Placement Feedback

Name: Jitagna Mehta

Roll no. ME06B057
Course: Dual Degree
Cgpa: 8.12
Minor: Management
Name of the company in which you were placed:ITC
Was there a test? What was the test duration, pattern etc ? What were the
kind of questions asked?
"No test.
Was there a GD? What was the topic, duration, group strength etc ? Did you
feel that there was any particular skill which the panelists were looking for?.
"ITC GDs are always of the same genre. There would be a case study- a situation with
some constraint. Fictional situation of crisis.
My GD topic- you are a survivor of a plane crash between Kolkata and some nearby
place. You have a set of things. Arrange them in order of importance.
Duration- 25 mins
Group strength- 10
What is expected Logical thinking, problem solving approach, team work,
convincing skills and articulation. "
How many rounds of interviews were there? What were the kind of questions
asked (HR/Tech) ? Was there any particular area on which you were grilled?
List out the questions asked
"2 rounds for most people, 1 for those who performed outstandingly in GD.
ITC
claimed that both of them had both tech and HR experts.
My 1st

round: They asked me about almost everything on my resume- academics,

interns (in good detail- I explained each for 5 mins), PoR. Then about my
background.
Then my favourite subject and asked some basic questions on R&AC.
Duration: 45
mins.
2nd
round: I was expecting it to be full HR, but they started with some basic
Thermodynamics questions. The HR lady then asked me further about my
background, my inclination towards entrepreneurship and why I am not going
into
start-ups. She said they were looking for people with entrepreneurial skills. I
defended it with my PoRs. In the end they offered me a coffee and asked me
if I
would like to ask them anything. I said no thanks and quietly moved out .
Duration:
30 mins."
What were the criteria for getting shortlisted at each stage?
Not answered
Can you elaborate on some of the questions/case study topics asked in each
stage?
"2 rounds for most people, 1 for those who performed outstandingly in GD.
ITC
claimed that both of them had both tech and HR experts.
My 1
st
round: They asked me about almost everything on my resume- academics,
interns (in good detail- I explained each for 5 mins), PoR. Then about my
background.

Then my favourite subject and asked some basic questions on R&AC.

Duration: 45
mins.
2
nd
round: I was expecting it to be full HR, but they started with some basic
Thermodynamics questions. The HR lady then asked me further about my
background, my inclination towards entrepreneurship and why I am not going
into
start-ups. She said they were looking for people with entrepreneurial skills. I
defended it with my PoRs. In the end they offered me a coffee and asked me
if I
would like to ask them anything. I said no thanks and quietly moved out .
Duration:
30 mins."
Were there any specific courses or BTP/DDP or department projects which
you were grilled on?
"No courses in particular. But you should have 3-4 strong courses in which
you would like to be
grilled. And courses related to your interns, BTP/DDP. "
Why do you think you were selected?
Not answered
When did you start your preparation? When do you think is the ideal time to
start?
"Started at a very slow pace (15-30 mins a day) in August. Around a month
on the resume
preparation. One more month on preparing around 7 core subjects. And the
rest in HR
questions and company-specific preparation (involves reading up online,
reading alumni

feedback, calling up seniors in the companies). Some scattered time in

reading up general tips
on GDs, interviews etc. Practiced some 5-6 GDs with my friends in November.
I dont think I started late, but those who want to give GRE and/or CAT (and
are serious about
placements) should definitely start working on resume in summer. "
How did you go about your preparation?
Not answered
Is there any particular aspect of preparation which you feel is very important?
"(I did all of the following and I feel it is very important)
1. One needs to practice speaking formally- without insti lingos, without
repeated
occurrences of words like as in, essentially, the thing is etc. It sounds very
amateur. Try to be calm and comfortable in the GDs, interviews. BE yourself.
Sound
genuine. No pretence or hi-fi personality is required.
2. Realise that the person opposite to you is also human and he has come
here to
take you and not to kick you out. His/her mindset would always be positive
unless
and until you screw up. (Courtesy: Karthik Normal)
3. Also, do the basics right- be fresh, be on time, dress up well, boys- shave;
follow the
basic manners and etiquettes, know a good deal about the company.
4. HR questions should be prepared very seriously. Apart from the company
interview, they can give you a strong direction in life. Convince yourself first
why
you want to join a company and how the profile matches. Think of incidents
in your

life to support your various claims throughout your pitch. Many say the
question
Tell me about yourself (or any other question for that matter) can drive
your
interview- you can drive your interview with these (logically thinking also it
makes
sense). I didnt feel it, but if its true, they are the crucial questions!
5. Be choosy in applying for companies. Think. Read up. Be realistic. Dont
apply for all
the companies. And thoroughly prepare for the ones you chose. Success will
be
yours
All the best!!"
Do you have any cribs or suggestions wrt the placement team or preparation
in general?
"Having been in placement team I can only think of flaws on the general
student body side.
Hence no suggestions for placement team. Hope they do well and everyone
is satisfied with
their performance. All the best to them too"
Please provide your contact details if you are willing to answer queries
regarding placements next year:
jitagna@gmail.com
Promised salary
Why do you think you were selected?
I think they saw a strong technical base with decent managerial skills in me,
which is exactly what they look for. Also they check for your inclination
towards higher studies, start-up etc.
What do you think they expected out of the candidates?

"1) Application: CG > 8, if not, very strong PoRs or very well written answers
to their HR
questions in their form.
2) GD: Logical thinking, problem solving approach, team work, convincing
skills,
communication skills and articulation (mostly in that order).
3) Interview: Confidence, decent tech fundae with practical insight, your
goals should be
clear and should be in line with their requirements. "