Be yourself at the interview

It is a test of personality and mental alertness. Create an impression at the Civil Services Interview on February 17. Here are some pointers

The interviews for the All India Services will be held in New Delhi for 2,568 candidates. One-third of those candidates will be appointed to various services like IAS, IPS, IFS, and IRS. There are 275 marks for the interview, and these marks carry much importance for the eventual selection or rejection of the candidate at this last stage of the long and drawn out examination process.

Selection process

The candidate would be interviewed by a board headed by a chairperson, and four members. The responsibility of the board is to assess the suitability of the candidate for the highest government services.

Candidates would be asked questions on matters of general interest and on the subject they had chosen for the main examination.

However, this test is not intended to be a test of specialised knowledge — this was already tested in the written examination. This is rather a test of personality, mental alertness, power of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgment, variety and depth of interest, ability of social cohesion and leadership, and intellectual and moral integrity. The technique that is being followed is not strict cross-examination but direct and purposive conversation, which will reveal the mental qualities of the candidates.

A common question is why did the candidate choose IAS, for which the usual replies are: ‘I want to serve the nation’, ‘it is my childhood passion’, or worse still, ‘it is my parents’ dream’. This is too naive, and vague. Instead, the candidate may say that he/she was attracted by the challenges of government service and the unlimited opportunities for self-development.

Without adequate preparation, candidates may falter to answer a question like, ‘please introduce yourself’. They may not mention their names and the native places. The answer can be, “Sir, I am Arjun. I hail from Chennai. I have a post-graduate degree in English literature. My father is a teacher. I have a younger brother who is studying. I have a particular interest in government service.”

It is prudent for a candidate to do a little research on his background, like his native district, his educational institution, his previous employment, and his hobbies. His own name is significant.

Rajesh Khanna was asked about the movies of actor Rajesh Khanna, but he couldn’t recollect any of his films.

In 20 years of experience in personal interview training, I have noticed that difficulty of expression in the English language isn’t a serious impediment to score well in the interview, provided the candidate has persuasive body language and has his information accurate.

I would encourage the candidates to listen intently and understand the question before proceeding to answer it. If you do not know the answer, it is wiser to admit it rather than make a wild guess. It is a question of intellectual integrity. The candidate who is found to be bluffing will create a poor impression about himself/herself. Talking tangentially and changing the topic abruptly are viewed negatively.

If you do not know the answer, it is wiser to admit it rather than make a wild guess.

Being rude, rigid, offensive, argumentative, and quarrelsome are fatal mistakes in the civil services interview.

Studies reveal that the best technique in the interview is being oneself and not pretending to be someone else. Even when the candidate has not answered most of the questions he/she need not get upset and exacerbate his/her nervousness. He/she could still score decent marks if he/she can be cheerful and wind up the interview gracefully.

Anxiety is but a natural companion, and an over anxious candidate might forget to wish the board chairperson, or say ‘good evening’ in the morning session.

Keeping a check on emotions emotions will be easier for the candidates who have attended many mock interviews.

The author is Additional Director General of Police. He has writtenPrinciples of Success in Interview. www.sylendrababu.com.