My NIFT Placement Experience: The Reality You Need to Know! 🫠

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their personal journey through the NIFT placement process, highlighting challenges such as the limitations on company selections and issues with CGPA-based shortlisting. They discuss the ups and downs, including the emotional strain faced by students and the competitive nature of the placements. Despite the hurdles, the speaker reflects on the value of their NIFT experience, emphasizing personal growth, exposure to new ideas, and the importance of networking. They also offer advice to future students, stressing the need for hard work and connections to succeed in the competitive job market.

Takeaways

• 😀 The placement process at NIFT has changed recently, limiting students to select only five companies, and companies offering a CTC of 10 lakh or more are prioritized for placement.
• 😀 A significant issue occurred where companies backed out at the last minute, leaving many students who had traveled to other cities stranded and disappointed.
• 😀 The placement process included both group discussions (GD) and personal interviews (PI). GD topics were broad, and students had to demonstrate confidence and speaking ability.
• 😀 A CGPA cut-off system was introduced, and only students with a CGPA of 9 or above were initially shortlisted. However, this was later relaxed, allowing students with a CGPA above 8.5 to be considered.
• 😀 Students faced high competition during placement, with many companies having very limited slots, causing distress and disappointment among students.
• 😀 The placement process involved multiple rounds of interviews and GDs, where students were tested on their skills and confidence under pressure.
• 😀 Many companies required experience or internships related to buying and merchandising, while the speaker was interested in marketing roles, making it difficult to find a suitable match.
• 😀 The reality of NIFT placements highlighted a lack of organized and transparent communication, with many companies not following up after interviews, leading to uncertainty and frustration.
• 😀 Students with graduation projects at companies were often offered pre-placement offers (PPOs), which restricted their ability to participate in placements.
• 😀 Online placements introduced companies offering lower CTCs, which led to reduced expectations for master's students and highlighted the importance of past experience for securing jobs.

Q & A

What major changes were introduced in the NIFT placement process this year?

This year, NIFT introduced two major changes in the placement process: students could select only five companies to sit for placement interviews, and only companies offering a CTC of 10 lakhs or above were allowed to participate.

How did the new placement restrictions affect students?

The restrictions on the number of companies and the CTC requirement limited the options available to students, making the process more competitive but also ensuring that only high-paying companies were involved.

What was the issue with companies backing out of the placement process?

Some companies backed out last minute, causing frustration among students who had traveled long distances for the placement process. This led to limited opportunities for students who had already registered for those companies.

How did the selection process based on campus and CGPA impact the placement outcomes?

Initially, some companies selected students based on their campus (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore) or their CGPA, which created inequality and frustration for students who had a lower CGPA, even if they were otherwise qualified.

What was the most difficult part of the placement process for the individual in the video?

The individual found the first round of Group Discussions (GD) challenging, especially the aggressive nature of the discussions. They also felt disappointed after being shortlisted for fewer opportunities and faced many obstacles in getting selected.

What role did personal connections with seniors play during the placement process?

Building rapport with seniors was crucial for gaining access to potential job opportunities. Seniors often have industry connections and can offer valuable advice or recommend students to companies, which is vital given the difficulty in securing placements.

Why did the individual choose to apply for roles in buying and merchandising despite an interest in marketing?

The individual had limited options available due to the placement constraints, and the companies that were hiring were mostly looking for roles in buying and merchandising, which led them to apply for those positions.

What advice does the individual give regarding the importance of internships and graduation projects?

The individual emphasizes the need to focus on internships and graduation projects to build practical skills and gain experience. This can significantly improve a student's chances of securing a good job, as companies prefer candidates with real-world experience.

How did the online placement round compare to the offline round in terms of opportunities?

The online round had fewer high-paying opportunities, with many companies offering lower CTCs (5 to 6 lakhs), which led to disappointment. Additionally, many students with no prior experience struggled to secure jobs, as companies favored candidates with experience.

What was the outcome of the individual's job search after the placement process?

After several rounds of interviews and much persistence, the individual eventually secured a work-from-home job in a performance marketing agency, which aligned with their skills and career aspirations.