Campus placement, recruitment drive, interviews – all these words are tossed around quite frequently in a PGDM/MBA college. If you have heard at least one of these recently, it is pretty apparent that the D-day of your college life is around the corner. The time has finally come to put your knowledge to test and bag a good job for yourself!
While this does sound overwhelming, you can ace it by being well prepared. Remember, this is probably the most crucial aspect of your college life. So, you should leave no-stone-unturned to put your best foot forward for this recruitment drive.
To prepare you for this, we have a few actionable tips for you. Whether you want a full-time job or you are planning to secure an internship, we strive to equip our students with skills to do well during placement interviews well in advance. Let us get started:
- Draft an Effective Resume
For every interview you opt for, you will need your resume. Draft it in a way so that it encapsulates all your expertise and skill-sets. Understand what the recruiters are looking for and highlight those keywords. And, don’t forget to update your resume based on the feedback from faculty members, mentors, and colleagues.
- Prepare for the Basics
Several companies have an aptitude test round to select a pool of prospective candidates. This is the round that determines whether you will qualify for the final interview. This is why you should research common questions a company often asks in an aptitude test. Some common topics include quant, logical reasoning, data interpretation, and so on.
- Practise, Practise & Practise
Simply being thorough about your domain is not enough to crack a job interview. In fact, you need to be able to have smart and quick answers as well. To do this, you should practice with a person who has attended interviews before and ask him to offer you constructive feedback. Also, you can record the rehearsal and see how you appear to the interviewer.
- Do Your Homework
Before a week or two from your campus interview, start researching on the kind of companies which will visit your campus, their selection process, their shortlisting criteria, and more. This information will help ensure you have a brief idea of every employer and you will be prepared to answer any and every kind of question related to them.
- Do a SWOT Analysis
Every interviewer would want to know why they should hire you. So, how do you differentiate yourself from others? Can you bring something new to the table?
To find answers to all such questions, do a SWOT (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) analysis for yourself. Remember, right from your hobbies to the level of diligence, every little thing about your persona is evaluated closely. So, we suggest taking a few assessment tests to get more clarity about your own personality, mannerism, talent and skills. This will also help you identify your long-term and short-term goals.
- Ace the Personal Interview
Once you have cleared the aptitude test, it is time for you to give your best at the personal interview. To do this, collate a list of commonly asked interview questions. This includes both technical and non-technical.
Next, read about the industry and companies you are planning to apply to. This includes its history, services, competitors, challenges, USPs, etc. Plus, understand the Job Description (JD) and how your skills match it. By doing this, you will be able to create a good impression on your prospective employers.
- Work on your Soft Skills
Almost every single candidate applying for the job will have a similar skill-set. So, what sets you apart from the other candidates? Your soft skills can be the answer to this question. These traits are the ones that determine how well you work within a team, whether you can communicate effectively, your ability to manage working under pressure, and others.
- Dress for the job you want
Looking presentable by dressing formally will not only make a good impression on those you interact with but also project an image of confidence. Dressing right shows that you are serious about the job, respectful of the interviewer’s time, and are genuinely interested in working with that particular company.
- Remain calm
Yes, campus placement can be nerve-wrecking for many! So, you need to train your mind to stay focused and not to fret. This is why you should practise quite often. Also, taking deep breaths, focusing on the interviewer’s questions, speaking slowly and listening carefully can help you calm down. There is no need to rush to answer. Give yourself some time to collect your thoughts.
Conclusion
Your two years in a B-School will finally lead you to this very moment when you are ready to bag an excellent job. By keeping the aforementioned tips in mind, you are very likely to emerge victoriously and live up your dream career.
Wish you all the best!