Interview Technique
 
 
Interview Ingredients Importance of Body language
Interview Technique Writing the resume
Important Factors of the Interview UPSC Board Interview And SSB Interview
Need To Exercise Initiative In Interviews Ten Golden Tips To Top In The Interviews
   
Important Factors of the Interview Interview Ingredients
Interview Ingredients
The objective of the interview, as stated in the UPSC prospectus for the Civil Service Examination, is to assess the personnel suitability of the candidate for the service or services for which he has applied, by a Board of competent and unbiased observers. During this personality test, the candidate will have to show them a record of his career as furnished by him in the board questionnaire. The candidate will be asked questions on matters of general interest and on the subjects he has studied as well as on the subjects he had chosen for the written examination.

The interview is intended to judge the mental caliber, attitude and outlook of the candidate along with his leadership qualities and character traits. Thus, it would be an assessment not merely of his academic proficiency and intellectual qualities but also of his social traits and interest in current events. Some of the qualities to be judged can be listed as:

1. Mental Alertness
2. Critical Powers of Assimilation
3. Balance of Judgment
4. Clear and Logical Exposition
5. Variety and Depth of Interests
6. Ability for Social Cohesion Leadership and
7. Intellectual and Moral Integrity.

During the interview, the candidate has to listen as well as speak. Normally, he will be required to do the major share of the talking, expressing his ideas, views, opinions and comments and also arguing his case and justifying his stand or conclusions by auditing sound, sensible, rational, logical and convincing reasons. He should be sure of himself, remain consistent and be sincere.

The Personality Test is not intended to be a test either of the specialized or general knowledge of the candidates, which has already been tested through the written examination. Further, candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subjects of academic study but also in the events which are happening around them, both within and out of their own State or Country, as will as in modern currents of thought and new discoveries. Thus, the candidates should be prepared for some questions relating to their native State, on India and on International current events and also on the burning topics of the day.


  
Interview Technique

Why you must master the Interview Technique?
Where there is competition and selection, there is invariably an interview today. Selecting candidates for various appointments is purely on the basis of written tests or testimonials are a thing of the past. Whether it is selection for a job or for training abroad or for admission to a college course, there is definitely an interview or personality test. A candidate who aspires for success in his career, an individual who wishes to have a bright future, a competitor who is keen to top the list, must therefore, master the technique of doing the best in the interview.

What is an interview?
Interview is a face-to-face conversation for a specific purpose. Before you appear for an interview, you must clearly know and understand the purpose of the interview. The nature and type of the interview will vary according to the purpose. In an employment or selection interview, the aim of the interviewer, or the examiner or the Board of Interview is to assess and evaluate the extent of the candidate's suitability for the job in hand. In other words, the interview may be for selection to the IAS, IFS, IES, IPS and other such first grade UPSC cadres or may be at the Service Selection Boards (SSBs) for the Selection of Officers to the Army, Navy or Air Force. Again, it may relate to the selection of Business Executives, Salesmen, Accountants, Office Supervisors, Secretaries, Stenos, Clerks and Typists and so on. In all these cases, the selectors will have certain job specifications, and by means of interview, they would try to see how far the candidate meets such requirements.

The purpose of the Interview according to the UPSC:
The Union Public Service Commission holds that the object of its interviews is to assess the personal suitability of a candidate for the service he has applied for. The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of his career. He will be asked questions on matters of general interests. The object of the interview is to assess, through competent and unbiased observers, the personal suitability of a candidate. The test is intended to judge the mental calibre of a candidate. In broad terms, this is an assessment of not only his intellectual qualities, but also his social traits and interest in current affairs. Some of the other qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical power of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion, leadership, intellectual and moral integrity. The technique of interview is not that of strict-cross examination but of a natural, though direct and purposive conversation, which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate. The personal test is not meant to be a test either of the specialized or general knowledge of the candidates. They are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subject of academic study, but also in the events which are happening around them, both within and without their own state or country, as well as in the modern currents of thought, and in new discoveries which should rouse the curiosity of the well-educated youth.

The Aim of SSB Interviews:
The Interviewing Officer at the SSB tries to assess the leadership or 'Officer-like' qualities of candidate by means of the directed and purposive conversation during the interview. He also tries to evaluate the training potentialities of the candidate. The questions at the interview will be so directed as the candidate may automatically emit enough light on his leadership ability in his answers.

