Top 5 tricks to crack Summer Placement interviews

Placement interviews are one of the most awaited moments of a student’s life. With excitement awaiting to welcome the sophomore year, comes the jitters to get the job of one’s dreams. After all, the slogging with books, projects and tons of assignments, one actually does start to think they are fit for anything that comes their way and that is where the ball hits the wrong wicket. Yes, it hits the one right behind you! Companies coming in for summer placement interviews eagle eye the best of the best and the best always has that edge that others don’t. Preparing for the summer placement interviews could be very stressful but a quick read of the magical tricks below can definitely give yours a kick-start.

Trick 1: Be prepared for the first round – The Aptitude Test

The Aptitude Test is your ticket to the main arena where the real competition exists. Many companies do their first shortlisting through the on-campus aptitude tests to select the best candidates for the interview round. The purpose of this test is to check the basic analytical, logical, cognitive, comprehension, and communication skills of the candidates. Yes, we know you are a college student now but the biggest mistake you may ever do is underestimate this round of your summer placement interviews. To quote a stat, a minimum of 70% of students fail the aptitude test just because they don’t prepare well for it. So, you got no time to waste! Get yourself some good books to brush your skills with at least 3 months before the start of your college placements. The purpose of this round is to shortlist candidates with basic mental skills who can be trained easily.

Trick 2: Prepare a Resume that gets shortlisted in a matter of 20 seconds

Yes, that is how much time a recruiter spends on your CV while shortlisting to fill any vacancies. Obviously, if you clear the aptitude test, the way you draft your CV isn’t going to change the fact that you will be appearing for the final interviews. But here is the deal my friend. YOU GOT TO STAND OUT FROM THE LOT! Preparing your CV in a concise and professional manner can give you plus points even before the interview begins. So, while getting on to it, keep in mind to make it concise and not very information heavy. Talk about what you did beyond the academics, key achievements, etc. Need more guidance? Visit our blogs section to find relevant articles.

Trick 3: A Portfolio of your best work can give you extra leverage

What is the difference between a resume and a portfolio? Easy, a resume speaks about what you did, a portfolio shows how you did it and showcases a tangible output of your work. So, cracking summer placement interviews could be easy if you collate and showcase your certificates, prizes, pictures of your work or even case simulations and extra-curricular work. This shows that you are an active person and take initiatives for your development.

Trick 4: Know what you are getting into

We are the Google generation. Still, many a time I wonder why we forget to use the power of the internet where it's most needed. I’m sure your placement cell must have shared the details of the companies coming to take your summer placement interviews and the positions they are looking for, so, what are you waiting for? Dig into what the company is all about, its area of business and expertise, cities in which they function, and what sort of work they do.

Many a time, students don’t do proper homework and end up looking unprepared which seems as if they are not serious about the job. Second, it wouldn’t be smart if you don’t know about the company you are appearing for, right? So, prepare such that you should be able to communicate what impact you can make if they hire you.

Trick 5: A few Interview tactics to master

The most common question most of the students fail to answer tactfully is, “Tell us something about yourself?” No, they are not asking for your name and neither will they give you more than 10 seconds to answer that question. So, a start that encapsulates them into giving you more than 10 seconds shall be something to start with. Strategic planning and practicing your answers could be a good idea. Second, remember your key achievements and present them in a tactful manner to highlight your area of expertise. This way you can engage the interviewer and lead the interview on a track that benefits your purpose. Wear formal clothes, keep your back straight, carry a confident smile and listen with patience before you start blabbering something very irrelevant because of the interview jitters.

Being psychologically and practically prepared for your summer placement interviews can help you crack the many of them and carry an edge over your peers. Reading a book like, ‘A Monk who sold his Ferrari’, can definitely help you understand the impact mental practice can create. So, follow these tricks and do let us know if they helped you crack your summer placement interviews.