While the offers from domestic and international companies have just begun trickling in, the B-school PPO guesstimates may not be too off-the-mark since PPOs usually flow in from the month of September (after the first year students finish their summer internships at companies) and go on till December or January.
Last year, IIM-B received 45 PPOs, IIM-K received 48 offers, XIM-B got 20 and Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon, bagged 20. This year, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM-B) has already received 30 offers (with 20 international offers) so far.
Moreover, Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad, has bagged eight offers with 22 in the pipeline (a total of 30). IIM Kozhikode (IIM-K) has got seven offers so far with more in the offing.
Xavier's Institute of Management Bhubaneshwar (XIM-B), has managed to get four offers and is expecting another 35. IIM Ahmedabad too says it certainly expects an increase in the offers this year but it would be too early to put a figure to it.
At IMT Ghaziabad, the institute is expecting to see a five-fold increase in its PPOs. Last year the institute received only six offers but this year it is expecting at least 30 PPOs. IIM-K expects between 60-70 PPOs this year. Last year, over one-third of the IIM-K's batch received offers for PPO interviews.
At XIM-B, placement officials are positive the offers will go up by 35. MDI Gurgaon, expects the PPOs will double this year as compared to last year's 20 offers.
Said Sanjay Dhamija, chairperson placement, MDI Gurgaon, "It would be too early to confirm the offers but the trend we see is quite encouraging and positive."
The offers, few institutes feel, have started trickling in early to brace competition. The companies making offers include MNCs, FMGC giants, financial and banking companies, automotive companies and media companies.
But an IIM-B placement committee member says financial companies will score. "Though all companies are in the race, investment banks and financial companies have been able to attract more talent," he says.
But why are companies flocking to management schools in such numbers? Says Nilanjan Chatopadhyay, chairman placement, IMT Ghaziabad, "Companies are increasingly looking at PPOs as an effective placement option. A lot of companies say that summer internships help them ascertain the students' calibre and match their talents with the companies' needs. Also, students get to know the organisation's work culture, which help them make their decision. Besides, with the right candidates joining, it helps the companies plug attrition rate."
Agrees an IIM-B placement committee member, "Companies have realised that PPOs are one of the best way to attract talent and this trend will continue as long companies are happy and the students are happy."
However, is this an indication of just another boom in the job market? Says a placement committee member at IIM-B, "I feel this trend will see an increase and this year it might be an overwhelming response for IIM-B. Considering the postive market and economic conditions, the trend will continue in the coming years." Management schools would surely hope it does.
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