Students’ Speak: Focus on communication skills to make a great first impression during placements

At Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education (SIMSREE), the placement cell does good work. They arrange mock interviews with our alumni. There are mock group discussions too. They tell each and every student about their strengths and weaknesses.

Placement is one of the most important phases in all the management colleges, so much so that every student recognises a college by how much package is offered and which companies visit the campus.

A stepping stone that gives direction to a student’s professional life, placements need to be taken seriously and be prepared for. I would suggest everyone who is appearing for the placements this year to brush up your basic skills of communication as it would be necessary for the entire process of recruitment. It is one of the basic skills every organisation looks for in MBA candidates appearing for the placement interviews.

Most companies have four rounds for the placement process. It mainly includes the Aptitude Test, Group Discussion, Technical Interview and HR Interview. You should brush up all the basic things which would be needed for the aptitude test such as probability, time and distance, number series, etc., for quantitative aptitude, puzzles, syllogism and inequality for reasoning and verbal English.

For Group Discussion (GD) process, one should gather all the knowledge of the current topics. GD topics can be case-based, abstract, technical or general. While speaking in group discussions try to stick onto one topic and think profoundly or one can do PESTLE analysis of the topic, if possible. Read about the facts and figures of the topic, it would help you to outperform in GD. Read about the rankings of India in various aspects and try to link the same with the topic. Do not relate irrelevant things because it can turn things against you.

Technical interview is based generally on your specialisation. Read job description well and look for what the company wants and which profile is being offered. For this, you must read about technical topics with deeper knowledge. Sometimes the interview can be stressed and sometimes it can be relaxed. Prepare for both things.

The next step is the HR interview. This looks easy but it can get tricky at times. Be prepared for all the HR questions such as your strengths, weaknesses, why should we hire you, among others. Try to be honest and analyse yourself before going for an interview. Give mock interviews to your friends, do mock GDs, try to speak prepared answers. It will help you a lot in the interview because practice makes a man perfect.

At Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education (SIMSREE), the placement cell does good work. They arrange mock interviews with our alumni. There are mock group discussions too. They tell each and every student about their strengths and weaknesses. They provide every necessary material concerning the placement session, such as HR questions, technical questions, etc. If one has a problem then he/she can meet or message to the placement committee.

About the Author:

Naresh Pawar is a second-year student at Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education (SIMSREE), Mumbai. He is pursuing his Masters in Management Studies (MMS) with specialisation in Finance. He has interned with Aditya Birla Capital Limited. He is passionate about cricket and trekking. He is also inclined towards social work and has volunteered for Swapnapurti Foundation.