A Short Guide to Preparing for Campus Placements

The campus placement season is an exciting yet hectic affair. All students look forward to sitting for interviews and scoring a job. At the same time, they are apprehensive of all kinds of possibilities that may not be favorable to them. So, naturally, one cannot take lightly campus placements, and it becomes really important to ensure that we have done whatever possible to perform during the season.

This brings us to the question of how to go about the season. There is a lot of competition to handle, which means there is immense stress to cope with. You have to study rigorously, not waste a single moment, and assess people around you. For many, the season brings existential crises and causes students to ponder over what they desire as their future. Of course, you are on your own and will have to brave through these times. However, what can be done is to improve your performance. How to go about it? I have a few suggestions to make.

Here is a short guide to preparing for campus placements. There are 5 points written below, and you must pay attention to them.

1. Resume!
   Yes, the first and foremost thing you must do is to work on your resume. It is not just about your academic and non-academic history in the resume that matters; how you have made your resume matters a great deal as well. Note that the resume should be simple, concise, and point-wise. It should only enumerate those details that have a direct relation to your desired field and the profile of the company. Ensure that the layout of the resume is neat and not overly fancy. Try to not employ heavy words to highlight your achievements. Once you have prepared the resume, connect with the campus coordinators at your university and have it reviewed.

2. Study the profile of the company as if your life depends on it
   Supposedly, you are appearing for an interview for a good company. You want to make sure that they know that you are serious about working there. How can you do that? Well, one of the things you can do is to read about every important detail of the company. For example, read about its history, area of operations, branches (if any), notable achievements, people associated with it, and contributions made. You should, especially, read about the top managerial staff of the company. Try to use this knowledge in your favor by incorporating these details in your answers.

3. Take as many mocks as possible
   Most likely, you will have to write a written exam before the interview. Those tests generally contain critical reasoning or aptitude questions. They may contain certain technical questions related to your field, and the better the company is the more difficult the questions may get. So, make sure you start preparing for the test at least two months before the big day. Contact seniors who had written those tests in the past or are already working at the company for leads. They can give you some idea of what you should and should not be focussing on.

4. Rehearse
   You might be Mr.Charisma at college but placement interviews can still be overwhelming for you. Interviewers are experienced individuals with a knack for seeing through the candidate. They know how to disarm you of your confidence, push you into panic mode, and test your limits of patience. They are there to not only test your knowledge but also your nerves. Therefore, it is advised that you rehearse your interview regularly. Ask a friend to interview (or grill) you. If not, you should practice before the mirror. Anticipate the questions and frame answers beforehand. Seek help from seniors as they are better placed to help you prepare for the interview.

5. Work on your external personality
   I am not asking you to don the fanciest dress and put on heavy make-up. Don’t overdo it. You need to leave a long-standing impression on the interviews. They should be impressed by your knowledge and PERSONALITY. Dress in neat and well-ironed formals, avoid too much make-up, shave your beard or groom it, and smell nice. When you enter the interview room, make sure you address them formally. A subtle head bow can do wonders. You may want to shake hands but read the room. Make sure your body is upright and your eyes fixated on the interviewers.