If you're a recent graduate or a student nearing the end of college, you're probably thinking about how to land your first job. While campus placements are often seen as the main route, they're not always effective—or fair. Many students don’t get placed, and even those who do may not get roles aligned with their goals.
That’s why hiring drives are quickly becoming one of the most reliable paths to land fresher jobs, especially in 2025’s competitive job landscape.
In this blog, we’ll explore how hiring drives compare to campus placements and why they may give you an advantage you didn’t know you had.
Hiring drives are recruitment events where companies seek to fill multiple vacancies at once, usually for entry-level positions. These events can be online or in-person and are often open to graduates from any college or background.
They're commonly organized by:
Job portals (like TalentTitan, Apna, or Freshersworld)
Companies hosting bulk recruitment
Government and private training institutions
Unlike campus placements, which are limited to students from a particular college, hiring drives give everyone a fair shot—making them an ideal channel for landing fresher jobs.
Campus placements are handled by your college’s placement cell and involve pre-selected companies visiting the campus to hire students. They tend to be more structured but also more limited.
You get access to jobs without leaving campus
Less competition from outside applicants
Placements are often scheduled around your academic calendar
Only a few companies come to most campuses
You're often pushed into roles based on availability, not interest
Tier 2 and Tier 3 colleges may see fewer quality recruiters
Let’s break down why hiring drives can give you a real advantage in today’s job market.
While campus placements are typically focused on tech and core roles, hiring drives span across marketing, sales, customer support, HR, IT services, design, and more. Whether you’re from engineering, business, arts, or science, there are hiring drives out there targeting fresher jobs that match your background.
One of the biggest benefits of hiring drives is that companies prioritize your skills rather than your college brand. If you've worked on personal projects, done online certifications, or built a portfolio, you're more likely to stand out—regardless of your academic scores or college tier.
Campus placements often operate on a “one-shot” model—if you don’t make it in the first few rounds, you may be out. Hiring drives, on the other hand, happen regularly throughout the year. That means you get multiple chances to improve your resume, your interview technique, and your chances of landing a job.
Some hiring drives include same-day offer letters or fast-tracked interview rounds. For freshers who are eager to start working and gain experience, this speed can be a huge benefit.
Even if you don't get selected right away, attending multiple hiring drives helps you:
Gain real interview experience
Improve your pitch and self-introduction
Identify the roles that suit you best
Over time, this practice increases your confidence and clarity—two things every employer appreciates when hiring for fresher jobs.
Preparation is key to standing out at hiring drives. Here are some tips to help you make the most of these opportunities:
Include:
Educational background
Key skills (communication, Excel, coding, etc.)
Projects and certifications
Soft skills and achievements
Keep it brief—ideally one page—and tailor it to each role or drive you attend.
Hiring drives often involve quick screening rounds. Be ready to answer:
“Tell me about yourself”
“Why do you want this job?”
Role-specific questions (e.g., marketing basics, coding challenges)
Some great options for tracking hiring drives include:
Apna App
LinkedIn Jobs (search "Walk-in" or “Hiring Drive”)
Internshala (for internships and fresher roles)
Set up alerts and apply consistently.
Even if your technical skills are strong, communication is what gets you hired. Practice mock interviews with friends or mentors. Learn to pitch yourself clearly and confidently.
Not every role you land through a hiring drive will be your dream job—and that’s okay. Getting your first job is about learning, gaining exposure, and building a track record. You can always pivot later once you have experience.
Hiring drives are a strong option if you:
Missed out on campus placements
Didn’t get offers that matched your goals
Want to explore a different domain than your degree
Come from a college with limited placement support
If you’re eager to start your career but haven’t yet cracked the code, hiring drives may be your best opportunity to land one of the many fresher jobs available in the market.
Campus placements may work for some—but they’re not the only (or even the best) route anymore. Hiring drives are faster, more inclusive, and often better aligned with your personal goals.
They allow you to:
Apply to more companies
Learn by doing
Build real interview experience
Land roles that truly match your skills and interests
So, if you're a fresher feeling stuck or unsure, don’t wait around for the “right” opportunity to find you. Start exploring hiring drives—they might just open the door to your first big career break.
Ready to explore fresher jobs through hiring drives?
Check out TalentTitan’s upcoming drives and take your next step with confidence.