27-11-2018
One important component is Pre-placement preparation
Based on numerous visits to campuses across the country for more than a decade, I observed certain gaps that can be filled by close attention and efforts by academicians. Following are a few suggestions for achieving a good placement percentage in Institutes:
Latest curriculum:
We must ensure that our curriculum is as per the latest technology requirements. For example, IT students should know about Mean Stack, React native, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Python, Data Sciences, Predictive Analytics, Algorithms development etc.
Experts from the industry:
A rendezvous with corporate dignitaries’ help students understand the nuances of corporate etiquettes and professional mannerisms required from them. It is important that the industry experts are invited from time-to-time to conduct career guidance programs. Representatives from the industry present an overview about their company, its domain, its policies, hierarchy, nature of work, recruitment process, career growth, job location and the open positions. Placement cells must include a member from the corporate sector. There should be workshops on recruitment techniques by industry experts.
Professional presence:
Students must have their presence on important networking forums. They should update their profile on LinkedIn, follow relevant companies on Twitter and know about relevant platforms/forums. Gone are the days when companies collected hardcopy of CVs. Now they check online profiles and social image on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, stack overflow, etc.
Presenting professionally at the interview:
Students must be trained to develop personality traits, dress up, corporate demeanor, expected from professionals. They should be imparted formal sessions to understand the necessary soft-skills to handle interviews in the best possible manner. The right body language, eye contact, handshake everything matters during the interviews. Not over doing also needs to be taught as at times students try to flatter the panel that is not taken positively. Great comprehension and connect with the interviewers goes an extra mile in selection process.
Research on the visiting company:
The placement cell and the students must study and hold group discussions on the visiting company. They should gather facts and important news about the company. Must visit their website and scan its social handles and website. They must study and prepare according to the company’s evaluation criteria. Some companies prioritize English communication, others give emphasize to reasoning or aptitude or technology or domain knowledge.
Pre-placement talk:
Universities and colleges should request sessions by HR or a technical senior from all prospect companies to ensure the students have directions to prepare on relevant technology and domain. This would also cover the open positions, bond requirements, salaries, etc. for the students to align their interests with the upcoming placement.
Technical pre-placement training:
Techno commercial sessions must be arranged to understand the primary product or service of the company. It is the major evaluation criteria, as industry wants students who are already up-to-date. Students presenting their own live projects have a better chance of making it to the selection process.
Non-technical pre-placement training:
It is important to prepare students to excel at interviews and recruitment processes. Universities and colleges must invest in training their students in Communication Skills and Personality Development that help students present themselves confidently. Mock interviews by experienced interviewer can help students prepare well to handle over exuberance, brain fades and fear of unknown. These group discussions must be industry-relevant and follow the same evaluation procedures. They must be trained on strong observation skills and awareness.
We are happy having collaborated with some of the reputed institutes where we are preparing for placements from Day-1 of the students entering the institute. Well-organized Orientation Programs and robust annual training workshops are planned to help the students crack interviews of their dream companies.
