A Personal Note Before We Begin

When I was in college, I had no support from my college.
I was unprepared, unaware, and honestly… just trying to survive.
The only thing that kept me going was my will to learn and help others.

I started learning on my own — no shortcuts, no magic — and began sharing whatever I found on LinkedIn.
That small act slowly grew into a community of 50,000+ people across platforms,
where I now help students and job seekers with resources, guidance, and motivation.

But here’s the truth:

💡 No kit, no guide, no mentor will help you unless you are clear and honest with yourself.

Stop following the rat race.
Make your own time.
Enjoy life while building something of your own.

Yes, if you want a job, there are certain things you must do —
and if you skip them, applying is just a waste of time.

This Placement Kit is designed to give you exactly those essentials,
so you can focus on what actually matters and skip the noise.

If this Placement Kit helps you, I’d love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or success stories.
Drop me an email at letscode@lets-code.co.in — I read every message.

To connect with me personally, reach out on Twitter

What It Really Takes to Get a Job

Getting placed isn’t just about knowing how to code or sending out resumes.
Companies look for a complete package — here’s what truly makes the difference:

Strong Communication Skills –
Speak clearly, explain your thoughts, and listen well.
It’s not just about English — it’s about confidence and clarity.
Good Projects & Practical Experience –
Real, impactful projects (not just classroom assignments).
Internships, open-source contributions, or freelance work show you can apply your skills.
Solid Technical Foundations –
DSA, problem-solving, CS fundamentals, and system design basics for tech roles.
For non-tech, the equivalent would be strong domain knowledge.
A Professional Online Presence –
LinkedIn, GitHub, or a portfolio site that showcases your skills and work.
Recruiters will check these.
Tailored Resume & Applications –
ATS-friendly resume that highlights results, not just responsibilities.
Custom cover letters and targeted job applications.
Interview Readiness –
Comfort with technical, behavioral, and situational questions.
Practice with mock interviews.
Consistency & Discipline –
Regular practice, continuous learning, and networking — not just “placement season” panic.

Remember: You don’t need to be perfect in all areas at once.
Start with your weakest point, improve steadily, and build yourself into a candidate companies can’t ignore.

Ultimate Placement Preparation Kit

To get a job, you should focus on building skills, creating a strong profile, preparing quality applications, executing an effective job search, and mastering interviews.
Here's the complete step-by-step kit with 100+ free resources to maximize your placement success.

1️⃣ Build Your Core Skills

Technical Foundations

✅ DSA, Aptitude, CS Fundamentals, System Design – Foundation for almost all tech hiring tests
✅ LeetCode – Premium coding practice platform
✅ GeeksforGeeks – Complete DSA tutorials and practice
✅ HackerRank – Coding challenges and skill assessments
✅ CodeChef – Competitive programming practice
✅ Codeforces – Global competitive programming platform
✅ InterviewBit – Interview-focused coding prep
✅ NeetCode – Curated LeetCode problems with video solutions

Hard Skills & Technologies

✅ Roadmaps – Core technical or domain-specific expertise
✅ freeCodeCamp – Full-stack development courses
✅ Codecademy – Interactive coding lessons
✅ Coursera – University-level courses with certificates
✅ edX – MIT, Harvard courses for free
✅ Khan Academy – Fundamental programming concepts
✅ The Odin Project – Full-stack web development
✅ CS50 – Harvard's introduction to computer science
✅ MIT OpenCourseWare – Free MIT course materials

Soft Skills Development

✅ Communication Skills - Learn English with Alex (YouTube) – Clear & confident communication
✅ TED Talks – Learn from experts across industries
✅ Toastmasters Resources – Free public speaking tips
✅ MindTools Free Articles – Leadership, time management & teamwork guides
✅ Improve Communication Skills - Skillopedia (YouTube) – Workplace & interview communication tips
✅ Self Confidence & Body Language - Practical Psychology (YouTube) – Confidence & non-verbal skills
✅ Harvard Business Review Free Articles – Professional growth & leadership
✅ 7 Cs of Communication (YouTube) – Simple, powerful communication framework

Technical Tools Mastery

✅ Git & GitHub – Version control essentials
✅ Docker – Containerization fundamentals
✅ AWS Free Tier – Cloud computing basics
✅ Google Cloud Skills Boost – Free cloud training
✅ Microsoft Learn – Azure and Microsoft technologies
✅ Postman Learning Center – API testing and development
✅ VS Code Tips – IDE optimization

