54% placement rate, employers frustrated by poor candidate fit, and a placement cell stretched thin
The placement cell had 2 staff managing 180 graduating students. Students were applying broadly to any company visiting campus regardless of fit — creating noise for employers and frustration for students. Employer feedback post-campus drive consistently cited 'candidates who weren't prepared for the roles they applied for' as the top complaint. The placement rate of 54% was below peer institutions.
Six months of Career-guided direction before placement season; students apply selectively
Deployed Career for all final-year students 6 months before placement season. Each student received a career report mapping their skills, interests, and risk profile to relevant roles. The placement cell used Career's group dashboard to advise students on which companies to prioritise and counselled those who were clearly misaligned with particular roles to focus their energy elsewhere.
Placement rate up from 54% to 71%; employer satisfaction up 38%; fewer wasted applications
Placement rate improved from 54% to 71%. Employer satisfaction scores measured post-campus drive improved 38%. Low-fit applications reduced by 40% as students applied more selectively. Time-to-offer during placement season was shorter because companies saw higher fit rates from the first day on campus.
“Employers were telling us the same thing every year: 'your students don't know what they want.' Career gave every student a clear picture of what they're suited for. The placement season ran smoother than any we'd had before.”