If you are a college student or recent graduate searching for “IT fresher recruitment process,” “IT hiring process for freshers,” “how companies hire freshers,” “fresher placement process,” or “what happens after applying for an IT job,” the process can feel confusing.
You submit a resume.
Then you wait.
Sometimes you receive an online assessment link. Sometimes you get a call for an interview. Sometimes you are shortlisted for a technical round without knowing what the company will ask. And sometimes your application simply moves nowhere.
The important thing to understand is that IT fresher recruitment is usually a sequence of stages, not one single interview.
The exact process differs from company to company, but a typical fresher hiring journey can include:
Application → Resume Screening → Eligibility Check → Aptitude/Online Assessment → Coding Test → Technical Interview → HR/Communication Round → Final Selection → Offer → Joining
This guide explains what happens at each stage, what recruiters are trying to evaluate, what freshers should prepare, common mistakes, and how you can make the recruitment process less unpredictable.
A Simple Story: Rahul's First IT Interview
Imagine a 2026 B.E. graduate named Rahul.
He knows Java.
He has completed two academic projects.
He has a decent resume.
But he has never attended a professional IT recruitment drive.
One Monday morning, Rahul applies for a Junior Software Developer position.
Three days later, he receives an assessment link.
He immediately starts searching:
“What questions are asked in an IT online test?”
He spends the evening solving random questions.
The next morning, he completes the assessment.
A few days later, he receives a technical interview invitation.
Now another question appears:
“What happens in a technical interview for freshers?”
This time, the interviewer asks about Java, OOP, SQL, his project and one coding problem.
Rahul answers some questions correctly but struggles to explain his own project.
He does not get selected.
The problem wasn't necessarily that Rahul lacked technical knowledge.
He had prepared subjects.
He had not prepared for the recruitment process.
That distinction matters.
The IT Fresher Recruitment Process at a Glance
Think of fresher recruitment as a cycle rather than a straight line:
Discover Opportunity
↓
Check Eligibility
↓
Apply
↓
Resume Screening
↓
Online/Aptitude Assessment
↓
Coding Assessment
↓
Technical Interview
↓
Communication/HR Round
↓
Selection & Offer
↓
Joining & Onboarding
↓
Learn From Feedback
↺
Apply Again
Not every company uses every stage.
Some companies combine aptitude and coding.
Some conduct multiple technical interviews.
Some skip aptitude completely.
Some start with a recruiter call.
Some conduct a group discussion or communication assessment.
Therefore, prepare for the skills behind the stages rather than memorising one fixed recruitment process.
Step 1: Finding the Right IT Fresher Job
The recruitment process begins before you submit your resume.
Freshers commonly search for:
-
IT jobs for freshers
-
Software developer jobs for freshers
-
Java developer jobs for freshers
-
Graduate engineer trainee jobs
-
Software engineer trainee jobs
-
Junior developer jobs
-
Backend developer jobs
-
Full stack developer jobs
-
IT internships
-
Off-campus jobs
-
Campus placement drives
-
Walk-in interviews for freshers
The first mistake is applying everywhere without checking eligibility.
Before applying, read:
-
Qualification
-
Graduation year
-
Branch requirements
-
Percentage/CGPA criteria
-
Backlog requirements
-
Experience requirements
-
Location
-
Work mode
-
Required technical skills
-
Assessment requirements
-
Application deadline
For example, a current VibrantMinds campus-drive listing shows that different opportunities can have different qualification and branch requirements, demonstrating why candidates should check each drive individually rather than assuming every fresher opportunity has the same eligibility rules.
Step 2: Application and Candidate Registration
Once you find a suitable opportunity, you normally submit your application.
This may involve:
-
Creating a candidate profile
-
Uploading a resume
-
Entering educational details
-
Adding contact information
-
Selecting skills
-
Providing graduation details
-
Answering eligibility questions
-
Uploading documents where required
This stage looks simple, but small mistakes can create problems later.
Before clicking Apply
Ask yourself:
Is my graduation year correct?
Is my percentage/CGPA accurate?
Have I mentioned the correct branch?
Does my resume match the role?
Are my contact details active?
Can I explain every skill written on my resume?
That last question is especially important.
If your resume says Java, Spring Boot, SQL, Git and REST API, you should expect questions about them.