 
Important Factors of the Interview

The two important factors which play a decisive role in the interview are the candidate's knowledge and his power of expression. In any group or a gathering, the person who dominates is the one, who does the talking in a forceful and convincing manner. In the same way, at the interview, the candidate who is able to speak fluently and express himself clearly, will score high marks. At the same time the candidate cannot talk well, unless he has enough knowledge or ideas on various topics. Incidentally, the interview as already pointed out, will not be a mere cross-examination like questions and answers in a school classroom. While answering, the candidate should take the lead and cover as much of the relevant ground as possible. In other words, simply saying 'yes' or 'no' to a question will not suffice. The candidate should explain convincingly why he agrees or disagrees to a given proposition. He must logically and forcefully substantiate his views with valid arguments. Both the UPSC and SSB interviews lay much emphasis on qualities of leadership and not merely on academic or textual knowledge. The candidate should, therefore, know what the various qualities of leadership are, and they could be highlighted by him during the interview.

Leadership Qualities:
The Board takes note of the following qualities, when it tries to assess the leadership ability of the candidate, as the same have been generally accepted as leadership attributes.

Intellectual attainments:

  1. The extent of knowledge of different subjects - e.g. Science, History, Economics, Literature, Current Events, visits to places etc.
  2. The depth of knowledge - How deeply the candidate has studied a subject of his choice or interest?
  3. Practical knowledge - How the candidate applied his theoretical knowledge in practical situations or how best he can solve problems - e.g. What will you do, when you find after boarding the bus, that you had forgotten to bring the money purse with you? How will you organize a picnic? What will you do, if you are not selected at this interview?
  4. General knowledge - Current Affairs, Everyday Science, Burning Topics, Sports, Newspaper Headlines etc.
  5. Grasp - How quickly the candidate understands the question or the subject?

Power Expression:

  1. Fluency- No stammering gape, etc.
  2. Forceful, Lively, Enthusiastic and Arresting. No monotonous or dragging voice. No swallowing of words. Not speaking very fast. No affectations.
  3. Logic in argument- Rational, clearheaded, analytical, systematic, proceeding step by step and no contradictions.
  4. Practical approach-Realistic and sensible, use of commonsense, alive to facts and existing limitations.
  5. Convincing ability-Speaking, sincerity and faith.

Personal Traits:

  1. Cheerful, Pleasant and Smiling disposition.
  2. Liveliness - eager, alert sprightly, inspired by urge, fired with ambition.
  3. Enthusiasm, keenness and interest.
  4. Dress and turnout Smart - clean and suited to the occasion. No shabby clothes, proper haircut, clean nails, polished shoes.
  5. Poise - Graceful movements, confident approach, straight walk, looking into the eyes while speaking - Not bent headed or looking at one's toes while speaking.
  6. Punctuality.

Organising Ability:

  1. Clear aim and objective - Ambition and goal in life. Why he wants this job?
  2. Planning - Working out what is to be done, when and how?
  3. Methodical and systematic approach.
  4. Mobilization and utilization of resources.

Character:

  1. Discipline.
  2. Loyalty.
  3. Integrity and moral values.
  4. Sincerity.

Health and Physical Stamina:

  1. Games and sports - indoor as well as outdoor.
  2. Athletics.
  3. Exercises
  4. Cycling, Swimming, Trekking, Riding etc.
  5. Physical endurance and stamina.
  6. Outdoor life.
  7. NCC or Scout training.
  8. Camp life experience.

Hobbies and Interests:

  1. Utilisation of leisure and spare time - Cinema, radio, reading books, journals, etc.
  2. Cultural activities - Social Services.
  3. Fine arts - Drama, music, dancing, etc

Dynamic Qualities:

  1. Self - Confidence,
  2. Initiative and Enterprises,
  3. Drive, dash, push, motivation.
  4. Courage, pluck, guts
  5. Promptness to take decision.
  6. Determination, perseverance.
  7. Judgement.
  8. Industry, energy, effort, hard-work, active temperament.
  9. Power of Command.
  10. Resourcefulness.
  11. Spirit of adventure, willingness to take risks, enterprise

Psychological Factors:

  1. Positive thinking, confident and determined approaches
  2. Optimistic, hopeful outlook.
  3. Sense of right and wrong.
  4. Absence of anti-social or negative qualities - e.g. unreasonable fear, prosecution complex, jealousy, inclination towards crime, tendency to tell lies, selfishness, quarrelsome attitudes, irritable nature etc.

