AMPlify Your Career: What HCLTech Looks for in Freshers [Webinar]
| Summary: In this exclusive HCLTech x Internshala webinar, HCLTech’s Head of Campus Relations shares what recruiters truly look for in freshers beyond academic scores. Learn how to become industry-ready, avoid common placement mistakes, build a strong resume, prepare strategically for interviews, and develop the skills, mindset, and adaptability needed to succeed in today’s evolving tech landscape. |
‘Do not prepare only to get an offer letter. Prepare to deserve that opportunity after you receive it.’ – Prasad Paneerselvam, Director & Head of Campus Relations, HCLTech.
The placement landscape is evolving rapidly, and freshers today need much more than academic scores to stand out. To help students understand what top recruiters expect, Internshala collaborated with HCLTech for an insightful webinar on career readiness, placements, and the future of tech hiring.
In this session, Mr. Prasad Paneerselvam, Director and Head of Campus Relations at HCLTech, shared valuable insights with Mr. Sarvesh Agarwal, Founder & CEO of Internshala. They talk about what companies look for in freshers, how students can become industry-ready, and how to prepare for long-term career success. In this blog, we cover the key highlights from the discussion.
Do watch the full webinar below for detailed insights:
What’s Changing in Engineering Careers Today?
The engineering job market is evolving, and the biggest shift is in how companies define employability. Earlier, academic scores and degrees were often considered enough to secure opportunities. Today, they are only the starting point. Recruiters are increasingly focusing on questions like:
- Can the student learn quickly?
- Can they solve real-world problems?
- Can they communicate clearly?
- Can they use technology responsibly?
Hiring is becoming more skill-based and experience-driven. It does not mean companies expect freshers to have years of experience. Instead, they expect practical exposure through projects, internships, hackathons, and real-world problem-solving.
Another major shift is in assessments. Recruiters are moving beyond traditional tests and using scenario-based evaluations, hackathons, and practical assessments to evaluate talent. The focus has shifted from qualification-based hiring to capability-based hiring.
What Does Being Industry-Ready Really Mean?
Being industry-ready does not mean knowing every programming language, tool, or technology. Even experienced professionals are constantly learning. According to HCLTech, industry readiness is more about a mindset shift, from classroom thinking to workplace thinking.
Mr. Prasad explained this clearly when he said, ‘You need to shift the mindset you have today. Start thinking about how you want to deal with even simple problems, take ownership, and start delivering small results. Bring that process as a muscle memory so the transition will be much easier.’
In college, problems are well-defined. There is a syllabus, a clear question, and often a single correct answer. In the workplace, problems are rarely straightforward. There are no hints, no predefined solutions, and no marks for partial answers. For example, if a fresher is assigned a bug to fix, an industry-ready candidate does not wait passively. They analyze the issue, explore possible solutions, seek clarification when needed, and provide regular updates. In short, industry readiness is not about knowing everything. It is about being dependable enough to learn, solve, and deliver.
Furthermore, he encourages students to seek help to learn new things. He says, ‘One of the biggest challenges today is that students don’t ask for help.’ Clearly, asking for help when required is an important skill.
How to Build an Industry-Ready Mindset as a Student?
The transition from student life to professional life requires intentional effort. Students need to start developing workplace habits while still in college. One of the best ways to do this is by taking assignments and projects seriously. These are the closest simulations of real-world work environments.
Instead of completing tasks at the last minute, Mr. Prasad Paneerselvam, in the webinar, shared that students should do the following to develop an industry-ready mindset :
- Practice taking ownership
- Build discipline
- Ask for help when needed
- Focus on quality outcomes
He said that many students hesitate to ask questions because they assume everything is available online. However, asking for help and seeking clarity are important professional skills. The habits students build now become their workplace muscle memory later. Developing accountability during college makes the transition to the workplace much smoother.
Common Mistakes Students Make Before Interviews
Many students undermine their chances of placement even before the interview begins. One of the most common mistakes is a lack of preparation and discipline. Students often delay preparation for placement until the final year, assuming a crash course will be enough. In reality, preparation should ideally begin in the second year of college.
