JK Paper Graduate Engineer Trainee (Get) Interview Questions, Process, and Tips

Round: Test
Experience: The first round was a pen and paper-based test. There were no specific problems that bothered me in the written test. I found the questions to be fairly decent and somewhat challenging. The questions in the 'quantitative ability' section were a bit on the tougher side, while the 'logical reasoning' and 'verbal ability' questions were quite easy. However, some questions were phrased slightly ambiguously and led to some confusion during the test.
Tips: For getting through the written aptitude tests, be sure to practice a lot of questions of different kinds and within a certain time limit. The earlier you start, the better it is. Calculation speeds matter a lot in this regard. Personally, I had just solved 15-20 questions in total, each question of a different kind, before the written test. You need to assess your specific strengths and strike the right balance between speed and accuracy.
Duration: 60 minutes
Total Questions: 45

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: I didn't resort to any elaborate preparation to get through the GD round. To start off, I was a bit nervous about this particular round. So, I focused on speaking at least twice during the GD round and concentrated on accumulating the views of other people and then putting forth my opinion. I avoided getting into a direct conflict with any of my group members and tried putting my point across while maintaining the harmony of the group. In the end, a majority of my group got selected for the subsequent rounds.
Tips: For the GD rounds, try to be in touch with day-to-day matters and have a basic idea about how different topics are shaping up all around the world. Focus on making valid and reasonable points in the GD and don't just blabber for the sake of speaking. Try to be a part of the group and the solution making process. The groups that have better understanding and consistency in the GD rounds are more likely to experience less eliminations.
Duration: 20 minutes

Round: HR Interview
Experience: The third and fourth rounds were personal interviews (PI) and both were elimination rounds. These rounds consisted of both technical and HR questions. For the HR questions, I ploughed ITC's official website and gathered information related to the work that they do and determined how my interests and abilities best suited their purpose. I focused on giving clear answers and avoided inconsistencies and confusions. The HR questions were quite straightforward and the interviewers were very friendly. I was asked about my hobbies and the co-curricular and extra-curricular activities that I was involved in. They also sought to know if I had been involved in any leadership positions before and how I had managed my team. Lastly, they wanted to know my motivation behind applying for the company and asked me what role I wanted to take up if I was selected for the job.
Tips: For the HR interview, try to have a clear idea as to why you are applying for the given company and avoid inconsistencies in your statements. Make a rough sketch about the person you are, including your strengths and weaknesses and be presentable. In fewer words, stay simple and know yourself.

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: The third and fourth rounds were personal interviews (PI) and both were elimination rounds. These rounds consisted of both technical and HR questions. For countering the technical questions, I went through the major subjects and focused on the concepts that were most likely to be asked in an interview. I had done two summer research internships in my second year and third year (one in IIT Kharagpur and another in IIT-BHU). So, I went through the details of the work that I had done during those two internships and prepared myself for possible questions in that regard. I did a similar kind of preparation regarding the projects that I had been a part of within the institute. I was asked very detailed questions related to my internships and my other project works. They wanted to determine whether I was aware of the practical applications and the minute details of the projects that I had worked on. Apart from that, I was asked numerous technical questions related to 'Mass Transfer', 'Heat Transfer', 'Thermodynamics', 'Nanotechnology', etc. Overall, the technical interviews were quite extensive and rigorous.
Tips: Emphasize on conceptual clarity and applications rather than memorizing definitions or formulae. Go through the topics you have worked on during your internships and institute-level projects and have a thorough idea about the theory behind them and their importance and applicability on an industrial scale. Also, try to identify the core subjects that you are strong in and prepare accordingly, because they may ask you to select a subject of your choice and you would be asked the majority of questions from that part.

Round: Behavioural Interview
Experience: This was the fifth and the final round of the overall process and consisted of a 'Skype' interview with two Chief Technical Officers (CTOs) of ITC-PCPB. This was a 15-20 minutes long affair and was basically a 'fit interview'. However, this also turned out to be an elimination round and only two out of four candidates were eventually selected. I was asked a variety of questions related to my daily life and the points that I had mentioned in my CV. I was also asked what my expectations were if I was selected for the job and where I see myself 4-5 years down the line after I join the company. Their reactions didn't seem very assuring or pleasing and I was quite apprehensive; however, things eventually went my way!
Tips: Be confident and know how to defend yourself without being aggressive or rude. You will be put under stress during the interview and the interviewers would try to get under your skin and seem to disagree with you on many points. Therefore, try to stay calm and stick to your point regardless of their disagreements. However, take care not to be rude or go overboard with your body language. Basically, your stress-handling capacity and your response under such situations are evaluated.

