The Interview

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The Interview

Perhaps the most important and definitely the last stage of the selection process the interview is viewed with mixed reactions by people. These are those who view it as the easiest step in the process & their there are those who view it with great trepidation & fear.

The basic thing to be remembered by all is that confidence is the most important aspect of the preparation process/ most important aspect required for doing well at the interviews. But unfortunately success in interviews like all good things in life does not come easy. Just confidence will not carry you through, what is realty required to do will is a Mac in depth understanding of what the interviewer is looking for, the

What is the Interviewer looking for :-

The Interviewer is looking for a person who knows his mind & is fully aware of his goals & aims in life. Not only has this to be shown during the interview but also has to be reflected in your career planning and your Biodate. This is what essentially makes the interview preparation process a long drawn one. In our belief the Interview preparation’s first step is Bio-data Building, which typically should start during the first year of your graduation studies at the very latest.

How do I Build My Biodata ?

Essentially Biodata Building means working in one or prefearbly more than one of the follwoing areas :]

1. Get the Thirst for knowlede : You are advised to develop an unquent

The first-step towards preparation of a gameplan for any competitive examination should be to analyse the rationale of the procedure adopted by the recruiting organisation for screeing candidates. Inter alia, ax! analysis should be made of thebroad features of the totality of the examination with a view to sifting and identifying the skills, the aptitudes and the personality traits that are sought to be unveiled through the various tests.

A broad review of the written examination tends to show. that the objectives of the test are broadly as under:

(i) Testing the potential of candidates by means of the objective tests of

(a) Reasoning

(b) , Quantitative Aptitude These tests are designed to fathom and measure the innate abilities and reflexes of the candidates in reasoning and numerical ability. 'Ihese components are. also- part of the l.Q. Test designed by psychologists.

(ii)Testing the General Awareness . Wherever young persons are scree ' ned for senior level posts 'Ul the Cove~nt or Public Sector Undertakings, or even in the corporate world,greater emphasis is laid on the fact as to how wide awake the person concerned is. He should be seen to have taken an active interest in happenings around him, analyse and absorb the social, economic and political milieu of the times and take an intelligent interest in not only analysing the happenings but also formulating suggestions for tackling the various burning issues of the society, the State and the country in which one is living. This is sought to be determined by means of the General Awareness Test in the written examination as well as in the Interviews which are conducted subsequently.

(iii) Testing the Comprehension and. ' Communicittion Ability of . the candidate, both written and verbal: This is sought to be tested by means of two components of the written test, namely, English Language and Argumentative Questions in the written examination and subsequently in the Interview.

While preparing the gameplan for the -written examination, it has to.be noted that the component of English Language in the objective test, whichcarries 50 marks, and the descriptive paper of argumentative questions, which carries 60 marks, will not be reckoned for merit-listing but each candidate has to qualify in these two cornponents. The syllabus for the examination by this methodology tries to ensure that the candidates have sufficient comprehension and writing ability of Englisli/Hindi or the regional language. Some 1~um command over the English language is. also necessary. This has to be prominently borne in mind and allocation of time ana energy for the various components allocated proportionately. Since the bulk of the written examination consisting of 200 marks is of the objective one has to intensive effort in order to acquit oneself creditably in this examination. In this connection, forowingpoints have to be borne in mind prominently:

(I) It would be noticed that the total number of questions of the four components is 225, which have to be tackled in 135 minutes.,Thus, the dm available for tackling each question is a little more than hal,f--a-minute. This has been deliberately designed with a view to testing the reflexes of the candidates and their ability to think on their feet. Thus time-management assumes great importance in objective-type of tests'. Preparation should, accordingly, consist of Intensive practice of answering questions on each of the four components fromtheexerefsespublishedin ' ourjoumal every month. Sufficient practice of answenng questions on each type would enable candidates to sharpen their reflexes and tackle questions speedily. With sufficient practice candidates should be able to identif y, fairly quickly one or two alternatives, out of the four alternatives normally given to each question,'to be. totally ruled out. Having done so, the candidates should concentrate on the two alternatives that appear probable and then decide the correct answer. The whole effort should be that one or two alternatives even at first glance would be ruled out and then the task. of determining the correct answer would be easier and quicker. In the Test of Reasoning, it is often found that there is an inner logic for relationship between the questions ana the correct answers. The key to the solution lies in finding out the inner logic. One will learn this with sufficient practice. it is also to be noted that the Weightage for the component of the Reasoning is comparatively higher than the other components, the total weightage being '0 out of total 'marks of 200. Greater time and efforts, therefore, should be devoted to the study of Reasoning.

