How to Get a Job in Tata Consultancy Services: A Comprehensive Guide

TCS is a leading global IT services, consulting, and business solutions company. Securing an employment opportunity at TCS is a dream for many. The company offers a rich legacy of 50 years in IT services and consultancy, emphasizing innovation and collective knowledge to transform futures with purpose and impact. Becoming a part of TCS offers numerous advantages, including job stability, extensive learning opportunities, and exposure to diverse projects across retail, industrial, and finance domains. If you aspire to work at TCS, refer to this guide on how to get a job at TCS. This guide outlines the process to secure an opportunity at this company.  

How to Get a Job in TCS as a Fresher?

TCS has strong brand recognition, which makes it an ideal company for recent graduates to begin their careers. The company hires final-year college students for various entry-level job profiles and offers them the opportunity to get exposure to the professional world. Here is how you can get a job at TCS if you are a fresher:

1. TCS NQT for Engineers

The TCS National Qualifier Test (TCS NQT) is a significant gateway for recent graduates aspiring to start their careers with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). TCS NQT is an integrated test pattern for hiring freshers for various roles or categories, including Prime, Digital, and Ninja positions. 

This test is designed to evaluate the essential cognitive abilities required for entry-level positions in the company. Candidates appearing for this test are evaluated based on their performance, which determines their eligibility for interviews for these roles.

a) Eligibility Criteria

If you are interested in appearing for the TCS NQT, a strong understanding of the eligibility criteria can facilitate determining whether you are suitable for this NQT. Candidates are required to meet the following criteria to get a job in TCS: 

• Percentage: Candidates must have a minimum of 60% or a 6 CGPA throughout their academics. The degree or provisional degree must state ‘First Class’ upon course completion.
• Highest Qualification: Candidates having a B.Tech., B.E., M.Tech., M.E., M.C.A., or M.Sc./M.S. degree from AICTE/UGC-recognized institutions can apply for the TCS NQT.
• Backlogs/Arrears/ATKT: Candidates should not have any pending or active backlogs, arrears, or ATKT at the time of the selection process. All pending backlogs, arrears, or ATKT must be cleared within the university’s stipulated course duration.
• Extended Education: The course must be completed within the stipulated duration without extensions.
• Gap/Break in Education: Candidates must declare all educational gaps. The total academic gap should be at most 24 months up to the highest qualification. Relevant documentation will be required to verify gaps.
• Course Types: Only full-time courses will be considered to apply for the NQT. Part-time and correspondence course students are not eligible.
• Open Schooling: Candidates who completed secondary and/or senior secondary education through NIOS are eligible if their graduation and post-graduation (if applicable) were full-time courses.
• Work Experience: Candidates with up to 2 years of prior work experience are eligible to apply, but this is only applicable to postgraduate students.
• Age: To apply for TCS NQT, applicants must be at least 18 years old and no more than 28 years old.

b) How To Apply

Follow these simple steps to apply for TCS NQT:

• Visit the TCS NextStep Portal and register under the ‘IT’ category. 
• Complete the application form and submit it by clicking on ‘Apply for Drive.’ 
• Select the options for your test mode and test centre carefully. Click on ‘Apply.’ 
• To confirm your status, check ‘Track Your Application’. Ensure the status of your application is shown as ‘Applied for Drive.’

c) Selection Process 

The selection process involves an aptitude test and a three-stage interview. For students from management institutes, TCS substitutes the aptitude test with group discussions. TCS typically looks for candidates with technical skills, professionalism, strong communication abilities, a readiness to work beyond conventional limits, and a collaborative attitude. Here’s a detailed view of the steps that need to be covered to get a job at TCS:

Step 1: Online Test

The TCS NQT exam includes five sections: numerical ability, reasoning ability, programming logic, verbal ability, and hands-on coding. The exam consists of 92 questions and lasts 180 minutes.

• Email Writing: For this section, instructions and a set of keywords will be provided. You should adhere to the given word length if mentioned, avoid spelling errors and complex sentences, and use standard salutations and sign-offs
• Analytical Reasoning: Numerical and Reasoning Ability: This section assesses your numerical and reasoning skills. Note that some questions with an asterisk (*) carry more marks.
• Programming Language Efficiency: This round includes 10 multiple-choice questions on C language, focusing on basic programming concepts.
• Coding Test: This test involves solving a programming question in 20 minutes using a command line interface in C language. By enrolling in how to ace coding interviews, you can gain deeper insights into how to tackle coding questions during the assessment.

