Hey, Swarnil here. This is the start of my Bangalore Job Seekers Guide series. It’s not a course, it’s my diary turned into a map. Real stories, simple steps, and things I wish someone told me when I packed one backpack and came to Bengaluru.

The Last Days of College

College was ending. Placements were over for most people. I had one half-baked project, decent marks, and a very loud question in my head: “Ab kya?”

I was scared of two things:

  • I’ll waste months waiting for luck.
  • I’ll keep “preparing” forever and never ship anything.

So I made a very small, very serious promise to myself: no perfect plan, only daily proof.

What I fixed before leaving campus:

  • A clean PDF résumé (one page, no fancy borders).
  • GitHub with at least one project people can open and run.
  • Google Drive folder with soft copies: Aadhaar, PAN, marksheets, photos.
  • ₹ saved for one month in Bangalore without asking anyone.

Packing My Life Into a Backpack

I kept it simple. Two light shirts (sky blue + white), one dark trouser, one pair of formal shoes, a light jacket, and a small umbrella. Bengaluru gives both sun and rain in the same mood swing.

Documents in hand (not just on phone):

  • 10–15 printed résumés
  • 2 passport photos
  • Photocopies of Aadhaar + PAN
  • College ID

Why? Because walk-ins and reception desks still love paper.

Landing in Bengaluru

First breath in the city was filter coffee and traffic. I took a cheap PG for two weeks in HSR Layout because it’s close to Koramangala/BTM and a lot of startup offices. You can choose Koramangala, HSR, or BTM to start. After shortlist, move closer to your office.

If you’re new-new:

  • Book a PG/hostel for 14 days. Don’t lock long contracts.
  • Walk the area by foot on Day 1. Where’s the ATM? BMTC stop? Cheapest mess?
  • Buy a local SIM the same day. Interviews will call, not email.

Money Reality (My First Month)

  • PG: ₹10k–₹15k (shared room is cheaper)
  • Food: ₹3k–₹6k (idli + mess > Zomato)
  • Commute/Phone: ₹1k–₹2k
  • Buffer: ₹2k–₹4k (prints, tests, travel)

Target ₹20k–₹30k for a calm first month.

Picking One Track (No Multiverse)

I liked many things. That was the problem. I forced myself to pick one lane for 30 days:

  • Java + SQL (Dev/QA) — solid for product companies.
  • Analytics (SQL + Dashboard) — fast to show value.
  • Salesforce / CRM Analytics — my unfair edge later.

I chose a primary and kept the rest for curiosity hours, not for procrastination.

My Simple 30-Day Plan

Daily blocks:

  • 90 min — core skill (Java/SQL/Analytics)
  • 45 min — project work (shipping, not studying)
  • 45 min — DSA/SQL practice (just 1–2 questions)
  • 30 min — applications + referral DMs

That’s it. Four blocks. If a day explodes, I still do two blocks. Progress > perfection.

Project 1 — Jobs Board REST API (Show, Don’t Tell)

I didn’t try to build Flipkart. I built a tiny jobs board API:

  • Endpoints: /jobs (GET/POST), /jobs/{id} (GET/PUT/DELETE), search by tech.
  • CSV import script to seed 50 dummy jobs.
  • README with screenshots from Postman.
  • 60‑second Loom video: “Here’s how I built + how to run.”

This project wasn’t fancy, but HRs and devs understood it in 60 seconds. That’s the goal.

Project 2 — SQL Case Study (Proof You Can Think)

I took sample data: candidates, interviews, offers. I wrote 10 queries that answered real questions:

  • Time from application to offer
  • Shortlist rate by skill
  • Top sources (referral vs job board)

I exported a one‑page PDF of insights with charts. Looked clean. Felt real.

Portfolio Polish (One Evening, Big Impact)

  • Pin the two projects on GitHub.
  • Add cover images and short descriptions.
  • Put a tiny About + Projects page (even a Notion page works).
  • Link everything on your résumé and LinkedIn “Featured” section.

