Campus Placement Preparation: 3 Month Strategy

1. Placement Process Overview

Most campus placements follow a multi-stage selection process. Understanding each stage helps you prepare systematically.

Typical Placement Stages

1. Resume Shortlisting: Companies filter candidates based on CGPA, backlogs, and resume quality
2. Aptitude/Online Test: Tests quantitative, logical, verbal abilities (sometimes coding)
3. Coding Round: 2-3 DSA problems to be solved in 60-90 minutes
4. Technical Interview (1-3 rounds): DSA, projects, CS fundamentals
5. Group Discussion: Assess communication, leadership, team skills
6. HR Interview: Cultural fit, behavioral questions, salary negotiation

Company Categories

2. 3-Month Preparation Timeline

Daily Schedule During Placement Prep

• Morning (2 hrs): DSA practice - solve 2-3 problems
• Afternoon (1 hr): Aptitude practice
• Evening (2 hrs): CS fundamentals / Projects
• Night (1 hr): Mock interview prep / GD topics

3. Aptitude Preparation

Aptitude tests are the first filter—clear this, and you're in the game. Most companies use aptitude to shortlist from hundreds to tens of candidates.

Aptitude Components

Quantitative Aptitude (Most Important)

• Arithmetic: Percentage, Profit/Loss, SI/CI, Ratio, Time-Speed-Distance, Time-Work
• Algebra: Equations, Progressions (AP, GP)
• Geometry: Areas, Volumes, Coordinate Geometry
• Number System: HCF/LCM, Divisibility, Remainders
• Permutation & Combination: Basic counting, Probability

Logical Reasoning

• Blood Relations, Seating Arrangements, Syllogisms
• Series (Number, Letter, Figure)
• Coding-Decoding, Direction Sense
• Puzzles, Statements & Assumptions
• Data Interpretation (Charts, Tables)

Verbal Ability

• Reading Comprehension (RC)
• Grammar (Error Spotting, Sentence Correction)
• Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Analogies)
• Para Jumbles, Cloze Test

Aptitude Preparation Strategy

1. Learn concepts and shortcuts for each topic
2. Practice topic-wise for first few weeks
3. Then practice mixed tests under timed conditions
4. Focus on speed—most tests are time-constrained
5. Identify weak areas and allocate more time

Resources

• Books: RS Aggarwal, Arun Sharma
• Websites: IndiaBIX, PrepInsta, GeeksforGeeks
• Apps: Testbook, AMCAT prep, Unacademy

4. Coding & DSA Preparation

For product companies, coding rounds are the most critical filter. Master DSA patterns and you'll crack most coding interviews.

Essential DSA Topics

DSA Preparation Strategy

1. Understand, don't memorize: Focus on understanding patterns, not solutions
2. Code everything: Don't just read—write and run code
3. Time yourself: Practice solving under time constraints
4. Review solutions: After solving, study optimal approaches
5. Revise regularly: Return to solved problems weekly

Resources

• Platforms: LeetCode (primary), GeeksforGeeks, InterviewBit
• Sheets: Striver's SDE Sheet, NeetCode 150, Love Babbar Sheet
• Courses: Striver A2Z DSA, Abdul Bari (YouTube), Aditya Verma (DP)

During the Coding Round

• Read the problem completely before coding
• Think of edge cases upfront
• Start with brute force, then optimize if time permits
• Write clean, readable code
• Test with sample inputs before submitting
• Don't spend more than 20-25 min on one problem

5. Technical Interviews

Technical interviews assess your problem-solving ability, CS fundamentals, and communication skills. They typically involve 1-3 rounds.

