How to Actually Land an IT Job as a Fresher: Tips Nobody Tells You

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If you’re a recent graduate looking for an IT job in a tech hub like Hyderabad, Bangalore etc. You probably feel like you’re shouting into a void. You’ve sent out fifty resumes, but the only emails you get back are automated rejections. It’s frustrating, right?

The truth is, the “Apply” button on big job boards is often a dead end for freshers. Big tech companies don’t look at every single resume; they use systems and specific “secret” portals to filter people out. If you want to get hired, you have to play the game differently.

Here is a down-to-earth guide on how to actually get your foot in the door.

1. The TCS NextStep Mystery (And How to Solve It)

Almost every Indian IT aspirant knows about Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). They hire thousands of freshers every year. But here’s the catch: many students think they’ve applied when they actually haven’t.

TCS uses a platform called TCS NextStep. It’s a bit old-school and clunky, but it is the only way in.

  • The Reference ID: When you sign up, you get a CT or DT number. Keep this safe like your Aadhaar card; you’ll need it for every exam and interview.
  • The Status Trap: After filling out your long profile, many students stop. Don’t do that. You must check your “Candidate Dashboard.” If it doesn’t say “Application Received,” the recruiters can’t even see your name. You usually have to wait for a specific “Hiring Drive” to open and then click “Apply for Drive.”
  • Be Honest with Marks: If you have 59.9% and the requirement is 60%, don’t round it up. Their system is brutal and will flag you during the document check right before you get your offer letter.

2. Stop Using the “Front Door” for Big Tech

If you want to work at Amazon, Google, or Microsoft, don’t just go to their main career site and search for “Software Engineer.” Those listings are usually for people with 5+ years of experience. You’ll be competing with experts, and you’ll lose.

Instead, look for the “University” or “Student” portals.

  • Amazon University: Amazon has a specific site for student programs. They hire freshers for roles like SDE-1 or Support Associates in batches.
  • Microsoft University: Microsoft does the same through their Students and Graduates page.
    The benefit? You are only competing against other freshers. The interviewers know you don’t have 10 years of experience, so they focus on your logic, your college projects, and your eagerness to learn.

3. Get on the “Recruiter’s Radar” via Third-Party Portals

Many big companies like Cognizant, Capgemini, and DXC Technology don’t even use their own websites for the first round of hiring. They use platforms like Superset and HirePro.

  • Superset is a Must: Many colleges use Superset to manage placements. If your college doesn’t, you can still create an off-campus profile. Once your profile is “Verified,” you can apply to dozens of companies with one click.
  • HirePro: Companies like Amazon often use HirePro to conduct their online tests.
    The pro-tip here? Keep your profile 100% complete. If a recruiter is looking for someone who knows “Python” and “SQL” in Hyderabad, they run a search on these platforms. If your profile is empty, you don’t exist to them.

4. Fix Your Resume (The “Human” Way)

We hear a lot about ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), but let’s keep it simple. An ATS is just a robot that reads text. If your resume is a fancy graphic design with stars and bars for your skills, the robot gets confused and throws it away.

  • Use Simple English: Instead of saying “Master of Pythonic Arts,” just write “Python.”
  • Projects over Skills: Don’t just list Java, C++, and HTML. Tell a story. Write: “Built a Weather App using Java that 50 students in my hostel used.” That shows you can actually build something.
  • One Page Only: As a fresher, you don’t need a three-page resume. Keep it tight, clean, and honest.

5. The Power of “The Ask”

LinkedIn is your best friend, but only if you use it right. Don’t spam HR managers with “Sir, please give me a job.” It doesn’t work.

Instead, find someone who graduated from your college and is now working at a company you like. Send them a polite note:

“Hi [Name], I’m a junior from [Your College]. I see you’re working at Infosys now. I’ve applied for a role there—would you be open to sharing any advice on the interview process?”

Often, they might offer to refer you. Referrals are like a fast-pass at an amusement park; they get you to the front of the line.

Wrapping Up

Landing your first job is hard work. It’s a full-time job in itself! But if you focus on the TCS NextStep status, use University portals, and keep your Superset profile updated, you are already ahead of 90% of other applicants.

Remember, for the latest entry-level IT roles in Hyderabad and beyond, you can apply through this website: JobBee.co.in. We will keep updating information from the site mentioned above to help you stay ahead of the competition.

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Keep learning, keep coding, and don’t let the rejections get you down. Your first “Yes” is just one application away.

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