Social Qualities:

  1. Sense of responsibility
  2. Adaptability
  3. Cooperation, readiness to help.
  4. Tact, pleasing manners and poise.
  5. Preference to group life and activity.
  6. Considerations for feelings of others, sympathetic attitude.
  7. Friendship and friends.
  8. Readiness to sacrifice, selflessness, group before self.
  9. Example - set an example for others, practice what you preach.
  10. Persuasive ability.
  11. Good manners.
  12. Ability to influence others and get things done.

Some Practical Hints: No matter what the extent or depth of one's knowledge or how high his other leadership qualities are, the candidate cannot impress the Board unless he can talk well, interestingly and forcefully during the interview. While giving answers, he should bring out such of his activities or experiences which show up traits of leadership in him. His words should be audible to all members of the Board. He must speak slowly, laying emphasis on his words where necessary. He should not sound monotonous by speaking in even pitch or in a dragging or mumbling voice. Instead, his words should have life. He must raise his voice where emphasis is required. There is no need at all to be in any hurry. In fact, he could be clearly heard and understood. People who speak very fast often do not pronounce the words fully. They often swallow up the end syllables of the words. The candidate should speak with confidence, and should look into the eyes of the different Members in turn. Although the question may be put by one Member or by the Chairman, the candidate should address the Board as a whole while answering. First, he must understand the question put to him thoroughly. If he is not able to hear clearly or follow the question properly, he can request the member asking the question to repeat it. All he has to say is: "I beg your pardon, Sir".
OR
"Could you please repeat the question?"
OR
"Sorry, Sir. I do not precisely follow the question. May I request you to repeat the question, please?"
Since the interview is not a mere question-and-answer session, the candidate should converse actively and try to give comprehensive answers. Let us consider some illustrations.

Questions: What is your native place?
Answer: "Kewalpore".

Comments: This one-word answer is incomplete in the context of the interview. In all probability, none of the members of the Board has ever heard this name before. This would be a better answer-" I come from Kewalpore, a small village in Madhya Pradesh. It has a population of some 10,000 people who are mainly engaged in agriculture".

Q. What do you think, is the most pressing problem facing the country today?
A. "Achieving self-sufficiency in food production".

Comments: Again, the answer inadequate for the interview. Although the Board has not asked you specifically to state why you think so, you must give the reasons by using your initiative. It would still be better if you state some other equally pressing problems why you have given priority to food production. This would, then indicate your knowledge in both dimensions - width and depth. Here is a better answer:

"In my opinion, gaining self-sufficiency in food is the most pressing problems facing our country today. I agree that there are other problems, like industrialisation, unemployment, national integration, etc., which also require to be tackled with equal urgency. But I had given priority to food, as it cuts the very root of out existence as an independent nation. What is more, we have the resources and it only needs proper harnessing of modern scientific techniques to achieve self sufficiency in food grains."

Q. Don't you think industrialisation is essential to improve food production?
A. Yes, Sir. I entirely agree with you. But industrialisation should not be at the cost of food production. Thus, the priority, I feel, should be accorded to food.

Q. (From one of the other Members of the Board.)
A. I beg your pardon, Sir. I mentioned food in the context of the problems facing the country today. As for myself, I believe in the principle of eating to live, and not the other way round.

Comments: You could see that two additional questions have come up from your original answer. This is natural and generally so. The answers show fair knowledge, adequate grasp, logical reasoning and good presentation. What is more, the candidate is retaining the initiative, enabling the questions to be asked in his familiar subject.
Need To Exercise Initiative In Interviews

Need To Exercise Initiative In Interviews:
The prospective employer or the professional interviewer on his behalf, tries to find out, through the medium of the interview, how far and how best you can fill the bill for the job in view. Now, put yourself for a moment in his shoes. If you are an employer what things you would like to find out about the individual whom you wish to employ. What personality and character traits of the individual you would be interested to discover? Certainly you would want to check on these aspects.