What to Expect

• DSA Problem Solving: Solve 1-2 problems on whiteboard/shared screen
• Project Discussion: Deep dive into your projects, tech choices, challenges
• CS Fundamentals: OS, DBMS, OOPs, CN (varies by company)
• System Design: For experienced roles (basic for freshers)

CS Fundamentals to Cover

Operating Systems

• Process vs Thread, Context Switching
• Process Synchronization (Mutex, Semaphore, Deadlock)
• Memory Management (Paging, Segmentation, Virtual Memory)
• CPU Scheduling Algorithms

Database Management Systems

• ACID Properties, Normalization
• Indexing, Joins, Transactions
• SQL queries (practice writing)
• NoSQL basics (Mongo, Redis use cases)

Object-Oriented Programming

• Four pillars: Encapsulation, Abstraction, Inheritance, Polymorphism
• Design patterns (Singleton, Factory, Observer)
• SOLID principles

Computer Networks

• OSI/TCP-IP model layers
• HTTP/HTTPS, TCP/UDP
• DNS resolution, IP addressing
• Sockets basics

Interview Tips

• Think aloud: Communicate your thought process
• Ask clarifying questions: Don't assume—clarify constraints
• Start simple: Brute force first, then optimize
• Handle hints gracefully: Incorporate feedback smoothly
• Be honest: Don't bluff if you don't know something
• Know your resume: Everything listed should be explainable

6. Group Discussions

Group Discussions test communication, leadership, team skills, and the ability to present ideas coherently under pressure.

GD Format

• 8-12 participants, 15-20 minute discussion
• Topic given, 2-3 minutes thinking time
• No moderator—group self-manages
• Panelists observe and evaluate

Common Topic Categories

• Current Affairs: Technology, economy, politics, social issues
• Abstract: "Is the glass half empty or half full?"
• Case Study: Analyze a business scenario
• Controversial: Topics with no clear right answer

What Evaluators Look For

• Content: Quality of ideas, examples, logic
• Communication: Clarity, fluency, confidence
• Body Language: Eye contact, posture, gestures
• Leadership: Initiative, steering discussion, building on others
• Team Player: Listening, acknowledging others' points

GD Do's

• ✅ Enter early with a strong opening point
• ✅ Support your points with examples and data
• ✅ Build on others' points ("Adding to what Priya said...")
• ✅ Summarize if discussion is scattered
• ✅ Maintain positive body language throughout
• ✅ Listen actively when not speaking

GD Don'ts

• ❌ Don't interrupt or shout over others
• ❌ Don't stay silent for too long
• ❌ Don't get aggressive in disagreements
• ❌ Don't repeat the same point multiple times
• ❌ Don't bring up unrelated tangents

7. HR Interviews

HR rounds assess cultural fit, attitude, communication, and long-term potential. Many candidates fail here after clearing all technical rounds—don't take it lightly.

Common HR Questions & Approaches

"Tell me about yourself"

Structure: Present → Past → Future. Briefly cover current status, relevant background, and future aspirations. Keep it 60-90 seconds.

"Why do you want to join our company?"

Research the company. Mention specific products, culture, values, or recent news. Show genuine interest, not generic answers.

"What are your strengths and weaknesses?"

Strengths: Give examples that demonstrate the strength. Weaknesses: Be honest, but show what you're doing to improve.

"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"

Show ambition but also commitment. Balance growth aspirations with realistic expectations. Avoid saying you want the CEO's job.

Behavioral Questions (STAR Method)

For questions like "Tell me about a time when...", use STAR:

• Situation: Set the context
• Task: What was your responsibility?
• Action: What did you do specifically?
• Result: What was the outcome? Quantify if possible.

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

Always have 2-3 thoughtful questions ready:

• What does a typical day look like for this role?
• How do you measure success for someone in this position?
• What are the growth opportunities within the team?
• Can you tell me about the team I'd be working with?

8. Resume & Profile Building

Your resume is your first impression. It determines whether you get shortlisted and shapes interview conversations.

