We at InsideIIM want to recognize some of the top Campus Recruiters who have been doing some exceptional work in giving great launchpads to the careers of MBA students. With this in mind, we are excited to feature Mr. Sumit Premi on our platform. Mr. Sumit Premi is the Lead of Campus Recruitment for Flipkart, having worked in top companies like Tata Consultancy, KPMG and Samsung. We got the opportunity to speak with him regarding his experience of recruiting students, and how he views the future of Campus Recruitment in the country.Excerpts from the interview:
Q. How has being a Campus Recruiter enhanced your skills and experience?
I think the Campus Recruiter's role has changed in the last 4-5 years. Now it's the students who recruit the company they want to work for, not the other way around. So I better have an awesome branding/value proposition pitch for the student community or else I should be ready to compromise on talent.
Q.Tell us an innovation you have introduced in the campus recruitment space that you are very proud of.
It would be tapping the talent early(Launching programs for 1st/2nd year in Engg) and not waiting for the formalized internship/placement season to start. The objective of doing this is basically to seed the brand.
Q. What do you look for in a student when you hire from campus?
We look for people who have the potential to be business leaders in the future.
Q. What is your favourite question to ask a candidate during an interview?
My favourite question to ask a candidate is “What could be your top 3 reasons to decline/reject my offer.” Knowing the candidate's weaknesses is always a learning.
Q. Tell us a memorable/funny/inspiring anecdote from your campus recruiting experience.
So I asked one candidate THE generic HR question, “Why should we Hire You?” The response was: “Please I beg you, do not hire me. The PlaceCcom forced me to sit for this interview. I know what I want in life, and your company won't get me there.” That candidate had his priorities sorted!
Q. Who makes an ideal Campus Recruiter?
An ideal Campus Recruiter is someone who thinks like a Student and acts for the organization.
Q. What do you see as some of the emerging trends in the Campus Recruiting space?
The Internet is becoming the most preferred Campus and many companies have already done away with the orthodox Campus hiring procedure.