Placements season at ISB

A No-Nonsense Guide to MBA Placements

Writing this blog took considerable effort. If you enjoyed it, please consider subscribing. Feel free to leave a comment if you'd like me to cover a specific industry or function in the next post.

Additionally, I also run my digital ecommerce platform and mentor students on https://topmate.io/karan_dhir10

---

In this blogpost I am going to deep dive into the much-anticipated placement season at ISB! Now, while I'm about to share insights specific to ISB, here's a little secret – the scene is pretty much the same at other IIMs and B-schools, with a tiny exception (bye-bye, placement committee! 😄).

Unlike some other institutions, we at ISB don't roll with a student-led placement committee, and trust me, that's a good thing.

The placement process

Let me walk you through the process first. Placements are divided into Day 0 and Day 1, with a week's breather in between. Essentially, the entire placement extravaganza wraps up in a concise 15-day window – but hold up, these are just the interview days. The real dance of the placement season starts way before, approximately two months earlier, kicking off in September.

Picture August, and you'll see students glued to their laptops, meticulously refining their CVs for that dream shortlist. The whole month is a dedicated CV improvement saga. Simultaneously, companies grace the campus with workshops, starting with the esteemed MBBs and followed by a parade of fascinating firms spanning marketing, finance, consulting, and product domains.

September and October see companies posting their job openings on ISB's internal platform, where students eagerly submit their CVs. Post this, the companies sift through the submissions, shortlisting candidates they want to interview on the much-anticipated Day 0 and Day 1, as mentioned earlier. And that's the backstage hustle of the placement season!

The Ups and Downs before the final showdown

October is the month that brings a dose of humility to many at ISB. Day after day, the inbox is bombarded with the dreaded emails, delivering the news that the company you've envisioned working for – the one that justified a hefty 40 lakh investment – hasn't even shortlisted you for an interview. The campus, usually buzzing with life, becomes eerily quiet during these times, witnessing the emotional rollercoaster experienced by many.

I, myself, proudly boast one of the highest counts of not-shortlisted emails – perhaps not the record-holder, but certainly in the top 10. However, such is the nature of MBA and life in general – a rollercoaster of ups and downs. November marks the turning point for most, as shortlists begin rolling in, injecting the campus with renewed energy.

The Real Devil

However, the devil isn't in the multitude of not-shortlists, nor in the details, if you catch my drift 😄. It lies in the level of preparation post receiving those coveted shortlists. If you're gearing up to join ISB or any B-school, here's a golden nugget – bookmark this, read it again: brace yourself for the interviews and decide which firms you want to face.

Firstly, the timeframe between receiving a shortlist and the actual interview is relatively tight, especially when you're gearing up for interviews with 5 or more firms on placement day. So, preparation is key! Dust off your CV – ensure each bullet point has a compelling story to tell, framed in the popular STAR format. Have a well-thought-out response to the classic "Tell me about yourself" or its various renditions. And don't forget to kickstart your case preparation, ideally in September or even earlier.

Equally critical is making wise choices about the companies you wish to interview with. While some might receive fewer shortlists, most find themselves juggling 10+ (sometimes even 15+) options. Due to placement policies, you can't interview for all, so prioritization is key. Formulate a strategy – go all-in for those ultra-exclusive firms that hire 1-2 folks or mix it up with a few mass recruiters? It's your call, your risk-taking ability. Just take a moment to think it through. Having a few experienced seniors to reach out to can be invaluable. Time is of the essence during the placement season, so use it wisely!

Day 0 (Human written based on real experience, The one by Ken is probably ChatGPT made :P)

In due course, the interview dates roll in, and outcomes vary. Some successfully convert those interviews, while others face setbacks for various reasons. Lack of preparation and choosing the wrong firms to interview with are common culprits (A nugget of advice – include a few firms from the same industry or function as your pre-MBA company; it helps to diversify your options). Sometimes, it boils down to pure bad luck. Interviewing is a competitive endeavor, and both interviewees and interviewers can have off days, leading to suboptimal decisions.

Post Day 0, decisions loom large once again – just another day in the life of an MBA program. The dilemma arises: which firm should I choose? Well, here's a pro tip – reach out to alums currently working in these firms. Find their contacts through friends, shoot them a message! Time might be tight, so dig into your emails for their numbers. Give them a call! While I won't be subjective here, as a general rule, if you secure an offer from MBB, grab it without overthinking. The logic? Many are still figuring out their career paths and might discover their true calling later. The MBB tag can prove beneficial. Of course, the caveat is the potentially unsustainable work hours (I'll refrain from giving subjective advice here too!).

Some individuals are crystal clear about steering clear of consulting. In such cases, alums become your go-to resource – talk to them. Then there are those who have an offer but ponder whether to switch to Day 1. My recommendation? Assess the job market conditions. If it's thriving or stable, take the leap of faith. Move to Day 1; you might land a more fitting role, if not a more prestigious brand. It's always easier to take risks while on campus. If the market is unfavourable – well, that decision is yours to make. I'd personally lean towards securing whatever I have on day 0 in that case.

Day 1 – Post which campuses usually come back to life.

Day 1 typically marks the culmination of efforts invested throughout the academic year, resulting in job offers for most, and the campus springs back to life. It's worth noting that some individuals transition to rolling placements, particularly senior professionals. Companies often hire them on a case-by-case basis. Rest assured, everyone encounters ample opportunities, and with dedicated effort, securing a decent role is achievable, even in a challenging job market.

This brings me to the conclusion of what I intended to convey. However, for the sake of MECE (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive) clarity I wanted to assure you that even if you did not land the right role - career switches, placements, and more continue post-graduation, if one is inclined.

The most significant advantage of a good MBA program, as echoed by many, lies in its brand value. It opens doors to various opportunities, a testament to my personal experience. However, the conversion is a test of your skills, profile, and preparation.

So, keep the momentum going. Until next time!