Project Experience Format:
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for maximum impact:

Example:
E-commerce Management System | [GitHub Link] | [Live Demo]

• Situation: Built full-stack e-commerce platform to understand complete application lifecycle
• Task: Implemented user authentication, product catalog, shopping cart, and payment processing
• Action: Used Spring Boot for RESTful APIs, React.js for user interface, MySQL for data persistence
• Result: Achieved 99.5% uptime, handled 500+ concurrent users, 2-second page load time

Job Portals and Application Strategy

Primary Job Platforms:

• Naukri.com – Largest Indian job portal with 75%+ tech job postings
• LinkedIn Jobs – Professional networking with direct recruiter access
• Indeed India – Broad marketplace with company reviews and salary insights
• TimesJobs – Technology-focused with skill-based matching
• AngelList – Startup ecosystem with equity-based compensation

Specialized Developer Platforms:

• HackerEarth Jobs – Developer-centric with coding challenges
• CutShort – Tech talent marketplace with video profiles
• Instahyre – Curated opportunities with fast-track hiring
• TopTal – Freelance and remote work opportunities
• Turing – Global remote developer jobs

Application Best Practices:

• Customize Applications – Tailor resume and cover letter for each position
• Follow-up Strategy – Professional follow-up emails after 1 week
• Application Tracking – Spreadsheet to monitor applications and responses
• Networking Approach – Connect with employees at target companies

Interview Preparation Framework

Technical Interview Categories:

Core Java Questions:

1. “Explain the difference between JDK, JRE, and JVM with practical examples”
2. “How does garbage collection work in Java? What are different GC algorithms?”
3. “Implement a thread-safe singleton pattern in Java”
4. “Explain the concept of serialization and when you would use it”
5. “What are the key principles of object-oriented programming?”

Spring Framework Questions:

1. “How does dependency injection work in Spring? Show with code examples”
2. “Explain the lifecycle of a Spring Bean and different scopes available”
3. “What’s the difference between @RestController and @Controller annotations?”
4. “How would you handle global exception handling in Spring Boot?”
5. “Design a RESTful API for a library management system”

Database and SQL Questions:

1. “Write a query to find the second highest salary from an employee table”
2. “Explain different types of joins with practical scenarios”
3. “How would you optimize a slow-performing query?”
4. “What’s the difference between clustered and non-clustered indexes?”
5. “Design a database schema for an e-commerce application”

System Design Questions (Senior Positions):

1. “Design a URL shortening service like bit.ly“
2. “How would you design a chat application backend?”
3. “Design a notification system for a social media platform”
4. “Explain how you would handle high traffic on an e-commerce website”

Frontend and Integration Questions:

1. “How do you handle state management in React applications?”
2. “Explain the difference between synchronous and asynchronous JavaScript”
3. “How would you implement authentication in a single-page application?”
4. “What are the best practices for API integration in frontend applications?”
   

Salary Negotiation Strategies

Market Research Tools:

• Glassdoor India – Company-specific salary ranges and employee reviews
• PayScale – Role-based compensation data with experience factors
• AmbitionBox – Indian company salary insights and work culture reviews
• Indeed Salary Tool – Real-time salary data based on job postings

Negotiation Preparation:

1. Research Total Compensation – Base salary, bonuses, stock options, benefits
2. Document Your Value – Portfolio projects, certifications, unique skills
3. Consider Location Factors – Cost of living differences between cities
4. Understand Company Stage – Startup vs established company compensation structures

Negotiation Tactics:

• Express Enthusiasm – Show genuine interest in the role and company
• Present Range, Not Single Number – Provides flexibility for both parties
• Consider Non-Salary Benefits – Learning opportunities, flexible work, conference attendance
• Professional Response Time – Request 24-48 hours to consider offer