Research & Market Intelligence

✅ MindTools Research – Understanding companies, roles, and market trends
✅ Glassdoor – Company reviews and salary insights
✅ Crunchbase – Startup and funding information
✅ AngelList – Startup ecosystem research
✅ Startups list – Collection of different sector companies!
✅ Industry Reports – Market research and trends

Time Management & Productivity

✅ Todoist Methods – Managing prep alongside academics/internships
✅ Notion – All-in-one workspace for planning
✅ Trello – Kanban boards for task management
✅ RescueTime – Track and optimize your time
✅ Forest App – Focus and productivity timer

2️⃣ Strengthen Your Profile

Projects & Portfolio

✅ Project Ideas – Demonstrates skills in action
✅ GitHub Student Pack – Free developer tools for students
✅ Dev.to – Share your projects and learnings
✅ Behance – Creative portfolio showcase
✅ Dribbble – Design portfolio platform
✅ CodePen – Front-end code showcase
✅ Repl.it – Online coding and collaboration

Professional Certifications

✅ Google Certificates – Industry-recognized credentials
✅ Microsoft Certifications – Technology certifications
✅ AWS Certifications – Cloud computing credentials
✅ Cisco Networking Academy – Networking certifications
✅ Oracle Academy – Database and Java certifications
✅ IBM Skills Build – AI, cloud, and cybersecurity certs
✅ Red Hat Academy – Linux and open source

Professional Presence

✅ GitHub Profile – Showcase coding portfolio & consistency
✅ LinkedIn Optimization – Professional networking platform
✅ LeetCode Profile – Coding problem-solving track record
✅ Stack Overflow – Technical community participation
✅ Medium – Technical writing and thought leadership
✅ Twitter/X – Tech community engagement
✅ Reddit – Career advice communities

Portfolio Websites

✅ Avinash Singh Github Repo – Collection of Amaging portfolios source code!
✅ Carrd – Simple, responsive landing pages
✅ GitHub Pages – Free static site hosting
✅ Netlify – Modern web deployment platform
✅ Vercel – Frontend deployment platform
✅ WordPress.com – Blog and portfolio platform
✅ Wix – Drag-and-drop website builder
✅ Squarespace – Professional portfolio templates

Professional Network Building

✅ Lets Code Groups – Tech communities
✅ Meetup – Local tech events and networking
✅ Eventbrite – Professional events and conferences
✅ Discord Communities – Developer community servers
✅ Slack Workspaces – Professional community groups
✅ Professional Associations – ACM, IEEE, and industry groups

3️⃣ Application Materials

📄 Resume & CV Creation

✅ Resume Optimizer – Crisp, ATS-friendly, achievement-focused
✅ ATS Friendly Resume templates – Professional resume templates
✅ Microsoft Resume – Creative doc based resume templates
✅ Canva Resume – Creative resume designs
✅ Resume Guide – University career services guide

✉️ Cover Letters & Emails

✅ Cover Letter Examples – Tailored to company & role
✅ Email Templates – Professional recruiter outreach
✅ Grammarly – Writing assistance and proofreading
✅ Hemingway Editor – Clear, concise writing tool
✅ Cover Letter Builder – Industry-specific templates
✅ Cold Email Templates – Networking outreach

📋 Application Forms & References

✅ Reference Templates – Professional reference formats
✅ Reference Request Email – How to ask for references
✅ Work Portfolio – Showcase work samples
✅ Transcript Services – Official academic records

4️⃣ Job Search Execution

Job Search Platforms

✅ 3000+ Startups List – Startup job marketplace
✅ AngelList/Wellfound – Startup job marketplace
✅ LinkedIn Jobs – Professional network job board
✅ Indeed – Comprehensive job search engine
✅ Glassdoor Jobs – Jobs with company insights
✅ Naukri – India's leading job portal
✅ Monster – Global job search platform
✅ Dice – Tech-focused job board
✅ RemoteOK – Remote work opportunities
✅ We Work Remotely – Remote job board

Startup Ecosystems

✅ Y Combinator Companies – Target growing companies with high hiring needs
✅ Product Hunt Jobs – Jobs at innovative startups
✅ F6S – Startup jobs and opportunities
✅ Founder Groups – Startup community job board
✅ Startup Jobs – Curated startup opportunities
✅ The Muse – Company culture-focused job search
✅ Lets Code Startups List – For job seekers!

