Lav Mohan Chaudharay believes that doing a PGDM from a renowned B-school like Jaipuria Institute of Management makes a person completely recession-proof. Lav, who will shortly be joining Berger Paints at Kolkata as a Management Trainee, will graduate to the post of Sales Manager after a three months training period.

“In the current economic scenario, where it is very difficult to get a placement from any other B-school, the number of companies recruiting from Jaipuria Institute of Management is on the rise. Not only are we being offered good packages, most of us are getting very interesting job profiles as well.”

Lav Mohan believes that Jaipuria Lucknow gave him the exposure and tools to transform himself; and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

“Two years ago,I knew that I needed to improve. But Jaipuria has done wonders for my self-esteem. I think it gives you the double edge of a business school and finishing school rolled into one.”

Lav Mohan feels that after the rigorous preparation at Jaipuria Lucknow, the actual placement journey turned out to be quite smooth.

“For me, it was a great moment when my name was shortlisted – along with 22 others – by Berger Paints for their placement procedure. From the day I was shortlisted for Berger Paints, my professors and mentors at Jaipuria Lucknow began coaching me according to the interview pattern of Berger Paints. This helped me break into the final shortlist of 14 students from Jaipuria Lucknow. After the Aptitude Test, there were only 8 of us from Jaipuria who were selected for the next round scheduled at New Delhi, where we would be competing against students from other B-schools.”

Lav Mohan recalls how there were 82 shortlisted students from 20 other B schools from all over India for this prized placement with Berger Paints. The first round was a Group Discussion.

“It was an ‘elimination round’, but I knew that all I had to do was stay cool and stick to what had been taught to me through hours and hours of mock GD sessions at Jaipuria Lucknow. Forty students were eliminated after this round; I was not one of them.The next challenge was to get my name into the top 20 aspirants. This would be decided based on a Personal Interview. The PI round was quite challenging, with a panel of sixmembers – consisting of the Vice-President (HR) and other top managers of the Berger Paints – grilling us individually during the process. There were various questions based on my CV; the trick was not to get shaken by the interviewers, and focus on what they were looking for. Once I broke into the top 20, I knew I could do go all the way.The final challenge was an interview with the ManagingDirector – Berger Paints, in the presence of the Head of HR and the Marketing Head. I was askedquestions based on my CV, as well as domain-specific questions on Marketing and Consumer Behaviour. I had been thoroughly groomed by my mentors at Jaipuria to bring in, as often as possible, the learning from my SIP during this interview.”

Understandably, ever since his confirmation forBerger Paints, Lav Mohan Chaudhary is on cloud nine. Infact, his family and friends are still celebrating this fantastic achievement.

“Many would think that getting through Berger Paints is probably my finest moment. I don’t think so. My finest moment came when I got through Jaipuria Institute of Management,Lucknow. All good things have begun to happen to me after that.”