HOW TO

FACE PSU
INTERVIEWS?
 HOW TO FACE PSU INTERVIEWS?

Contents

Foreword 3

Introduction to GATE  4

Recruitment through GATE 5

Guidelines before attending PSU interview 6

What to prepare  7

Checklist for PSU interview  8

During interview  9

PSUs recruitment through GATE 2017  10

PSU interview experiences from GATE toppers  11

Must read  12

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 HOW TO FACE PSU INTERVIEWS?

Foreword

Dear GATE Aspirants,

M
ore than 40 Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) announce recruitment on the
basis of candidates’ GATE scores.

Apart from having the requisite GATE scores, candidates need to prepare for a host of
other things while attending PSU interviews. Careers360 takes a look at some of the ques-
tions that arise in the minds of aspirants about facing the interviews, how to prepare, what
to carry for the interview and more.

It may be noted that most of the PSUs recruiting through GATE scores call around four to
five times the actual vacancies; sometimes even more. It is crucial that every aspirant give
his/her best shot. We take some of the experiences of the GATE toppers from the previous
years to enable GATE aspirants to get an idea about how to prepare for PSU interviews.

There is no hard and fast rule for facing interviews. It is an individual experience and no
two experiences are the same. Still some checklist made prior and precautions taken before
you attend the PSU interview help you in giving your best shot. We hope the given tips in this
e-book are beneficial and helpful for your preparation for the PSU Interview

All the Best!

Team Careers360

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Introduction to GATE
G
ATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is the
all India examination that is conducted to screen the
applicants from across the country for admissions to
various postgraduate courses in engineering offered across
IITs, IISc Bangalore, NITs, CFTIs, private institutes as well
as many state universities.
GATE is an entrance test designed to test the compre-
hensive understanding of various subjects in Engineering
and Technology of the applicants. Candidates can apply to
the PG courses like M.Tech/M.E/Integrated courses like
M.Tech-Phd and even M.Des at some IITs on the basis of
their GATE scores. GATE qualified candidates are given
preference over other candidates in many state conducted
entrance exams.
Salient features of GATE
l GATE is conducted by an organizing IIT supported in
operations at the zonal level by the seven IITs namely
IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, IIT
Kanpur, IIT Guwahati, and IIT Roorkee.
l Admission to IITs and IISc is based on GATE scores.
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HOW TO FACE PSU INTERVIEWS?
l GATE application form is completely online. Candidates
have to upload supporting documents as specified along
with their photograph and signature.
l Application process is through GOAPS (GATE Online
Application Processing System).
l GATE is also completely online and held in multiple
sessions for those papers that have a large number of
applicants.
l GATE admit card has to be downloaded by candidates
and is not available to them through any other means.
l Biometric information (photograph and fingerprints) for
randomly selected candidates may be captured before
start of the examination.
l Result is available to candidates after logging while the
score card is also to be downloaded within the given
timeframe by candidates.
l GATE scores are valid for a period of three years
l An increasing number of PSUs recruit candidates on the
basis of their GATE scores.
 HOW TO FACE PSU INTERVIEWS?

Recruitment through GATE

A
n increasing number of PSUs have been recruiting on the basis of the GATE scores.
GATE 2014 saw 17 PSUs recruiting through GATE scores. GATE 2015 and 2016
saw a better number with 30 PSUs announcing recruitment through GATE scores.

Recruitment through GATE 2017 has started with more than 19 PSUs already having
announced the details while more are expected to join in slowly. The number of PSUs
recruiting through GATE is expected to be more. Some PSU applications are now available
from September 2016 with more expected to start in the coming months.

Some of the better known and preferred PSUs are ONGC, BPCL, IOCL, HPCL, Power
Grid, NTPC, etc.

State owned PSUs like the WBSEDCL, PSTPC, PSPCL, THDC, etc. are some that also
have joined the league for recruitment through GATE scores.

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 HOW TO FACE PSU INTERVIEWS?

