Your journey in college is coming to an end and that means only one thing – placement season. Yes, it’s time to trade in oversleeping at your girls’ PG in Greater Noida for the experience of strutting around as a freshly minted professional. All that stands between you and the work life you’ve dreamed of is the placement process. So how do you turn that dream into a reality? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. With our easy-to-follow guide on cracking college placements, you’ll soon find yourself signing a great job offer and launching your career on a high note. Let’s get started.
Know the process
First things first, you have to know what to prepare for before you enter the gladiator ring that is college placements. And you might be tempted to just go with what your classmates or friends have heard about the placement process, but that’s not enough information. Different companies may have different requirements, and each may require you to take certain aptitude tests or participate in a group discussion, before you reach the crucial interview stage. Make sure you know exactly what’s expected from you by going over the application procedure, talking to your placement cell or reaching out to seniors who have engaged with the process before. Trust us, there’s no such thing as being too prepared.
Research is key
Speaking of preparation, there’s a whole lot of research that you may have to do before D-Day arrives. The most important part is to look up the company and the role that you’re applying for. Not only will this be a huge advantage during your interview (as you’ll be able to speak in depth about what you’ve learnt), it’ll also help you figure out whether you’re a good fit for the company. If your placement process involves a group discussion or case studies, you might also want to research how to tackle them. Once again, your seniors might be treasure troves of advice on acing these processes, so do reach out to them.
Clean up your profiles
We all know that college is one of the most exciting times of your life. It’s when you explore your interests, learn, grow and reach your potential. And sometimes reflecting that in your resume can make you go overboard. So it’s important to do a hygiene check on your profile before you submit it to the company of your choice. Your participation in seventeen different college fests may be really important to you, but it shouldn’t take up too much of your CV. In fact, it’s best to keep your resume limited to one page, and to give priority to your academic achievements first for your college placements. And when you’re cleaning up your resume, remember that it’s not the only thing your future employers are going to see. It’s a good idea to do a sweep of your social media for any photos or content you’d rather not let your recruiters know about.
Acing the interview
The interviews you give during your college placements are probably your first steps into the world of employment. And while there’s no one true formula for acing an interview, there are some things you should keep in mind. Being well turned out is important, you may have come to class in your pyjamas occasionally, but that won’t do for your placement interview. Whether the interview is being conducted on the college campus or in any of the IT parks in Noidawhere the company is located,just follow the dress code advised by your placement cell or stick to formals. During the interview, maintain good posture and eye contact and don’t let the nerves get the better of you. It’s better to think your answers through and speak clearly than to blurt out the first thought in your mind. That’s also where your prior research into the company and role will come in handy. Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask your recruiter some questions in turn, it’ll show your commitment and interest in the organisation and make you stand out as a candidate.
Follow up
It’s not over till it’s over. You may breathe a sigh of relief once you step out of the interview room, but that’s not necessarily where your placement process ends. It’s always a good idea to send a follow up email after the interview, thanking them for their time and expressing interest in hearing back soon. This personal touch could set you apart from your competition and can make you truly memorable in the eyes of your recruiter.
These simple steps will help you ace your college placements and secure the dream job you’ve always wanted with leading companies. What are you waiting for? Go ahead and put them to the test.
