‘I believe interpersonal skills are extremely vital when it comes to cracking placements’

Kevisekhono Whiso, a final-year Advertising and Marketing student at Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication (AIMC) from Nagaland’s Angami community, has secured a placement as Associate Account Executive at Integrated Brand Heuristics. With internship experience in social media management, content creation, and event coordination, Kevisekhono’s journey from English Honours to marketing reflects curiosity, adaptability, and a passion for branding and audience engagement. Read edited excerpts: 

How did you prepare for the placement process?

I prepared for the placement process by revisiting the concepts and lessons that were taught throughout the course. I also spent time preparing my elevator pitch, improving my resume, and working on my communication and confidence.

Along with that, I tried to stay updated with different marketing and advertising platforms, trends, and campaigns so I could better understand the industry and how brands communicate today. I also pushed myself to be more expressive and confident during presentations and interactions.

A big part of my preparation came from the constant mentoring and guidance I received from the management and professors, which really helped me stay motivated and prepared throughout the process.

 How did AIMC and faculty help you to prepare for the placement rounds?

The entire placement process, from point A to Z, was guided and mentored by the institute and faculty. From the basics of resume building, structuring an elevator pitch, and preparing for interviews, to keeping us updated about various job opportunities and guiding us through the final offer process – we were supported throughout every stage.

We also had two rounds of mock interviews, one conducted by the faculty and another with an industry expert, which really helped me understand how professional interviews work and how to present myself confidently.

I’m genuinely grateful for all the guidance and encouragement I received. I believe these constant pushes, practices, and mentoring sessions are essential for both personal and professional development. These are valuable skills and experiences that I will carry forward into my future endeavours.

What kind of skills do you think are important to crack the placement with ease?

I believe interpersonal skills are extremely vital when it comes to cracking placements. Adaptability, attention to detail, and having the relevant technical skills for the role you’re applying for are all very important. It’s also essential to be well-informed about your respective field and understand the role you are stepping into.

But beyond all of that, I think confidence and self-awareness are the most important components during interviews. Once you are confident in your potential, aware of what you want and need, and passionate enough to work for it, opportunities naturally begin to open up for you.

At the same time, I personally don’t believe there is anything such as achieving success “with ease.” It requires hard work, consistency, effort, and the drive to keep improving. Thoughts and words without action will not lead anywhere, so putting in the effort and staying determined is what truly makes the difference.

Tips for those who are preparing for placement

As mentioned earlier, I believe confidence, passion, and self-awareness are truly key when preparing for placements. Have faith in yourself and in God, and keep working on improving yourself little by little every day. Build your resume, develop your skills, and understand where your strengths and potential truly lie.

At the same time, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Preparation is important, but so is believing in your journey. Opportunities meant for you will eventually find their way to you. Just stay consistent, keep learning, and give your best with sincerity and confidence.

How did you stay motivated and consistent during the placement season?

I stayed motivated and consistent during the placement season through faith in God and faith in myself. Personally, I chose to wait for the right opportunity instead of rushing through every opening that came my way. While many people immediately started applying when the first companies arrived, I trusted the process and believed that I would eventually be placed in a company where I truly belonged.

During that time, I focused on continuously improving myself both personally and professionally — whether it was building my confidence, improving my communication, or learning more about the industry.

As I mentioned earlier, I genuinely believe that what is meant for you will eventually find its way to you. Things that are forced may not last, but when the right opportunity comes with preparation and faith, everything falls into place naturally. 

What are your future aspirations?

My long-term aspiration is to grow into a creative strategist role within fashion, lifestyle, hospitality, or community-focused spaces, where I can combine storytelling, branding, and audience psychology to shape meaningful experiences and creative identities.
I’m especially interested in conceptualising environments, campaigns, and brand experiences that emotionally resonate with people rather than feeling purely commercially functional. And if it is God’s will, I hope to someday be in a position where I can creatively lead and build spaces, brands, and experiences that people genuinely connect with.