CQCoreCombat:-Mukesh Kumar:- Larsen & Toubro

Right from my second year, I started exploring the core and non-core sectors. At the end of the second year finally, I felt that I was more inclined towards the core sector as I always wanted to make my career in a field in which interaction with people was more than interaction with machines. I knew that I couldn’t sit in front of a PC for 4 to 5 hours and do coding. One plus point of Civil Engineering is that in the core sector, candidates have both options, either you can go to the private sector or to a government job. In the private sector, the work pressure will be a bit higher but at the same time, there will be more learning opportunities. While working in the private sector you will feel like an entrepreneur after a few years of experience as you will be handling multi-crore projects equivalent to the size of small-cap companies. It is a high-risk job where a single small mistake can cost you lacs of rupees, and therefore, the remuneration will be high too. As a fresher in this industry having zero experience and zero risk handling capacity you will be paid low initially but, with experience, you can achieve exponential career growth. If you see the government sector then UPSC (ESE) is the best achievable option. It gives you techno-managerial job opportunities as well as social privileges. Work pressure is a little less in comparison to the private sector. Considering all these factors, I started preparing for UPSC(ESE), a competitive exam conducted by UPSC for recruitment of candidates in various engineering positions in government departments. Accordingly, I did my compulsory internship in a PSU only. In my third year, I was wholeheartedly preparing for the ESE/GATE exam and I was not targeting on-campus placements, but in late November and early December, I feared to miss out on any available Opportunities during the campus placements. I was in a great dilemma as my main exam was in early January only and I knew that the placement phase is very turbulent and could harm my preparation for the exam, but I finally decided to put in efforts for the core companies visiting the campus.

I had appeared for 3 companies and in every company, the general interview process was almost similar. Firstly, there was a resume/CV selection round, then an aptitude test and then one round of personal interview.

Yes, it is true that there is a requirement of higher CGPA for core sectors but the range depends upon the position you are applying for. If you are going for the R&D team then definitely higher CGPA students will be preferred by the recruiters. If you are going for the execution/operation team for the techno-managerial job then CGPA above 8 will have more chances. Mostly Civil core companies hire UGs for techno-managerial work only. Design and research are expected from PGs or PhDs.

Since I was preparing for the UPSC(ESE) so I was following study materials of a coaching institute that helped me a lot in the departmental subjects. I relied completely on the information available in those materials to revise my core topics. And it helped me a lot in the interview of L&T Construction too.

In the interview with L&T Construction, they mostly asked about the in-depth details of projects. Design sessional project is important as it gives a good idea of the construction of multistorey buildings. They asked me about the location of the structure, its zone of earthquake, wind zone etc. You need to be accurate with numbers and values. I remember my interview took place through a VC and they cross-checked my answer on the internet about the earthquake zone of the location told by me. Practical questions from the internship experience were asked. Basic questions from the Course ‘RC structures’ like Why should we do curing?, 7-day strength percentage?, What does M20 Mean? Etc. were some of the questions that they asked. They were expecting full definition type answers from me. Never forget to revise EIA if you have mentioned in your resume. It is a very hot topic in the construction industry in India these days. None of the companies asked any guesstimates or analytical questions. I did not get much time to practice aptitude problems but I referred to RS Agrawal for aptitude part in the time available to me.

I have been an active member of the organising team of ‘Megalith’, which is the departmental fest of the Civil Engineering Department. In my view societies and groups help in making a bigger friend circle, personality development and many other things depending upon in which field that society/group is active. I guess any other involvement, other than academics will not help you in any way in civil core companies placement, but definitely having its experiences will help you at your workplace.

This year there will be some impact on hiring due to the recession. But remember, your technical skills are your assets. Make your technical skills strong in a particular field. Take the help of your seniors to get an overview like what type questions were asked and general interview process etc. During preparation, take out some time and have a talk with your friends. This will help you and your friend feel positive. Don’t worry too much, everything will be good at the end.

I would only like to say that, explore your interest while you are in KGP but at the same time be cautious and avoid wasting time in the name of exploring. Make friends, learn technical skills and be positive all the time. Baki toh KGP ka tempo high rehta hi hai.

