Rohit Chakraborty beats all the odds and bags placement at Bausch and Lomb

Bausch and Lomb (B+L) has a rich legacy of almost 2 centuries. Knowing that I get to appear for placement at Bausch and Lomb was motivation enough for me to give it my best shot! 

Prepare for success 

During my 7th semester, I took an elective subject that helped me focus on my placement rounds. The activities in that course helped me prepare myself for the placement season. I could identify my strengths and areas of improvement. I could also understand the probable path that aligned with my strengths and also nourished my areas of improvement. My main focus was on developing a brand statement for myself and I could successfully do it.

This course also taught us to prepare for a GD. For my interview with B+L, all activities helped me. I could do well in GD, tackle HR questions with confidence and also in the last interview where they asked me all about my personal life, I could align my answers well.

The Selection Process

My main strategy going into the placement at Bausch and Lomb was to stay focussed. There were four rounds in the selection process:

• First Group Discussion

• Second Groud Discussion

• HR Interview

• Technical Interview with Area Sales Manager, Regional Sales Manager of North India 

Group Discussion

Both rounds, one and two were group discussions. On the first day, 85 people participated in the first GD round. I had trouble tackling GD’s in the processes before B+L, but each of those processes made me stronger. It gave me the power to identify the real requirement of a company by observing the ones who did well and understand where I was lacking. Every rejection acted as motivation for me to do better. I felt that for every subsequent GD round I kept getting better. While preparing for the group discussion round it is essential to keep in mind that one should respect other candidates and give them an equal opportunity to speak.

By the time I sat for placement at Bausch and Lomb, I was confident about myself and my performance, especially when it came to Group Discussions. The mantra I have followed for GD has been the same for nearly all the processes - "Make the necessary changes and adapt your articulation". I tried different ways to prove a point and put my point forth in the discussion. To clear the group discussion round, it is important to be heard. And that is only possible if you can convince your fellow candidates of your perspective.

If the group rejects all your points, try again to speak up in the discussion. If you succeed, then you are good.

If you do not have a point. Then try to discuss someone else’s point with more elements that they might have missed and make a nice argument that others have to ponder upon at least for a few seconds.

For day 2 of the Group Discussion round, 28 candidates were shortlisted from the first round. After that, shortlists for the second round came on the same day which had 27 candidates. We had the second GD and 11 went through for third round which was the Interview round with HR.

Interview with HR Director

The overall interview experience was good. It just had more suspense than any other process that I have participated in. 

Interview with RSM, ASM of North India

After the third round, 9 were shortlisted and our final interview was scheduled after 3 days. We had some time to prepare before appearing for the final round, but this phase had mixed feelings. Eventually, the D-day arrived and one by one we gave our interviews. The strategies I had prepared were pretty simple:

• Speak my mind out calmly and with utmost honesty. The idea was to put forward everything I have done and make interviewers see the effort I have put to achieve it.

• Tackle one question at a time and do not let the disappointment, if any, from previous answers demotivate you. Nothing is over till it is over, was the thought behind this strategy.

• Smile to ease off your tension, if any. Go in with a smile, greet the panel, sit straight, answer with a smile, wish them and move out with a smile.

Finally, 5 of us were selected and the process for placement at Bausch and Lomb was concluded. It was a great moment, both of relief and happiness. 

Winners never quit

The placement at Bausch and Lomb was not the first placement I appeared for, and surely isn’t the last, but what I learned from my experience is that one must never give up. There is no failure if you are determined to succeed. Hard work always pays!