Appearance and Bearing: What is his first impression like? Is he able to make a favourable impression? Does he create an impact? How are his dressing habits and grooming? Is he cheerful and bright? Does he smile? Is he neat and clean? Does he reveal pleasant and good manners? Does he observe the rules of etiquette?

Level of Intelligence: Is he intelligent as well as sensible? Does he show good awareness? Does he have a quick and goof grasp? Is he well read? Has he got good general knowledge and sound commonsense? What is the extent and depth of his knowledge in regard to the job he has applied for? What are his qualifications and experience? How has he acquitted himself in his studies? Can he learn quickly and improve by training? Does he reveal imagination and foresight? Is he mentally alert?

Power of Expression: Can he talk? Does he speak fluently or does he prove to be a tongue-tied? Is he capable of communicating his thoughts clearly, crisply, coherently and effectively? Does he put across ideas freely, convincingly and powerfully? Is he able to reason out in a logical and rational manner? Does he sound convincing? Does he speak with enthusiasm and interest to impress others? Is he able to command and hold the attention of his audience? Is he practical and accurate in his talk or does he resort to waffle? How does he react to criticism? Is he good at selling his ideas and winning over others in his way of thinking?

Organization: Is he resourceful? Has he tackled any difficult problems with success? Is he capable of producing workable solutions in practical situations? Is he industrious, painstaking and thorough? Does he display the required concentration? Is he able to stick to his objective and avoid going after red-herrings? Does he know his own mind? Does he have the ability to work to time, method and situation? Does he go about a job in a planned, methodical and systematic manner? Is he steady and consistent or does he do things by fits and starts? Can he combine his resources judiciously with an eye for economy? Is he able to exercise control and coordination while effecting decentralization of authority and responsibility?

Physical Fitness: Does he enjoy sound health? Is he physically tough and fit? What efforts does he make to keep himself physically fit? Does he play games or take exercise regularly? How good is his stamina? Does he get tired easily or is he able to carry on and withstand fatigue effectively? Do his physical movements and activities reveal vitality and strength?

Dynamic Qualities: Does he have rousing enthusiasm, urge and interest? Is he active, energetic and lively? Does he reveal dash, speed and push? Has he enough self-confidence and courage to act boldly and decisively? Will he take plunge without hesitation? Is he enterprising? Can he take decisions? Does he display initiative? Has he got determination and tenacity? Is he able to grasp and make good use of the opportunities that come his way? Is he willing to take reasonable risks? Can he preserve and hold on with patience and faith in the face of difficulties? Can he get over his defeats and set-backs and succeed in spite of them?

Social Aspects: Is he warm, friendly and cooperative? Does he display the attitude of give and take? Is he ready to make sacrifices for the sake of others or his Organization? Does he prove to be flexible, accommodative and easy to approach? Does he enjoy the company of others? Is he reserved, aloofish, dull and gloomy or does he prove to be hearty, sociable, cheerful and a ready mixer? Has he been able to get along well with his superiors, equals and subordinates? Is he able to adjust himself readily or does he complain, bicker and moan about all the time? Has he been utilizing his spare time? Has he many friends? Is he willing to help? Can he conduct himself in a cordial and pleasant manner at a social gathering? Is he fond of traveling, seeing new places and meeting new faces? Can he feel relaxed and comfortable in others’ presence? Do people specially seek out his company? Do others find it easy and natural to confide to him? Is he able to look at things from the viewpoint of others? Does he display adequate tact? Is he considerate and sympathetic towards the feeling and sentiments of others? Does he keep pace with changing ideas? Is he progressive in his outlook? Has he a good sense of humour?

Character and Integrity: Is he honest, loyal and trustworthy? How is his financial moral rectitude? Has he proved to be reliable and dependable in his past dealings? Does he keep his word? Does he prove to be responsible while talking about or commenting on others? Does he refrain from speaking ill of others in their absence? Is he discreet and reveals capacity to safeguard company secrets? Has he got national pride and a sense of patriotism? Are his habits and temperament praiseworthy? Is he prudent in spending money or does he prove to be extravagant? Does he have the moral strength to withstand temptations? Is he well disciplined and capable of good self control? Has he self-respect and the courage to stand by his noble ideals? Does he display a sense of duty?

