On the campus, jobs come calling
|
Campus recruitment is the lifeline for final year students in technical institutions. But they have to be ready for the gruelling interview.
|
Will he get that job?
FOR ALL organisations, it makes great business sense to hire the best possible talent. In today's knowledge economy, the success of an organisation depends on the kind of employees it is able to recruit, develop and retain.
Different sources are used for this: Internet, employee referral, employment agencies/headhunters, job fairs, newspaper/print advertisements and, of course, campus interviews.
Campus recruitment is facilitated by the placement office that acts as a bridge between companies that want to recruit from an educational institution and final year students who are looking for great work. This is one of the most preferred ways of recruitment because it helps organisations to target a specific market, it is more efficient and cost-effective, and has a personal touch.
Vital qualities
Organisations look for candidates who have excelled academically and can demonstrate technical and leadership competencies that are critical to success at the workplace. "Person-culture fit" and "person-job fit" are two important qualities needed in a candidate. The former is the match between personal beliefs and values of an individual whereas the latter is the fit between the job challenges (technical & leadership requirement) and the achievement orientation of a person.
In order to determine the above, companies normally conduct a three-step testing procedure on most engineering college campuses. They are:
*Technical test
*Aptitude test
*Group discussion and personal interview.
Technical test
Technical competence is one of the most important qualities which a campus recruiter needs to check. It determines the ability of the candidate to perform his work in a company. The test tends to be of the MCQ (multiple choice questions) type. Conceptual clarity and the ability to apply these concepts to day-to-day situations are revealed here. A candidate must revise the basic subjects in his/her stream of specialisation.
The subjects covered in the first two years of the engineering degree are considered important. They set the tone for the advanced subjects which follow in the third and fourth years. While preparing for the interview, a candidate is advised to pick two favourite subjects. His knowledge in these subjects is expected to be very good.
Aptitude test
This determines the ability of the candidate to think systematically and in a logical manner. It also determines the comfort level of a candidate with the English language. Whether we like it or not, we have to accept the fact that the world of business knows only one language i.e. English and a certain minimum level of ability in the language is required by a candidate to perform in a business environment.
The aptitude test normally contains questions from three broad areas: quantitative ability, reasoning ability and verbal ability.
For improving their quantitative skill, candidates must revise the basic mathematics chapters which they learnt at high school.
It should be borne in mind that apart from the ability to solve the problem, the speed at which a problem can be solved normally is the distinguishing factor between success and failure. Hence, exposure to the right shortcuts to solve a problem is essential.
Reasoning ability can be improved by going through various books on puzzles. Regular practice is the key to doing well here. Students can also refer to various guides which prepare them for entrance examinations such as CAT.
Verbal ability can be improved by going through grammar books such as Wren and Martin and vocabulary development books such as "Word power made easy" by Norman Lewis.
Professional help in all these areas could do wonders to the ability of a student.
Interview preparation
We should understand that the first impression is crucial in any interview. A candidate should be well groomed and look professional. An interview is a formal occasion and a candidate is expected to dress formally.
While meeting the interviewer give a firm, not limp or bone-crushing, handshake. Confident body language sends the right signal to the interviewer.
Be conscious of your body language. Be natural; yet convey energy and initiative. Appear confident and relaxed during the entire interview.
Develop an attitude in which you are confident, forthright and cognisant of the power you have to direct the course and outcome of the interview.
Concentrate on projecting enthusiasm and energy. The number one complaint from recruiters is that many people applying for jobs do not take the time to think about their accomplishments and how best to communicate the same in an interview.
Candidates should go thoroughly prepared to answer standard questions such as "tell me about yourself?", "what do you know about this position and our company?", "why do you want to work for us and what do you have to offer that other candidates do not have?", "tell me of a time when you had to demonstrate leadership and commitment?", "what are your major strengths?" and "where do you see yourself five years from now?"
A candidate could prepare for these questions by doing some research on the company before he enters the interview room. Going through the company's website, looking at recent articles in the press about the company, talking to some people already working in it are all ways by which a candidate can improve his knowledge of the company.
Also, trying to think of one's own strengths, weaknesses and career plans for the future is extremely important. It is very important that you clearly communicate your willingness to take up the job. If required, you may restate your interest in the job as you shake hands at the close of the interview.
Appearing for a couple of mock interviews with some experienced people of the trade will give a candidate an opportunity to have a trial run of what is likely to follow on D-day.
AJAY ARORA
Ajayarora@time4
education.com
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Education Plus
Karnataka
Chennai
Coimbatore
Hyderabad
Madurai
Tiruchirapalli
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
