Fresh Graduate Resources
From campus to corporate - everything you need for your first job. Navigate salary negotiations, relocation, probation, and career growth with confidence.
500+
Companies Reviewed
₹3-50 LPA
Fresher Salary Range
10+
City Guides
50+
Career Tips
Essential Resources for Freshers
Everything you need before, during, and after joining your first job
First Job Guide
Complete guide to starting your career - what to expect, how to prepare, first 90 days roadmap.
Salary Negotiation
Learn to negotiate your first salary confidently. Scripts, strategies, and what to avoid.
Bond Clauses Explained
Understanding service bonds in IT companies - legal aspects, negotiation, and exits.
Notice Period Guide
How notice periods work, buying out, negotiation strategies, and smooth transitions.
Probation Tips
How to succeed during probation period - performance tips, relationship building, confirmation.
Relocation Guides
City-wise guides for Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi & more.
Company Reviews
Salary data, culture reviews, interview experiences for 500+ companies.
Resume Builder
Build an ATS-friendly resume that gets past filters and impresses recruiters.
First 90 Days Roadmap
What to focus on in your first three months
Week 1
Setup & Onboarding
Focus Areas
- Complete joining formalities
- Set up workstation and accounts
- Meet team and manager
- Understand company policies
- Get access to required tools
Tips
Week 2-4
Learning & Observing
Focus Areas
- Focus on training sessions
- Learn team processes
- Start small tasks
- Build rapport with teammates
- Understand project context
Tips
Month 2
Contributing
Focus Areas
- Take ownership of tasks
- Seek feedback proactively
- Understand project workflows
- Identify a mentor
- Start delivering independently
Tips
Month 3
Establishing Value
Focus Areas
- Contribute independently
- Document your achievements
- Set goals with manager
- Plan skill development
- Get performance feedback
Tips
Understanding Your Salary
Know what each component means
Basic Salary
40-50% of CTC. Base for PF, gratuity calculations.
💡 Higher basic = higher PF but lower take-home
HRA (House Rent)
40-50% of basic. Tax exempt if you live in rented house.
💡 Keep rent receipts for tax savings
Special Allowance
Flexible component to balance CTC. Fully taxable.
💡 Often used to inflate CTC without PF contribution
PF (Provident Fund)
12% of basic from employee, 12% from employer.
💡 Good for long-term savings but reduces take-home
Bonus/Variable Pay
10-30% of CTC based on performance. May be quarterly/annual.
💡 Not guaranteed - understand appraisal criteria
Stock Options (ESOPs)
Company shares vesting over 3-4 years.
💡 High risk-reward. Paper value ≠ real money
Gratuity
Payable after 5 years. 15 days salary per year.
💡 Shows in CTC but you get it only after 5 years
Insurance
Health insurance, life insurance for employee + family.
💡 Check coverage amount and parents inclusion
City-wise Cost of Living
Monthly expenses comparison for freshers
| City | 1BHK Rent | 2BHK Rent | Food | Transport | Total/Month | Tech Hub |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangalore | ₹15-25K | ₹25-40K | ₹8-12K | ₹3-5K | ₹35-60K | |
| Hyderabad | ₹12-18K | ₹18-28K | ₹6-10K | ₹2-4K | ₹28-45K | |
| Pune | ₹12-20K | ₹20-32K | ₹7-11K | ₹2-4K | ₹30-50K | |
| Chennai | ₹10-16K | ₹16-25K | ₹6-9K | ₹2-3K | ₹25-40K | |
| Mumbai | ₹20-35K | ₹35-60K | ₹10-15K | ₹3-5K | ₹45-80K | |
| Delhi NCR | ₹12-22K | ₹20-35K | ₹8-12K | ₹3-5K | ₹32-55K | |
| Kolkata | ₹8-14K | ₹14-22K | ₹5-8K | ₹2-3K | ₹22-35K | - |
| Ahmedabad | ₹8-14K | ₹14-22K | ₹5-8K | ₹2-3K | ₹22-35K | - |
Pro Tips for Freshers
Wisdom from experienced professionals
Dont Compare Salaries
Everyone has different backgrounds and negotiations. Focus on your growth, not others packages.
Avoid Office Politics Early
Stay neutral, dont gossip, focus on work. Observe politics but dont participate initially.
Document Everything
Keep records of achievements, learnings, feedback. Useful for appraisals and future jobs.
Build Relationships
Network with people across teams. Good relationships open opportunities and make work enjoyable.
Take Care of Health
Dont sacrifice sleep and exercise for work. Long-term health affects career more than short-term gains.
