How To Prepare For Placements

How to Prepare for Placements?

Campus placement or recruitment is a program conducted within a university or other educational institution to provide jobs to students who are about to graduate. In this program, colleges partner with corporations that want to hire students.

There are two types of corporations that hire freshers. These are:-

  • Service-Based Companies – TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, etc.
  • Product Based Companies – Goldman Sachs, Adobe, Microsoft, etc.
How to prepare for campus placements

A Complete Guide for How to prepare for Placements?

We have provided a detailed guide that includes study materials to prepare for placements. This will cover each and every step in placement rounds, including resume preparation, online tests, interviews, and more to start placement preparation for engineering.

Placement Rounds

This includes:-

  1. Resume Shortlisting

       2. Online Test

3. Group Discussion

4. Interview Round

5. HR Interview

6. Techno-Managerial Interview(This round depends on company to company)

Additional Skills to develop

Additional skills that you should learn to ace your placements:-

How do I Prepare for Placements?

The placement processes for product-based and service-based companies vary slightly. The flowcharts given below explain the recruitment process of these companies. But before going through the flow chart, look at the points below to understand better.

  • To prepare for placements, start by learning the basics of your core subjects and programming languages.
  • Practice aptitude questions like reasoning, math, and English.
  • Solve previous year placement papers and mock tests to understand the exam pattern.
  • Work on your communication skills for interviews and group discussions.
  • Build a strong resume and prepare answers for common HR and technical questions.
  • Stay confident and keep practicing regularly.

Placement Process for Service Based Companies

  • Most service-based companies begin with an online aptitude test that includes maths, logical reasoning, English, and sometimes basic coding questions.
  • Candidates who clear the test are called for a technical interview where questions are asked on programming, academic subjects, and projects.
  • After the technical round, an HR interview is conducted to check communication skills, personality, and overall fit for the company.
  • Some companies also conduct a group discussion to see how well you speak and work with others in a team.
  • Academic performance (like having 60% or more throughout) and a well-prepared resume play an important role in getting shortlisted.
How to Prepare for Placements in Service Based Companies

Placement Process for Product Based Companies

  • Product-based companies usually start with a tough online test that includes coding questions, data structures, algorithms, and aptitude.
  • Candidates who clear the test face one or more technical interviews focusing deeply on problem-solving, coding, and system design (for experienced roles).
  • Some companies also take a machine coding or take-home assignment to test your practical coding skills.
  • After technical rounds, an HR or managerial interview is conducted to check communication, teamwork, and cultural fit.
  • Having strong knowledge in DSA, good projects, and a well-written resume increases your chances of selection.
How to Prepare for Placements in Product Based Companies

Roadmaps To Get Placed

The Placement Preparation Roadmap helps you plan step-by-step for getting a good job. It includes learning technical skills, practicing aptitude, improving communication, and preparing for interviews. By following this roadmap, you can stay focused and be fully prepared for placement season.

We have created roadmaps that you can follow when preparing for placement exams. Go through each of them and pick the one which suits your needs the best.

Step By Step Tips To Prepare For Campus Placements

  • Practice quants questions on a constant basis.
  • Solve previous year exam questions and mock sample questions as final revision.
  • Read interview experiences of previous year candidates to get a better idea of hiring.
  • If possible, talk to employees working in the same company.
  • Practice Mock Interviews, to identify area of weaknesses.
  • Improve communication skills.

Roadmap to Prepare for Placements (General)

The Placement Preparation Roadmap is a clear path that shows what to study and practice to get ready for job placements.

  • It helps you focus on the right topics like reasoning, technical skills, and interviews.
  • This roadmap makes your preparation easy to follow and helps you feel more confident during placement time.
how to prepare for aptitude in placements
how to prepare for engineering placements'

Roadmap to Prepare for Placements (Non-CS/IT)

The Placement Preparation Roadmap for non-CS/IT students is designed to help you get ready for jobs even if you’re not from a technical background.

  • It includes improving your aptitude, basic computer knowledge, communication skills, and understanding the job role.
  • This roadmap guides you step-by-step to build the right skills and enhance your chances of getting placed.
aptitude topics for placement pdf
how to start placement preparations

Roadmap to Prepare for Placements (10+ LPA Packages)

The Placement Preparation Roadmap for 10+ LPA packages focuses on building strong coding, problem-solving, and DSA (Data Structures and Algorithms) skills.

  • It also includes practicing advanced aptitude, system design basics, and mock interviews.
  • This roadmap helps you stay focused and prepare for top product-based companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft.
importance of aptitude in competitive exams
placement preparations for freshers

How to prepare for placements for freshers?(Placement Rounds)

Following rounds are conducted in the placement . You will also find relevant links to help prepare.

1. RESUME SHORTLISTING

A resume is the first step when applying for a drive. On our Interview Preparation Dashboard, we have included a step-by-step guide on how to make the perfect resume.

Check some relevant links:-

Please Note – Most Service-Based Companies do not conduct resume-based shortlisting. However for Product-Based Companies, the first step is resume shortlisting and almost 50 percent candidates are rejected in this round.

2. ONLINE ASSESSMENT

An Online Assessment is conducted by all the companies to test a candidate. It is the first step of the recruitment process. It is conducted on platforms like AMCAT, CoCubes, Mettl, etc.

There are two parts in online assessment:-

  • Aptitude Test
  • Coding

Subjects Important for Placements in Service/ Product Based Companies

how_to_prepare_for_campus_placements

2.1 Aptitude Test

The includes Quants, Verbal and Logical sections. It is the first online assessment round. This is perhaps the most important part, as failing to clear apti tests leads to direct expulsion. This is also the part where students struggle as they neglect it during preparation. Therefore, we highly recommend you to prepare for Apti.

