akankasha · 2026-03-24 · 5 helpful
Hey, I might not have much advise for you but I so relate with you. I am a GEF too from CSE and graduated in 2025. Realized I wanna do CAT this year and have no Exp at all. Thinking of applying to some jobs so I dont have a failed year gap as well. I understand its a tough time, I am figuring out too. Just know you're not alone. We have years ahead to ourselves. We can build our career even if we dont do well this year. Lets focus on building skills or light remote jobs we can manage along with our prep. Hope it helps! <3
Shweta Arora (Mentor) · 2026-03-24 · 3 helpful
Hi, first of all, let me just say that your academic profile is top-notch for the best of IIMs.
Regarding the job situation, don't panic regarding the gap because that little a gap is never a problem during IIM interviews, especially if it gets justified by another competitive exam's prep.
If you want to do more, you can do internships, participate in case competitions, do some live projects, build skills, build a website, maybe do some freelancing that will also support your financial goals, take up some courses or certifications.
Now coming to the job situation, there are two scenarios here. One is that you prepare solely for CAT exam and based on your performance in November, you can decide. That means waiting 7-8 months before applying for jobs. On the other hand, you can apply for jobs right now and juggle between the 2 - finding a job and prep or doing a job and prep simultaneously.
There is no right path here. It depends on your temperament. For example, As a person, I require safety. So I may have gone for a job while preparing for this exam side by side. Also, there was no pressure on me to clear the exam in the first attempt. If you won't have that pressure as well, I would personally recommend doing a job. IIM-B weighs work-ex more anyway.
Now coming to your most important question - how do you find a job? Your goal is not to earn a lot but just to secure a backup, so it might be a good idea to apply at startups. For example, a lot of the recently funded companies hire employees. So go to websites like Tracxn, cold email the startup founders, reach out to them on LinkedIn - that's how you secure a job as a fresher.
Another alternate for you, which might make you feel a little safer, is to intern at these startups, even if it's an unpaid internship for 1-2 months. If you get relevant experience, you can talk about that experience during your interviews. And you can use that experience to then land a job.