Step 3: Resume Screening
After application submission, the recruiter or hiring team reviews candidate information.
For fresher positions, screening may involve:
-
Educational eligibility
-
Graduation year
-
Relevant branch
-
Required skills
-
Resume quality
-
Project relevance
-
Academic criteria
-
Location requirements
-
Other company-specific conditions
A resume does not need to contain 50 technologies.
A fresher resume can be much stronger when it clearly shows:
Education + Skills + Projects + Internship/Training + Achievements + Contact Information
Instead of writing:
Java, Python, SQL, HTML, CSS, React, Angular, Node, AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, AI, ML, Blockchain...
you should be able to demonstrate the important technologies you list.
For a Java-focused fresher, for example:
Java → OOP → DSA → SQL → Spring Boot → REST API → Project
creates a much more understandable technical story.
Step 4: The Online Assessment
If your resume passes the initial screening, the next stage may be an online assessment.
This is one of the most common stages that makes freshers nervous.
An assessment can contain different sections such as:
-
Quantitative aptitude
-
Logical reasoning
-
Verbal ability
-
Technical MCQs
-
Programming fundamentals
-
Coding problems
-
SQL questions
-
Computer science fundamentals
The exact structure depends on the employer.
The goal is generally to evaluate whether you have the foundational reasoning and technical ability expected for the role.
What Should You Study for an IT Online Assessment?
For aptitude:
-
Percentages
-
Ratios
-
Averages
-
Profit and loss
-
Time and work
-
Number systems
-
Probability basics
-
Data interpretation
For logical reasoning:
-
Series
-
Patterns
-
Coding-decoding
-
Blood relations
-
Directions
-
Logical puzzles
-
Statements and conclusions
For technical MCQs:
-
OOP
-
Programming fundamentals
-
DBMS
-
SQL
-
Operating systems
-
Computer networks
-
Data structures
For coding:
-
Arrays
-
Strings
-
Loops
-
Conditions
-
Searching
-
Sorting
-
Basic recursion
-
Hashing
-
Simple problem-solving
Step 5: Coding Assessment
For developer positions, coding may be a separate stage or part of the online assessment.
The interviewer is not necessarily looking for a candidate who writes extremely complicated code.
For fresher-level coding, fundamentals matter.
For example, suppose you are asked to find the largest number in an array.
A simple Java solution could look like this:
public class LargestNumber {
public static void main(String[] args) {
int[] numbers = {12, 45, 7, 89, 23};
int largest = numbers[0];
for (int i = 1; i < numbers.length; i++) {
if (numbers[i] > largest) {
largest = numbers[i];
}
}
System.out.println("Largest number: " + largest);
}
}
The important part is not simply producing output.
A technical interviewer may ask:
-
Why did you initialise
largestwith the first element? -
What is the time complexity?
-
What happens with an empty array?
-
Can you solve it using another approach?
-
Can you write the same logic using Java Streams?
This is why understanding your code is more important than memorising code from tutorials.
Step 6: Shortlisting for the Technical Interview
Candidates who meet the required assessment criteria may move to a technical interview.
This is where many freshers discover an important reality:
Your resume gets you into the interview. Your understanding helps you continue through it.
Technical interviews for freshers can cover:
Programming
-
Java/Python/C++ fundamentals
-
Variables
-
Loops
-
Functions
-
OOP
-
Exception handling
-
Collections
DSA
-
Arrays
-
Strings
-
Searching
-
Sorting
-
Linked lists
-
Stacks
-
Queues
-
Basic complexity
Database
-
SQL
-
Joins
-
Primary keys
-
Foreign keys
-
Normalisation
-
CRUD operations
Web/backend
-
HTTP
-
REST APIs
-
JSON
-
Spring Boot
-
MVC
-
Authentication basics
Projects
-
What did you build?
-
Why did you build it?
-
What was your role?
-
Which database did you use?
-
What problems did you face?
-
How did you solve them?
The Golden Rule of Technical Interviews
Never put a project on your resume that you cannot explain.
If your resume says:
“Developed an e-commerce application using Java, Spring Boot, MySQL and React.”
be prepared for:
Why Spring Boot?
How does your API communicate with the frontend?
What tables did you create?
How did you handle authentication?
What happens when a user places an order?
What was the hardest bug you faced?
Show me how you would design the order API.
