IT IS THAT time of the year again when students in their final year wait to be hand picked by top firms across the country in their campus recruitment drives. The 3-5 days of recruitment drive can make or break their career as it can mean the difference between stepping out of college with or without a job. Top-of-the-line companies usually participate in campus recruitments in the hope of getting some bright and talented students. And it is up to the student to make them want to hire him. Here are a few pointers to help you succeed:
Pack your parachute before you jump
Prepare a well-crafted résumé in advance, taking care to avoid some of the common errors. Provide accurate and appropriate information about your qualifications and interests. On-campus interview essentially means you will be compared to others in your batch/college. So figure out what will make you stand out from the rest and make that the highlight of your résumé. It could be highest marks, extracurricular activities, position of authority on campus, unusual hobbies, past achievements, etc. Form study groups with trusted friends before placements to prepare together and cover basic ground. And since some interviews involve group discussions, group work, etc., teamwork will stand you in good stead.
Of square pegs and round holes
Get a list of the visiting companies and indulge in a screening session of your own. Pick the ones that are right for you based on the company goals, its culture, job description vis-à-vis your skills, education and aspirations.
Do not just go by names. The presence of a `happening' organisation on campus does not mean that you set your sights solely on it. It is important to figure out what you want, otherwise you may land up in a job you do not particularly like and a place you hate.
Push the right buttons
Do your homework by looking up the companies concerned on the Internet, reading company literature and speaking to people in the industry. Attend the pre-placement information sessions like presentations, seminars and talks. There may be a good chance to find out various career paths, benefits and inside details as recruiters often disclose what they are looking for in candidates in such sessions. Interact informally with company representatives and ask meaningful, structured questions. Also, keep résumé copies handy and collect business cards for future reference.
Buff up for the show
Prepare yourself for lengthy and exhaustive rounds of interviews. Also, a small self-introduction to highlight your qualifications, interests and strengths to the interviewer.
Make sure that you are well groomed and look professional. Formal attire is the order of the day; don't turn up in jeans just because the interviews are held on your campus!
Acing the interview
Do not be late for the interview; always arrive on time. Be sincere, enthusiastic and interesting to stand out from the almost identical crowd of faces and answers. Highlight what you can offer and show a keen interest in the company. Displaying company knowledge will show how interested you are in joining that firm.
When the offers roll in
After the interview, follow up with a thank-you note and keep in constant touch. If you are called for a second round of interview, accept the call only if you are seriously considering a position with the employer. Weigh your options and seek advice, if necessary, before finally accepting a job offer.
And relax! This is just the beginning of your career, so brace up and have fun. As a professor of IIM-Bangalore says, `This is the only time in your life you will go through three days that mean so much for so many people together. So enjoy it! Never again will you meet so many companies at such short intervals and so transparently.After this every next job is about one-to-one interaction, networking, meeting people in hotel lobbies over lunch, etc., never as structured and exhilarating!'
PAYAL CHANANIA
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