Interviewed By: Secretary
How did you decide to go in the core profile considering that coding and data are usually in vogue and are most talked about?
Truly speaking, I knew from the beginning that I have no interest in coding and all or I am not made for coding, So I never tried to pursue it. Talking about the core profile, I gradually developed an interest in Geophysics during my 2nd and 3rd year, as Geology is more of multi-disciplinary science and not a fundamental science, as it uses the principles of physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics to study the Earth. Along with that Geology and Geophysics have a wide range of applications in the real world like Geophysics is applied to societal needs, such as mineral resources, mitigation of natural hazards, and environmental protection, etc which basically acquired my interest. Also in IIT KGP, there are very few companies who come for hiring students from this department, but those companies are very esteemed oil sector companies like ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, etc.
What was the general interview process (number of rounds, questions asked, topics they questioned about in each round, etc.) for the companies that you aimed for?
The interview process generally includes 1) CV shortlists, 2) 30–40 min objective type or aptitude test, 3) Personal Interview. ExxonMobil: CV shortlist on the basis of CG and Core internships. Followed by the Aptitude test which contains common verbal ability and logical reasoning questions. While in the personal interview round, they used to have both types of questions; HR type and Core & CV based. Schlumberger: CV shortlisting and PI round. ONGC: CV shortlisting and PI round. Vedanta Oil and Gas: CV shortlisting, Written Test (Objective and short answer type based on core topics ), and PI round. Major topics asked in the PI round are Seismic Methods, Borehole Geophysics (well logging), Gravity and Magnetic methods, Electrical methods of prospecting, General Geology, structural geology, Geophysical signal processing.
Many of us have heard that one should aim for going into the core sector only when your CG is high. Would you like to comment on that statement?
No doubt higher CG people have better chances in core sectors but somewhere your CV, previous internships, and in-depth knowledge of core topics play a crucial role when you are aiming for the core sectors. Specifically speaking of the Geology and Geophysics department there are very few opportunities or companies with a low number of hirings. So definitely, If one wishes to go for core companies, he/she should try to maintain 8+ CGPA.
Any resources you’d like to mention which you used while preparing? Eg- any additionals you took, online courses, etc.
I had mostly referred to the books and class notes for the preparation. I didn’t take any online courses or additionals that may aid in the core profile preparation. Few Book References are as follows: Introduction to geophysical prospecting (Dobrin) Seismic Data Processing — Yilmaz Fundamentals of Geophysics, Willam Lowri Exploration Geophysics- Gaddhalah Geological_Interpretation_of_Well_Logs by Malcolm Rider
What was your strategy for preparation? Did you change it depending on which company you were aiming for and in between rounds?
My simple strategy was to review the previous question asked by the different companies and select those important subjects form which the question had been asked every year and prepare those subjects in a detailed and exhaustive manner so that I won’t miss any questions of a technical round. After that, the only thing left is the HR round and CV preparation like PORs, Projects, and Internship questions, which I prepared depending on the specific company. This was my strategy for the core companies and I stuck to it, didn’t change it in between rounds and It worked just fine.
What advice would you like to give your juniors who will be sitting for placements this year?
My advice for the juniors those who are interested in core companies, do not solely depend on them only as there are only few companies who come for the placement like this year only two company came for the campus placements, Schlumberger and Vedanta Oil and gas did not come for the campus placements, so you can’t solely depend on the oil companies, Kindly prepare for the other job profiles as well apart from the core profile.
What would you like to say to the general KGP public out there? Any advice for them?
The Institute organizes various programs to improve soft skills, professional communication, and personality through career counseling kindly utilize those means or at least focus on these parts as well. While making your CV for different profiles, Keep your CV to the point and well organized. Choose your target companies wisely, explore various possibilities and profile. The placement process is quite hard and tiring, so stay strong throughout the process, work hard for it and rest assured you guys will land up in the good company and nice package.
How did you decide to go in the core profile considering that coding and data are usually in vogue and are most talked about?
Truly speaking, I knew from the beginning that I have no interest in coding and all or I am not made for coding, So I never tried to pursue it. Talking about the core profile, I gradually developed an interest in Geophysics during my 2nd and 3rd year, as Geology is more of multi-disciplinary science and not a fundamental science, as it uses the principles of physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics to study the Earth. Along with that Geology and Geophysics have a wide range of applications in the real world like Geophysics is applied to societal needs, such as mineral resources, mitigation of natural hazards, and environmental protection, etc which basically acquired my interest. Also in IIT KGP, there are very few companies who come for hiring students from this department, but those companies are very esteemed oil sector companies like ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, etc.
What was the general interview process (number of rounds, questions asked, topics they questioned about in each round, etc.) for the companies that you aimed for?
The interview process generally includes 1) CV shortlists, 2) 30–40 min objective type or aptitude test, 3) Personal Interview. ExxonMobil: CV shortlist on the basis of CG and Core internships. Followed by the Aptitude test which contains common verbal ability and logical reasoning questions. While in the personal interview round, they used to have both types of questions; HR type and Core & CV based. Schlumberger: CV shortlisting and PI round. ONGC: CV shortlisting and PI round. Vedanta Oil and Gas: CV shortlisting, Written Test (Objective and short answer type based on core topics ), and PI round. Major topics asked in the PI round are Seismic Methods, Borehole Geophysics (well logging), Gravity and Magnetic methods, Electrical methods of prospecting, General Geology, structural geology, Geophysical signal processing.
Many of us have heard that one should aim for going into the core sector only when your CG is high. Would you like to comment on that statement?
No doubt higher CG people have better chances in core sectors but somewhere your CV, previous internships, and in-depth knowledge of core topics play a crucial role when you are aiming for the core sectors. Specifically speaking of the Geology and Geophysics department there are very few opportunities or companies with a low number of hirings. So definitely, If one wishes to go for core companies, he/she should try to maintain 8+ CGPA.
Any resources you’d like to mention which you used while preparing? Eg- any additionals you took, online courses, etc.
I had mostly referred to the books and class notes for the preparation. I didn’t take any online courses or additionals that may aid in the core profile preparation. Few Book References are as follows: Introduction to geophysical prospecting (Dobrin) Seismic Data Processing — Yilmaz Fundamentals of Geophysics, Willam Lowri Exploration Geophysics- Gaddhalah Geological_Interpretation_of_Well_Logs by Malcolm Rider
What was your strategy for preparation? Did you change it depending on which company you were aiming for and in between rounds?
My simple strategy was to review the previous question asked by the different companies and select those important subjects form which the question had been asked every year and prepare those subjects in a detailed and exhaustive manner so that I won’t miss any questions of a technical round. After that, the only thing left is the HR round and CV preparation like PORs, Projects, and Internship questions, which I prepared depending on the specific company. This was my strategy for the core companies and I stuck to it, didn’t change it in between rounds and It worked just fine.
What advice would you like to give your juniors who will be sitting for placements this year?
My advice for the juniors those who are interested in core companies, do not solely depend on them only as there are only few companies who come for the placement like this year only two company came for the campus placements, Schlumberger and Vedanta Oil and gas did not come for the campus placements, so you can’t solely depend on the oil companies, Kindly prepare for the other job profiles as well apart from the core profile.
What would you like to say to the general KGP public out there? Any advice for them?
The Institute organizes various programs to improve soft skills, professional communication, and personality through career counseling kindly utilize those means or at least focus on these parts as well. While making your CV for different profiles, Keep your CV to the point and well organized. Choose your target companies wisely, explore various possibilities and profile. The placement process is quite hard and tiring, so stay strong throughout the process, work hard for it and rest assured you guys will land up in the good company and nice package. 3