off-campus tech placement tips
I have recently completed my off-campus job search, I noticed that many individuals, especially freshers, were unsure about how to apply for off-campus jobs and lacked guidance on securing interview opportunities and online assessment links. In this article, I’ll share my journey and offer tips that helped me land interviews with major companies like Google, Salesforce, Coinbase, and Cred. I’ll also discuss how I obtained online coding assessment links from companies like Gameskraft and IBM ( I didn’t pursue these opportunities due to already having an offer )
Short Info about me
I graduated in Computer Science and Engineering from NIT Calicut in 2024. Prior to this, I interned at Arcesium (a D.E. Shaw Group ) and Sandvine Technologies.
Throughout this article, I’ll provide straightforward advice and practical tips to assist others who may be navigating the challenges of an off-campus job hunt.
You can also check some of my Interview experiences here.
Google — Google-Interview-experience
Coinbase — Coinbase-Interview-experience
Salesforce — Salesforce-Interview-experience-AMTS
CRED — Cred-Interview-experience
Since beginning my off-campus job applications in July 2023, I initially experienced discouragement due to a lack of Online Assessment invitations and interview calls. Over time, I have identified several key mistakes that hindered my progress:
- Not seeking referrals while applying.
- Applying for job positions that do not match my experience and profile.
- Lack of awareness of job openings.
- Relying on commenting and applying for job postings on LinkedIn without a strategic approach.
- Applying for outdated job postings.
Referrals
Referral is a crucial component of any off-campus job application process. With thousands of candidates applying for the same positions, referrals can significantly enhance the visibility of your application, increasing your chances of being considered for interviews or online assessments.
How to get a referral?
Even without an extensive network of connections, it is possible to obtain referrals for every role you apply for by following these steps:
- Identify Job Postings: When you come across a job posting of interest, visit the LinkedIn page of the company and navigate to the ‘People’ section.
- Send Connection Requests: Send connection requests to employees working at the company. We may not know when the job posting will be closed, so try to take a referral asap. Sending multiple requests increases the likelihood of acceptance within a day. While LinkedIn Premium can be beneficial, it is not essential due to its high cost.
- Craft a Professional Message: Once your connection requests are accepted, send a personalized and professional message to your connection. Your message should concisely introduce yourself, highlight your qualifications, and formally request a referral. Here is a template you can use:
Hey, Hi. My name is XXXX, and I am currently in my final year pursuing a
XXXXX degree in YYYYYY at the XXXX college. I am reaching out to you with
great enthusiasm and interest in applying for the XXXX role at YYYY company.
<Job-Link or ID>
I have had valuable internship experience at XXXX company and currently
working at XXXX company. I am eligible for this role as I meet the
requirements mentioned. So, I am kindly reaching out to request your support
in referring my application.
If there are any additional details required, please let me know.
Mobile No: XXXXXXXXXX
email: XXXXXXXX@gmail.com- Attach your updated resume to the message and await their response. Many employees are willing to assist and may even provide additional guidance for interview preparation.
- Creating a strong resume is crucial for boosting your chances of securing interviews. I recommend this template on Overleaf.
A well-crafted resume should be clean, neat, and highlight the key aspects relevant to the job role you are applying for.
I always prefer writing cover letters. But, it is completely optional. You can use this website to build one.
Understanding the Referral Process
Referral systems vary between companies:
- Direct Referrals: In some organizations, employees can directly refer to your name, eliminating the need for you to apply separately.
- Application Limits: In some companies, limit of the number of applications we can apply for with a referral is only one, and in some companies, we can apply for up to 3 roles with one referral.
- Eligibility: Some companies may not offer referral opportunities for freshers.
Finding Job Openings
To effectively apply for roles and secure referrals, it is essential to stay informed about current job openings. Here are some highly recommended job-searching platforms which I have used:
Ensure your profiles on these platforms are always updated and set job alerts to receive notifications directly via email.
LinkedIn is particularly valuable for job searching and networking. Here are some tips to leverage LinkedIn effectively:
Profile Updates: Keep your profile updated to attract recruiters who may contact you directly.
Use Hashtags: Utilize hashtags such as #hiring, #graduates, and #remote to discover job postings. Over time, your feed will be populated with relevant job opportunities.
Increase Network: Follow some of the recruiters and influencers on LinkedIn to know about the job updates.
Participate in hackathons and competitions organized by major companies like Microsoft, Walmart, Adobe, and Flipkart. These events, often found on Unstop, are excellent opportunities for bulk hiring, especially for women.
Apply to the Right jobs:
Applying strategically is crucial to avoid wasting time on unsuitable positions. Here are some guidelines:
- Match Your Experience: Apply only to roles where your experience aligns with the job description.
- Relevant Skill Set: Ensure your skills and qualifications meet the job requirements.
- Work Authorization: Apply only if you have the necessary work authorization for the country where the job is located. Recruiters typically prefer candidates with the right to work in their country.
- Recent Job Postings: Focus on recently posted jobs. Older listings may still be open online even after hiring is complete.
- Proper Application Channels: Avoid relying on LinkedIn comments or easy-to-apply features. Instead, apply through the company’s official career portal to ensure your application is properly reviewed.
Interview Preparation
- Consistent Learning and Skill Maintenance: It’s essential to prepare for interviews while continuously learning new skills and maintaining your existing ones. Consistency in your preparation, especially in coding, is crucial. Participating in weekly coding contests can help keep your skills sharp and ensure you remember the syntax.
- Requesting Preparation Time: When you are informed that you have been shortlisted for an interview, do not hesitate to ask HR for some time to prepare.
- Revising Key Concepts: Thoroughly revise Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) before your interview. Utilizing resources like the Striver SDE sheet which helped me in preparing to my interviews.
Some more Important Points to be noted:
- Patience in the Off-Campus Process: Unlike on-campus placements, off-campus interviews often take several months to complete. Patience is crucial throughout this process.
- Equal Opportunity Hiring: Unlike on-campus recruitment, most companies in off-campus hiring do not prioritize candidates based on their college name. Regardless of whether you are from a Tier-1 college or not, you will only be considered if you have the perfect skill set and meet the eligibility criteria for the role. All colleges are given equal priority, emphasizing the importance of your qualifications and skills over the institution you attended.
- Handling Rejections: Do not get demotivated by rejections. Apply the above tips and keep applying to different companies. Persistence will eventually lead to multiple interview opportunities, boosting your confidence and increasing your chances of landing a good job.
Even if everything seems to go well, receiving a negative verdict is common. Rejections can happen for various reasons beyond your performance. It’s important not to feel demotivated. Instead, continue to give your best effort and stay persistent in your job search.
Please feel free to comment with any queries. If you have specific questions, do not hesitate to contact me on LinkedIn.
All the best! :)