Guidelines before attending

PSU interview
l Before attending the interview, make sure that you know about the company. It is really
a disadvantage not to know anything or very little about the company that you have
applied to and may be joining in the near future. Check not just the company profile but
also about its performance. This is to ensure that you make a good choice should you
have more than one offer from the PSUs you have applied to.

l Check the HR policy of the company. Know details of pay scale offered to the
designation advertised for. The important point is to understand the pay scale. Many
students assume that CTC (Cost to Company) is the actual pay they will receive. This
is not correct. The salary includes all perks offered to that particular cadre.

l If there is a service bond, understand and read that carefully. Ask a senior, faculty or
family member before saying yes. The service bond is an important document and
requires attention of the candidate as it is a legal binding contract that mentions the
number of years a candidate has to compulsorily work for the said company.

l A good resume reflecting your strengths is vital for any aspirant. It is important not to
falsify stuff, achievements and interests as they could lead to questions that may leave
you uncomfortable and red-faced in an interview. Put across the stuff you are good at
and mention all achievements that you have proof of. So concentrate on making a good
resume and put that forward while applying and during the interview.

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 HOW TO FACE PSU INTERVIEWS?

What to Prepare
l Prepare from your B.Tech discipline in general.

l Choose at least two topics from your B.Tech specialization that you are interested
in. Make sure you have a reason about why you like these topics as well as a sound
knowledge about them. The reason behind this is that the interview panel may ask about
your interest areas in the technical field.

l The idea is to have an edge over other candidates. Some suggestion from toppers
have been to know about industrial training but that is up to the candidate and not
compulsory.

l It is a good to be aware of current topics and general knowledge. This comes in handy for
group discussion as well as some questions that may be asked to test your grasp about
the country, current raging issues and the world in general.

l Be prepared for tricky questions such as “Why should you be selected?” or “Why do you
want to join this company?”.

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 HOW TO FACE PSU INTERVIEWS?

Checklist for PSU interview

l Make sure you are impeccably groomed. This matters and goes to show candidates in
a good light. Also ensure that you do look like your GATE photograph. Changing your
appearance in any manner that is different from the photograph is not advisable.
l Make sure that you have a copy of the PSU Application Form and GATE Admit Card
in original. Candidates must carry the downloaded score card also. Make sure that all
your certificates are in place. You will have to carry the originals only. To be on the safe
side always carry a valid photo ID and some photographs similar to ones posted in the
GATE application form.
l Prior to the interview, notice your surroundings. Sometimes questions may be just
asked to test your observation powers.

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 HOW TO FACE PSU INTERVIEWS?

During interview
l Be respectful. While entering the interview room, make sure to wish everyone in the
panel politely. If you disagree on any point, put the disagreement across in a very polite
manner. Do not show aggressiveness in any manner.
l The panel will look for smart individuals. So think before you answer. If you don’t
know the answer, don’t bluff your way into it. That will be detrimental. If you are
doubtful of the answer, tell the panel that you think this is the answer but you have some
reservations about it.
l Since the interview is for a short duration, the trick is to make it in to a win-win
situation. Most of the toppers have it easy as they are knowledgeable about the subject
having come out in flying colours in GATE. But for the ones who have ranks above 100,
etc., it matters as you will have to win over the other candidates who are called for the
interview.
l Group discussion is a means to check whether you are a team player and your knowledge
about the current affairs. Make sure that you come across as a team player by leading
but allowing others to get their word in.

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 HOW TO FACE PSU INTERVIEWS?

PSU s which have announced their

Recruitment through GATE 2017 are as
follows-
1. BPCL 11. GAIL
2. BHEL 12. NLC Ltd.
3. NTPC Limited 13. BSNL
4. WBSEDCL 14. Indian Oil
5. NHAI 15. Power Grid
6. HAL 16. MDL
7. BEML 17. HPCL
8. NPCIL 18. ONGC Ltd.
9. Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India 19. CEL
10. BBNL

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 HOW TO FACE PSU INTERVIEWS?

PSU Interview Experiences from GATE Toppers

Aditya Narayan Nanda Rahul Shareena

Santhosh Kumar Raviteja Dhavala

Pabbineedi

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 HOW TO FACE PSU INTERVIEWS?

Must Read

PSU Recruitment 10 career tips 10 tips for placement

through GATE 2017 for freshers interviews

All about GATE 2017 Follow us on

GATE Official Website Facebook for latest updates

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