Common Placement Myths

Learn, about the some of the common placement myths.
Submitted by Mehak Aggarwal, on January 19, 2023

As most people would agree, college years are some of the best years in a person's life. College life allows you to create memories that last a lifetime and it also teaches you a lot about life. This is the first step we take after a sheltered school life, and get the true essence of the real world as we enter adult life. When we think of college, we also take one step forward toward our chosen career path. College offers innumerable opportunities to enhance your skills and learn some life-changing skills that would push you closer to your dream company. It is also a stepping stone for all those who wish to build a successful career.

For any student, it is important to get well-versed with the process of campus placements (or campus hirings), as this is an opportunity to meet prospective employers who are actively on the lookout to hire graduates. It is also crucial to prove your knowledge and understanding and look past the myths that continually surround on-campus placements.

There are numerous assumptions and myths about colleges, especially campus placements, that can very easily mislead you when it comes to campus placements and job hunting in the future. So what exactly are these myths that have been going around for years? Does it hold any truth or are these based on assumptions? Let's look into a few common myths regarding campus placements and how these may impact your future.

Common Campus Placement Myths

1) 100% assurance or job guaranteed during campus placements

To be honest, no college can give you a 100% guarantee that you would a job if you do not meet the requirement of the job criteria. This is a promotional gimmick that is often used by colleges to attract new students by assuring them of their dream job. It is highly likely that you might not get a job even if you do appear in the on-campus placements. Since only limited seats are available during on-campus placements, the companies select the most suited candidates amongst the lot.

It is also possible that even if you do get selected for the campus placement, you may choose to not follow through with the job or the company may take back the offer in cases of discrepancies. There is no 100% guarantee during on-campus placements.

2) The salary is non negotiable during campus placements

If someone tells you that the salary being offered during campus placements is fixed and non-negotiable, let me tell you that is not true. The salary that is initially offered to the candidate is always below what the company is willing to pay. Many factors contribute to what is being quoted and what will be given.

Companies look at the work you have done during your college tenure, which includes projects, internships, and your performance during interviews, and will finally consider the salary bucket. Since the recruiter is aware that this is your first job and you might be nervous during the negotiation process, they quote a less salary thinking all these factors would make you take what is being offered. If you want to negotiate successfully, give the interview with confidence and do not falter.

3) Skipping is a scheduled campus interview is ok

College interviews are a big deal. Colleges conduct these on-campus interviews to make a head count, and to recruit more students for the next season. It is so important, that being absent from a college recruitment event may result in temporary or permanent suspension.

This also reflects negatively in front of the recruiter. It not only taints the individual's image in front of the company but also the college's image as a whole. The companies could even refuse to hire or return to the company in the future.

4) Getting recruited is not possible if you start preparing for the job in your final year

While it is always a good idea to start preparing for job interviews during your first or second year of college, it would be wrong to say that someone who starts preparing in the final year does not stand a chance at the job. The difference between these two scenarios is that the person who starts preparing early does not have to face a lot of challenges to prepare last minute, but the person who starts preparing for interviews in his final year, will have to put in extra hard work and time to ace the interview.

5) Getting a job is only possible through on-campus placements

A lot of students are told that getting their dream job- or any other job fresh out of college is only possible through on-campus placements. This is one of the biggest myths being circulated. It is possible to get jobs off campus as well. In fact, on-campus placements have limited seats and only slightly flexible salary packages. On the other hand, off-campus placements opens the doors to many companies that are looking for raw talent, and are willing to offer great salary packages depending on your skills.

6) All top tech companies like Google, Amazon etc hire exclusively from Tier 1 and Tier 2 colleges

This is a huge misconception among the students that is completely false. Where you get hired depends on your skills and talent, and not on the tier of your college. Even if you graduate from a tier-3 college, you are eligible to get selected by the top tech companies. All you really need is determination and hard work to get into the company of your choice.

7) You need to give all correct answers during a technical interview

The motive of interviews is not to see if the candidate has all the correct answers, but to understand how the candidate thinks and works. This is a test of your personality and your skills, so it is extremely important, to be honest, and to show them your attitude and point of view. You do not have to memorize all the correct answers to say what the interviewer wants to hear. You will be just fine if you show the interviewer who you truly are and why you would be a good asset to their company.

8) College projects hold no importance during placements

The work that you do in your college time helps the recruiter get an understanding of how you work in general, and it is a way for them to scan your true potential. In college, one thing that can give you an edge over your peers is the projects you make. Copying your projects from the internet can be the biggest mistake you make. Whereas, if you get your hands dirty and put in that extra amount of work on numerous college projects, it will surely add to your chances of getting recruited.

Final Thoughts

Sitting in a campus placement is a personal choice for many, depending on the career path they wish to choose. It can be extremely nerve-racking, especially since this is the first time you will be experiencing professional interviews that can greatly contribute to your career. While it is ok to not sit in on-campus placements and opt for off-campus placements, it is crucial to weigh the pros and cons of both and decide what the best move for you would be. If you do end up choosing to sit in on-campus placements, you must sit with a clear mind and not be misled by on-campus placement myths. How you conduct yourself could be the deciding factor of what turns the interview will take.

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