Why Some CMAs Don’t Get Campus Placement – Real Reasons



Why Some CMAs Don’t Get Campus Placement – Real Reasons (2025)

Introduction

Every campus placement season, many capable CMAs remain unplaced.
This creates confusion and frustration, especially when students have cleared a professional exam.

The reality is that not getting placed is rarely due to a single reason.
This blog explains the real and practical reasons why some CMAs don’t get campus placement.


1. High Number of Pass-Outs in the Same Attempt

One major factor is competition.

📈 When fewer students pass, more students get shortlisted
📉 When many students pass, companies become more selective
⚖️ The same profile may work in one term and fail in another

This is a market reality, not a personal failure.


2. Higher Number of Attempts

Attempts matter more when competition is high.

🔄 Students with fewer attempts get priority
📊 Multiple attempts reduce chances during heavy pass-out terms
⚠️ This does not mean rejection is permanent

Attempts are a filtering factor, not a judgment of ability.


3. Incorrect or Incomplete Campus Form Details

Many rejections happen before interviews even begin.

❌ Wrong percentage calculation
❌ Incorrect attempt count
❌ Wrong exemption details
❌ Resume mismatch with form data

Companies trust ICMAI data. Any mismatch can lead to direct rejection.


4. Weak Communication Skills

Strong knowledge alone is not enough.

🗣 Inability to explain answers clearly
😟 Nervousness during interviews
❌ Poor body language
🤐 One-word or unclear responses

Communication is often a deciding factor in close selections.


5. Poor Interview Performance

Some students get shortlisted but fail in interviews.

🧠 Lack of conceptual clarity
📘 Memorised answers without understanding
😐 Inability to handle basic questions
⚠️ Overconfidence or underconfidence

Campus interviews test thinking, not just syllabus knowledge.


6. Unrealistic Expectations

Some CMAs expect only high packages or preferred locations.

📍 Refusal to relocate
💰 Salary expectations beyond role level
⏳ Unwillingness to start small

This limits available opportunities during campus placement.


7. Behaviour and Discipline Issues

Campus placement also evaluates professionalism.

⏰ Late reporting
📵 Ignoring instructions
😠 Rude or casual behaviour
🚫 Leaving campus without permission

Even small behaviour issues can affect selection.


8. Lack of Job Readiness

Companies look for basic readiness.

💻 Poor Excel knowledge
📊 No practical exposure
🧠 Weak application of concepts
❌ No clarity about job role

Campus placement is for employable candidates, not just qualified ones.


9. Overdependence on Campus Placement

Some students rely only on campus.

❌ No off-campus preparation
❌ No parallel job search
❌ No skill upgrading

Campus is an opportunity, not the only path.


10. Misunderstanding the Purpose of Campus Placement

Campus placement is not a guarantee.

📌 ICMAI provides a platform
📌 Companies make final decisions
📌 Selection depends on performance

Understanding this reality helps manage expectations.


Conclusion

Some CMAs don’t get campus placement due to competition, attempts, form errors, communication gaps, interview performance, or unrealistic expectations.
Most of these reasons are correctable with awareness and preparation.

CMA Rohan Sharma (FCMA) is an Interview Success Coach, SAP FI & CO certified with 7 years’ experience, who has trained 1000+ CMAs for their first job interviews through Career Success Launchpad

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