Resume Structure

1. Header: Name, Email, Phone, LinkedIn, GitHub
2. Education: Degree, College, CGPA, Year
3. Experience: Internships with impact metrics
4. Projects: 2-3 significant projects with tech stack
5. Skills: Languages, frameworks, tools
6. Achievements: Competitions, certifications, publications

Resume Tips

• One page only: Unless you have 5+ years experience
• Quantify impact: "Improved X by 30%" not "Worked on X"
• Use action verbs: Designed, Implemented, Optimized, Led
• Tailor for role: Highlight relevant skills for target companies
• Proofread: No typos or grammatical errors
• ATS-friendly: Simple formatting, standard fonts

Project Presentation

For each project, be prepared to discuss:

• Problem it solves and motivation
• Tech stack and why you chose it
• Your specific contribution (especially for team projects)
• Challenges faced and how you overcame them
• Future improvements you would make

Online Presence

• LinkedIn: Updated, professional photo, connections
• GitHub: Clean repos, good READMEs, regular activity
• Portfolio: Optional but impressive for developers

9. Company-Specific Preparation

Different companies have different interview patterns. Research your target companies thoroughly.

Product Companies (Google, Microsoft, Amazon)

• Heavy DSA focus (LeetCode medium-hard level)
• System Design for experienced roles
• Behavioral questions (especially Amazon—Leadership Principles)
• 2-4 technical interviews + 1 HR

Finance (Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley)

• Quantitative aptitude (tough puzzles)
• DSA (medium level)
• CS fundamentals (OS, DBMS)
• Finance basics (optional but helpful)

Consulting (McKinsey, BCG, Bain)

• Case interviews (practice structured problem solving)
• Behavioral and fit questions
• Group exercises/GDs
• Less technical, more analytical

Service Companies (TCS, Infosys, Wipro)

• Aptitude tests (quant, logical, verbal)
• Basic coding (simpler problems)
• Communication skills important
• HR fit and attitude matter more

Research Resources

• GeeksforGeeks: Company-specific archives
• LeetCode: Company tags for problems
• Glassdoor: Interview experiences
• College seniors: Direct insights

10. Mastering Mock Interviews

Knowledge isn't enough; delivery matters. Mock interviews bridge the gap between knowing the answer and explaining it clearly.

How to Conduct Effective Mocks

• Peer-to-Peer: Find a serious study partner. Alternate roles of interviewer and interviewee. Give honest, brutal feedback.
• Record Yourself: Use your phone or Zoom to record answers. Playback to spot "ums", "ahs", and poor body language.
• Simulate Pressure: Set a strict timer. Have the interviewer look stern or ask follow-up questions aggressively.
• Platform Mocks: Use Pramp or InterviewBit for free peer mocks with strangers to simulate real interview anxiety.

Checklist for Feedback

• Did you clarify the question before solving?
• Did you think out loud?
• Was the code syntax correct on whiteboard/paper?
• Did you handle edge cases?

11. Mental Resilience & Handling Rejection

Placement season is a marathon, not a sprint. Rejection is guaranteed part of the process. How you handle it determines your success.

Coping Strategies

• The "Next One" Mentality: Give yourself 1 hour to grieve a rejection, then focus entirely on the next company.
• Don't Compare: Your friend getting placed Day 1 doesn't mean you are failing. Everyone has a different timeline.
• Health First: Sleep and nutrition directly affect cognitive performance. Pulling all-nighters before interviews usually backfires.

12. Handling Offers & Negotiation

The final stage! Dealing with job offers correctly is as important as getting them.

Evaluating an Offer

• CTC vs In-Hand: Don't just look at the big number. Check the base salary, joining bonus, and stocks (ESOPs/RSUs).
• Role & Growth: A lower salary in a high-growth role (like SDE) is often better than a high salary in a support role.
• Bond/Service Agreement: Read the fine print. Avoid heavy bonds (2+ years) if possible.

Negotiation Tips for Freshers

• Multiple Offers: Use a competing offer as leverage. "I have an offer of X from Company B, can you match it?"
• Be Professional: Never be arrogant. Express gratitude while asking for better terms.
• Standard Slabs: Note that many mass recruiters have standard slabs that cannot be negotiated.

13. Frequently Asked Questions