A project becomes valuable when you can explain your decisions.
Step 7: The Project Discussion
This stage is particularly important for freshers because projects can compensate for limited professional experience by giving interviewers something practical to discuss.
A good project explanation follows a simple sequence:
Problem → Solution → Technology → Your Contribution → Challenge → Result
For example:
“I built a student placement management application to simplify student registration and company drive tracking. I used Java and Spring Boot for the backend, MySQL for data storage and HTML/CSS/JavaScript for the frontend. I worked mainly on the REST APIs and database integration. One challenge was validating duplicate student registrations, which I handled through database constraints and backend validation.”
That sounds much stronger than:
“It was a college project using Java.”
Step 8: Communication or Group Discussion Round
Some recruitment processes include communication assessments, presentations or group discussions.
This does not mean you need extremely advanced English.
You need to communicate your thoughts clearly.
For a group discussion, focus on:
-
Understanding the topic
-
Speaking logically
-
Listening to others
-
Avoiding unnecessary interruption
-
Giving examples
-
Respecting different opinions
-
Staying relevant
A useful structure is:
Point → Reason → Example → Conclusion
For example:
“I believe practical projects are important for freshers because they demonstrate how theoretical knowledge is applied. For example, building a REST API requires understanding Java, HTTP, databases and debugging together. Therefore, projects can help candidates demonstrate practical skills during interviews.”
Simple.
Clear.
Structured.
Step 9: The HR Interview
The HR round is often misunderstood.
Freshers sometimes think:
“The technical round is finished, so the job is guaranteed.”
It isn't.
The HR round may explore:
-
Communication
-
Career goals
-
Availability
-
Location flexibility
-
Teamwork
-
Professional behaviour
-
Salary expectations
-
Joining availability
-
Academic gaps
-
Previous interview experiences
-
Motivation for the role
Common questions include:
Tell me about yourself.
Why do you want to join our company?
Why did you choose IT?
What are your strengths?
What are you currently improving?
Are you comfortable relocating?
Are you comfortable working from office?
Where do you see yourself in the next few years?
The best approach is not to memorise artificial answers.
Prepare your points and speak naturally.
A Better Way to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”
Use this structure:
Present → Education → Skills → Project → Career Goal
Example:
“I recently completed my B.E. in Computer Engineering. During my studies, I developed a strong interest in Java development and backend technologies. I have worked with Core Java, SQL, Spring Boot and REST APIs and built a project that helped me understand how these technologies work together. I am currently looking for an entry-level software development opportunity where I can apply these skills and continue learning in a professional environment.”
Keep it relevant.
You don't need to narrate your entire life story.
Step 10: Final Selection
If you successfully complete the required recruitment stages, the company may communicate the selection decision.
Depending on the employer, this can include:
-
Selection confirmation
-
Offer letter
-
Salary details
-
Job designation
-
Location
-
Joining date
-
Documentation requirements
-
Background verification
-
Employment conditions
Read the offer carefully before accepting it.
Check:
-
Designation
-
Compensation
-
Location
-
Probation
-
Joining date
-
Notice period
-
Bond/service agreement, if any
-
Other important employment terms
Do not rely only on verbal promises.
Step 11: Joining and Onboarding
Selection is not necessarily the end of the process.
Once you join, you may go through:
Documentation → Verification → Orientation → Training → Team Allocation → Project Assignment
Your first few weeks may involve learning internal tools, processes, coding standards and company systems.
This is why becoming job-ready should not mean:
“I only need to clear the interview.”
It should mean:
“I need enough practical knowledge to start contributing after I join.”
What Recruiters May Actually Look For in a Fresher
A fresher does not need to know everything.
Recruiters may be evaluating whether the candidate has:
-
Strong fundamentals
-
Problem-solving ability
-
Learning attitude
-
Communication skills
-
Basic technical depth
-
Project understanding
-
Professional behaviour
-
Role-relevant skills
-
Ability to explain decisions
Think about it this way:
Recruitment is not only an exam of what you know. It is also a demonstration of how you think.
The Fresher Recruitment Cycle You Should Prepare For
Instead of preparing randomly, use this cycle:
LEARN
↓
PRACTICE
↓
BUILD
↓
TEST
↓
INTERVIEW
↓
LEARN FROM REJECTION
↓
IMPROVE
↺
APPLY AGAIN
This is one of the most important mindset shifts for freshers.