Building the Application Engine

Blind applying is noise. Targeted applying is music.

My daily target: 10 applications + 2 referral DMs.

I kept a simple Google Sheet with columns: date, company, role, source, status, next_step, contact, notes.

Referral DM I used (works):

Hey <Name>, I’m a fresher in BLR focusing on <Java+SQL/Analytics/SF>.
Built <project> — 60s demo: <link>.
Saw <Role> at <Company>. If it fits, could you refer me?
I’ll share job ID + résumé. Thanks!

Founder cold email:

Subject: Junior who ships (60s demo inside)

Hey <Founder>, built a tiny <feature> idea for <your product>.
Quick Loom: <link>. If you’re hiring interns/juniors, I’d love to help.
Résumé + GitHub: <links>.

I wasn’t shy, just respectful. No spamming. Personalized. Always a demo.

Walk‑ins & Tests

  • Follow LinkedIn groups and startup pages; keep a small notebook of dates.
  • Carry 3 résumés in your bag. Always.
  • Reach early. Talk to the guard/reception politely. They help more than you think.

Dress code: sky‑blue shirt, dark trouser, clean shoes, small backpack.

Interview Prep That Doesn’t Burn You Out

Two weeks sprint:

  • DSA patterns: arrays, strings, hash map, two pointers. Don’t aim for 1000 problems.
  • SQL: joins, group by, window functions. 5 questions/day.
  • Project story: 2 minutes — problem → your approach → result.
  • HR: Why Bangalore? When did you lead? When did you fail? What changed?

I recorded one mock on my phone. Cringed. Fixed filler words. Improved.

Rejections, Fear, and the Bad Days

Some days I got ignored by everyone. Some days I questioned everything. On those days I only did two blocks (skill + one application) and went for idli + a walk. Next morning, full routine again. Simple.

Bengaluru Hacks That Saved Me

  • BMTC + Metro = cheap and reliable. Buy a pass if you travel a lot.
  • Study cafés in Koramangala/HSR let you sit for hours for one coffee. Be nice. Clean the table.
  • Carry a small power bank and umbrella. Weather is a stand‑up comedian here.
  • Eat simple. Sleep enough. You are not a robot (yet).

The First Interview Call

It came from a referral DM. Not a portal. The message said: “Saw your demo. Can we chat tomorrow?”

In the interview I didn’t act like a superhero. I walked through my tiny API and the SQL insights. I told them where my code is weak and how I’d improve it in week one.

They liked the honesty more than fancy words.

What Finally Worked

  • Small demo > big talk
  • Daily cadence > random bursts
  • Respectful DMs > mass spam
  • Sky‑blue shirt > hoodie (sad but true)

Action Checklist (Do Today)

  • Pick your lane for 30 days.
  • Start Project 1 and create a 60‑second demo script.
  • Make the tracker and send two DMs.
  • Print résumés. Keep them in your bag.

I’m building the next parts of this series as I go. If this helped, share it with one friend who is also coming to BLR. And comment your progress—main yahin hoon.

Keep Reading — Next Parts

  • Bangalore 101 — Areas, Stays, Budget: /bangalore-101-areas-stays-budget/
  • Pick Your Track (Java+SQL / Analytics / Salesforce): /pick-your-track-java-sql-analytics-salesforce/
  • Portfolio — Two Projects You Can Finish This Month: /bangalore-job-portfolio-two-projects/
  • Application Engine — Daily Cadence + Tracker: /bangalore-application-engine-walkins-referrals/
  • Interview Prep — DSA/SQL + HR Story Bank: /bangalore-interview-prep-dsa-sql-hr/
  • Offer Math + First 90 Days: /bangalore-offer-math-ctc-inhand/ and /bangalore-first-90-days-plan/
  • I Got the Job — What Changed: /i-got-the-job-bangalore/