My Placement Journey: 50+ Tests, 10+ Interviews & A Lot of Learning

Placement season is one of the most unpredictable phases of college life.
This post is a reflection on my journey through 50+ online tests and 10+ interviews, and the lessons I learned along the way.

Where It All Started

I began my preparation with the usual engineering routine:

• Solving 400+ LeetCode problems
• Following Striver’s A2Z DSA sheet
• Watching Striver and NeetCode like they were two seniors personally responsible for my future
• Practicing aptitude from IndiaBix
• Revising core CS fundamentals

Like many students in tech, I initially aimed for development-focused roles.
What I didn’t expect was how much patience placement season demands.

The Placement Phase

Over the months, I appeared for online tests and interviews with companies like:

Chevron, Schneider, Workday, Oracle, HPE, SAP, Nutanix, State Street, Zoho, IBM Consulting, Accenture, Goldman Sachs, Namma Yatri and several others.

Some rounds felt challenging, some were straightforward, and some didn’t go as planned.
The biggest lesson here was staying consistent and showing up regardless of outcomes.

Interviews & Outcomes

I received interview opportunities from multiple companies and learned something new from each process.

Every interview helped me understand:

• How companies evaluate candidates
• Why fundamentals matter more than memorization
• The importance of communication and clarity under pressure

Eventually, I received an offer during the placement season.
I also cleared Accenture AASE interview process, but due to my college’s one-offer policy, I had to make a choice.

What This Journey Taught Me

• Preparation matters, but results aren’t always immediate
• Rejections are part of the process, not a reflection of ability
• Every interview adds experience
• Focusing on your own journey matters more than comparisons

What’s Next

This is not the end of my learning journey.

I plan to:

• Continue strengthening my technical foundations
• Learn from real-world industry experience
• Keep working towards long-term career growth

I’ll also be sharing detailed interview experiences in upcoming posts to help juniors preparing for placements.

A Message To Anyone Going Through Placements

Here is the truth. Everyone is stressed.
Everyone is scared.
Everyone refreshes Gmail too many times.
Everyone secretly cries once or twice.
Everyone is trying their best.

Placement journeys look different for everyone.
What matters is staying consistent, learning continuously, and moving forward at your own pace.

If you’re preparing right now, keep going. Your effort will add up.

💛