]

Dear Pakwheelers,

I need your sincere advice on this:

Currently I am associated with a bank?s operation department as an Officer II and recently got an offer of job from Cisco Pakistan for the position of Business Analyst. But I am confused. Should I leave banking industry? Or ignore this opportunity and continue looking for better one?

My age: 24-25
Total experience of different positions: More than 5 years
Qualification: M.Com-Finance (final semester's 2 paper remaining)

Bank's package:
Salary 16,000
Timing 09 to 06 (late sitting depends on work load)
Other benefits: PF, gratuity, medical, life insurance, staff loan, pick & drop, lunch.

Cisco Package:
Salary: 20,000
Timings: rotating shift of 08 hours.
Other benefits: Medical

I talked with Cisco employees as well. They said growth here in Cisco is unmatchable, there are examples where people crossed 40,000 within two years and it would take you more than 5 years to cross 40k in bank.

[bigmaster]

wat cisco certifications do u have?

[Huzaifa_Khalid]

Banks job is better.

[gttx]

Dear Pakwheelers,

I need your sincere advice on this:

Currently I am associated with a bank?s operation department as an Officer II and recently got an offer of job from Cisco Pakistan for the position of Business Analyst. But I am confused. Should I leave banking industry? Or ignore this opportunity and continue looking for better one?

My age: 24-25
Total experience of different positions: More than 5 years
Qualification: M.Com-Finance (final semester's 2 paper remaining)

Bank's package:
Salary 16,000
Timing 09 to 06 (late sitting depends on work load)
Other benefits: PF, gratuity, medical, life insurance, staff loan, pick & drop, lunch.

Cisco Package:
Salary: 20,000
Timings: rotating shift of 08 hours.
Other benefits: Medical

I talked with Cisco employees as well. They said growth here in Cisco is unmatchable, there are examples where people crossed 40,000 within two years and it would take you more than 5 years to cross 40k in bank.

Firstly which one do you like better. What interests you ?

Explain your operations position at the bank? is it a small bank or a big bank like abl.ubl.mcb.hbl etc

If its a small bank then chances of growth are better. If its a big bank then growth is almost non existent and too slow.

Ops guys after 5 yrs earn approx 50k that too if they get increment every year. Otherwise that figure is even lower.

[Xulfiqar]

20K as business analyst in Cisco?

[Stylishkiller]

Working with Cisco itself (not with any partners) would be anyone's dream, as you can get a job anywhere around the glob by having Cisco job experience, I shall recommend Cisco anytime over any banking industry .best of luck.

[Sajid20]

wat cisco certifications do u have?

none.

Firstly which one do you like better. What interests you ?

Explain your operations position at the bank? is it a small bank or a big bank like abl.ubl.mcb.hbl etc

If its a small bank then chances of growth are better. If its a big bank then growth is almost non existent and too slow.

Ops guys after 5 yrs earn approx 50k that too if they get increment every year. Otherwise that figure is even lower.

I love banking but the depart currently i am working for is pathetic, there is no learning or growth. I am in outward remittances in meezan bank. I am strongly agreed with the part that growth in banks are damn slow. I have seen peoples here who have been working since last 6 or 7 years and they even didn't cross 30k yet. This corporate blood suckers earn in billions and pay in pennies.

20K as business analyst in Cisco?

This is what shocked me as well zulfiqar bhai. I was expecting 40k plus. But I am a big fool myself. I said salary should be minimum 20k in first interview but i thought they would revise it later but they didn't. Senior business analyst are getting 50, 60k plus over there. They said they provide good increments mgr ye sb zabani baat hai. Most probably i wouldn't switch due to that much low pay. I am already enjoying third class pay scale.

Working with Cisco itself (not with any partners) would be anyone's dream, as you can get a job anywhere around the glob by having Cisco job experience, I shall recommend Cisco anytime over any banking industry .best of luck.

Actually its a third party contract job within Cisco, not a direct employment. I guess that's what most of the multinational are doing out here in pakistan. Correct me if i am wrong.

[Xulfiqar]

any company that saves monies by shrinking wages is useless to be part with. Lay out the reality in the interview and ask them if they think its worthy. Usually that gets them really interested.

If its a subcontract then I dont think it was even worthy going there if you already have a job - and then them offering 20K is like them laughing at you for coming to an interview.

yes I know what working in meezan must be like - they are suffering from the mini cooper beemari - meaning they dont want change.

