How to Prepare for Placements

As and when our college life which is filled with sparkle and loaded with enjoyment comes to an end, the pressures of placement season start to kick in. We can totally relate to the fictional character of Raju from 3 Idiots. Just like him, we may also get cold feet and lose our calm and composure when the pressure is high. In the words of Max Brooks,“If you believe you can accomplish everything by “cramming” at the eleventh hour, by all means, don’t lift a finger now. But you may think twice about beginning to build your ark once it has already started raining”. Thus, in this blog, we will discuss some valuable tips and advice on how to prepare for placements.

Top 20 Tips and Tricks to Achieve Success in a Campus Placement Interview

1. Begin by training specifically for the organisations for which you are interviewing.
2. Choose a programming language and learn how to use it to create a variety of programmes.
3. Look at Glassdoor feedback of the firms’ interview processes.
4. Look up previous placement papers for the organisation you’ll be interviewing with next on Google.
5. The topics that most interviewers concentrate on are data structures, algorithms, and operating systems.
6. Arrive on time for your interview.
7. Maintain a positive but not brash demeanour.
8. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever,
9. Maintain your composure and maintain your concentration.
10. Read the company’s “About Us” page on the website and pay attention during the company presentations that are usually conducted prior to the interview process.
11. If you can’t answer all of the questions, don’t get discouraged, and don’t panic under any circumstances.
12. Make sure you’re well-versed in the topics that concern you.
13. Bring at least two copies of your resume.
14. Even if you are not chosen, after you have completed the interview, politely ask for their input on the whole process.
15. Prepare for all of the popular puzzles asked during interviews by analytics companies.
16. Do not wear sloppy clothing and cut your fingernails.
17. On your CV, provide information about your programmes.
18. Don’t go on and on. At interviews, keep it short and sweet and avoid rambling.
19. Prepare various resumes for various job positions.
20. If it’s a phone interview, pick a time when you’ll be able to give it your all and best.

The Ultimate Cheatsheet to Prepare for Campus Placements!

Every year, hundreds and thousands of graduates sit for the placements. As we know how competitive the world is today, only the ones who start preparing earlier sail through the round and get placed in a well-known organisation. Thus, in this step-by-step guide on how to prepare for placements, let’s go through the key points that we need to work on:

Create an Impressive Resume

The very first step on how to prepare for placements is building an impressive resume. A resume is a document that summaries the job seeker’s academic qualifications, achievements, extracurricular activities, internships, and volunteer work. Thus, it should be clear, concise, and well put. It is our best shot for creating a favourable impression on the employer to get short-listed for an interview. Given below are some of the Dos and Don’ts on preparing a resume:

• Make your own customized resume. Go through some templates, try to brainstorm and find words that describe you best
• Highlight your skills and accomplishments
• Proof-read the document

Must Read: Resume Format for Freshers

Shine in the Written Round or Aptitude Tests

The one thing that holds a vital role in your preparation for placements is the written round. It tests your knowledge related to your specific subject, your logical and analytical thinking, and reasoning ability. So, being prepared for the written round of placements must be at the top of your list. If your aptitude is going to be tested, it will be on the grounds of your logical and reasoning ability. Here are the five basic steps you should follow to perfect your preparation:

1. Understand why you’re being evaluated.
2. Obtain feedback.
3. Lots of practice is needed.
4. Work on the core subjects in a fair and consistent manner.
5. Take suggestions and feedback seriously.

Stand Out in the Group Discussion!

The third most important tip on how to prepare for placements is to master the group discussion. These days, most firms hire individuals who are not only skilled in their field of interest but are also aware of the current issues. This is the round where your knowledge along with your leadership skills is tested. Given below are some tips to do well in your group discussion (GD):

1. Remain up to date regarding all key issues of national/international significance. 
2. Develop your language skills so that whatever you say is concise and can be easily understood. 
3. Make sure you are assertive in whatever you say but not rude. 
4. It’s always recommended to start the conversation with your opinion because that way you can divert the conversation in whatever direction you wish.
5. Make sure to maintain eye contact with all the participants because it reflects your confidence. 
6. All your arguments should be backed by relevant facts to showcase your credibility. 
7. Express yourself but also give others the opportunity to put forth their point. As GD’s also work to ensure your ability to work in a team. 
8. Address issues in comprehension
9. Any group discussion must begin with a clear presentation of your ideas and thought process. Working with these considerations in mind will help you ace yours:
   • What is the demographic of your target audience?
   • What exactly is the issue you’re debating?
   • What language (tone, jargon) are you using to communicate?
   • Who benefits from a solution and how does yours impact them?
   • What are the main issues that everybody else is bringing up?

Also read: How to Start a Group Discussion, Non-Technical Topics for Group Discussions & Presentation and Group Discussion Topics

Ace the Interview Round

The last and the most important tip on how to prepare for placements is to polish your interview skills. After you have created a good impression on the employer, the next feat is to prepare and crack the Interview. It is something that you need to invest a lot of time in. Following are some points that might help you to present yourself in an elegant and impactful manner: 

• Networking is the key. Before you appear in an interview, spend time networking with people who hail from the same background. This will not only help you to gain information about the company but will also help you to answer questions tactfully.
• You can also use the storytelling method to prepare for the Interview.
• STAR Method is another valuable trick on how to prepare for placements. It is a well-structured approach used to respond to a question. 
• SITUATION: Provide the basic framework along with the required details of the case in point. 
• TASK: Being a part of the team would not yield you any extra points. To make an impression, you have to give a gist of your role in the given example. 
• ACTION: The steps that you take in a complicated situation reveal your problem-solving skills and your approach to a situation that is not ideal. 
• RESULTS: Finally, all that matters at the end of the day are the results. So, the results of the action being taken determine whether you made the right move or not. 

Smash the Technical Round (If required)

The technical round is a one-on-one interview, evaluation, or presentation designed to demonstrate how well you know your core competencies, programming languages, and what you can bring to the job. An interview with the project manager or boss, a test on your core topic, or a situational test are all possibilities. The following is a step-by-step guide to doing it in style:

1. Background research is important.
2. Coding and other technological problems may be practised.
3. Prepare for your interview by practising your strengths.

Must Read: Top 10 Interview Questions and Answers

HR Interview

The HR interview is a case of persuasion, in which you must persuade the HR staff, who are screening you for potential red flags, that you are the right candidate for the job. To prepare for this, you should practise similar zones to those listed above, but in a different context.

1. Background research is important.
2. Getting ready for typical interview questions.
3. Organize your belongings and thoughts.

Must Read: HR Interview Questions You Should Know About 

Some Basic Tips to Prepare for Placements 

1. Make sure that you have thoroughly covered the basics of your field to have complete domain knowledge. Revise all the important subjects that you have studied during your college because to test your academic proficiency, questions will be asked from this front only.
2. It’s often the well-informed candidates who make a good impression. So, make sure to polish your general knowledge and before that make sure to research about the companies which are coming for placements. 
3. Work on your communication skills. Apart from your technical knowledge, you need to prove that you will be a good addition to their organisation. So, make sure to showcase the best version of yourself in front of them in terms of your personality and communication skills. 
4. Also, make sure to work on your quantitative ability and logical reasoning skills because many organisations these days conduct an aptitude test as a part of their selection process. 

Must Read: Debate Topics & Tips to Ace Them, How Does Placement Consultancy Work? and How to Prepare for Off Campus Placements?

FAQs

We hope that the above-mentioned suggestions on how to prepare for placements will help you ace the most important exam of your life. You can always reach out to our counsellors at Leverage Edu who will not only mentor you for your interview but will also create a job-winning resume that can land you in your dream job.