For years, engineering aspirants across India have believed that getting into a top college and getting a B.Tech degree is the safest route to a successful engineering career. But according to one recruiter who has spent nearly 20 years recruiting for the world’s largest technology companies, the equation is changing dramatically.Prasad Rao, who has over 18 years of experience in recruiting and has built teams at Google India including working with companies like Uber and Walmart, recently shared what’s catching the attention of recruiters today. Speaking on a podcast led by Scaler School of Technology Program Director Manmeet Singh Akali, Rao explained that while college degrees and titles are still important to some degree, they are no longer enough to get an interview.His message to students was simple: recruiters are looking for evidence of what candidates have done, solved and accomplished—not just where they studied.
“A B.Tech won’t get you an interview”
One of the strongest voices in the discussion came when Rao was asked if the lack of a B.Tech degree in his resume would affect him.The answer was obvious.“Yeah, I don’t care. A bachelor’s degree is important, but a B.Tech really isn’t. It won’t get you an interview.”He explained that while graduating from a reputable college can help candidates enter the workforce, it is only the beginning. Companies ultimately want proof that applicants can solve real problems.According to Rao, many students think that an IIT tag or an engineering degree alone guarantees success. Instead, employers look beyond the college’s name and start looking for strong resumes.
Which made your CV instantly stand out
On the podcast, Rao reviewed a number of unsolicited resumes, explaining how employers think about hundreds of applications.One point impressed him so much that he agreed that he didn’t need to read it anymore.The words that immediately caught his attention were “Co-founder,” “ICPC Regionalist,” “Meta Hacker Cup,” and “Gold Medalist.”These achievements, he said, reflect initiative, competitive advantage and problem solving.Looking at the resume, Rao said:“This is good enough to push the interview.”He went forward while talking to another councilor.“If I had the authority to hire and be responsible for the results, I would invest blindly in this guy.”For him, his achievements with the help of evidence were more important than long explanations filled with traditional claims.
Internships are more important than brand names
Another recurring theme throughout the discussion was the importance of internships.Rao said internships show employers if students have worked on real engineering problems rather than classroom work.Interestingly, he said that internships do not have to be with famous companies.If a student has worked on a new project in robotics, satellite technology or other difficult work, it can leave a stronger impression than the usual training in a well-known organization without useful contributions.According to him, employers want to know what the candidates built and how they contributed, not where they entered.
Why hackathons and coding competitions are important
Among all his post-academic pursuits, Rao kept competitive programs close at hand.He said consistent participation in competitions such as the ACM ICPC or winning hackathons shows the qualities companies value most, including critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving under pressure.For employers who review thousands of reviews, these accomplishments are strong indicators that candidates have the skills needed in a real engineering environment.
Projects of any kind are no longer appealing to employers
Students often fill their resumes with academic work, hoping to demonstrate technical knowledge.However, Rao cautioned that employers and professional interviewers can quickly identify projects that are simply copied from the Internet or replicated by thousands of students.Instead, candidates should be clear about what they have to offer.Instead of writing, “They worked in a group of five,” students should describe exactly what they created, created or solved.This level of ownership helps interviewers understand whether the experience is truly important.
Why failed traders can have limitations
One of Rao’s greatest interests was in business.When asked if the founders were lucky during the hiring process, he replied that they would hire someone who tried to build a company – even if the startup failed.According to him, business requires courage, bravery and determination.He believes that people often come out of random situations, which makes them valuable to engineering teams.
Has AI reduced programming jobs?
With AI becoming a part of everyday software development, many students are worried that engineering careers may disappear.Rao gave some encouraging suggestions.Based on interviews with employers at several agencies, including former members, he said hiring has not slowed.In fact, many companies continue to hire software engineers while at the same time creating new roles related to Artificial Intelligence.Rather than replacing engineers, AI is changing the skills employers expect.Candidates who combine strong fundamentals with the ability to use AI effectively may have an advantage.
What students should focus on
At the end of the discussion, Rao shared some advice for students starting their professional journey.He encouraged them not to feel comfortable learning several programming languages or technologies in their first year.Instead, students should continue to improve while building a solid foundation in the basics of computer science.He also emphasized practical learning through internships, hackathons, competitive programs, sales and real-world projects.For employers today, these experiences often speak louder than a degree alone.Disclaimer: This story is based on what the first people said Google recruiter Prasad Rao on a podcast hosted by Scaler School of Technology. The views expressed are his professional opinions and experiences in the field of professional recruitment and recruitment. Readers should note that recruitment practices vary across companies, industries and roles.