From Interning at TVS to Landing a Job at Dell - Sarvari's Inspiring Journey!

Summary

In this insightful podcast, a student who recently secured a Software Engineer role at Dell Technologies shares her journey from internship to placement. She discusses the importance of CGPA, the detailed placement process at Dell, which includes multiple interview rounds, and the need for strong coding skills, especially in data structures and algorithms. The guest also emphasizes the significance of preparing a relevant, skill-based resume and offers valuable advice for students at different academic stages. Her tips on interview preparation and project development provide practical guidance for securing a successful placement.

Takeaways

• 😀 Maintain a strong CGPA (above 9) to increase your chances of getting shortlisted for placements, especially in highly competitive colleges like VI AP.
• 😀 Focus on mastering the fundamentals of your preferred programming language (e.g., Java) and data structures, as these are key areas for technical interviews.
• 😀 Start practicing coding early through platforms like LeetCode and GeeksforGeeks. Solve at least two problems a day to improve your problem-solving skills.
• 😀 Tailor your resume to the specific role you're applying for. Include relevant projects and skills, and avoid listing high school education or irrelevant details.
• 😀 Be prepared for behavioral questions in managerial and HR interviews. Answer positively and confidently, and avoid stressing about technical details in these rounds.
• 😀 Specialization doesn't drastically impact placement opportunities, but if you're passionate about a particular field (like ML or AI), you can pursue it. Otherwise, choose core and explore different electives.
• 😀 For internships and placements, focus on software engineering roles, as they are the most common for BTech students. While other roles (like data analyst) exist, software engineering is the most sought-after.
• 😀 In technical interviews, if you don’t know the exact answer, provide a related response or express your willingness to learn, but avoid saying 'I don't know' outright.
• 😀 Revise core subjects thoroughly, as many companies will ask questions related to them, especially OOPS and database management.
• 😀 Start preparing for placements early, especially from your second year. Begin coding, building skills, and working on projects that are aligned with your career interests.

Q & A

What role did the interviewee secure at Dell Technologies and how did it relate to their previous experience?

The interviewee secured a Software Engineer role at Dell Technologies after completing an internship as a software engineer at TVS Motors. They chose Dell because it aligns more with their goal of developing applications used by a wider audience, whereas TVS mainly focused on internal applications for the company.

How important is CGPA in the placement process, particularly at VIIT?

CGPA plays a crucial role in the placement process at VIIT, especially in shortlisting candidates for online assessments. A GPA of 9 or higher is often required to be considered for initial rounds of placement. Students in second and third years are advised to maintain a good CGPA to increase their chances of being shortlisted.

Can you explain the rounds of the placement process at Dell Technologies?

The placement process at Dell Technologies consists of five main rounds: an online assessment, two technical interviews, one managerial interview, and an HR interview. The online assessment includes aptitude questions and technical MCQs on subjects like DBMS, networking, and algorithms. The technical interviews test knowledge of programming languages, data structures, and algorithms, while the managerial and HR rounds focus on behavioral questions.

What type of questions are typically asked in the technical interviews at Dell?

In the technical interviews at Dell, candidates are typically asked questions about the basics of their preferred programming language (e.g., Java), data structures, sorting algorithms, and coding challenges. Additionally, there may be questions related to core computer science subjects like OS, DBMS, and networking.

What advice does the interviewee offer for preparing for coding rounds?

The interviewee recommends practicing coding regularly on platforms like LeetCode and GeeksforGeeks, focusing on solving at least two problems a day. They emphasize mastering data structures, algorithms (especially graphs and dynamic programming), and time complexity analysis to succeed in coding rounds.

How should a candidate handle questions they don’t know the answer to in a technical interview?

If a candidate doesn’t know the answer to a technical question, they should avoid saying 'I don’t know.' Instead, they should try to relate the question to something they know or mention that they will research it further after the interview. It's important to stay confident and give thoughtful, related answers.

What is the role of projects and skills in the placement process?

Having relevant projects and skills in your resume is crucial for placement. The interviewee suggests including projects that align with the skills listed on the resume. For example, if Java is listed as a preferred language, the candidate should have a project that demonstrates proficiency in Java.

What should be included in a resume for a software engineering role?

For a software engineering role, the resume should focus on the undergraduate degree, CGPA, and relevant projects or skills. Avoid including details from earlier education (e.g., 10th or 12th grade). The resume should reflect skills directly related to the role, such as software development experience, coding languages, and core technical knowledge.

What advice does the interviewee give to students in their first to third years for placement preparation?

First-year students should focus on learning the basics and gradually start coding. Second-year students should begin coding daily and aim to solve at least two problems per day. Third-year students should focus on developing coding skills for internships and, during their internship, build specific development skills.

What’s the difference between specialization and core courses when it comes to placements?

For B.Tech students, specialization does not significantly affect placements. While specialization allows students to focus on specific subjects, core courses remain the foundation. The interviewee suggests that students should focus on software engineering and development skills, as most placements for B.Tech students are in software-related roles.