A rejected application is not necessarily proof that you cannot build an IT career.
It can tell you where your current preparation needs improvement.
Why Freshers Get Stuck Between Assessment and Interview
One common situation looks like this:
10 applications
↓
4 assessment invitations
↓
2 completed assessments
↓
1 technical interview
↓
0 offers
The candidate may think:
“I am not good enough.”
But the actual problem could be very specific:
-
Weak DSA
-
Poor SQL
-
Unable to explain project
-
Communication gap
-
Resume mismatch
-
Incomplete fundamentals
-
Poor assessment accuracy
-
Lack of interview practice
Instead of asking only:
“Why didn't I get selected?”
ask:
“At which stage did I lose the opportunity?”
That question gives you something actionable.
A Fresher's Recruitment Debugging Method
You can treat your job search like debugging software.
If the result is:
No interview calls
Check:
→ Resume
→ Eligibility
→ Job targeting
→ Application quality
If you get interviews but fail assessments:
→ Aptitude
→ Coding
→ Technical fundamentals
If you pass assessments but fail technical interviews:
→ DSA
→ OOP
→ SQL
→ Projects
→ Communication
If you reach HR but don't receive offers:
→ Communication
→ Role understanding
→ Availability
→ Professional responses
This makes job searching less emotional and more measurable.
Common IT Fresher Recruitment Mistakes
Mistake 1: Applying Without Reading Eligibility
A candidate may apply to 50 jobs but qualify for only 15.
Fix: Check requirements before applying.
Mistake 2: Putting Too Many Skills on the Resume
Listing 20 technologies doesn't automatically demonstrate expertise.
Fix: Focus on skills you can explain.
Mistake 3: Ignoring SQL
Many developer candidates focus heavily on programming and forget databases.
Fix: Practise SQL queries, joins, grouping, subqueries and CRUD operations.
Mistake 4: Memorising Interview Answers
Interviewers can often recognise scripted responses.
Fix: Understand the concept and answer using your own experience.
Mistake 5: Not Knowing Your Project
This is one of the easiest mistakes to avoid.
Fix: Be able to explain architecture, database, features, challenges and your contribution.
Mistake 6: Stopping After One Rejection
Recruitment is competitive.
Fix: Record the stage where you were rejected and improve that specific area.
What Should an IT Fresher Learn Before Applying?
A basic job-readiness checklist can include:
Programming
-
One primary programming language
-
OOP
-
Exception handling
-
Collections/data structures
-
Basic problem-solving
DSA
-
Arrays
-
Strings
-
Searching
-
Sorting
-
Linked lists
-
Stack
-
Queue
-
Complexity basics
Database
-
SQL
-
Joins
-
CRUD
-
Keys
-
Normalisation basics
Development
-
Git
-
APIs
-
HTTP basics
-
Debugging
-
One practical project
Interview
-
Self-introduction
-
Project explanation
-
Technical fundamentals
-
Coding practice
-
HR questions
Professional skills
-
Communication
-
Email etiquette
-
Teamwork
-
Time management
-
Interview behaviour
How VibrantMinds Helps Freshers Prepare for the Recruitment Journey
For candidates who need structured preparation rather than learning completely on their own, VibrantMinds Technologies combines technical training with job-readiness and placement assistance.
Its current Full Stack Java program in Pune covers Core Java, Advanced Java, DSA, Spring Boot, REST APIs, SQL, HTML, CSS and JavaScript, along with coding practice, aptitude preparation, spoken English, soft skills, group discussion practice, resume guidance and mock-interview preparation. The program is available through online and classroom training.
The current course information also lists technologies and tools including React.js, MySQL, MongoDB, Git & GitHub, Postman and Docker, alongside the Java/Spring Boot stack.
For candidates specifically looking for placement support, VibrantMinds' current placement policy describes support such as campus-drive notifications, resume preparation, interview grooming and direct referrals to hiring partners for eligible candidates. It also states that placement assistance and campus-drive registration are provided without a placement or registration fee.
Importantly, placement assistance should not be confused with a guaranteed job. VibrantMinds' published policy states that registration does not guarantee employment and that outcomes depend on candidate performance, market conditions and hiring-partner requirements.
You can explore the current programs through the official VibrantMinds Courses page or review the detailed Full Stack Java Course.
