Sakshi Education
Dr.Santanu Paul
CEO
Talent Sprint Q. What do the companies look for in the candidates while recruiting?
A. Most of the students are coming out only with bookish knowledge but not with the basic knowledge of skills required to work in industrial sectors. The first thing the companies look for in the candidate is technical skills. For example, if you want to get into software field, companies expect the candidates to possess good knowledge in programming languages like Java, Dot net, embedded systems etc. And to get a testing job you require the knowledge of testing tools. But, in case of campus selections companies look for only the basic knowledge of C, C++ etc The companies also look for soft skills like good presentation skills, good understanding skills, and also confidence in speaking English. A candidate must be bold enough to express and share his views with co-workers.
Companies also look for teamwork skills which are very essential in the corporate sector and this is where the students are generally lacking. As colleges generally don't provide an opportunity to work in team, I suggest that the students to take an initiative to work in a team during their college days itself by sharing their assignments, projects etc.
Q. Why do companies conduct aptitude tests?
A. The problem in India is that the supply is unlimited. Suppose 100 jobs are offered by a company, there will be thousands who apply. And, directly taking the interviews of the candidates consumes huge time. So, aptitude tests are conducted to filter. And this filter also assesses certain skills like Basic English knowledge, Quantitative skills, Logical reasoning etc.
Q. How to get a job in this present competitive world?
A. According to me there are only two good models. One way is of course to come out of college with a campus job through "on-campus" placements. This is actually a very good model. But, only 20 per cent of the graduates are able to get this advantage and remaining 80 per cent come out of the colleges without finding a suitable job. For them, I think there is no other choice but to join some certification Programs. This is one of the best ways which will provide right skills within a very short time. If the candidate selects this model, he/she must definitely ensure to join the right institutes which will give them good industrial knowledge, good soft skills, bagged up by placements and taught by people who have industrial experience. Students should definitely try for a campus job. If they are not able to succeed in this model, it is then that they should go for off campus model.
Q. What's your opinion on the education system in India especially engineering education. Is there any need to improve the Quality of Education?
A. As a result of the present education system the students are lacking a lot in the practical exposure. The industries and colleges are not linked up. So, the students are able to gain knowledge only in the theoretical concepts but not practical. In order to solve this problem partially, industrial tours must be encouraged. And students must be encouraged to take up some real time mini projects.
Q. On what aspects, do companies give importance - aptitude, attitude or communication skills?
A. All three. There is no other choice. Students need to develop all the three to get a job. And one more thing is that now- a days preference is being given to candidates who have real time experience.
A couple of years ago, people used to have an idea that if at all I have a bachelor's degree, then companies will hire me. Now, the companies are looking for certain technical skills to hire you. Say unless you attain certain amount of skills, they will not hire you. This is because companies need to invest a lot in training the graduates.
So, students should work very hard in the college; develop technical as well as soft skills.
Q. Is communication skills important to work in the corporate sectors?
A. Yes, it is. Will you go to a doctor who can’t communicate? Or will you go to a lawyer who cannot communicate in front of the judge? Obviously No! You cannot actually function well without good communication skills. In a lot of IT companies you need to work with people from all parts of India, You have to work with managers who are from different parts of India, and especially you have to work with customers who are from different parts of the world. You also have to travel to do certain kind of projects. Industry is about impressing people. It's a people industry. So, it's very important to share your ideas, work with your customers, colleagues, managers etc. So, Engineering graduates have to definitely learn to communicate in English. Even though you have talent you will not be recognized unless you.
Q. How to improve communications skills?
A. I think this is a big challenge because nowadays people are not reading a lot. Reading habits are one of the best ways to improve communication skills. And the other way is to watch good English movies which have good dialogues, good scripts. Especially English movies which came out in the period of 1970's are very good. Candidates should try to catch up the words and understand the language and then try to communicate. Many students feel that they don't have good command on grammar and so they never dare to speak with a fear that they may make mistakes while communicating. Though you don't know grammar, you can communicate in an understandable manner. So, students should take an initiative to communicate irrespective of what they speak is right or wrong.
Published date : 13 Sep 2010 04:01PM
