CAMPUS PLACEMENT SCENARIO ( AUG 2008 )

The campus interview process has begun. We were apprehensive about the placement scenario and it has been proved right with TCS recruiting only 15 as against 115 previos year.

Lets be clear about this - Things are not loking good and there exists uncertainty among software firms for the future on the backdrop of US recession. So whoever comes for campus will recruit in small numbers

I just wanted to share a few words after what happened with TCS..

Those who didnt make it to second round or into the final selections dont be disheartened.. I know its easier to say this but u need to accept certain facts. Earlier after aptitude round there used to be huge numbers for final interview where as now it very low. Companies have raised the bar. Earlier if it was 60 percent cut-off for next round now its going to be above that.. may be even 75 plus.. It implies u need to work even harder to get into second round. Things cannot be taken for granted. Need to put in more effort into aptitide as well as technical interview.

It doesnt mean that those who have not been selected are not good. There wil be different panels interviewing students. It might be the case where in one person expects in depth knowledge about a particular concept and another interviewer might be bit liberal in this aspect. So dont be disheartened that u did the interview well but didnt get shortlisted. Put your best effort all the time and live it to destiny. There are many factors which is beyond your control.

I urge you to work hard on aptitude as well as technical aspects. This dowturn is just a passing phase and things will improve in the coming quarters.

I wish u all the best for the companies who wil be visiting next...

PUT YOUR BEST EFFORT....

Elephant (INDIA) vs Dragon (CHINA) …

There is a lot of debate around the world about how China and India are on their way to become developed countries and many articles throw light on how different is the approach followed by these two countries. I would like to throw some light on this.

Let me tell you the fact first. Chinese are way ahead of Indians in most of the aspects when it comes to figures. Let me list out the numbers

• China exports electronic goods worth $ 180 billion in a year
• Foreign direct Investment (FDI) is at a level of $ 70 billion a year compared to India’s $ 15 billion
• Shanghai alone has 4000 skyscrapers (more than all of India)
• China has 60000 km of expressways which will outstrip the total length of US highway network
• China has around 26 million living below poverty line compared to India’s 260 million.
• China is expected to overtake Germany to become world’s third largest economy behind US and Japan.

All said and done about these numbers, not everything is rosy in China. The growth has taken place at a breath taking pace which has resulted in population displacement, farmers thrown of their lands, pollution level, flooding, rising disparity between rich and the poor, absence of human rights and few checks on governmental abuses.

Among top 25 exporters in China only 4 are Chinese companies. It has been estimated that of the $700 American price of a Chinese laptop, only $15 remains in China. Made in China really means Made by America or Europe in China. There is a dearth of world class managers in China to match Tatas, Reliance, Infy …. China’s Stock and capital markets are weak and banking system not that efficient. China’s legal system is under constant review.

Lets accept that we are growing at a slower pace than China. But democracy sustains in the long run. Indian politics ( though at its lowest ebb) marred with red taped bureaucracy is making a dent in the growth but lets give a thumbs up to the democracy considering how pluralistic our society is. We all know that a Catholic woman made way to a Sikh prime minister sworn in by a Muslim president, in a 81 % Hindu nation. Contrast this with China where political freedom is unknown. Leaders at all levels are handpicked. Though we are moving on a bumpy road, we are making sure that our vehicle doesn’t break down.

Numbers might give us a different picture but the fact remains that we are as a nation are progressing slowly but surely in the right way. The dragon (China) could stumble any moment and the elephant (India) can overtake the dragon in number game too…

Reference: Times of India, 3^rd Aug 208, Why the elephant can dance better by Shashi Taroor