Keep Learning
Allocate time weekly for upskilling. First year is about learning, not just earning.
Communicate Proactively
Over-communicate status updates. Let manager know blockers early. No surprises.
Save Money Early
Save at least 20% of salary from first paycheck. Lifestyle inflation is real. Start SIP early.
Common Fresher Mistakes
Learn from others experiences
Leaving too early for small hike
Stability in first job matters. Frequent job hops hurt resume. Wait at least 1-2 years.
Not negotiating first salary
First salary sets baseline for future. 10% more today compounds over career.
Ignoring bonds completely
Understand bond clauses before joining. Some are enforceable, some are not.
Being overconfident about college
Industry is different from academics. Stay humble, be willing to learn.
Not asking questions
Pretending to know costs more than asking. No one expects freshers to know everything.
Comparing with batchmates
Different roles, companies, and negotiations. Focus on your own journey.
Ignoring soft skills
Technical skills get you hired, soft skills get you promoted. Work on communication.
Not networking within company
Internal mobility is easier. Know people across teams for growth opportunities.
Industry-wise Fresher Guide
What to expect in different industries
IT/Software
Avg: ₹4-15 LPA
Tips:
- DSA important
- Projects matter
- Remote options available
Top Companies:
Product Companies
Avg: ₹12-40 LPA
Tips:
- Strong DSA required
- System design knowledge
- Multiple interview rounds
Top Companies:
Consulting
Avg: ₹8-20 LPA
Tips:
- Case studies important
- Communication skills
- Client-facing roles
Top Companies:
Finance/Banking
Avg: ₹6-15 LPA
Tips:
- Excel proficiency
- Financial modeling
- Certifications help
Top Companies:
Core Engineering
Avg: ₹4-12 LPA
Tips:
- Domain knowledge key
- GATE for PSUs
- Limited positions
Top Companies:
Startups
Avg: ₹6-25 LPA
Tips:
- Equity important
- Multiple responsibilities
- High learning curve
Top Companies:
Quick Tools
Useful utilities for freshers
Frequently Asked Questions
1What should I expect in first month of job?
Expect training, onboarding, meeting team members. Focus on learning company culture, processes, and tools. Dont expect to contribute significantly immediately. Ask questions freely and build relationships.
2How to negotiate salary as a fresher?
Research market rates, wait for company to make first offer, negotiate respectfully, consider total compensation not just base, ask for time to think. Dont accept immediately, dont share expected salary early.
3Are service bonds legally enforceable?
Bonds with reasonable conditions (1-2 years, fair compensation) may be enforceable. Excessive bonds (5+ years, huge penalties) are less likely to be enforced. Consult legal expert for specific cases. Many freshers break bonds successfully.
4What is typical notice period for freshers?
Usually 1-3 months. Some companies have shorter notice during probation (1 month or even 15 days). Check offer letter carefully. Notice buy-out is sometimes possible.
5How to survive probation period?
Be punctual, meet deadlines, ask questions, seek feedback proactively, build relationships, document achievements. Most people clear probation - very few are terminated if they show genuine effort.
6Which city is best for freshers in tech?
Bangalore has most tech jobs and startups but high cost. Hyderabad offers good jobs with lower costs. Pune is balanced. Choose based on job offers, not just city preference. Remote work is increasingly common.
7Should I join service company or wait for product company?
Depends on situation. Service company experience is still valuable. If you have no offers, take what you get and prepare for switch. Dont stay unemployed waiting for dream company. Can always switch after 1-2 years.
8How much should I save from first salary?
Target 20-30% savings. Start SIP immediately. Create emergency fund of 3-6 months expenses. Avoid lifestyle inflation. First few years of savings compound heavily due to time value of money.
9Is it okay to switch jobs in first year?
Ideally no, unless toxic environment or significantly better opportunity. Frequent job hops in initial career hurt resume. Aim for minimum 1-2 years in first job. Stability shows commitment.
10How to prepare for first performance review?
Document all achievements throughout the year. Quantify impact where possible. Prepare examples of challenges overcome. Have growth plan ready. Be prepared to discuss areas of improvement honestly.
11What to do if I dont like my first job?
Give it time (6+ months) - initial adjustment takes time. Talk to manager about concerns. Focus on learning and building skills. Start preparing for switch quietly. Dont quit without another offer.
12How to handle toxic manager or team?
Document issues, try internal transfer first, talk to HR if serious issues. Build network for external opportunities. Dont suffer silently but also dont act impulsively. Mental health is priority.
Ready to Start Your Career?
You have all the resources you need. Now go out there and make your mark. Remember - everyone was a fresher once!