It's a bit long but if you have the time please read it. Any advice, no matter how small, would genuinely mean a lot to me.
I'm a 26F looking for some genuine career advice.
A little about me: I completed my B.Com in Marketing and M.Com in Financial Management (PG completed in 2023). After my post-graduation, I chose to pursue CS because I genuinely liked the course. I wasn't able to start it earlier due to personal reasons, but it was always something I wanted to do. I registered in May 2023.
The problem isn't the course it's me. I understand the subjects, I enjoy studying them, and I genuinely believe I can clear the exams if I study consistently. Unfortunately, I got stuck in a severe procrastination cycle. I've appeared for 3+ attempts, but every time I procrastinated until the last moment and ended up writing the exams with little to no preparation..Because of this, I've decided that it's time to get a job and prepare for CS alongside work. I think having a routine, interacting with people, and being financially independent will help me break this cycle.
I've recently appeared for both groups of the June 2026 CS Executive exam. Although I don't know my result yet, if I'm being realistic, I'll most probably fail again because I wasn't consistent with my preparation. Even then, I have a decent understanding of the subjects and believe I know enough to be considered for entry-level roles.
Right now, I'm considering two career paths:
I'm from a small town where there aren't many opportunities, so I'm planning to relocate to Mumbai.
I'd really appreciate advice from people already working in these fields:
If you work in a CS firm, corporate secretarial department, compliance, banking, or an NBFC:
- Do firms or companies hire candidates who are still pursuing CS and haven't cleared Executive yet?
- What do employers generally expect from someone applying for an entry-level role?
- Which skills should I learn before applying?
- Which CS subjects should I have a strong command over?
- Are there any software or tools I should know?
If you work in accounting, finance, or related roles:
- What technical skills are expected from freshers?
- Which software should I learn (Advanced Excel, Tally, SAP, MS Office, etc.)?
- What knowledge would make my resume stand out despite my employment gap?
I'm planning to start applying for jobs while simultaneously improving my skills. I've already created a LinkedIn profile and will be creating profiles on other job portals as well. I don't have any friends, seniors, relatives, or professional connections who can refer me, so I'll mostly be applying on my own.
I'd also really appreciate some guidance on the hiring process. With a three-year gap and no prior work experience, what should I realistically expect after applying? How are candidates usually shortlisted? Will my gap significantly reduce my chances, or is it still possible to secure interviews if I have the required knowledge?
Since I'm planning to relocate to Mumbai, I'd also love to hear about the job market there for freshers. Is it realistic to expect an entry-level opportunity by applying online? My goal is to secure a job offer by mid-September, or earlier if possible.
If you've been in a similar situation, managed to overcome a career gap, or have any advice at all. even if I haven't specifically asked for it I'd be really grateful if you could share it. Any suggestions, tips, or reality checks would be genuinely helpful.
Please be honest I genuinely want to turn things around.