Leadership Qualities: Does he reveal esprit de corps or team spirit? Can he get along well with others? Is he able to create a strong impact on a group? Does he have the ability to bind the group into a well-knit and harmonious team? Is he capable of encouraging others and bringing out the best in them? Can he exercise effective command without giving rise of frictions and complaints? Does he place the interests of his men, group or organization before his own? Can he judge others with reasonable accuracy? Is he able to select the right type of man for the right job? Is he a bully or a democratic leader? Can he successfully motivate and influence others? Has he been able to get things done smoothly and efficiently? Does he reveal a genuine interest in the welfare of his men? Does he set an example for others to follow? Is he liked, loved and respected by his men? Is he able to inspire others with confidence and enthusiasm when embarked upon difficult and hazardous assignments?

Optimistic Outlook: Does he display optimism, positive attitude and constructive approach in his under takings? Has he clear objectives, definite goals and laudable ambitions? Is he confident of success? Does he look forward to a bright, prosperous and happy future? Is he determined to win? Do his words, thoughts, attitudes, approach, behaviour and action always reflect his unanswering faith in ultimate success? Now you know what your employer or interviewer is interested to find out about yourself. Naturally, he cannot ask you direct questions on such factors or expect to get correct and truthful answers for them. In any case actions speak better than words. Therefore, he will try to get these details by making you talk about yourself, your activities, achievements and dealing with others. Since you know his mind, and are aware of his requirements, why not take the initiative and present them yourself. You need not have to leave it to him to wriggle and struggle with you to extract the information. Instead, you can subtly and tactfully convey it yourself in the course of the conversation. It is for you then to take advantage of the possible opening in the conversation and present your assets in the best possible manner. It means that you should be ready to talk and touch on such favourable incidents of your life and experience when the opportunity presents itself. Do not keep on saying ' Yes' or 'No' monotonously all the time when questions are put to you. First understand the question fully and determine what all or what exactly he wants to know. When he asks about your educational qualifications, sports activities, hobbies, domestic background, friendships and association, travel experiences, job experiences, reading habits, life's ambitions and so on, you will have all the opportunities you need. Since you are going to blow your own trumpet, it has to be done in discreet, subtle diplomatic and expert manner. It should not be too loud, blaring or jarring. The best thing, therefore, is to state the facts and refrain from drawing any conclusions yourself. Do not talk about the qualities or attributes you possess but state your performances accurately and leave the task of drawing any inferences to the interviewer. If you have consistently secured distinctions and position in your academic career, do mention them when you deal with that topic. If the topic does not come up by itself, then find the appropriate opening where it could naturally be introduced. It is here your initiative should be brought to play its part. Similarly, you should present your co-curricular activities at the appropriate time. The same rule should also be followed to highlight all your other strong points. At the same time you should remember to stay within bounds, to be tactful and to proceed judiciously when taking the initiative. Do not change the topic with totally unconnected matters. Never rub it in. Don't show yourself to be over anxious. In other words, do not overdo. First, be a good listener and encourage him to talk if he is inclined to do so. When you play the role of a listener, look keen interested, lively, enthusiastic and appreciate. All of us would like to have such an audience when we talk.

Interview, after all, is nothing but face to face conversation with a purpose. If you make the conversation interesting and enjoyable, your purpose is achieved. To make it interesting, you have to listen and talk as the occasion demands. You must listen with interest and talk with purpose. In both cases you must exercise initiative to say the right things at the right time. Imaginative use of initiative in the interview will thus ensure you sure SUCCESS.
Interview-Importance of Body language

Body language refers to non-verbal and usually unconscious communication through the use of postures, gestures, facial expressions and the like. It is one of the most important aspects of an interview as first impression is the last impression. The interviewer wants to see a confident candidate who is capable of taking initiatives, of finding solutions to problems and of picking out important details.