I think they were pitched some module of temenos in which their reaction was "amusing" as my freind put it.

[Stylishkiller]

Sub contractor for the OEM doesn't exists, there would be distributors or partners, if you are not offered a job directly from Cisco than its worthless in my opinion, but again if you are confused in decision, consult the direct number #Istikhara

[s55]

I think I have suggested this to you or someone else I don't remember to increase your qualification first before you want to make a big move.
I am a CCNP and CCIP, getting well paid alhamdulillah and in order to secure my future with job stability, I am thinking to get my CCIE done before I switch this job. Its kind of my habit that I want some achievement to feel more confident and after a few months it happens to me that it starts getting frustrating for me and I want more or nothing at all.
So, the moral is don't just depend on the experience but improve your qualification. Don't go for a higher salary but a career oriented job. A time will come that you will start getting the real money. Employers in Pakistan exploit emplyees. So while you're in Pakistan just gain experience, don't look at the money.

[pistonhead]

My two cents, do not stick around at one job for more than 2- 3 years. Switch, gain different experiences and most importantly, learn.

I say, go for the Cisco job.

[s55]

And to add more, its not halal earning working in a bank. I know you would say its Islamic banking but to me it looks like the same thing, kaan yahan se pakro ya wahan se baat aik hi hai.
Go for Cisco job meahnwhile keep looking for a better job. Don't be afraid of being jobless, joblessness would teach you much more than what you would learn being on the job. One should experience both sides, when you are broke and when you're rich.

[metallicfusion00]

You are very young and it is quite early in your career. The banking position you've mentioned is retail banking / branch banking, it has become more of a merchant job. I, myself have worked for a year at Standard Chartered and made my way to the Branch Manager in a very short while. However, my parents were never happy with my job at the bank for obvious religious reasons. I left the job and moved abroad and worked for various notable organizations including UN and Etisalat. You will always and every where be appreciated for your job at Cisco Systems than this job at the bank. My sincere advice to you is to join Cisco and try to leave the bank job as soon as possible. Allah SWT will bless you with immense barkaat that you can not imagine, Insha'Allah.

[metallicfusion00]

Another thing I would like to mention that retail banking is nothing appreciated at all when you move to a better career level you will realize that. No matter which bank you're working at and whatever is your package, there's no creativity to it. Apart from this, as s55 have said it is islamically incorrect. I was working for Standard Chartered when they introduced Sadiq (Islamic banking division of Standard Chartered) and they had trainers from Pakistan, Middle East, Malaysia and other countries which included some muftis as well and there used to be moments where they didn't have answers to a lot of questions. Making financial gains by just sitting idle and only lending money is not halaal by any definition. So cutting the long story short that go for the Cisco job, prove yourself and enjoy a truly international career that will throw you in endurance testing moments but very very rewarding, Insha'Allah.

[Sajid20]

any company that saves monies by shrinking wages is useless to be part with. Lay out the reality in the interview and ask them if they think its worthy. Usually that gets them really interested.

If its a subcontract then I dont think it was even worthy going there if you already have a job - and then them offering 20K is like them laughing at you for coming to an interview.

yes I know what working in meezan must be like - they are suffering from the mini cooper beemari - meaning they dont want change.

I think they were pitched some module of temenos in which their reaction was "amusing" as my freind put it.

Zulfiqar bhai mistake was totally mine, I said salary should be minimum 20k in first interview and they took benefit of it. A life time lesson learned now.
Well, This bemari isn't limited to local banks only and about temenos, its a permanent dard-e-sar.

Sub contractor for the OEM doesn't exists, there would be distributors or partners, if you are not offered a job directly from Cisco than its worthless in my opinion, but again if you are confused in decision, consult the direct number #Istikhara

They said Cisco do not directly hire in other countries. Similarly in Pakistan, Elite Office Staff is looking after recruiting procedure.

I think I have suggested this to you or someone else I don't remember to increase your qualification first before you want to make a big move.
I am a CCNP and CCIP, getting well paid alhamdulillah and in order to secure my future with job stability, I am thinking to get my CCIE done before I switch this job. Its kind of my habit that I want some achievement to feel more confident and after a few months it happens to me that it starts getting frustrating for me and I want more or nothing at all.
So, the moral is don't just depend on the experience but improve your qualification. Don't go for a higher salary but a career oriented job. A time will come that you will start getting the real money. Employers in Pakistan exploit emplyees. So while you're in Pakistan just gain experience, don't look at the money.

