From Clueless to Confident: How Aditya Landed His Dream Job at CME Group

“It's very difficult to find a mentor who would be the right fit for you and would have the same vibe as you. But with Preplaced, connecting with mentors became much easier, and it made all the difference!" - Aditya

Like many freshers, Adtiya was also confused about his career path.

The world of possibilities stretched out before him, and he wasn't quite sure which direction to take.

It was during this phase that he stumbled upon product management. 

He began his journey by taking online courses to learn the basics of product management. 

However,  he soon realised, mastering the interview process was a whole different ball game.

The unpredictability of product management interviews, the pressure to deliver on-the-spot solutions to complex business scenarios, and the demand for both technical and soft skills left him feeling overwhelmed. 

He knew that to stand out in this field, he needed expert guidance and a structured approach to his preparation.

This is when he turned to Preplaced for mentorship and support. 

Through Preplaced's long-term mentorship program, Aditya found not just one, but two mentors who guided him in his pursuit of success. 

He successfully landed an offer with CME Group. 🏆🎉

Let’s take a closer look at his success journey.

When did you begin preparing for placements?

I began preparing for placements at the start of my final semester. 

Like many others, I was not sure about my career path, so I explored various options. 

That's when I stumbled upon product management, and it immediately intrigued me. 

I started going through different course materials to grasp the basics. 

It was around December when I really got serious about preparing for it. 

The placement season was getting closer, so I wanted to buckle up and speed up my preparation.

What was your educational background?

I majored in Chemical Engineering, which has nothing to do with product management. 

I also pursued a minor degree in finance since my university, BITS, offered it. 

As I studied finance, I became curious about the business aspect of various industries. 

I also explored software development as a possible career option since I wanted to work in the tech field. However, I found that it didn't quite suit me.

I continued exploring other career options and came across product management. 

I found that this role could offer the perfect blend of technology and business, which aligned perfectly with my interests. 

So, I decided to pursue a career in tech project management, where I can combine both technical and business knowledge.

How did you initiate your preparation for product management?

I began my preparation by taking a few Udemy courses and also came across a few boot camps focused on project management. 

I attended one of these and learned the basics.

However, I found the interview preparation part to be the most challenging. 

Product management interviews are quite unpredictable, and it's hard to anticipate the exact questions you’ll be asked. 

Typically, they present you with a business situation or problem that you need to solve on the spot. 

And it's actually harder than you think.

Especially for someone new to the business field, it can be really difficult. 

So, acing those interviews requires a lot of practice.

What factors influenced your decision to choose Preplaced?

At first, I didn't opt for Preplaced because I wanted to try attending interviews independently. 

I was applying to numerous job openings off-campus, but I noticed that I wasn't getting shortlisted for any interviews initially. 

So, I decided to work on my CV, made some improvements, and added a few things here and there. 

Gradually, I started receiving interview calls, but I was facing another problem – I couldn't convert any of those interviews into offers.

That's when I thought of giving Preplaced a shot. I reached out to Mentor Devanshu for guidance and support.

What was the reason behind facing difficulties during interviews despite completing online courses?

Every interview has two parts. 

The recruiters test you both on your soft and hard skills. 

When I started going for interviews, I realised I needed to understand the whole process step by step right from the "Tell me about yourself" question. 

I spent a lot of time trying to come up with the perfect answer to that question because I knew it could create a strong first impression.

But, during my initial interviews, I got stuck on that very first question. 

I just didn't know how to answer it properly, and that affected my overall performance. 

Another common thing interviewers asked for was a run-through of my resume. 

And guess what? They often followed up with questions about my projects and work experiences. 

It was crucial to handle these questions well because stumbling or not having an answer was a red flag for them. 

After all, if you can't justify the information that's on your own resume, it doesn't look good. They may think, why add it in the first place?

I learned these things the hard way after giving a few interviews. 

Fortunately, I sought help from Devanshu, who showed me how to craft effective answers. 

I even started writing down my responses to these questions so that I could refer to them and stay on track during interviews. 

It made a big difference and boosted my confidence!

Can you describe the flow of long-term mentorship? Did you have multiple mentors?

I actually had two mentors. 

At first, I was fixated on project management, but due to the current job market not being great for tech roles, I decided to explore consulting roles as well. 

It was a last-minute decision.

For consulting roles, I sought mentorship from Arishma. 

She helped me craft my CV properly, and thanks to her guidance, I started receiving a lot of interview calls. 

She also taught me about consulting case studies, which was invaluable.

Both project management and consulting roles require a solid understanding of business acumen. 

While they have their specific differences, they are not mutually exclusive. 

If you know how to solve business cases, you can excel in either of these roles. 

The questions asked in interviews may slightly differ, but the overall preparation approach can be similar.

How has mentorship transformed your journey? Can you share some significant moments?

I owe my entire interview preparation journey to Devanshu. 

I got to know about the similarities in consulting and product roles thanks to him.

When I started, Devanshu laid down the basics and gave me a few case studies to work on. 

I questioned why he was giving me consulting case studies when I was specifically preparing for product roles.

Devanshu clarified that having strong business acumen and a solid foundation is crucial. 

He assured me that this approach would prepare me to handle any kind of interview question. And he was right!

How would you describe your 1:1 mentorship experience with Preplaced?

The first thing that comes to my mind is that it was very exciting. 

You get to meet people from different walks of life and gain valuable insights. 

And you get to carry this wisdom in your personal and professional life. 

It's very difficult to find a mentor who would be the right fit for you and would have the same vibe as you. 

But with Preplaced, connecting with mentors became much easier, and it made all the difference!

Overall, it has been a rewarding experience!

What advice would you like to offer to aspiring candidates like you?

Have patience!

You'll need to be patient and apply to hundreds of jobs to get a few interviews and eventually receive an offer. 

Sometimes, it may take a while to receive interview calls and job offers.

But don't lose hope, keep trying, and trust the process. 

Eventually, the right opportunity will come your way. Just stay focused and determined!

How was your overall interview experience?

It was a mix of on-campus and off-campus opportunities. 

About half of the companies that I applied to were off-campus. 

The on-campus interviews were conducted offline, while the rest were online.

I must admit, I was nervous during the interviews, which I know is pretty normal. 

But, I think my nerves got the best of me at times, and it might have affected my performance a bit.

It was a valuable learning experience, and I'm hopeful that I'll improve with more practice.

How did you feel when you got the offer?

I felt incredibly relieved. 

I didn't want to think about anything else; I just wanted to lie down and sleep. It was such a weight off my shoulders! 😌

To sum it up

Aditya's story highlights the importance of having the right support system. 

Finding mentors who understood his goals and provided the right guidance made all the difference in his journey. 

As you venture on your own career path, remember Aditya's advice – have patience, believe in yourself, and stay committed to your goals. 💪 

Success may not come overnight, but with hard work and a positive mindset, you can achieve it. 🚀

You can also watch the full interview below.

Related:

Balancing Motherhood and Career: How Shriza Cracked her Dream Role at BCG

Layoff to Success: Sujit’s Journey of Growth with Mentorship