General Tips: Assess yourself and determine which sector your abilities are best suited for and what kind of a job you would be interested in and satisfied with. Thereafter, try to gather as much information as possible about the sector that you would be opting for, including the job profiles and growth opportunities that are available. On the day of company visit, dress up crisply and look smart. Also, try to maintain a smiling face throughout and look energetic; no interviewer wants to see drooping shoulders and slacking expressions.
Skill Tips: Think clearly and present your views confidently and efficiently. Improve your communication skills and your technical knowledge, because the latter matters a lot. Lastly, try to convince the interviewers about your leadership skills and your ability to manage a team, while being under stress. In a nutshell, have a very clear idea about what you are getting into and try to show your best side and highlight your strengths.
Skills: Behavioural Skills, Clarity Of Concepts, Ability To Work In A Team, Leadership Skills, Knowledge Of Projects Undertaken, Internship Experience, Knowledge Gained Through Recent Research Project, Ability To Cope Up With Stress, Technical Understanding, Clarity In Arguments, Verbal Communication Skills, Group Discussion Skills, Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude
College Name: NIT Rourkela
Motivation: ITC is a pretty well-known brand and has been in existence for over a century now. Moreover, it's a core company and fits well with my interests. I am interested in doing research in an industrial environment and I am hopeful of getting a chance to work in the R&D division of the company in the future. To top it off, the compensation is pretty good too! Hence, ITC seemed to be the perfect option for me.

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - Prepare, Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - Have full grip on core subjects and answer them like you are discussing with them not like oozing out the answer

Round: Resume Shortlist
Experience: Since I got a Pre placement offer through Internship so my experiences will be in accordance to Internship
procedure. Placement procedure is almost the same. They look for decent
pointers. In addition to this they would consider if you have some good
technical background. They look for committed people who have an experience of
working in teams.For this they float a from of their own which has some questions answers of which more of less lies in the resume. There are some HR questions too like Long term goal , Short term goal, SOP, mind over matter (the most catchy one). If you get selected for interview round your interview will be around this form .

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: It was my first GD. There were around 120 people selected for the GD. We were
divided in the groups of 10. As expected my group was very tough as there were
better speakers. We were given a paper containing the situation and options. We
were given a total of 20 minutes which included the time for reading and
understanding the situation. Someone started speaking after around 5-6 minutes
followed by an another guy. Next , I had to dive in as if I would have delayed
I would have ran out of ideas which would have been taken by the others. I
started confidently and as time passed by I was successfully able to convince
the people towards my option or I must say there were no arguments towards my
option. Out of expectation, I cleared this round. Next round was the interview round.
Tips: - GD is all about convincing the junta towards your option.- Never speak when some one else is speaking.- Don't be negative , always give positive statements- Never take name of any person sitting in the room in the GD even if you know him/her- Never point fingers- Sometime GD can become a fish market. Stay out of it and wait
for the right time to speak.

- Don't shout

- Don't be an orator if you are not a good speaker

- Read the paper carefully and jot down the pros and cons of
every option so that you have many points to speak to

- It does not really matter how much did you speak but what you
speak matters, don't panic if you have spoken less during GD. Sometimes giving
1-2 logical statements gets you through.
Duration: 20 minutes