Sure, I’d love to answer.

Right from my second year, I started exploring the core and non-core sectors. At the end of the second year finally, I felt that I was more inclined towards the core sector as I always wanted to make my career in a field in which interaction with people was more than interaction with machines. I knew that I couldn’t sit in front of a PC for 4 to 5 hours and do coding. One plus point of Civil Engineering is that in the core sector, candidates have both options, either you can go to the private sector or to a government job. In the private sector, the work pressure will be a bit higher but at the same time, there will be more learning opportunities. While working in the private sector you will feel like an entrepreneur after a few years of experience as you will be handling multi-crore projects equivalent to the size of small-cap companies. It is a high-risk job where a single small mistake can cost you lacs of rupees, and therefore, the remuneration will be high too. As a fresher in this industry having zero experience and zero risk handling capacity you will be paid low initially but, with experience, you can achieve exponential career growth. If you see the government sector then UPSC (ESE) is the best achievable option. It gives you techno-managerial job opportunities as well as social privileges. Work pressure is a little less in comparison to the private sector. Considering all these factors, I started preparing for UPSC(ESE), a competitive exam conducted by UPSC for recruitment of candidates in various engineering positions in government departments. Accordingly, I did my compulsory internship in a PSU only. In my third year, I was wholeheartedly preparing for the ESE/GATE exam and I was not targeting on-campus placements, but in late November and early December, I feared to miss out on any available Opportunities during the campus placements. I was in a great dilemma as my main exam was in early January only and I knew that the placement phase is very turbulent and could harm my preparation for the exam, but I finally decided to put in efforts for the core companies visiting the campus.

I had appeared for 3 companies and in every company, the general interview process was almost similar. Firstly, there was a resume/CV selection round, then an aptitude test and then one round of personal interview.

Yes, it is true that there is a requirement of higher CGPA for core sectors but the range depends upon the position you are applying for. If you are going for the R&D team then definitely higher CGPA students will be preferred by the recruiters. If you are going for the execution/operation team for the techno-managerial job then CGPA above 8 will have more chances. Mostly Civil core companies hire UGs for techno-managerial work only. Design and research are expected from PGs or PhDs.

Since I was preparing for the UPSC(ESE) so I was following study materials of a coaching institute that helped me a lot in the departmental subjects. I relied completely on the information available in those materials to revise my core topics. And it helped me a lot in the interview of L&T Construction too.

In the interview with L&T Construction, they mostly asked about the in-depth details of projects. Design sessional project is important as it gives a good idea of the construction of multistorey buildings. They asked me about the location of the structure, its zone of earthquake, wind zone etc. You need to be accurate with numbers and values. I remember my interview took place through a VC and they cross-checked my answer on the internet about the earthquake zone of the location told by me. Practical questions from the internship experience were asked. Basic questions from the Course ‘RC structures’ like Why should we do curing?, 7-day strength percentage?, What does M20 Mean? Etc. were some of the questions that they asked. They were expecting full definition type answers from me. Never forget to revise EIA if you have mentioned in your resume. It is a very hot topic in the construction industry in India these days. None of the companies asked any guesstimates or analytical questions. I did not get much time to practice aptitude problems but I referred to RS Agrawal for aptitude part in the time available to me.

I have been an active member of the organising team of ‘Megalith’, which is the departmental fest of the Civil Engineering Department. In my view societies and groups help in making a bigger friend circle, personality development and many other things depending upon in which field that society/group is active. I guess any other involvement, other than academics will not help you in any way in civil core companies placement, but definitely having its experiences will help you at your workplace.

This year there will be some impact on hiring due to the recession. But remember, your technical skills are your assets. Make your technical skills strong in a particular field. Take the help of your seniors to get an overview like what type questions were asked and general interview process etc. During preparation, take out some time and have a talk with your friends. This will help you and your friend feel positive. Don’t worry too much, everything will be good at the end.

I would only like to say that, explore your interest while you are in KGP but at the same time be cautious and avoid wasting time in the name of exploring. Make friends, learn technical skills and be positive all the time. Baki toh KGP ka tempo high rehta hi hai.