A confident and self-assured body language ensures positive vibes from the interviewer. Walk into the interviewer’s office, standing straight and brimming with confidence. Wish the interviewer good morning/ afternoon / evening in order to initiate and facilitate the conversation. Do not seem to be excited or nervous. Take a seat when offered. Sit straight, but relaxed, arms in a natural position. Clasping your hands together or crossing your arms indicates your anxiousness. Have proper eye contact with the interviewer as this will reflect your confidence. If there is more than one person in the Interview Board, include everyone in your glance.

Maintain a smiling face throughout the interview and ensure not to indulge in fidgeting or finger tapping. Your answers must be clear, crisp and audible. Do not put your hand over your mouth as you speak. Speak slowly with pause, wherever necessary and avoid speaking in monotone. Think hard, analyze the question, take time to answer and justify your opinion with a certain degree of assertiveness, but not arrogance. Do not be either too passive or over familiar. Winning tactic in an interview is the ability to recapture interviewer's attention during the course of the interview.

Do not accept a beverage during the interview as this action is out of etiquettes. Be gracious in declining the offer, if made by the interviewer. Pick up your belongings, if any, walk briskly to the door and leave
Writing the Resume

The last, but not necessarily the least, important part of the personality test is the writing of the resume of the interview. At the end of the interview, the board directs the candidate to proceed to an adjoining room and write down within 10 or 15 minutes, a brief resume of the interview. In the room where the candidate is required to write the resume, there is usually an official present and the candidate is provided with necessary papers and writing materials. He is to complete writing the resume and hand it over to the official or drop it in the box provided for the purpose in the same room.

Obviously the object of the resume is to serve as a confirmatory aid. It may carry some marks separately or the board may firm up its total marks after perusing the resume. It will also give an aid to the board as the candidate's ability to remember facts and select the minute will also be put to test. Therefore, it is important for the candidate to pay sufficient attention to this aspect of the test also. In particular, the following points deserve special attention:

  1. Since it is to be completed within 10 to 15 minutes, the candidate would be expected to write between 160 to 200 words. He should not exceed the time-limit provided.
  2. He is not to refer to the greetings and other preliminaries.
  3. He can first jot down the important topics. By recalling to his mind the questions put by each member, he can arrange them in the chronological order.
  4. The resume is to be in the form of a narrative and not in the question and answer form. The candidate is required to give the gist and repeat the verbatim conversation that look place.
  5. The resume should be factual. If all the points cannot be covered, the most important ones only need to be recorded. But the resume should not contain anything which did not transpire at the interview.
  6. The candidate should not hazard any opinions or draw conclusions but confine himself to reporting the facts exactly and accurately.
  7. The Chairman and Members of the Board are not to be referred independently with regard to the questions asked or observations made. The candidate should only refer to the Board as a whole.
  8. It is always better to use simple words and confine oneself to short and crisp sentences.
  9. After practice Interview sessions, the candidate should also practice writing resume and gain sufficient experience in that art.
UPSC Board Interview And SSB Interview

In the case of the UPSC, the interviews for selection to IAS and similar appointments are conducted by a Board of experts and officials. Each Board will have a Chairman and certain number of Members. Some of the members could be specialists in various fields. Some other members may be senior officers belonging to IAS and other similar services. The candidate has to face the entire Board. Normally he is given the seating plan in advance which gives the particulars and positions of the Chairman and the Members.

The candidate in the first instance should address his queries or replies to the Chairman. Later when a particular Member asks the questions he can turn towards the Member and answer the questions suitably. But his replies are meant for the benefit of the entire Board. The candidate will be assessed by the Chairman and the Members of the Interview Board individually. Thereafter the average will be worked out and assigned to his credit. The duration of the UPSC Board interview is rather short as compared to the SSB. The Interview officers are specially trained in conducting interviews. They, therefore, take care to establish the required rapport with the candidate.

