Placement Papers - XL Dynamics

XL DYNAMICS. On 29th Oct 2015, I got a mail from T&P cell stating that XL Dynamics India Pvt. Ltd. Is going to conduct a close campus drive as per the following details.

Job Profile - Associate Analyst.
Branch - ME/CE/EC/EX.
Date of Campus - 31st Oct 2015.
Eligibility - 60% throughout.
Package - 3.5LPA (3 months bond) along with MBA program under companies Earn & Learn policy.

Selection Procedure:

1. Aptitude (45minutes/30questions) [Major Elimination Round].
150 out of 600 got through.

2. Logical Test (60minutes/30questions) [Major Elimination Round].
75 out of 150 got through.

3. English Proficiency Test (15minutes/30questions) [Elimination Round].
30 out of 75 got through.

4. GD [Minor Elimination Round].
20 out of 30 got through.

5. Interview [Elimination Round in our case].
ONLY 6 out of 20 got SELECTED. That is only 6 from 600.

On 31st Oct, it all started with the PPT (Pre Placement Talk) by the company's HR. PPT is very important. Be nice and observant during PPT, generally, questions are asked in Interviews from PPT. As usual, she declared to start the procedure by half an hour i.e. by 3 o'clock. But it started at around 5 o'clock. All went tired & hungry.

The first round was Basic Aptitude which contained no negative marking. Offline tests and an OMR were given as an answer sheet. The aptitude questions were very simple. Just learn the basic fundamentals and you will get through. They had two sets. The set which I got was a bit busy. The other set which my friend got sitting next to me contained lots of questions based on visual interpretation (cumbersome). Hence here is where your luck factor comes.

TIPS (Round 1):

1. Go through fundamentals of all Aptitude, English & Reasoning topics (as it will also help in the coming rounds).
2. Manage time effectively. NO NEGATIVE marking, so mark all the answers on the OMR sheet. As you never know the company's cut-off.
3. You can also edit your marked answers on the OMR 3-4 times. Ask the concerned personnel at the time of the test (Avoid editing).

Company personnel announced the result within an hour. Very few could clear this round and the reason was just improper time management. Even some students were not aware that there was no negative marking (worst case). I think I marked around 26 answers correct & I got through. It was around 8 o'clock when the results were announced. So authorized madam from company said that next rounds will be held tomorrow i.e. 01st Nov 2015.

The next morning, they started with a Logical Test at around 10 am. Again two sets were distributed. But this time difficulty was more than moderate. Again an OMR was given as an answer sheet. Questions were basically from DI, Critical Reasoning, Logic Based questions, Syllogism, Blood Relation (symbol based), Analytical Reasoning, Sitting arrangement (circular), Odd one out etc.

TIPS (Round 2):

1. Time management is a must.
2. Mark all answers. NO NEGATIVE marking.
3. Editing of answers 4 times is allowed (cross-check with invigilator).
4. Start with the section you are most comfortable with & Have patience.
5. Read questions very carefully.
6. This round needs good practice & cool mind.

The result of this round was announced just after 20 minutes. Almost 50% students were rejected. The logical Test was a bit confusing & time limit was very low. I managed to mark around 26 correct answers & I got through. Immediately after the result, they told us to be ready for another test which is fully based on English Language Proficiency.

So after 15 minutes of Round 2 result they started with Round 3. This round consisted of Basic English questions. All of us had the same set. Time was very short. Questions were asked from Para-Jumbles, Noun, Adverb, Pre-position, Verbs etc. And again an OMR was provided as an answer sheet.

TIPS (Round 3):

1. Time limit is very less. So less that this time I also marked 4-5 answers by hit & trial method.
2. Requires good English skills. Brush up with your basic grammar skills.
3. Try attempting Para-jumbles at last (time-consuming).
4. NO NEGATIVE marking again. Try marking all the answers.

The result of this round was announced after half an hour. Again almost 60% of students got rejected. Only those students with proper English skills could get through. I marked almost 24 answers correct & I got through. Now for 30 of us left for the next 2 rounds they announced Lunch- Break. We were asked to assemble by an hour in GD room.

By 2 o'clock, we were divided in a group of two, 15 members each side. It was going to be the first GD session for most of us. I was a bit nervous & tense this time. Obviously, the group was large. Taking the stance & speaking was going to be a difficult task. We were given a rough sheet & a pen beforehand. Madam entered the room. Asked all our names & assigned the topic,

"What is more important in Business- Ethics or Profit?"
She gave us 5 minutes to jot down the points & 15 minutes for GD. Firstly try to understand the topic well & then speak.

I planned to take an affirmative stand in the discussion & noted down 2-3 points. Finally, she declared the discussion start. People started shouting their points. The discussion which meant to be a healthy one went on to a fish market (chaos) type situation (worst case). Madam interrupted in between & asked us to hold the discussion. Again the discussion started & I managed to speak after 4 students. It was very difficult to take a vital stance due to a high number of students. It put up some of the good points which were not at all controversial.

TIPS (Round 4) Group Discussion:

1. Topics are generally based on Current Affairs. If you are not aware of the topic assigned, you are in the worst zone.
2. Patiently think about few good points for the topic. Try taking a non-controversial stance.
3. Try initiating the GD, if not possible, try concluding.
4. Speak clearly & boldly, but not aggressively.
5. Don't point anyone. Take your point & speak. Try using words like; Sorry, Thank you, Excuse me etc.
6. See everyone & speak. Don't start convincing people. Speak short & sweet and at times when it is noticeable.
7. People management is required.
8. Be a good listener.
9. Just practice GD at least 2-3 times beforehand.

