However, getting selected requires more than simply having a good academic record. Candidates need to understand the recruitment process, prepare strategically, and know how to present the experiences they already have.

To understand the process from someone who has successfully gone through it, we spoke with Sharzin Sharif, a GEM Intern, who shared how he prepared for the selection process and what helped him along the way.

A four-stage selection process

The GEM recruitment journey typically moves through four stages: CV screening, an aptitude and assessment test, a Focus Group Discussion (FGD), and a final interview.

The first hurdle is the CV screening. For fresh graduates, a concise, well-structured one-page CV can make a strong first impression. Instead of filling the page with every activity they have participated in, candidates should highlight experiences that demonstrate their skills and potential.

Club activities, case competitions, hackathons, projects, campus ambassadorships, volunteering and part-time jobs can all strengthen a CV. But simply listing these experiences is not enough. Candidates should focus on their contribution and impact: what they did, what skills they developed and what they achieved.

It is also important to keep the CV authentic. While AI tools can help improve wording and structure, candidates should avoid blindly copying generic AI-generated content. The CV should reflect their actual experiences and tell their own story.

Robi recruits GEM interns across different functions depending on the recruitment cycle. Previous cohorts have included Corporate Strategy, HR, IT Demand Management, Customer Experience, Robi Marketing, New Core Application, Employer Branding, Airtel Marketing, and Digital Solutions & VAS.

No corporate experience? Don’t worry

For many fresh graduates, the biggest concern is the lack of corporate experience. But an internship programme is designed precisely to give young professionals their first meaningful exposure to the corporate environment. What matters is how candidates demonstrate their potential.

A case competition can showcase analytical thinking. A hackathon can demonstrate problem-solving. Club activities can highlight teamwork and leadership. A campus ambassador role can demonstrate communication and responsibility, while a part-time job can show that a candidate has already experienced professional responsibilities. The goal is to show qualities such as initiative, adaptability, communication, teamwork, problem-solving and a willingness to learn.

Preparing for the assessment

After passing the CV screening, candidates move on to the assessment stage, which includes aptitude, behavioural and psychometric components. But how should a candidate actually prepare for it?

According to Sharzin, preparation should not be limited to the few days before an assessment. He practised aptitude questions through free online platforms, including Grow Your Career, and worked on IBA-style questions to improve his speed and accuracy.

He also believes that applying to different opportunities is itself a form of preparation. Each internship application, assessment and interview gives students an opportunity to understand the recruitment process better, identify their weaknesses and become more confident for the next opportunity.

As Sharzin puts it, “I also believe that applying for different opportunities itself is a form of preparation.”

His approach was not to wait until he felt completely ready. Instead, every application became another opportunity to learn, practise and improve.

The FGD and final interview

The next challenge is the Focus Group Discussion, where communication and teamwork become particularly important. Candidates do not necessarily need to be the person who speaks the most. Instead, they should focus on contributing relevant ideas, listening to others, building on different perspectives and keeping the discussion constructive.

The final interview then gives candidates the opportunity to bring their experiences together. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their CV, university activities, projects, career interests and reasons for wanting to join Robi. Rather than memorising scripted answers, candidates should understand their own experiences well enough to explain them naturally.

Sharzin prepared for this stage through mentorship and repeated interview exposure. He enrolled in GYC’s Marketing Mentorship Cohort, where he practised extensively. His involvement in university clubs and part-time activities also gave him opportunities to participate in interviews and gradually build his confidence.

What happens after getting selected?

For Sharzin, getting through the selection process was only the beginning. As a GEM Intern in Corporate Strategy, he has gained exposure to the telecommunications industry, Excel and data analysis, project management, presentation skills, marketing and several other areas. But one of his biggest takeaways has been learning to think beyond the surface of a business problem.

In Corporate Strategy, understanding why something is happening can be just as important as finding out what is happening. Whether it is understanding why a company enters or exits a business or why a particular strategy is being considered, deeper research and structured thinking are essential.

“The most important lesson has been that entering the corporate world is not about knowing everything, but about having the mindset to continuously learn, question, and improve,” Sharzin explained.

The key takeaway for fresh graduates

Cracking a programme like GEM does not come from having a perfect CV or years of corporate experience. It comes from making the most of the experiences you already have and continuously working on yourself.

Start building your CV early. Take part in clubs, case competitions, hackathons, projects and campus initiatives. Develop your communication and analytical skills. Practise aptitude questions. Get comfortable with interviews. If you have a part-time job, use that experience to demonstrate your professional skills. Most importantly, do not wait until you feel completely ready to apply.

Every application, assessment, interview and even rejection can teach you something that makes you better prepared for the next opportunity. For final-semester students and fresh graduates hoping to enter the corporate world, the formula is simple: start early, stay curious, keep learning, and keep applying.