The interview is normally conducted in an ideal setting. In the case of the UPSC Board, the experts or specialists and senior service members need not necessarily be trained personnel in the art of interview. The candidate appearing for the Board interview should bear this in mind. He must use more tact and poise in presenting his answers. His personal grooming and appearance will have a greater impact in the case of the Board interview.
Finally, in the case of Board, the candidate should also be prepared for questions in the special subjects of his choice. The specialists may like to ask some questions in their particular fields. Apart from these subtle matters, the nature of the interview in both cases could be termed to be the same. The candidate must use fair initiative and project his strong points tactfully and gently during the course of the conversation. First of all he must clearly and carefully understand the question and grasp its meaning. The ability to learn and improve rather than knowledge itself is assessed during the interview. Above all, the candidate should never lose his temper. At the same time one need not be offensive and rude. A balanced behaviour and sense of humour are essential. The ability to speak and put across one's view forcefully and convincingly matters a great deal. One must, therefore, gain adequate practice in advance.
Ten Golden Tips To Top In The Interviews
  1. Appreciate the wisdom of being clean, neat and tidy when you present yourself before the Interview Board: See that you have good haircut and that your nails are clean. Comb your hair well. Remove sweat, oil, dirt, etc., from your face and forehead. Make sure that no bad odour or smell emanates from you face. But you can certainly do a lot to improve it. Your appearance should show that you are an orderly person. Therefore, do take care of your grooming.
  2. Mind your clothes: You should dress well suited to the occasion. Your clothes should not be gaudy or showy. You must present yourself in a suit, preferably of dark or sober colours. Your collar must be clean, well pressed and starched. Similarly, your shirt handcuffs should also be clean. They should not be frayed in the ends. You must wear socks and shoes. See that the socks are pulled up. Shoes must be well polished. You make the first impression with your clothes and the way you dress yourself up. If your clothes create an initial unfavourable impression you will be hard put to neutralize it during the interview. Similarly, with some care for your clothes you can begin the interview with your right foot forward. It is therefore very essential that you turn up for the interview, smartly dressed.
  3. Etiquette, manners and courtesy can help you a great deal in tilting the interview in your favour: Before entering the room, gently knock at the door and announce yourself. You can politely inquire whether you could go in. You must enter only when you are bid to do so. Enter calmly with confidence. After entering, greet those present according to the time of the day, e.g. 'Good morning, Sir,' 'Good afternoon, Sir', and so on. It would be ideal if you could stand to attention while greeting them. While paying compliments and later while addressing the Chairman or the Members, generally address yourself to the Chairman as he represents the entire Board. Wait till you are offered a seat. Then thank the person who asks you to sit down before you are offered a seat. Then thank the person who asks you to sit down before you take your seat. If you are not offered a seat, continue to stand and answer the questions from that position.
  4. Avoid mannerisms: Sit straight and look up. Do not keep shaking your knees, tapping on the floor and so on. Stop coughing or adjusting your throat every now and then. Atop playing with your tie, collars or coat buttons. Do not lean on the table and rest your elbows there. In fact, you should cut out all unnecessary movements you can and must be relaxed.
  5. Smile and be cheerful: While entering the room, while greeting the Chairman and Members, while thanking them and while listening to them keep your smile on. See that you do not start yawning during the interview. You should look keen, interested, pleasant and enthusiastic. A smile helps you in all these.
  6. Speak distinctly and audibly: Do not either shout or mumble. Pronounce your words full and give emphasis to the syllable where required. Speak in such a way that all those present could hear you without straining themselves. Speak with interest and enthusiasm. Your voice must sparkle and vibrate with spirit. Do not drag or sound monotonous. Speak to the Chairman or to the Members and not to the floor, roof, table or wall. In other words, look into their eyes while you speak.
  7. Be attentive and look attentive when the Chairman or the Members speaks to you: Listen carefully to what they say and do not ask them to repeat themselves often. Do not close your eyes while you want to concentrate. Also do not interrupt while they talk. Allow them to complete the question or remarks before you give your reply or comments.
  8. You must avoid arguments: Do not challenge the opinion of the Board Members or the correctness of their statements. Express your views with tact and consideration. Avoid criticizing others. Do not find fault with others. If you are wrong, admit it and apologize immediately. Never give excuses. While giving your conclusions, proceed in a logical manner and adduce valid reasons. Do not be self-opinionated.
  9. Do not bluff, boast vainly and shoot lions: State the fact accurately and be modest while describing your achievements. When you do not know the answer, be frank and tell them so. Never generalize or make vague guesses. See that you do not waffle. While you speak, you must be able to hold the attention of your listeners with interest. You should never become a bore.
  10. Act with confidence, hop and assurance: Be positive and optimistic in your outlook. Remember, it is not so much what you say, but how you say, that mostly determines your success in the interview.
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