MUST-KNOWS FOR CAMPUS PLACEMENT INTERVIEWS

Campus placement interviews are the key to getting your career started on the right foot. The secret lies in giving out the right vibes and saying the right things at the right time.

1.Display a learner's attitude: The 'I know it all' attitude is not going to impress any employer. Considering campus interviewees are freshers, employers will be more impressed by hearing something like, "I know the basics and I am willing to learn the rest". Show that you will mould yourself to their company and not vice versa.

2.Don't be full of yourself: Arrogance and narcissism have no place in a campus placement interview. Do not brag about your qualities but rather subtly display them before the placement jury in the way you respond to their queries.

3.Do your homework: Knowing about the company's history and key achievements shows your interviewer just how much effort you are willing to put in. Read up about your prospective employer/s on their website and keep yourself updated on any new developments there.

4.Be articulate and confident: Speaking too much won't make a good impression, but neither will not speaking enough. The trick lies in answering the questions articulately, clearly, providing only as much information as needed, with oodles of confidence.

5.Dress appropriately: Whimsical fashion statements have no place at a corporate interview while you may be more creative in your attire (though still on the conservative side) if applying for a job in a creative field. Girls must absolutely stay away from skimpy clothes. Keep the overall look elegant and dripping of professionalism.

BEAT PROCRASTINATION!

Never do today what you can put off for tomorrow. Better yet, never put off till tomorrow what you can avoid altogether! This is exactly how procrastinators think. They put off work until the deadline creeps up on them and panic strikes. And with panic comes depression. Then they start avoiding reality. So the best bet is to tackle procrastination at the earliest. Here is how:

1.Break large projects into smaller tasks: If you've ever been shopping in a large mall with stores far apart from each other, you'll find you've walked quite a long distance in totality although you didn't realise it at the time. When you keep stopping at stores, your long walk is broken up into chunks and doesn't seem that much. This psychological trick can help us beat procrastination. Break large projects up into smaller tasks. For example, doing your science project can be broken up into: decide on a topic, pick up the necessary equipment, organize your thoughts, start execution, provide finishing touches. It won't seem nearly so burdensome if you take it one step at a time.

2.Get organized: Make lists, put reminders and get yourself an organizer. Do whatever works for you. But just keep it simple or you will even avoid following the planned plot.

3.Get your priorities clear: You can prioritise by deadline or by importance. For example, doing your English homework due for submission the next day is more important than practicing your guitar!

4.Slot reward time: As you go through your chores, other interesting activities may entice you. You will be able to concentrate again only if you know that you will be indulging in them soon. Promise yourself that you will accomplish your goals today because tomorrow you can reward yourself by reading that novel and watching Jodha Akbar too!

5.Use a calendar: Get a calendar and write tasks that need to be accomplished on specific dates along with their deadlines for completion. Stick to these deadlines.

The idea is to get all you want done well in time. In a bid to achieve this, if you have to change your expectations a little, so be it. But don't procrastinate.