VibrantMinds Campus Drives: What Happens After You Apply?
For candidates using the VibrantMinds candidate portal, the published campus-drive process provides another practical example of how fresher recruitment can work.
The current placement policy describes the sequence as:
Drive Registration → Credential Verification → Shortlisting → Interview Coordination → Result Declaration → Offer Letter Facilitation.
The campus-drive portal currently displays active and recent fresher opportunities with role, eligibility, location and application information. It also states that candidates can apply through individual drive cards and that shortlisted candidates are notified through email and WhatsApp.
You can check current opportunities through the official VibrantMinds Campus Drives portal.
Stay Connected With Fresher Job and Campus Drive Updates
If you are actively searching for IT jobs for freshers, campus placements, off-campus drives, walk-in interviews, coding assessments and fresher recruitment updates, VibrantMinds also publishes fresher opportunities through WhatsApp groups.
Current official fresher job-update groups include:
The current VibrantMinds fresher-job page describes these updates as including off-campus drives, walk-in drives, online assessments, interview announcements and eligibility information.
A 7-Day IT Recruitment Preparation Challenge
If you have an assessment or interview coming up, try this simple seven-day cycle.
Day 1 — Programming Fundamentals
Revise variables, loops, conditions, functions and OOP.
Day 2 — DSA
Solve 5–10 basic array and string problems.
Day 3 — SQL
Practise SELECT, WHERE, GROUP BY, JOIN and subqueries.
Day 4 — Project
Explain your project aloud from beginning to end.
Day 5 — Aptitude
Solve timed quantitative and logical reasoning questions.
Day 6 — Interview
Practise technical and HR questions.
Day 7 — Mock Recruitment
Simulate the complete process:
Introduction → Aptitude → Coding → Technical Questions → Project Discussion → HR
The goal is not perfection.
The goal is familiarity.
The 60-Second Rule for Freshers
Before every interview, remember these five things:
1. Know your resume.
2. Know your project.
3. Know your fundamentals.
4. Know the role.
5. Know why you want the opportunity.
If you can confidently explain these five areas, your preparation becomes much more focused.
IT Fresher Recruitment: Myths vs Reality
Myth: “I need to know every programming language.”
Reality: Employers hiring for a specific role generally need evidence that you understand the relevant skills.
Myth: “A certificate guarantees an interview.”
Reality: A certificate can document learning, but your skills, eligibility, application and interview performance still matter.
Myth: “If I fail one interview, I cannot get an IT job.”
Reality: Recruitment involves many companies, roles and selection processes.
Myth: “Only coding matters.”
Reality: Depending on the role and employer, aptitude, communication, SQL, projects, technical fundamentals and interview behaviour can also matter.
Myth: “Getting shortlisted means I am selected.”
Reality: Shortlisting normally means you have progressed to another stage of evaluation.
Questions Freshers Should Ask Before Applying
Don't only ask:
“What is the salary?”
Also ask:
-
What is the job role?
-
What skills are required?
-
What is the eligibility criteria?
-
Is the position for freshers?
-
Is there an assessment?
-
What technologies are involved?
-
Is the job onsite, hybrid or remote?
-
Where is the location?
-
What is the selection process?
-
What documents are required?
-
Is there any employment bond or service agreement?
-
What is the expected joining timeline?
A good candidate doesn't simply look for a job.
A good candidate understands the opportunity.
What If You Are Rejected?
Don't immediately change your entire career plan.
First identify the stage.
Rejected during screening?
Review eligibility and resume.
Rejected in aptitude?
Improve quantitative and reasoning practice.
Rejected in coding?
Work on programming and DSA.
Rejected in technical interview?
Strengthen fundamentals and project knowledge.
Rejected in HR?
Practise communication and role-specific responses.
This creates a much better improvement loop than randomly learning another programming language every time you receive a rejection.
Final Fresher Recruitment Checklist
Before your next IT recruitment drive, make sure you can say yes to most of these:
☐ My resume is updated.
☐ I meet the eligibility criteria.
☐ I understand every skill mentioned on my resume.
☐ I can explain my project.
☐ I know programming fundamentals.
☐ I have practised basic DSA.
☐ I can write basic SQL queries.
☐ I have solved timed aptitude questions.
☐ I have practised coding under time limits.