A major mistake is building AI-generated resumes without understanding the content. If students cannot explain what they have written, recruiters notice immediately.
Communication is another weak area. It does not mean speaking flashy English. Mr. Prasad clearly emphasized in the webinar, ‘Communication is common sense. You need to be able to articulate what you have built.’ This means recruiters are not judging students based on accent or vocabulary. They are evaluating whether candidates can clearly explain their work, reasoning, and decisions.
Another mistake students make is treating aptitude, coding, and communication as separate areas. These skills are interconnected, and a strong placement preparation requires all three. Here’s how preparing for an aptitude test, practicing coding, and building communication skills are interconnected for engineering students:
- Aptitude builds logical thinking
- Coding converts logic into solutions
- Communication helps explain solutions clearly
What Makes a Resume Strong?
Another important webinar topic discussion between Mr. Sarvesh Agarwal (Internshala Founder & CEO) and Mr. Prasad Paneerselvam (Director and Head of Campus Relations at HCLTech) is building a strong resume for freshers.
A strong resume is clear, honest, and evidence-based. Recruiters look for resumes that demonstrate genuine work and real learning. If a student claims to have worked on a project, the project should be clearly explained and supported by evidence such as GitHub links, portfolio links, or published work. A strong resume should include relevant projects, clear skill alignment, honest achievements, and evidence of work.
Some of the common resume red flags include:
- Too many technologies with no real project work
- Copied project descriptions
- Exaggerated claims
- Spelling mistakes
- Unclear timelines
Prasad summed up the essence of a strong resume perfectly: ‘A good resume should not shout. It should simply prove: I have learned, I have built, and I can explain.’ That is exactly what recruiters look for: proof of learning, practical experience, and genuine understanding.
AI vs Software Jobs: Should Freshers Be Worried?
AI is one of the biggest concerns for students entering software careers. Many freshers worry that AI will eliminate software jobs. HCLTech’s perspective is clear: AI is not replacing jobs. It is transforming work and increasing productivity. Students should prepare for an AI-driven future by focusing on three areas:
- Strong Fundamentals: Core concepts like problem-solving, coding logic, data structures, and databases remain essential.
- AI Fluency: Students should learn how to use AI effectively as a learning assistant.
- Validation Skills: AI-generated outputs must always be tested, validated, and improved.
One of the most powerful insights from the webinar was when Prasad said, ‘Students should become AI-assisted thinkers, not just AI users.’ It is a crucial distinction. Students should use AI to improve learning, review work, and enhance productivity, not unquestioningly depend on it. For example, AI can generate code quickly. However, humans are still responsible for reviewing, debugging, testing, and validating outputs. The future belongs to students who can combine strong fundamentals with intelligent use of AI.
6-Week Placement Preparation Plan for 2027 Batch
Students preparing for placements should divide preparation into four tracks:
- Aptitude
- Coding
- Communication
- Project storytelling
Each week, students should focus on the following preparation:
- Solve aptitude problems
- Practice coding consistently
- Revise core engineering fundamentals
- Practice explaining projects clearly
One powerful tip shared during the webinar was this: explain your project so simply that even your grandparents can understand it. That level of clarity reflects true understanding.
Students should also take mock tests under time pressure. Placement success depends not only on knowledge but also on composure under pressure. Consistent preparation over 6 – 8 weeks can significantly improve placement readiness.
What HCLTech Looks for in Freshers?
Freshers do not need to know everything. What matters more is their ability to learn, adapt, and grow. When hiring freshers, HCLTech focuses on signals that indicate future potential. The company evaluates problem-solving ability, coding fundamentals, communication skills, learning ability, and seriousness toward growth. According to HCLTech, the strongest indicators of potential are the three Cs:
- Capable
- Coachable
- Committed
HCLTech AMP Program Explained
The AMP program is designed to make fresher hiring more skill-based, fair, and transparent. It reflects HCLTech’s skill-first hiring philosophy. HCLTech’s AMP program stands for:
- Ascend
- Momentum
- Polaris
All students begin at the Ascend level. Based on performance in assessments, technical evaluations, and hackathons, students can advance to higher categories such as Momentum and Polaris. Therefore, it focuses on creating equal opportunities for all students, regardless of college pedigree. The focus is on performance and capability, not just academic background.