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: Around 35 people were selected for this round. We were told there will be 2 rounds of interviews. I got a call for my Technical interview soon. It was a large room with only 3 of us - myself and the 2 interviewers. They started by greeting themselves and asked me to tell something about me. I started confidently and told them about myself, my birth place, interests, college life, IIT B Racing etc. Then the interview shifted to specific questions. I covered every important point in the resume and explained it in a line or two as the questions went. They seemed impressed as I had Cummins on my resume as I was the only one in my batch who did intern over there. Also, having IIT B Racing played a major role in getting me through. They asked some questions around that and I was able to answer them successfully. I could not answer initial questions completely but was confident in whatever I said. This confidence helped me to answer later questions in a better way and they were quite impressed. Frankly , I did not have any hopes till now that I will get into ITC, so I felt stress free during the interview though it was my first interview. After answering every answer confidently they asked me some questions regarding my hobbies - Cricket mostly. Since I have been a die hard fan of cricket and love to play it, my energy level went to a higher level during this discussion. Finally , they asked do you have any questions for us ? I asked what will be my work profile if I get in. They explained me the profile and I liked it. I requested them to work on some project which will create impact on the company rather than doing some research or paper reading work. They smiled and assured me of that. So, finally this interview ended after around 25 -30 minutes. I was expecting the call for second interview. (People who cleared 1st round only got a chance for second HR interview) but not that soon. It was hardly a minute after my interview got over , a person from behind calls out my name and says "You have a second interview in a minute. Are you Ready for it ?" . I was happy but exhausted. I had no other option and said politely "Yes"
Tips: - Be confident
- Don't give arbit answers if you don't know. They are very knowledgeable people and will easily catch you if you are giving vague answers.
- Don't panic if you are unable to answer some questions. Its perfectly fine . Just say politely you don't know/remember.
- Maintain a positive body language
- Show them that you are willing to work for them for a long period of time. Don't give the slightest intention of leaving the company for any reason.
- You should be able to justify every point in your resume or whatever you write.
- Revise the form before interview , the one ITC asked you to fill in the initial process of selection
- Wear good formals. During my time some people gave interview in Jeans. This does not give a professional look. Also carry a pen.

College Name: IIT BOMBAY

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: ITC usually does case GDs. The cases are fun and pretty interesting. You would be in a group of 8-10 people and you would be given a case on which your group has to come to a conclusion in 30 mins. In our case the GD centred around a village. Where the village was facing a lot many challenges with industries shutting down, people deserting the village etc. And most of them had the root cause to the lack of power. And so the group had to come to a conclusion as to which source of energy would be the best feasible for the village based on certain things that were mentioned there in the case,
Tips: GD there are three tips: - Either start the discussion if you know the topic well. - Or play the role of a moderator and quip in with some important points- Or succinctly summarise all the points everyone mentioned and conclude them in a beautiful way explaining the direction in which the group inclines if you do not have much information on the topic. It is pretty important that the group reaches to a consensus.
Duration: 30 minutes

Round: Interview
Experience: ITC conducts interviews way early on Dec 1. Typically around 6:30 am the interviews start. So I was pretty exhausted by being on a stretch of 3 night outs with MTP report submission, MTP presentation, and then all tests and GDs for companies. On Nov 30th as well the interviews and Gds started and it was going on till Dec 1 5 am for me. Then ITC interview was at 7 am in the morning. Interviewers were 5-7 years experienced people. Questions were related to my internship and some core courses. I answered internship related questions well. Screwed up once on a technical question. Usually they would start with one concept and then grill you in depth to understand your expertise in that.
Tips: - Brush up your core concepts- You should be thorough with your internship stuff

Round: Interview
Experience: The HR interviewers were 25 years experienced. Pretty chill people. Asked me questions around why ITC and why not a startup ? etc.Pretty usual set of questions.
Tips: Be calm. Read 64 interview questions pdf. Usually available on institute LAN

College Name: IIT Kharagpur

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: 1.Case study is based on multiple problem- multiple solution. First decide what will be order of problems to be solved based on there severity since solving one problem might counter affect other problem increasing other problem.  And than give there corresponding solutions. Try to convince whole group about the order of problems. 
2. survival problem based case study is also asked. Try to remember that order of importance of things is based on Water-food-shelter-safety-signal device-any thing promoting movement of survivals (last).
Tips: 1. Try to give logical reasons behind any conclusion. 
2. Try to take group together.
Duration: 25 minutes

Skill Tips: " If from electrical branch make machine a strong point."
Skills: Technical Knowledge
College Name: IIT Roorkee
Motivation: It provides non coding work. it gives you a techno managerial work.