Step 2: Technical Interview Round

In this round, your technical expertise takes center stage. Choose two domains or technologies to specialize in and dive into them to build a solid understanding. Also, staying updated on new versions and developments can be beneficial. It is valuable to have a solid grasp of general programming concepts, and knowledge of the C language is a bonus. Practice some commonly asked technical questions, such as: 

• Python interview questions
• Ninja interview questions
• Java developer interview questions

Step 3: Managerial Interview Round

This round tests your ability to handle tricky situations. Your experience in this round will depend on the hiring manager’s approach to interviewing. Some tips to ace this interview round include: 

• Maintain your composure, even in challenging situations
• Approach problems with a logical mindset
• Project confidence in your abilities
• Articulate your thoughts clearly and concisely

Step 4: HR Interview Round

This step of the selection process focuses on assessing your attitude, cultural fit, and compatibility with the company. Expect the following standard HR questions:

• Why should we hire you?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What motivates you? 
• Are you a team player?

By implementing the following strategies, you will be able to tackle the HR round well: 

• Familiarize yourself with the company’s culture and values
• Stay true to yourself while presenting your strengths and weaknesses
• Maintain a positive and confident body language throughout the interview
• Utilize the STAR method to offer a comprehensive and impressive answer. 
• Emphasize how your values align with those of the company
• Practice common interview questions asked at TCS

d) Hiring Categories: Roles and Salaries 

TCS hires in three categories through the NQT. Each category has distinct responsibilities and different compensation packages. A comprehensive understanding of these categories will facilitate your decision on which job role you desire to apply for. 

Here are the categories offered by TCS: 

i. Prime: The key roles and responsibilities under this category include: 

• Undertaking complex projects utilizing advanced technologies and algorithms
• Exploring emerging technologies for practical industry applications
• Implementing system designs with technology, automation, and robust security measures

This category of selected candidates gets the following compensation:

• Starting salary for prime undergraduate – ₹9 LPA
• Starting salary for prime postgraduate – ₹11.5 LPA

ii. Digital: In the digital category, the selected candidates will have the following key roles and responsibilities: 

• Engaging in projects focused on solution development and integration
• Leading internal initiatives centred around modern technologies
• Contributing to TCS’ endeavours in pioneering new product developments
• Creating technological frameworks and tools to enhance capabilities

The candidate will get the following compensation under this category:

• Starting salary for digital undergraduate – ₹7 LPA
• Starting salary for digital postgraduate  – ₹7.03 LPA

iii. Ninja: The Ninja category candidates’ key roles and responsibilities include: 

• Managing and supporting application development and management
• Improving systems engineering for increased efficiency
• Exploring next-generation technologies for an innovative career path

The offered compensation includes: 

• Starting salary for ninja undergraduate – ₹3.36 LPA
• Starting salary for ninja postgraduate – ₹3.53 LPA

How to Get a Job in Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) After an MBA?

If you have completed your master’s degree and aspire to get a job at TCS, you should consider applying for the MBA off-campus hiring program. TCS offers a myriad of growth opportunities for MBA professionals. 

2. TCS MBA Off-Campus Hiring

a) Eligibility Criteria

TCS has set eligibility criteria to ensure desired candidates apply for the opportunities. Here are the eligibility criteria that an MBA-qualified candidate should meet to get a job at TCS:

• Minimum Percentage: Applicants need to have at least 60% or an equivalent CGPA in their 10th grade, 12th grade, or diploma (if applicable), as well as in undergraduate and postgraduate examinations for all semesters.
• Qualification: Candidates pursuing full-time postgraduate management courses such as MBA, MMS, PGDBA, or PGDM with specializations in recognized fields like marketing, finance, operations, etc., from accredited universities are eligible. It is important to note that applicants must have graduated in the same year or the year before the application.
• Graduation Background: Any graduate degree from a recognized university is acceptable.
• Backlogs: Candidates should not have any pending backlogs.
• Gap in Education: Any gaps in education must be declared, with a maximum limit of 24 months until the highest qualification.
• Course Types: Only full-time MBA course students can apply, and those pursuing part-time or correspondence courses are not eligible.
• Open Schooling: Candidates from NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) are eligible if they completed their secondary and/or senior secondary courses full-time.
• Work Experience: Candidates with up to 2 years of part-time or full-time work experience can apply. Work experience must be declared in the application form and supported by relevant documentation.
• Age: Applicants’ age must be between 18 and 28 years to participate in this hiring event.

b) How to Apply

Once you meet the eligibility criteria to apply for a job at TCS, you need to follow a defined application process. To start your application process at TCS, follow these steps: 

• Visit the TCS NextStep Portal.
• Register under the ‘IT’ section. 
• Complete the application form and submit it by clicking ‘Apply for Drive.’ 
• Select your test mode and centre, then click ‘Apply.’ 
• Keep track of your application status by checking ‘Track Your Application,’ where it should show ‘Applied for Drive’ after submission.

c) Selection Process

Once your application has been submitted and accepted, you will need to appear for the next stages of the recruitment process. This includes a computer-based assessment lasting 90 minutes. Applicants are usually tested on their verbal skills, numerical ability, and business aptitude.