I came up with some good points & spoke well. You need to be well versed with English. Proper use & pronunciation with punch lines (Take Risk, Earn Profit; in my case) is the key to success.

Madam even gave chance to few of us who couldn't speak throughout the GD. It was a JAM (Just a minute) session for them all. Topics were like, Orange, Black, Grass is green, Democracy, and Water; so very simple topics. At last she asked us to conclude the GD. It was done by one of us. Then she asked us to leave.

The other group topic for GD was "Is marriage a social trap?"
Finally within 10 minutes result was announced. They washed away 10 of us and believe me they were those who couldn't speak a bit. I went through to Interviews with other 20 members.

We dressed up for interviews formally. By then it was around 5:30 pm when the Interviewer arrived. She was the same lady from HR who gave the PPT, Ms Archana Kashelkar (I observed the PPT well, so I even remember her name).

Then we were given a Pre-employment form. It contained various details about us. We had to just take a copy of your Resume & the form in the interview room (but, carry your docs. Folder).

"The same lady who gave the PPT will take the Interview. This news went viral among all of us. Everyone started reading about company's profile.

I just concentrated on my strength which I had to put forward in the Interview. It's the last ball & just a single run is required. I have almost won. So it just requires cool & calm. This thought went through all over my mind before the interview. I had a good self-practice of the interview sessions beforehand. I revised some of the general HR questions. I kept asking other students about the questions asked to them. I came to know most of those as my chance were third last. I learned all the answers of technical questions. She was basically asking questions related to Communications " GPRS, GSM, CDMA, Bluetooth, Hand-off etc. Then finally my turn came at around 8 o'clock. With a positive attitude, I took the permission to come in. Before sitting I wished her with a very fake smile. Abruptly she asked me that how many more students are sitting outside. Then she asked me to sit.

Q1. How was your day, Vivek?
I told her it was very exciting & a bit hectic.

Q2. Have you taken something, snacks?
I said yes, I had.

Q3. Introduce yourself.
The introduction should be very dynamic & short.

Name- Education- Family background- Interests- Career goals.
I was interrupted in between when I was telling about my father's occupation. She asked don't you have any plans to join father's company. Then few questions related to father.

Q4. About siblings?

Q5. Asked the Branch (ECE) & started with lots of Technical question.
- How does a Bluetooth work?
- Which is better "GSM or CDMA?"
- What is GPRS?
- Hand-off?

Lots of other questions related to Communication were asked. I managed to answer almost all of them (as I knew these questions would come to me). Suddenly she came to finance, terms on which the company works. I guess I was the first to be asked this kind of question.

Q6. What is a mortgage?
Told.

Q7. What are the risks involved in mortgage?
Answered.

This is where your firm notice at company's website works upon. I read all these fundamentals beforehand (Make Google your best friend). Now she switched to HR questions.

Q8. Can you work in Night Shifts?
Q9. Will your parents allow you to shift to Mumbai?
Q10. Do you know about the package?
Q11. Do you have any plans for leave for 6 months?
Q12. How will you manage in metros from small towns?
Q13. Are you ready for our MBA program?
(Basically the company offers MBA from ITM Navi Mumbai in collaboration.)
Q14. What is your mother?
Q15. Where is your native place?
Q16. Do you have any questions?

This is a villain question which always comes in the last. Answer this question very carefully. Because it can change the whole scenario (only good to bad). I asked about her experience with the organization. She was amazed. Gave a smile & replied, "How can I answer this question, Vivek? I am from HR Team.

I didn't reply & just smiled. She said that she has a good experience. She told about work culture. Incentives & perks. At last gave some negative reviews, when she became very frank to me. She said let me tell you some things personally (felt like selected). Normally HR people don't tell you the cons of the organization. She told me about the strict rules, less leaves etc. To which also I replied affirmatively.

Finally she told me to leave & take proper dinner & rest. I too wished her for a Nice & happy day ahead. And then left the room with a thank you & a big smile.

TIPS (Round 5) INTERVIEWS:

1. Prepare those basic HR questions well.
2. Nourish with basics of your stream for Technical Round.
3. Enrich your etiquette, personality, social behaviour & English.
4. Learn to walk the talk.
5. Give mock interviews & prepare short & smart Resume.
6. Buy a good formal dress. Dressing sense is must. Learn to carry yourself. Spray a good perfume which makes you feel positive. Don't spray a hard perfume.
7. Buy a sober folder & arrange all docs in a well-maintained order (latest to oldest).
8. Be positive & always have a smiling face.
9. Speak clear & calmly. You will be nervous, even interviewer knows this. Don't let negative thoughts approach your mind.
10. CONFIDENCE can take you through. Even if you are giving wrong answers, your confidence can hide it. But remember, not always.
Sometimes, if you don't know the answers, say sorry.

Remember cracking Interviews is not Rocket Science. Just a few skills & you are through. Finally, after two days I got the OFFER LETTER stating my joining date & Location as Mumbai.
Subject was, "Warm Welcome to XL DYNAMICS family". Only 6 of was managed to get through those hectic rounds.

All the Best! Keep Smiling.

"Aim the sky, at least you will reach the tree top!"