Do’s and don’ts in interviews

Competitive examination interview tips

Nowadays I spend a lot of time talking to youngsters who are preparing for various types of competitive examinations.

Written examinations for selection to the all India, Central and Andhra Pradesh state civil services will be held shortly.

Ideally I should be talking about the manner in which best to prepare for examinations first and then about the interviews.

However, as interviews have already been scheduled for the Telangana State Group II services, I thought this would be a good time to mention to those preparing for the interviews some do's and don’ts s that are relevant in this context.

While I shall be dealing with quite a few points in this piece, the essence of what I wish to convey is that you are going to face a 'personality' test. The interview will not be an assessment of the information or knowledge you possess.

And you cannot, in the short period for which the personality test will last, become something you are not already.

It is important for you to remember that the test is not about what you say but the manner in which you respond to the questions put to you. It is you that is being assessed.

What those on the other side of the table will be looking for is whether you have a good posture, an agreeable bearing, a pleasant expression and an appearance that exudes relaxation and confidence.

Sit comfortably in the chair offered to you, erect but not stiff. During the interview remain pleasant and cheerful taking care, however, not to be flippant.

In our younger days there used to be a singing group called the Beatles. I remember a number sung by them called "Act Natural". That, in short, should define your attitude during the interview.

And when a question is put to you, always take a few seconds fully to understand its import. Then spend a little more time formulating the reply you wish to give.

Then, and only then, you should attempt to articulate your response. While doing so you should also take care not to lapse into long periods of recollection.

A few moments of considered thought should be enough. In other words never shoot back an answer unthinkingly or in a hurry.

It is important for you to remain patient when a question is being asked. Do not interrupt or anticipate what the question will be.

A common mistake many candidates make is to attempt to guess the correct answers. What is worse, they sometimes ask whether it would be okay for them to guess.

This, I must emphasise, is an absolute no-no. It is always safer and wiser quickly to admit to one's ignorance rather than to stray into areas of half-knowledge and get into trouble.

Another important aspect of the process of preparing for an interview is not to attempt to cram too much information into your mind.

As I have already stated information is not important at all. And, as the date for the interview gets close, you must learn to let go and take it easy rather than to keep preparing.

The conscious mind, which absorbs information from the ambient environment, can at times be a source of irritation to the subconscious mind.

It is the subconscious which controls the responses you make and it is essential for it to remain undisturbed by too many inputs.

Let us now come to the aspect of preparing for the interview. If you are already serving in the private sector or are in the employee of the State or Central Governments, you are naturally likely to be asked about the nature of your functions and duties.

Also, of course, why you wish to leave. You should naturally be prepared to be asked why you desire to join the civil services.

While, of course, you should reply truthfully and sincerely, you should be careful not to sound bombastic or hypocritical.

We all know that jobs in the State or the Central Governments are well paid, carry a good deal of social prestige and recognition with them and, importantly, there is an unparalleled degree of security that comes along with the other perquisites.

Having said that, these positions also afford an opportunity to do something of enduring value to society in general.

While, certainly, your reply should come out in a natural way, these points can also be kept at the back of your mind.