3. TCS Atlas Hiring

TCS Atlas Hiring is tailored to identify exceptional young talent driven by a passion for innovation and a vision to transform how businesses operate through data-centric solutions. TCS has initiated this program to offer incredible employment opportunities to postgraduates in Mathematics, Statistics & Economics. Here is an overview of the TCS Atlas hiring process:

a) Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for the TCS Atlas recruitment drive are as follows: 

• Academic Performance: Candidates must maintain a minimum aggregate of 60% or equivalent CGPA in classes 10th, 12th, and Diploma (if applicable), as well as in their graduation and post-graduation examinations.
• Qualification Requirement: TCS Atlas Hiring accepts candidates holding M.Sc. (Mathematics/Statistics/Economics) or MA (Economics) degrees.
• Academic Standing: Candidates should not have any pending academic backlogs and must have completed their courses within the stipulated duration.
• Education Gaps: Any gaps in education must be disclosed, with a maximum cumulative gap of 24 months until the highest qualification. Relevant documentation for education gaps will be verified.
• Course Types: Only full-time courses will be considered; part-time or correspondence courses will not meet the eligibility criteria.
• Open Schooling: Graduates from NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) are eligible if their graduation and post-graduation (if applicable) courses were completed full-time.
• Work Experience: Candidates with 0 to 24 months of experience are eligible to apply. Documentation is required for any prior work experience as per TCS guidelines.
• Age Limit: Applicants’ age must be between 18 and 28 years to participate in the TCS Atlas hiring event.

b) How to Apply 

Familiarizing yourself with the application process in advance can significantly streamline your job application experience at TCS. To initiate your application at TCS, follow these steps:

• Begin by visiting the TCS NextStep Portal and enrolling under the ‘IT’ category. 
• Proceed to fill out the application form and submit it by selecting ‘Apply for Drive.’
• Choose your test mode and centre, then click ‘Apply.’ 
• To verify your application status, monitor ‘Track Your Application,’ where it should display ‘Applied for Drive’ upon submission.

c) Selection Process

The selection process consists of an online assessment and three interview rounds. Here is an overview of the selection process:

Step 1: Online Assessment

The online assessment takes 90 minutes. This test will assess your aptitude for the following subjects: 

• Statistics
• Mathematics
• Economics
• Programming (Statistical Data Analysis)

Step 2: Interview Rounds

Following the online assessment, there will be three rounds of interviews, consisting of:

• Technical interview
• Managerial interview
• HR interview 

d) Hiring Category Based on Salary Offered 

The TCS Atlas program offers two hiring categories. You can apply for a desired hiring category, which is as follows: 

• Atlas Category: The candidate who has applied for a job at TCS will get a CTC of ₹5.30 LPA upon successful selection.
• Atlas Plus Category: Under this category, the selected candidate will be offered a CTC of ₹8 LPA.

Tips to Get a Job in TCS

Securing a job at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) can be a rewarding endeavor for aspiring professionals in the IT industry. To stand out and succeed in the competitive hiring process, equip yourself with the right strategies and preparations. Here are some valuable tips to help you get a job at Tata Consultancy Services:

1. Hone Your Soft Skills and Technical Skills: In today’s competitive job market, TCS seeks candidates with a balance of soft skills and technical prowess. Soft skills like business communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, accountability, and time management are as vital as technical expertise. You should focus on refining these skill sets.
2. Devise a Study Plan for the Interview and Online Test: A well-structured study plan is essential for TCS aspirants preparing for interviews and online tests. It should cover key technical areas, such as database management, SQL, data structures, algorithms, cloud computing, object-oriented programming languages, IDEs, web development, text editors, and Git. By dedicating time and resources effectively, candidates can boost their readiness for TCS’s rigorous assessments.
3. Research the Company: Before applying to TCS, you should thoroughly research the company’s culture, values, and operations. Understanding TCS’s history, mission, vision, values, and recent projects provides valuable insights. Moreover, familiarizing yourself with TCS’s clientele, industry presence, and initiatives allows candidates to tailor their applications and interviews accordingly. 

Conclusion

Securing a job at TCS opens doors to a world of opportunities. Whether you are a fresher or an experienced professional, following our guide on how to get a job at TCS can help you navigate the job application process effectively. With the right blend of technical skills, soft skills, and company knowledge, you can accomplish your dream of joining one of the world’s leading IT companies – Tata Consultancy Services.

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