General Awareness

In the syllabus for this component, there is a general statement that this test is a test of "General awareness of envirorunent,around a candidate and its application to society". In amplification, it has been mentioned that "knowledge of such matters of everyday observation and Zerience as may be expected of an ucated person, including topics on Life Science,Chemistry,Physics,etc. there may also be questions on Geography of India, Land and Our People, History of India, her cultural Heritage, Freedom Struggle, and salient features ot the Constitution of lndia, Economic and Sodal,Problems". Subjects that have been specifically mentioned in the syllabus are worthy of special attention and special preparation since there are bound to ask questions on each one of these. In any case, this preparation, as I have mentioned earlier, would also be useful in the interviews whichwilllbe-held subsequently.

Descriptive Paper : Argumentative- Questions

While, no doubt, this paper is not to be counted for merit-ranking, yet candidates have to qualify in this Paper. The . ortance of this paper can thus not be under-rated. It is important to note in this connection that according to the syllabus, this paper "intends to measure your higher ordercogffitiveabilitiesascomprehending a situation, analysing it, generating unique ideas or situations, etc. and also your language ability". Candidates would be provided question-cum-answer sheets and ihe answers would have to be restricted to the space provided in the sheet. There wouldbefourquestionsandthecandidate is required to answer three questions in 45 minutes. Here again, time is of the essence since only 15 minutes are available for each question. As already specifically mentioned in the syllabus, the purpose is to test your ability to fully comprehend a situation, analyse it and present your analysis in a logical mannerwhich would exhibitourunderstandingoftheproblems and your capacity to analyse it in a logical manner. Having regard to the various matters that are engaging the attention of the thinking people, I would suggest preparation of the following topics for this examination:

(1) Advantages and disadvantages of reservingone-thirdoftheseatsintheState Legislatures and Parliament for women.

(2) Is the present banking system profit- oriented and not customer-oriented ?

(3) Are traditionally arranged marriages found to be more successful,than love martiages

(4). Would the Presidential System of Government lead to better governance and more stability ?

(5) Should capital Punishrnent be abolished

(6) Steps required to eradicate poverty in India.

(7) How to remove/niininiise corruption in Public offices ?

(8)Should-the right to vote be restricted. to literate persons ?

(9) Steps required to be taken for empowerment of women.

it is to be noted that this paper, among other things, seeks to masure ability to generate unique ideas or situations. I find that in the PO s Examination in 1996, one of the questions under this category was..

Give three important consequences tf there were no roads at all for transportation. This is a situation which is not easy to. imagine and yet candidate's capacity to react may be a unique situation can well be just such a question. Under this category, I would suggest that candidates may attempt as a sort of preparatory exercises the following topics :

(a) What, if there were no trees on earth ?

(b) What, if @e wee no cears on earth ?

It must be remembered that such questions seek to, among other things, measure your ability to communicate in your chosen language. These exercises would enable you to reach to various unique situations and give You enough practice to handle them In the Examination Hall.

While answering questions under this category, candidates should give the most important arguments for and against the proposition that is being discussed. They should avoid introductory words, going straight to the question involved and the language used should be straight forward. tackling, the question in a matter of fact fashion. One should be concise and precise. While brevity would be desirable, it should not be at the cost of clarity.

Preparing for the Interview

Preparations for the interview have to dealt with having regard to the qualities that the interview Board would look for and the methodology that they will following in evaluating the personality traits that they are looking for. In this connection,One can do no better than to carefully scan the pronouncement made by the UPSC in respect of the recruitment for the Civil Services. The text of the pubhcation is given below verbatim:

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 interest. The object of the interview is to asess the personal suitability of the candidates for a career in public service by a Board o competent and unbiased observes. The test is intended to judge the mental calibnre ofacandidate.In broad term, this isreally an assessment of not only his intellectual qualities but also social traits and his interest in current affairs. Some or the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical POWem of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth Of interest, ability for. social cohesion and leadship, intellectual and moral integrity.

