There was a press release in July 2018 which claimed that 42% of engineering students were placed in 2017-18 and it was a record in 5 years meaning in those previous 5 years preceding 2018, campus placement was less than 40%!
“Nearly 85 lakhs under graduate and post graduate students who are to pass out from various universities this year would be staring at a bleak future as corporates halt hiring” - This was another alarming press report in April 2020. It is anybody’s guess with regard to post Covid 20-21. Most disturbing fact is that close to 60% or more of final year students are not recruited in campus placements and are forced to join small time temporary employers on paltry salary or remain unemployed. In such a situation it is imperative for every student to improve their overall qualifications and skill sets so as to get decent employment or to venture into their own startup.
How to get selected by corporates in campus placement?
The criteria adopted for selection by most companies are variable in nature and selection process is based on educational qualification, written test, group discussion (optional), technical interview and HR interview.
Students, who wanted to be successful, need to work their way to improve spoken English, besides enhancing their academic knowledge. This will help pass written test of selection process. Individual excellence plays a vital part of selection during the phase of group discussion and interview. What is required here is confidence and positive attitude. Within a slot of 20-30 minutes you have to justify your credentials of qualification and written test marks and need to be more successful than your peer. Selectors get impressed with students who exhibit positive body language with curious and focussed eye contact. From filling the form if any in neat legible hand writing, greeting the interviewer with a smiling face and firm hand shake to good eye contact are a must. Remaining calm, relaxed, enthusiastic and be yourself through-out the interview process, go a long way in ensuring your selection. Always remember to speak in clear audible friendly tone which will ease the process of your selection.
Don’t ever lie. Answer every question truthfully and to the point. Avoid “Yes” and “No” as answers. Explain whenever possible with examples. Avoid negative statements or complaining. Avoid indecisive phrases like: “I think,” “I guess,” “probably”. Avoid answering a question if you are not clear. Avoid sitting with crossed arms, which may be perceived as defensive attitude. Avoid leaning back, fidgeting hands, biting nails or tapping feet which are generally considered as signs of nervousness. Practice well for general knowledge questions and important personal questions: Tell us about yourself? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Why should we hire you?
Do everything that you can so as to be comfortable during the interview. Get a good night sleep; make sure you are not hungry when you go into the interview and ensure what you need to take with you. Dress appropriately and smartly but make sure you are comfortable with what you are wearing. Overall, enjoy the interview and make the selectors be more than happy to select you.