Expert's Corner: Follow this Triple ‘C’ approach towards pre-placement session

By: Amit Sharma

Placement is one of the crucial concerns for any student pursuing a specific professional programme. The efforts need to be put in should be a blend of behavioural and conceptual skills of an individual. Only content knowledge is not sufficient to lead an individual to accomplishing the desired goal.

The moment you put yourself in the process of campus placement simply reflects that directly or indirectly you have put in your candidature under observation. Even sending your resume initiates the process of assessment. Meaning, there is no small or single activity that can be ignored while you are getting ready to kickstart your career. Content, communication and confidence are the three key areas an individual needs to focus upon while preparing himself/herself for a placement drive.

The 3C concept discussed above is sure to lead an individual towards success. All three Cs are interrelated to each other. Content develops your confidence, even if you are weak with the other C, i.e. communication. Content motivates you to present your ideas in group discussions and in interviews as well. So, it is advisable to read as much as you can. One should be aware about the environmental/social happenings. All the time it is not possible to be aware of everything so in that case, having good communication skills would reckon as the added advantage. Your communication skills and confidence level at times help you to cover your weak conceptual or content knowledge. Same way, as I discussed above, your excellent content knowledge covers your weak communication and helps in developing confidence.

This 3C concept is always advisable to be followed by the candidates who are preparing for their placements.

In group discussions and interviews, analytical skills play an important role. At times during an interview, the assessor puts an individual into a specific situation to analyse his/her behavior. In group activities, the assessor at times tries to assess the leadership traits of an individual. So, the candidate should always try to take initiative for all the activities assigned by the assessor in the process of selection. During this phase of recruitment and selection, nobody is going to give you the chance to perform; you need to grab the opportunity by yourself. One needs to maintain the balance between the number of times one is going to speak and what content he/she is going to deliver. Candidates with the notion of speaking more during group activities usually get washed out easily. Same way, those who speak very less also face the same result. That is why a balance needs to be maintained. The assessor should feel your presence in the group.

In short, my only suggestion for you to crack your placement assessment is to develop confidence by taking initiative with excellent content and by having a good command over the communication language. This concept of “Triple C” will lead you towards success without a doubt. 

About the Author:

Amit Sharma is serving as an Assistant Professor at Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, since 2013. With an experience of seven years in academics, Sharma conducts faculty development programmes at school level and management development programmes at organisational level across the industry.