How to Prepare for Campus Placements

Are you gearing up for a campus placement?

When Campus Placement season begins, all students in their final year gear up to land their first job out of campus. While students prepare hard for interviews, top engineering colleges in Delhi NCR also work hard to bring in the best of companies and ensure the highest rate for campus placements. However, it may not be enough for students to simply prepare. An action plan is needed that can land the perfect first job!

DPGITM Engineering College, Gurgaon

Any company who comes to campus for placement would generally go through the following process for recruitment.

1. Pre-placement Talk 
2. Scrutiny of CVs 
3. Aptitude Test 
4. Group Discussion 
5. Personal Interview 
6. Final Review by Selection Committee 
7. Final Selection Offer 

This what your Action Plan should look like: 

1. Self Evaluation (SWOT yourself):

Before appearing for a placement interview, it may be a good idea to reflect on who you are and what you want. Assess yourself, identify your strengths and accomplishments, your hobbies and volunteering efforts. Identify the things you enjoy doing most and those you don't like. Take a few career assessment tests and be clear about the type of job you want. After you have completed your self evaluation, explore your options by researching potential careers, jobs, and employers. Consider both short-term job opportunities that will get you a place in the job market, and long-term career goals based on how you want to see yourself 20 years down the line.

2. Build your Resume

Your resume is the most critical part of your Action Plan. Prepare your resume that reflects the best of your qualifications, scores, internships, projects, certifications, and extracurricular activities. Create your resume by looking up resume related articles, resume layouts, formats, etc. Make a well structured resume that is clean, clear and precise. Further, use different resume for different interviews based on the company and the position for which they are seeking the candidates.

3. Brush up your Aptitude Skills

Aptitude Test is the most common round for companies to select candidates for further rounds. Job aptitude tests are quite similar to the common competitive entrance exam tests. Prepare yourself for typical questions in Analytical & Quantitative Skills, Logic & Reasoning, Data Interpretation, Written Communication, and Subject Knowledge. Solve a good puzzle book, practice with CAT preparation material for aptitude tests. Solve sample papers to get a feel of the level of difficulty and the desired speed.

4. Prepare for Group Discussion

In the GD round candidates are given a topic of discussion and are tested on initiative, knowledge & ideas, verbal communication, expression and exchange of thoughts, listening skills, leadership & coordination capabilities. Each member in the group is expected to present their thoughts in a conversational manner. Prepare for GD by surfing the internet for some good tips on GDs, ground rules, common topics and GD etiquettes, etc. Form a GD practice group along with fellow students and rehearse regularly such that you are able to voice your thoughts in a clear and confident manner. You should also be ready with facts, figures and general knowledge on common topics.

5. Prepare for Personal Interview

Read all you can about interviews from the Internet. Make a list of common interview questions including questions about yourself, long-term/ short-term career goals, what motivates you, your skills, career interests etc. Revise all the critical parts of your curriculum from the previous semesters and be ready for the technical interview questions aimed at testing your depth of knowledge. Also be ready with a list of three to four topics from your favorite subject area and the ones you are confident with. Take feedback from your friend on the way you are answering a question, your body language, attitude, etc. Revisit your approach based on the feedback you get.

6. Conduct Adequate Research on the Companies & Industries

After you have applied for a company's job position, surf the Internet for information regarding the company. Read up about its history, locations, main products/services, and any major news story from the past two to three months. Make notes on the industry-major players, industry history, major challenges, trends and future direction. Knowing about the company and industry adds credibility to your profile during the selection process. Being well-informed reflects your interest and sincerity. Recruiters might find the potential in you to become productive early. This might increase your chances of selection.

Campus placements can be one's ticket to a great future. Plan well, prepare hard and be positive!