DE Shaw, Bain & Co, Zomato, Phone Pe - if you haven’t caught on yet, it’s placement season all around! We’ve got on board two of our very own third-years who absolutely nailed the placement process at their first go - Adarsh Doshi who bagged the Financial Ops Role at DE Shaw (with 21.5 LPA; the highest ever in our history) and Dhiti Bafna who bagged the Analyst Role at Bain & Co. (with 14LPA).
College Placements helped them by providing an easier platform rather than applying externally and going through a longer, more tedious process. Here’s them giving out their top tips for the process!
This is your one stop shop for all things placements - get reading!
First things first - “Specialization does not matter as much. Almost any specialization can sit for every job role. Companies care more about your ability to learn and adapt to what they teach than your existing knowledge.”
#1 Resume Building
When it comes to resume building, one major factor is that different companies require you to make resumes in a certain manner. Adhere to the resume format that most companies specify for their respective roles.
But, all companies have one thing in common - a resume must be appealing to the eye. When an interviewer is reading your resume, you want them to go over it easily and not have information sticking out. Make sure to list out all your achievements in the order of their importance. Never forget to mention how you can add value to their company using your skills and achievements.
"A common mistake students often make is to add their school/ junior college achievements on their resumes. Recruiters don’t want to know about the debate won back in tenth grade, for real."
Keep your resumes updated as other unnecessary information just takes up useful space. Nevertheless, if you do have an achievement that is significant to your job role, or something that makes you stand out (like having achievement at an international platform), don’t miss it!
You want the interviewer to think you are the best fit through your achievements in the exact field that the company requires. Avoid filling in space for the sake of it.
Another tip is to always ensure that everything on your resume matches the description of the job role. Keep the information on your resume limited - concise is the way to go!
#2 - Aptitude Tests
“Why answer all the questions when they have negative marking? Instead, a simpler way might be to decide which section is your strong suit and answer that first. No need to answer questions which you’re unsure about.” ~ Dhiti Bafna
A common misconception for students is that they must study day and night for their aptitude tests. In response to this, Adarsh mentions that he had not gone through any coaching or preparations during his placements. To him, aptitude tests are meant to test the potential and knowledge that the student has acquired through the years.
A quick tip for the juniors - if you do want to prepare for the test, do check out IndiaBix. You might find it rather useful ;)
#3 - Group Discussions
For GDs, the mantra is simple. Comprehension >>> Communication
The main takeaway from the GD rounds, according to both Adarsh and Dhiti, was to try to speak up in a group without making controlling the group your main goal.
It is far more crucial to provide points with substance rather than meaningless ones as comprehending is far more significant than communicating, and speaking over others to get your message across is never a smart idea.
In GD rounds, when you are tested on your ability to both blend in with the group and stand out at the same time, it is crucial to ensure that what you say has balance and boundaries. Apart from that, maintaining proper grooming standards, being polite, and making eye contact are self-explanatory requirements.
#4 - The Interview Itself
“There is no need to rephrase anything that is on your CV and instead of wading through unnecessary details while describing your areas of duty, being clear-headed and full of insight helps in standing out.”
The question "Tell me about yourself" is a common stumbling block for prospective candidates. From their experiences of personal interviews, this question is primarily for getting thorough information about your past, such as previous grades and extracurricular activities that contributed to your personality. When it comes to the personal part, keeping it brief adds more impact.
“Festing taught us how to bluff, yet bluff in accepted standard”
One thing that both interviewees have in common is that they have been event heads for business fests. According to them, the main takeaway from festing was that it taught them to bluff, be self-assured, and be relevant. Speaking comes from a place of calm and confidence.
It also improves your ability to make quick decisions and take initiative. It allows you to maintain your cool in stressful situations. Learning how to manage stress through tasks and stress rounds gives festers an advantage over peers who have never been in such a situation before.
#5 - Finally, the Work Experience v/s MBA Debate
The decision of whether to apply for higher education or sit for placement exams is one of the choices that students have to make during the placement season.
"Work experience is very important when applying for higher education and degrees; it adds value to your resume and career prospects." - Adarsh
Although this is subjective to every individual, MBAs are usually designed in a way in which they enhance the business experience; the course plans are formulated very differently from an undergraduate degree. Once you get the work experience, it can go both ways, depending on how you approach it. It can definitely be difficult to get back to living and learning like a student when you’re used to a corporate workplace lifestyle. Although there may be a temporary disconnect that needs to be overcome, overall it seems like the better choice.
If you choose the proper specialization for the degree you want to pursue, you will finally manage. It all depends on your strategy. It might not be as difficult if you are more used to working in dynamic circumstances and are a quick learner.
That’s it for now folks! If you made it this far, 7 years of good luck to you and may you bag the role of your choice! ;)
Edited by
Sriya Yarlagadda | 1 BBA F
Vanshika Bothra | 3 BBA B
Designed by
Navya Aggarwal | 1 BBA D
Mahek Hablani | 1 BBA D
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