Day 3

Another hectic day. Lots of companies today and many many interesting interactions. There were some "bulk recruiters" today like ADAG, Cognizant etc. So i think a good number of offers would have been made and accepted today.

The not so good part of the placement process is that pressure has started setting in for the people who have still not made it in the first two days. The feeling is further enhanced when you see your class mates and quad mates walking in jeans and T-Shirt indicating subtly that they are out of the placement process. Its dangerous to succumb to the peer pressure...But as expected quite a few have started succumbing to the peer pressure and have started accepting bad deals.

The other aspect is that companies have also started feeling the pressure... A lot of students are already out of the placement process and the companies are feeling the pressure of lesser number of candidates available for the interviews. Some companies have already started opening the roles available, for all the students. Meaning, even if you were originally not short listed, you could now walk in for an interview.

As for me, I had pretty good interactions with four companies. Fingers crossed.

Day 2

More than 25 domestic companies and many international companies have made their offers yesterday. This includes all the consulting firms, many I-Banks, commercial banks, IT majors, Conglomerates and real estate majors.

My guess is that more than 150 people should have got an offer and about 100 or so could have actually accepted it. Will get back to you on getting some more dope on this.

I had two interviews yesterday and got an offer from both of them. However i have rejected both the offers. Both of them were banks.

My interview had of course gone well with both the guys. At the end of the interview, when the HR lady broached the salary topic and gave me a number which they had in their mind, my first reaction was "Mam, may be you are missing a couple of zeroes, could you please recheck and revert?". But then i realized that she was damn serious when she made the offer... So, you can imagine the rest of the story..

My experience with the other bank was even more interesting. At the end of the interview...

HR: "Ok Mr. Rangarajan, we are impressed with your skill sets and achievements and are pleased to offer you.... blah.. blah..."

Me: "Mam.. can i bring something to your attention?"

HR: Sure.. go ahead

Me" "I had already mentioned this during te interview, but i guess this fact got missed out. One year back, before i joined ISB, i had an offer from you. However, i could not take it up, because i had decided to join ISB. The grade you had offered me then was one level higher than what you are offering me now and the salary you are offering me now is about ___ % lesser... Could you please take these facts into account" (I had a mind to ask... Do you really think, ISB could have brought down the value in me?.. however, i restrained myself..)

HR: Is it so? I am very sorry. Give me a couple of minutes, let me check and revert..

Me: Sure.. take your time

HR (20 min later): Sorry Mr. Rangarajan, our mandate for today is to hire up to a maximum of this level only. You can take this offer if you want to..

Me: Oh.. thats wonderful. I am sure you understand my position... Thanks for the efforts..

This again reiterates my views about the HR community in general (there are of course some exceptions..). Its best that i dont voice them in this forum.

My plate is again full today and I have an intersting array of companies to meet..