☐ I have prepared my introduction.
☐ I know about the role I applied for.
☐ I can explain why I want the role.
☐ My email and phone number are active.
☐ I know the interview location/time or online meeting details.
☐ I have the required documents ready.
Final Takeaway: Understand the Process Before You Fear It
The IT fresher recruitment process may look complicated when you see it as a long list of tests and interviews.
But when you break it down, the journey becomes easier to understand:
Find the right role
↓
Check eligibility
↓
Apply correctly
↓
Pass the initial screening
↓
Prepare for aptitude/coding
↓
Demonstrate technical knowledge
↓
Explain your projects
↓
Communicate professionally
↓
Complete the HR stage
↓
Review the offer
↓
Start your career
The most important lesson is simple:
Don't prepare only to get selected. Prepare to demonstrate that you can do the work.
If you are a fresher currently preparing for IT placements, focus on the fundamentals that repeatedly appear across recruitment stages: programming, DSA, SQL, projects, problem-solving, communication and interview preparation.
And remember Rahul's story from the beginning.
He didn't necessarily need to learn ten new technologies.
He needed to understand where the recruitment process was testing him and prepare for those checkpoints one by one.
That is the real advantage of understanding the IT fresher recruitment process.
Once the process becomes familiar, your preparation becomes more structured—and every assessment, interview and rejection gives you information that you can use for the next opportunity.
For current training information, placement support and fresher opportunities, visit the official VibrantMinds Technologies website or the VibrantMinds Candidate Portal.
Frequently Asked Questions About IT Fresher Recruitment
What is the IT fresher recruitment process?
A typical IT fresher recruitment process may include application, resume screening, eligibility verification, aptitude or online assessment, coding test, technical interview, communication or HR interview, final selection and onboarding. The exact stages vary by company and role.
What happens after applying for an IT job as a fresher?
After applying, the company may check your eligibility and resume. If shortlisted, you may receive an assessment link or interview invitation. Candidates who successfully complete the required rounds may proceed to final selection.
Is coding mandatory for every IT fresher job?
Not necessarily. The importance of coding depends on the job role. Developer and software-engineering positions commonly involve programming or technical assessments, while some other IT roles may place greater emphasis on different skills.
What should freshers prepare for technical interviews?
Freshers should generally prepare their primary programming language, OOP concepts, basic DSA, SQL, database fundamentals, projects and role-specific technologies.
How many rounds are there in an IT fresher interview?
There is no universal number. A recruitment process may contain one assessment and one interview, while another company may conduct multiple assessments, technical interviews and an HR round.
Why do freshers fail technical interviews?
Common reasons include weak fundamentals, inability to explain projects, difficulty solving basic coding problems, insufficient SQL knowledge, poor understanding of resume skills and difficulty communicating technical concepts clearly.
Is a Java Full Stack course enough to get an IT job?
A course can provide structured learning and preparation, but completing a course does not by itself guarantee employment. Candidates still need to meet employer eligibility requirements and demonstrate their skills during recruitment. VibrantMinds' published placement policy similarly states that placement registration does not guarantee employment.
Does VibrantMinds provide placement assistance?
Yes. VibrantMinds' current placement policy states that it provides placement assistance to eligible candidates, including campus-drive notifications, resume preparation, interview grooming and direct referrals to hiring partners.
Does VibrantMinds charge candidates for placement assistance?
According to its current published placement policy, VibrantMinds does not charge candidates for placement assistance or campus-drive registrations.
Where can I find current fresher campus drives?
You can check the official VibrantMinds Campus Drives page for currently listed opportunities and their individual eligibility requirements.
Where can freshers get IT job alerts from VibrantMinds?
Freshers can use the official VibrantMinds WhatsApp groups listed above for job, campus-drive, assessment and interview updates. Always verify the details of an opportunity before applying or sharing personal information.
Conclusion
Your first IT job may begin with a simple application, but getting from application to offer requires preparation at several different checkpoints.
Learn the skills.
Build something.
Practise solving problems.
Understand your resume.
Prepare for assessments.
Learn how to explain your project.
Practise interviews.
Track where you are getting rejected.
Then improve and apply again.
The recruitment process is not something you should fear—it is something you should understand.
Once you know what happens at every stage, you can prepare with purpose instead of preparing blindly.