Agreed, Insha Allah after getting done with my masters, i will further enhance my professional/academic qualification.

My two cents, do not stick around at one job for more than 2- 3 years. Switch, gain different experiences and most importantly, learn.

I say, go for the Cisco job.

Agreed, Cisco would be my fourth job BTW if i would opt for it.

And to add more, its not halal earning working in a bank. I know you would say its Islamic banking but to me it looks like the same thing, kaan yahan se pakro ya wahan se baat aik hi hai.
Go for Cisco job meahnwhile keep looking for a better job. Don't be afraid of being jobless, joblessness would teach you much more than what you would learn being on the job. One should experience both sides, when you are broke and when you're rich.

Don't be afraid of getting job-less? You gotta be kidding me. I don't have other source of income and have a family to support.

You are very young and it is quite early in your career. The banking position you've mentioned is retail banking / branch banking, it has become more of a merchant job. I, myself have worked for a year at Standard Chartered and made my way to the Branch Manager in a very short while. However, my parents were never happy with my job at the bank for obvious religious reasons. I left the job and moved abroad and worked for various notable organizations including UN and Etisalat. You will always and every where be appreciated for your job at Cisco Systems than this job at the bank. My sincere advice to you is to join Cisco and try to leave the bank job as soon as possible. Allah SWT will bless you with immense barkaat that you can not imagine, Insha'Allah.

Another thing I would like to mention that retail banking is nothing appreciated at all when you move to a better career level you will realize that. No matter which bank you're working at and whatever is your package, there's no creativity to it. Apart from this, as s55 have said it is islamically incorrect. I was working for Standard Chartered when they introduced Sadiq (Islamic banking division of Standard Chartered) and they had trainers from Pakistan, Middle East, Malaysia and other countries which included some muftis as well and there used to be moments where they didn't have answers to a lot of questions. Making financial gains by just sitting idle and only lending money is not halaal by any definition. So cutting the long story short that go for the Cisco job, prove yourself and enjoy a truly international career that will throw you in endurance testing moments but very very rewarding, Insha'Allah.

I agreed, I am doing some routine $hit over there. Processing outward remittances and stuff. Learning = Zero, Tensions = alot.

While Cisco is a better opportunity both by creativity/learning and environment but I would most probably not go for it and keep looking for a better one.

Thank you all that you took out your time and give your valuable suggestion/advice. It helps alot. Thank you.

[MoinIqbal]

The bank job will be more stable but won't lead to much.
Just having Cisco on your CV regardless of your work period will be very beneficial and may lead to many opportunities!
Others will guide you better but these are just just my thoughts.

[tarqureshi]

metallicfusion00 and s55 have some useful tips for you.

I left banking after doing it for 10 years at very senior level due to interest issue, left me with a simple lesson; dont waste your valuable time in a career that you have to leave this day or that day, for a reason very obvious from the days one.

The more you go into banking career,if at all you go, will put you into experience trap, because essentially you only need more n more years experience and don't need improvement in your professional qualification. So you are helpless when you want to switch at later stages, you are stuck.

Plus meezan or any domestic bank has limited opp to grow as compared to foreign banks working in pak, that my translate you an opportunity abroad. else you need a foreingn qualification to get on the growth wave.

So better quit/swtich, improve your qualification and remember better homework and research of employer before going for an interview.

[metallicfusion00]

I agree with the brother who said that it is going to be Cisco's representative job and the brother who started the thread confirmed it. In my personal experience, even if you get an opportunity to work for a giant's representative it can work in your favour; leading upto an opportunity to work for the giant itself. In my personal experience of PR, Account Management and Client Services I have been interacting with them while working for their representatives and luckily I got into the giants (Etisalat and UN). The thing is, you have to become an eye-candy for the Managers / Directors communicating with you from the giant side and the moment they have an opening to increase their team members or a replacement, you can be the first person they will think of hiring. As they are precisely aware of your capacity, commitment and work knowledge, so practically you will not have to take time to learn things and can start working from the beginning.

[Xulfiqar]

eye candy for managers?

umm - thats one very strange suggestion. I think Sajid is a guy's name and him getting dolled up wont do good - unless the managers wear pink stockings etc.

In my life I have learnt that.

1 - Be yourself - you are unique (dont try to act like someone else)
2 - know your skill to the energy level (not just words/concepts etc but how it works by laws of sciences)

Once you get the 2nd part somewhat down (about 10%) - you are then flagged. Your resume then becomes paper.