EVERY year lakhs of graduates apply to India’s top IT companies. Wipro Technologies, one of India’s largest software services companies, assesses more than 100,000 students, both on and off campus, and hires more than 20,000 graduates, to augment its workforce. There are three entry options for students: as science graduates, as non-science graduates and as engineers.
Company profile
Total revenue: Rs 27,124 crore (March 31, 2010)
Number of employees: 108, 071 (March 31, 2010)
Website for students: www.careers.wipro.com/index.aspx
i. Non-engineering students
Both science and non-science graduates can apply to Wipro, which has two programmes. One, Wipro Academy of Software Excellence (WASE), which is an ‘Earn while you Learn’ programme. Two, through regular employment.
Wipro Academy of Software Excellence (WASE)
Education: BSc. (Computer Science/Electronics/Physics/Mathematics/ Statistics) /BCM /BCA
Branches: Mathematics, CS, IT, Physics, Statistics, Electronics
Qualifying Percentage: 50 percent in class 10, 12 and 60 percent in graduation
Additional requirement: Should have studied Mathematics in Class 12
Placement test/Interview date: Throughout the year
WASE offers BSc, BCA and BCM final year students/graduates an MS Degree in Software Engineering. Here’s how: Wipro has tied up with BITS Pilani to offer an eight semester (four-year) off campus collaborative MS programme equivalent in status to the full-time 2-year MS degree programme offered by BITS. The teaching and evaluation methodologies are implemented by BITS in consultation with Wipro’s Talent Transformation division; the faculty is arranged by BITS and the MS degree is also awarded by the institute.
 Q&A | Pradeep Bahirwani
Vice President, Talent Acquisition,
Wipro Technologies
Wipro's recruitment policies |
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Q. What are the winning traits of a potential employee?
A. Team skills, confidence and poise. We see if the candidate can fit into Wipro’s culture as we place utmost importance on integrity. We want people to be Wipro’s strength.
Q. What advice would you like to give fresh graduates?
A. We advice potential employees to focus on two critical aspects. One is fundamentals. More than the domain of study, an analytical bent of mind is critical to solving customer problems and thriving in a long term career.
Second critical aspect that we see as a major challenge is communication skills. Candidate need to invest in improving their communication abilities, and this is gaining prominence with market becoming more and more competitive and global.
And my interview advice to students would be - just be cool!
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WASE Entrance Exam (WET)
To enter WASE, science graduates have to clear a two-stage hurdle: WET (WASE Entrance Examination), an online common entrance examination, and a personal interview with HR. The written test is of 90 minutes and there are three sections in it: verbal, analytical and Mathematics. Questions in the verbal and analytical sections are on the lines of CAT and GMAT entrance examinations. Any guide book on CAT and GMAT will assist you in the preparation of this section.
In the Mathematics sections, questions pertain to trigonometry, calculus, differentiation, algebra, integration, matrices and coordinate geometry. Revise your Class 11, 12 level Mathematics syllabus.
WET is conducted online and just last year, Wipro, the first in the industry, conducted it on a national level, much on the lines of CAT, in 30 cities. The WET date is usually announced on Wipro’s website and emails sent to registered candidates.
Training and stipend
Successful candidates are enrolled into the programme as students. Classes take place on weekends, that is Saturdays and Sundays; while during the weekdays students contribute in real time project assignments. Also, these students are paid stipend during the programme.
WASE students are expected to sign a 48-month bond, which is for the duration of the MS programme. Upon completion, they are awarded an MS programme degree from BITS Pilani.
Although WASE presents a great opportunity for students to earn while they learn, it has invited criticism for its 48-month commitment and a rather strict working schedule as students have classes on weekends and they work on weekdays.
ii. Non Science Graduates (Campus Recruitments)
Education: Diploma/Graduates (BSc/ BCom) /Postgraduates (MSc/M.Com) from full- time courses only can apply
Qualifying percentage: Graduates from any stream with 50 percent in class 10, 12 and 60 percent in graduation and post graduation.
Placement test/Interview date: Throughout the year, on predetermined dates and venues at different campuses.
The selection process involves an aptitude test, PC skills test, HR round and a spoken English Test. Duration of the test is 60 minutes and questions in the verbal and analytical sections are on the lines of CAT and GMAT entrance examinations.
Upon joining, candidates are trained and absorbed in any of the business units at Wipro, which could include industry vertical, service lines, performing the role of software development, testing and remote infrastructure management, among others.
iii. Engineering students
On campus recruitments
Education: Final year BTech
Qualifying percentage: 50 per cent in Class 10, 10+2 and 60 per cent in college
Placement test/Interview date: December/January/February
Recruitment process
Recruitment of final year engineering students take place on campus through a screening test called the Wipro Entrance Test. Wipro conducts placement tests in nearly 100 engineering colleges each year. These colleges are evaluated by Wipro Accreditation Process which evaluates colleges on several parameters, chief among them are student performance, faculty profile, placement history and learning infrastructure.
Wipro representatives visit these identified accredited campuses at a mutually convenient date and time to conduct pre-placement presentation. This takes place a month or two before the main test. In pre-placement, students are given an overview of the company, its several businesses, career opportunities and a low-down on eligibility and selection process.
Final year BTech students with 50 per cent aggregate marks in class 10, 10+2 and 60% in graduation are eligible for the test. Wipro considers graduates from all specialisations.
Test and interview
The placements tests are devised by the company itself and these are conducted in the months of December, January
and February. The placement test comprises two parts: written test and personal interviews. Usually, both take place on the same day, but when the number of applicants is higher, interviews are taken the following day.
Written test
The total duration of the written test is 60 minutes. The written test is divided into three sections namely, verbal, analytical and technical. The test is conducted on-line; only when a college does not have the infrastructure to support an on-line test that a pen-paper test is taken. GRE or GMAT test papers are helpful in preparing for test. Within hours of the test, results are declared. Short-listed candidates then proceed
for the interview which takes place in two rounds: technical and Human Resource or personal.
Technical round
In the technical round, the candidate is assessed for his/her subject knowledge and abilities. The personal interview which takes place with the HR team assesses the candidate on HR competencies and Wipro Values such as integrity and honesty. Often the final results are announced on the very same day, or else the following day.
Salary and bond
On joining day, selected candidates are asked to sign a bond. The duration of the bond is 18 months and signing it means that for that period the candidate cannot apply elsewhere. “The purpose behind signing the bond is that we want our potential employers to grow with us,” says Pradeep Bahirwani, Vice President, Talent Acquisition, Wipro Technologies.
The pay package is at par with industry standards. According to industry estimates, starting pay package is between Rs 3-4 lakh/annum
Off-Campus recruitments
Fast Facts
Education: For both BSc/BTech
Qualifying percentage: As specified in the advertisement
Placement test/Interview date: As specified.
Wipro also conducts off-campus hiring, which is not institution specific and is open for students across the institutions. Off-campus recruitments are done for the here-and-now kind of needs of the organisation, which are advertised on its website and yes, candidates do have to appear for the placement test.