"The technique of the interiew is not that of a strict cross-examination but of a nature though directed and purposive conversation which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the cndidate.

“The Interview test is not intended to be test either ofthespecialised orgeneralknowledge of the candidates who have already been tested through their written examinations. Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only !n their SPecial subjects of academic study but also inthe events which are happening around them both within and outside their own State or country. as well as in modem currents of thoughts and in new discoveries which should arouse the curiosity of

well-educated youth."

It would be seen from the above that the object of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidates for a be testd career in public service which will tested in terms of the following attributes

(1) Mental 'calibre to be judged by mental alertness.

(2) Critical power of assimilation.

(3) Intellectual qualities to be judged by clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, maturity, etc.

(4) Social traits including ability for social cohesion and leadership.

(5) Interest in current affairs:

(I) Caniiidates are expected to take anintelligentinterestintheevents happening around them both within and outside their own State or country.

(ii) Modem currents of thought.

(iii) New discoveries which could arouse the curiosity of well educated youth.

Selection is a process of prediction of lity traits which is based on your personality traits which is based on the presumption that past perfonnance is a predictor of future performances The Board as such focusses on your bio-data and probes your academic record, your extra-curricular activities and interests, your performance in sports, your hobbies as well as your job experience if you have worked before. Furthermore, probes are made'on your subjects of academic study as well as current affairs enunciated above. The preparation for.the interview should made with reference to one's as s,&ch be

bio-data, a copy of which if not available, should be restructured for purposes of preparation.

The bio-data should be scanned especiallyhavingregardto the following:

(a) Acaclen-tic record,

(b) Work experience,

(d) Special subjects of academic study.

These should be looked at critically andafifeaturesthats~outprominently should be analysed and questions on each one of them ' anticipated in the interview. The readers of t2s journal could with advantage look at mi articles in the April and May 1998 issue!;of this journal where I have dealt with this subject in an exhaustive manner.

Among other components, current affair or generalawareness is a component which has a specific place both 1 in the written examination as well as in the interview. To an extent current affairs has already been defined by the recruiting orgainsation for the purposes of the written test-- the scope and content specifically mentioned by me in this article. However, for the purposes of the interview, candidates should very carefully read issues of the journal which focusses every month on the happenings in the country. A study of 6 to 8 issues preceding the interview would be of great value for the candidates.

Furthermore, the candidates must nAe a habit of careful reading of at least onenational daily news paper like the Times of India, Hindustan Times" The Hindu, The Statesman, The Indian Express, etc. In addition, candidates should read at least one economic paper like the Economic Times,- Financial Express or Business Standard. This is specially necessary for Bank P0s'Examination. This would keep you abreast of economic matters of common interest. While reading these papers, one should develop the habit of identifying”'interview worthy news", i.e., could be the subject-matter of discussion in an interview.

One should try to cultivate the habit of taking cuttings from the newspapers of such news and discussions and supplement them by cuttings from others journals and other sources, If fact, candidates should prepare a compendium of subjects of current interest of both political, social and economic matters. To take an example, the current political scenario is the subject matter of the intense discussion among thinking people. The question that crop up are :

(1) Advisability of a Presidential System over the Parliamentary System.

(2) Emergingscenariosinthepolitical scene as a result of the hung Pailiament and razor-thin support for the major groups.

(3) The National Agenda of the BJP CovernmenT, as enunciated by them should be studied and major items of public policy should also be studied. They could be:

(a) Empowerment of women while reserving, one-third of the seats in the Legislatures/Parliament.

(b) Creation of three separate,States in the Indian Union, the impact therl and the Constitutional- provisions for such creation.

(d) Toning up of the anti - defection law.

(e) Use and abuse of Article 356.

(f) The discretion available to the President in dismissing Governors in the context of the UP case.

(g) Review of Constitution.

Similarly in the economic scene there are a number, of hot issues like poverty alleviation, building up of infrastructure, toning up the economic scene by economic reforms, the role of the-Planning Comntission and the drafting of the Ninth five-year Plan, etc. The examples given above are merely illustrative and the topies which are the subject-rrtatter of hot def)ate keep, on changing from day-to-day. Candidates have to exercise great vigilance and develop an 'antenna' for sensitive subjects of academic study. The list given by me is only illustrative, and not exhaustive. This needs to be revised andupdated all the time.

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