10 THINGS TO REMEMBER BEFORE YOU ATTEND A PLACEMENT DRIVE

1) PREPARE A RESUME. 
Resume represents you. The panel observes it and sketches your character in his/her mind. Not only the contents but the way you present the contents is also noticed. Keep it very simple! Ok I repeat it again, keep it very simple! I used the font TIMES NEW ROMAN and font size was 12. No need to show creativity, ok I repeat this also, don’t show any creativity in resume. It is not your MS-WORD skill test. Keep it look professional. I avoided mentioning my strengths, weakness, height, weight, sex, creed, color, etc. In short I kept it look like a resume instead of a BIO DATA. Hobbies that you mention in your resume must be the ones about over which you have strong grip. For example if you mention your hobby as cooking then you must know about the recipes and way of cooking. (In short- don’t write the fake things.) There is no need of adding unnecessary things in your achievements portion. After you are done with the resume, show it to several people and ask them to point out the mistakes. Not only to elder people but show it also to your young siblings. (My eleven years old brother found a huge mistake in my resume which none focused.)

2) PREPARE A PROPER PORTFOLIO.
Well, for a portfolio I bought a portfolio bag but a file holder would work equally well. I photo copied all my certificates and punched them into the portfolio. It is recommended that you don’t carry the original documents. I attached all the certificates about which I have mentioned in my resume.

3) BRUSH UP THE APTITUDE LESSONS.
I made a copy (thick register) in which I did all my aptitude lessons from R.S. Aggarwal. Before the date of drive, I open it and read and revise all the techniques and short-cuts. It takes time, but it’s necessary. Well, if the drive has no aptitude test involved then you may skip this portion.

4) DRESSING AND GROOMING.
FORMAL! LOOK FORMAL! DRESS FORMAL! GROOM FORMAL!
I wear the college uniform; hence I was on a safe side. But you may wear formal shirt, color being the shades of pink and blue. Grey or black pants! Black formal shoes, which are well polished! Well, for grooming part, (I’ll talk about boys) please avoid your hairs to look like the spikes of porcupine. Comb them as that of a gentleman. For beard either go for a clean shave or get a proper trimming.

5) THINGS TO CARRY.
Here is the list of the things which I use to carry:-
Resume.
Portfolio.
Things to eat- apple, chips, biscuits.
Ball point pen and two blank A4 size sheet paper.
Two passport sized photographs.
Face wash.
Water bottle.
Pain killer (Saridon).
Mobile and ear phones.
Chewing gum.

6) PHONE.
If you are going for a pool campus placement drive then do recharge your sim card. Don’t go with a balance: 0.00, this may take you into a great trouble. Do recharge your phone’s battery to full before you leave your house. If you were not able to recharge it, then take a portable charger or a power bank with you. Pool campus takes a long time for announcement of results and for commencement of different rounds. So keep your phone well charged and do have some games in it to play, as you never know if you are going to get alone in the recruitment process. Don’t forget to take your ear phones.

7) VENUE.
In case of pool campus placement if you haven’t visited the venue before then get a fair idea of the place and how to reach there. Have a clear knowledge about the public transports and be aware of the traffic conditions. Get someone to drive you to the venue, use the google maps for navigation. If not possible then ask your friend circle to they join you and hire a cab so that the charges get distributed. Well, in my case, I know how to drive and 4G internet is available, so I prefer to using my (father’s) car (Wagon R, CNG fuel) and sharing the ride with two friends.

8) BE SAFE AND SOUND.
Don’t get involved into some fight or some nuisance that causes you to appear in an interview with your face tattooed with scars. If it happens then prepare a good reason rather than saying- ‘CAT SCRATCHED ME’ or ‘FELL IN BATHROOM.’ If any rashes are occurring on face then medicate it ASAP. I had a minor rash on the left cheek, boroline worked for curing that.

9) EMAIL ID
All the information shall be provided to you through e-mail so do make a proper, sensible and professional e-mail id rather than (heartthrobaks@xyz.com) and do keep checking your mails regularly. Always read the entire e-mail properly, I would advice that read the mail twice or thrice.


10) FOOD
Last but not the least. Take something to eat. Don’t rely on the venue of the drive. Just take eatables from home itself. I use to take two packets of cream biscuits and two packets of kurkure. You may take apples or other fruits. Don’t take the food item which causes your mouth to smell badly. AVOID ALCOHOL! DON’T DRINK AND ATTEND A DRIVE! (obviously!) Well, I also prefer a chewing gum for the time when results are announced. Chewing gum keeps your mind distracted and thus unnecessary nervousness is avoided.






To read “PREPARATION FOR HCL DRIVE” click here
To read “EXPERIENCE OF THE ROUNDS COMMENCED IN THE HCL DRIVE” click here
To read “SOME SUGGESTIONS REGARDING THE PLACEMENTS” click here