Your seniors at National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela were your true well-wishers, they shared their placement interview questions for you. 🙏
Round: Test Experience: the more important round after written test, the “psychometric test” that is often called a non-eliminate round, is actually a silent killer I felt. Psychometric test asserts the personality of a student. And in my interview panel one panellist was specially dedicated for this. He would not ask you any question but silently judge you throughout the interview and compare your behavior with your psychometric test results. If they find the test results mismatching with how you portray yourself during the interview they would simply dis-select you. So it is important to appear this seemingly unimportant and boring test very sincerely and honestly Tips: I never felt very confident about the technical questions of the written round. But the assuring fact was no one did. And usually cut off of the technical section comes to a relatively lower mark which is achievable. So I focused more on the quantitative sections which this time bore 2/3rd of the total marks in the written test. Duration: 90 minutes Total Questions: 90
Round: Group Discussion Experience: In a small group I along with 2-3 other friends of mine were practising GD in the hostel. We practised in several unconventional situations by virtually creating them in my room. And those sessions really helped us. In fact another friend who was also a part of our small GD group got placed in Hero MotoCorp. Tips: NA
Round: Technical Interview Experience: My strongest points for the interview were my internship experiences at Maruti Suzuki,Gurgaon and Ingersoll Rand, Ahmedabad in 2nd and 3rd year summers respectively. I had used my training period in the best possible way to understand the technical as well as non-technical aspects of the functioning of their production segment. And to my surprise, the interviewers even went on asking questions like the practicalities of human resource management that I experienced during my training. Apart from that I ensured that I was thorough with at least two of core subjects, a sound knowledge of automobile engineering. For the HR interview I had prepared many typical HR questions with answers much prior to any interview I had faced. Tips: First was Bajaj Auto company who came for placements for which I was not prepared at all. The placement season had just started. When you do not work hard so as to deserve something you want, I believe it takes a toll on your self confidence. So one should better have in mind which companies he/she would want to get placed in and work accordingly well in advance. Second was Mu Sigma, coincidentally on the same day as Bajaj. I was eliminated on the problem solving round. I don’t exactly know the reasons as I have seen people having the same questions and same answers (same rough work as well :-D ) having cleared that round. So I think luck also plays a role and not everything is meant to go your way all the time.
General Tips: One was that I was not particularly unwilling to join a non-core company in the beginning but gradually with my preparations, my orientation changed towards joining an automobile company. Further, having the knowledge that there might be a couple of auto makers in the pipeline this season, also helped me focus on a few specific core subjects of my branch. Preparation needs smart studies. One just can’t go on reading every page of a book. And knowing exactly which areas to emphasize on, for which company, is a real challenge. College Name: NIT ROURKELA Motivation: I am very much satisfied with the company I am placed in. It would be a dream for anyone in my position willing to join core sector, to be a part of the world’s largest two wheeler manufacturing establishment. It is just that I had actually targeted Maruti Suzuki from the beginning of the year and even I was shortlisted after its written round. Their further rounds were yet to commence but in the meantime Hero MotoCorp came for placements and I cleared it.
Round: Test Experience: I never felt very confident about the technical questions of the written round. But the assuring fact was no one did. And usually cut off of the technical section comes to are relatively lower mark which is achievable. So I focused more on the quantitative sections which this time bore 2/3rd of the total marks in the written test. Out of 30 technical questions you should be able to do at least 10. Tips: But one important round after written test, the “psychometric test” that is oftencalled a non-eliminative round, is actually a silent killer I felt. Psychometric test assertsthe personality of a student. And in my interview panel one panellist was speciallydedicated for this. He would not ask you any question but silently judge you throughoutthe interview and compare your behaviour with your psychometric test results. If theyfind the test results mismatching with how you portray yourself during the interview theywould simply dis-select you. So it is important to appear this seemingly unimportant and boring test very sincerely and honestly. Duration: 60+30 minutes Total Questions: 60+30
Round: Group Discussion Experience: Almost all who appeared the written test were short listed for the GD round. Clarity of points, ability to direct the group, and fluency - these wee the key to clear the GD. Out of 10 people, 3 got shortlisted. Tips: In a small group, I along with few other friends of mine, were practicing GD in the hostel. We practiced in several hypothetical situations by virtually creating them in my room, for example speaking against your natural inclination towards speaking in favour of a topic or taking the job of moderating the GD trying to point out the flaws of the rest of the group in the end or making a shy person initiate the GD. And those sessions really helped us. In fact another friend who was also a part of our GD group, got placed in Hero MotoCorp as well. Duration: 10 minutes
Round: Technical Interview Experience: Actually it was more of a combined Technical + HR interview. Interview mostly based on my internship experience. Literally they went on to ask about every tiny detail about my summer training experience at Maruti Suzuki. It included HR questions like how one should handle the workers, work schedule management, following of company ethics, deadline management etc. So take your internship very very seriously from day 1. IC engine is also an essential study for Hero MotoCorp. Since they ask you to bring your CV to the interview, one must spend some good time preparing his/her CV. Tips: Try to relate your co-curricular activities and involvement with the HR questions asked. Be honest, frank and confident. Contact students from other colleges who already got placed in the same company in the recent past and know about their interview experience. That comes handy at times.
General Tips: My strongest points for the interview were my internship experiences at Maruti Suzuki, Gurgaon and Ingersoll Rand, Ahmedabad in 2nd and 3rd year summers respectively. I had used my training period in the best possible way to understand the technical as well as non-technical aspects of the functioning of their production segment. And to my surprise,the interviewers even went on asking questions like the practicalities of human resource management that I experienced during my training. Apart from that I ensured that I was thorough with at least two of core subjects, a sound knowledge of automobile engineering. For the HR interview I had prepared many typical HR questions with answers much prior to any interview I had faced. Skill Tips: Apart from your technical skills and mathematical ability to clear the written round, all the above are also highly essential to clear the further rounds. And yes, your attentiveness in the pre-placement talk is also being taken into account. They ask some general questions in the end of the talk and try to answer one of them. It creates a good impression. Read a lot about the company; its history, its latest models, its inception, technologies it uses, founders etc. Skills: English Fluency, Communication skills, Body Language, Expressiveness, Leadership quality, Psychometric Test College Name: NIT Rourkela Motivation: I would say, “Never do a training just for a certificate.” Take your internships very seriously. Learn as much as possible. What technical project you do during the training is important, of course. But what you learn and gain during that period has got its own significance. Don’t waste any summer. Do not let your CGPA fall below 7.5 under any circumstances. And from behavioral point of view, your body language, speaking ability, expressions are all very important. Prepare for them from now on. If you find excuses, as why a mechanical core company looks for these soft skills, just know that someone who does not will get that job. Make group discussions a habit. Stay updated with the current affairs. Read newspaper every day at least for 10-15 minutes and make notes of them. Make yourself employable from the targeted company’s perspective. Preparation needs smart studies. One just can’t go on reading every page of a book. And knowing exactly which areas to emphasize on, for which company, is a real challenge. And your perseverance will be your source of confidence during the interview. You have to deserve it.