Find some of the important links below:-

2.2 Coding

The coding test contains two parts:-

  • Programming MCQs
    • This includes Multiple Choice Questions based on programming concepts and theoretical knowledge.
  • Hands-on Coding
    • This includes developing programs for the given problem statements.

Below we have provided a priority order, in which you should prepare for placements.

1. C/C++

C/C++ should be your top priority. Most companies have a programming round with MCQ questions. These questions are based on C and C++. These languages have concepts that are not present in other programming languages like pointers, operator overloading, etc.

Important Link for C:-

2. Basic and Intermediate Coding

On PrepInsta, we have divided the process of learning coding into three parts:-

  • Basic
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced

For most companies, preparing up to Intermediate coding should be enough. But if you have time, then definitely practice advanced coding. You can practice the most important codes that can be asked in placement round on our Top 100 codes page.

Find it below:-

3. Python and JAVA

Once you have got C and C++ down, start learning either JAVA or Python. There is no set priority as to which language you should learn first. It depends on your preference and area of interest. For instance, Python is preferred for Data Science, AI/ML, etc. While JAVA is good for frontend and backend roles.

Find important JAVA and Python links below:-

3. Group Discussion

GD round tests a candidate’s communication skills and ability to deliver a presentation. It is a tough round, and in most campus drives, the majority of the candidates are eliminated from this round only.

Check our Group Discussion Dashboard to know more about this round.

4. Technical Interview

Technical Interviews are the most important interviews of the recruitment process. In this round, a candidate’s technical and coding skills are tested. For the Technical Round, questions are asked from C, C++, hands-on coding, projects, certifications, and more. On our Technical Interview Dashboard, we have five hundred plus Technical Interview Questions for you to prepare from.

Find the important links below:-

5. Techno-Managerial Interview

Managerial Interview rounds consists of situational based questions. Here the interviewer gives the candidate, specific scenarios and they have to describe how they would act. STAR approach is preferred for this round. On our MR Interview Dashboard you will find the most important MR Questions asked during an MR Interview.

Important Links for Techno-Managerial Round:-

To Note:- The interviewer also focuses on Projects in the managerial round. For Product-Based companies, technical skills are also checked in this round.

6. HR Interview

HR Interview is the concluding round of the recruitment process. It is a tough round that tests whether or not the candidate is fit for the company. On PrepInsta, you will find the most important HR Interview Questions and a complete guide on how to answer them.

Find the links below:-

Additional Skills:-

Listed below are additional skills that you need to develop in order to prepare for placement rounds.

1. Data Structure Algorithms

Lately, DSA is becoming more and more important for placement rounds. IT companies are starting to keep the knowledge of DSA as an eligibility criteria. We would suggest you to give DSA 15 to 30 days for preparation. On our website, you will find all the links to learn DSA and ace your preparations.

2. Competitive Coding

Competitive Coding is advanced-level programming. You should start preparing for competitive coding towards the end.

3. Interview Puzzles

Apart from Technical Skills, interviewers will also ask puzzles and logical reasoning questions. These questions check the IQ of the candidates and test their problem-solving skills. On PrepInsta, you will find the most common interview puzzles along with their solutions.

4. Digital Skills

Nowadays, companies expect candidates to have knowledge of popular skills like Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. On PrepInsta Prime, you will find courses to learn these digital skills.

  • Machine Learning
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cyber Security
  • Ethical Hacking
  • NLP and Deep Learning

To Note:- We will advise not to pick web development as an additional digital skill. This is because it will take you at least six months to completely learn it. It is not feasible to spend such a long time on one skill, unless you are starting your preparation from third or fourth semester. 

5. Most Asked Questions on Technical Skills

Apart from Coding skills, IT companies expect Technical Knowledge as well. These include knowledge of Database Management, SQL, Operating Systems, and more. On our Technical Interview Dashboard, you will find important questions asked from these topics.

For general multinational companies (service-based and product-based) who hire freshers from campuses, the above materials are sufficient to prepare. You can do your revision by targeting specific companies.

Revision

On PrepInsta, you will find company wise dashboards. Here we have provided all the materials including online assessment preparation and interview preparation materials. 

How to Prepare for Placements?

Learn how to create a strong resume using our step-by-step – Click here

Find answers to all your interview placement questions from our dashboard – Click here

Improve your speaking and thinking skills with mock practice available – Click here

Practice mock interviews with tips on the dashboard – Click here

Prepare your core technical skills with structured learning paths – Click here

Improve your verbal skills easily by learning from our all-in-one – Click here

Prepare for aptitude questions with quizzes in the dashboard – Click here

Build your coding habit with daily challenges – Click Here

Prepare for your interview company-wise – Click here

FAQs on "How to Prepare for Campus Placements"

Question: What should I prepare for campus placements?

Answer:- 

For most campus placement exams in engineering you need to prepare Quants, Logical Reasoning, Verbal and Programming (Hands on coding and MCQs).

Question: Is Campus Placement easy?

Answer:-

Campus Placements are easy if you start your preparations in advance. That includes preparing for the placement exams and interviews. Also, working on your resume, by adding projects and certifications.

Question: What is the first step in campus placements?

Answer:-

The first step in campus placements is the online assessment. This usually consists of an MCQ type exam covering Quants & Apti and coding.

Question: How do I prepare for a placement test?

Answer:-

To prepare for a placement test, start by reviewing the main topics you’ve already learned in school. Practice sample questions or old tests to get used to the format. Focus more on your weak areas and revise them well. Also, get enough rest before the test so you can stay focused.