What ‘Find Your Spark’ Really Means at HCLTech?
HCLTech’s ‘Find Your Spark’ philosophy focuses on helping employees discover what energizes and motivates them. Freshers do not need to have their entire careers planned from day one. Instead, they should enter with curiosity, openness to learning, and willingness to explore. Finding your spark means discovering where you can create meaningful impact.
The philosophy is built around three pillars: Opportunity, Respect, and Trusted Employment. Students may enter with one career path in mind, but discover new interests through real-world work exposure. Over time, they can identify what truly aligns with their strengths and aspirations.
What Students Should Start Doing (And Stop Doing) Today?
A key focus of the webinar was helping students prepare for real-world job opportunities and accelerate their career growth. The discussion highlighted what students should actively focus on and what habits they need to avoid to become truly industry-ready. One important takeaway was that certificates alone do not guarantee employability. Practical learning, skill development, and real-world application matter far more. Here’s what was shared:
What Students Should Start Doing?
- Strengthening fundamentals
- Practicing coding and aptitude regularly
- Improving communication
- Taking projects seriously
- Following industry and technology trends
What Students Should Stop Doing?
- Last-minute preparation
- Copying resumes
- Collecting certificates without learning
- Ignoring communication skills
Useful Tips on Choosing the Right First Job
Mr. Prasad strongly advised students: ‘Your first job should not be chosen by salary alone.’ While compensation matters, it should not be the only factor. The first job shapes your discipline, learning habits, confidence, and professional foundation. Students need to ask themselves the following questions while applying for opportunities and accepting the first job offer:
- Will I receive structured learning and training?
- Will I get opportunities to work on meaningful projects?
- Does the company handle projects that offer valuable learning and growth?
- Will I get exposure to large or reputed clients?
- What kind of clients does the company work with?
- What is the company’s international footprint or global presence?
- What technologies is the company currently working on?
- What are the company’s professional standards?
- Does the organization follow ethical business practices?
Emphasizing that choosing a company is a two-way process. That means employers evaluate candidates, and students should also assess whether the company aligns with their career goals and values.
The analogy used was choosing between fast food and fitness. Mr. Prasad compared selecting a job based only on salary to choosing fast food. It may seem attractive and provide immediate satisfaction. However, it may not be the best choice for long-term growth. On the other hand, choosing a company based on factors like learning opportunities, career growth, work culture, and stability is like choosing a fitness program. It requires more thought and patience but leads to stronger long-term benefits.
The Hirability Formula
This section explains how HCLTech evaluates candidates’ overall strength during the hiring process. Mr. Prasath shared a simple way to understand what makes a student hireable by consolidating key skills and traits into a single framework. Here is the hirability formula:
| Hirability = (Problem Solving x Fundamentals) + (Projects x Practical Thinking) + (Communication x Attitude) |
Each element plays a critical role. Students who consistently improve all six areas significantly increase their employability. Here’s what they mean:
- Problem Solving × Fundamentals: Strong fundamentals without problem-solving make students theoretical. Problem-solving without fundamentals leads to trial-and-error. Students need both.
- Projects × Practical Thinking: Projects prove work. Practical thinking shows industry readiness. Students must demonstrate both execution and real-world thinking.
- Communication × Attitude: Communication builds trust. Attitude determines how well students collaborate and grow. Strong communication with a poor attitude is still a major risk.
Conclusion
The biggest takeaway from this webinar is that placement preparation is no longer just about getting hired. It is about becoming genuinely hireable. Today, companies like HCLTech are looking beyond academic scores and degrees. They want freshers who can solve problems, think practically, communicate clearly, adapt quickly, and continuously learn. In a fast-changing tech landscape, these qualities matter far more than simply collecting certificates or memorizing answers. Therefore, as a fresher, focus on strengthening your fundamentals, working on meaningful projects, improving communication, and developing the right attitude.
If you found this webinar blog helpful, don’t forget to subscribe to Internshala’s YouTube channel so you never miss future career-focused sessions.