Direct Company Applications

✅ Fortune 500 Careers – Large corporation opportunities
✅ Tech Company List – Companies with alternative hiring
✅ Unicorn Company List – High-growth private companies

Job Search Analytics

✅ Huntr – Job application tracking
✅ JibberJobber – Job search organization
✅ Airtable Templates – Job search spreadsheet alternatives

5️⃣ Interview & Selection

Interview Preparation Roadmaps

✅ Roadmaps – Step-by-step guides with free resources!
✅ Tech Interview Handbook – Comprehensive interview guide
✅ System Design Interview – System design preparation
✅ Behavioral Interview Guide – Soft skills preparation

Previous Year Questions & Resources

✅ Company PYQs – Previous years' company-specific questions
✅ GeeksforGeeks Interview Corner – Company-wise interview experiences
✅ LeetCode Company Tags – Problems tagged by company
✅ InterviewBit Company Preparation – Company-specific prep tracks

Interview Question Banks

✅ Technical Questions – Technical & HR question banks
✅ Behavioral Questions – STAR method examples
✅ System Design Questions – Scalability and architecture
✅ Database Questions – SQL and database concepts
✅ Operating System Questions – OS fundamentals
✅ Networking Questions – Computer networks concepts

nterview Experience Learning

✅ Interview Experiences – Learn from real candidate journeys
✅ LeetCode Discuss – Recent interview experiences
✅ Glassdoor Interview Reviews – Company interview processes
✅ Blind App – Anonymous professional community

Mock Interview Platforms

✅ Interviewing.io – Anonymous technical interviews with engineers
✅ Pramp – Free peer-to-peer mock interviews
✅ LeetCode Mock Assessment – Timed coding assessments
✅ HackerRank Interview – Coding interview prep

Salary Negotiation Resources

✅ Negotiation Guide – Salary & offer discussions
✅ Levels.fyi – Tech salary benchmarking
✅ PayScale – Salary comparison tool
✅ Glassdoor Salaries – Company salary insights
✅ Salary Calculator – Offer comparison tools
✅ Negotiation Scripts – Email templates and strategies

Work Experience & Internships

✅ Internshala – Internship opportunities
✅ LetsIntern – Internship and job portal
✅ Forage – Virtual work experience programs
✅ Open Source Programs – Getting started with open source.
✅ GitHub Student Developer Pack – Free tools and resources
✅ Freelance Platforms – Build portfolio through project work

Final Interview Preparation

✅ Questions to Ask Interviewers – Show genuine interest
✅ Interview Attire Guide – Professional appearance tips
✅ Video Interview Setup – Technical setup and etiquette
✅ Follow-up Email Templates – Post-interview communication

Bonus Resources

📺 YouTube Channels for Placement Prep

✅ CodeWithHarry – Programming tutorials
✅ Apna College – Complete placement preparation
✅ Striver – DSA and interview prep
✅ Gaurav Sen – System design simplified
✅ Tech With Tim – Programming projects and tutorials
✅ Love Babbar – DSA, competitive programming & placement prep
✅ Kunal Kushwaha – Open source, DevOps, and beginner-friendly coding
✅ Anuj Bhaiya – Career guidance, DSA, and full-stack dev
✅ Jenny’s Lectures CS/IT NET&JRF – CS fundamentals in simple explanations
✅ Kevin Naughton Jr. – Coding interview walkthroughs
✅ FreeCodeCamp.org – Full free courses in tech & development
✅ Abdul Bari – Algorithms & data structures in-depth

📖 Essential Books (Free PDFs Available)

✅ Free programming books – Writing maintainable code
✅ Cracking the Coding Interview – Interview preparation bible
✅ System Design Interview – Scalable system design

✅ Action Plan Checklist

Month 1–2: Foundation Building

Master DSA basics and solve at least 100 coding problems
Build 2–3 projects showcasing different skills
Optimize LinkedIn and GitHub profiles
Create a clean, ATS-friendly resume

Month 3–4: Application Preparation

Practice system design fundamentals
Earn relevant certifications
Build a professional portfolio website
Research target companies and roles thoroughly

Month 5–6: Active Job Search

Apply to 20+ targeted positions each week
Schedule and practice regular mock interviews
Network with professionals in your target companies
Prepare for both technical and behavioral interviews

Ongoing: Skill Maintenance

Solve 2–3 coding problems daily
Keep up with industry trends
Contribute to open source projects
Maintain and grow professional relationships

Remember: The key to placement success is execution, not just collecting resources. Start with the fundamentals and level up step-by-step.

If this Placement Kit helps you, I’d love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or success stories.
Drop me an email at letscode@lets-code.co.in — I read every message.

To connect with me personally, reach out on Twitter/X.