Interview

This is the last segment of the civil service game. Here you would be called to Delhi to attend an interview. There would be few guys sitting in front of you asking questions. The good marks in interview can push you to a good rank.

This is one of the area many aspirants especially those from rural area get it wrong. This is mainly due to lack of any proper guidance. There are lot of myths and mysteries spread about the interview. The interview even though known as personality test, is both a personality and knowledge test. There is nothing wrong in making a wrong answer, but they expect you to know the basics correctly. (eg: Nothing wrong if they ask some unfamiliar article of constitution and you don’t know it, but when asked what is 370 or 356  then they expect you to know it). It’s always better to brush up the basics of general studies and optional before going for the interview.

What is asked for interview?

The common belief among aspirants is “Anything under sun would be asked”. That is not true. Interview starts with "I", the I stands for "You".Most of the interview boards would try to know you, and then proceed to know your current affairs knowledge, optional knowledge. Some board members are interested in knowing what stuff you learned in college.

How to study the biodata?

Its better to study your biodata in detail. (You know “you” already, so this won’t take much time).

Also ponder some relations like, Is your birthday coinciding with some great person’s etc. These questions are asked just for helping you introduce before board.

If you have been working, then recall what you have done @ work. Also think, how you could bring a change in the work, how was your interest in that area, what positive things you did etc. Work is an area you can really show your abilities. If you have been working and have been doing good, do put forward it before board.

Be truthful

If you have done something, surely you would know it better than an area you have read. Many aspirants told me that it was ‘not safe’ to show my work experience, as it would invite lot of questions. I have worked in most rural area in my state for over a year, and almost anyone who would see my profile would ask about it. I found it to be the strongest area in my profile. By avoiding something i did wouldn’t give me any benefit. There are guys who would enrol for jobs, but would either be on leave or would not engage in the happiness of work to fulfil the civil service dreams, may be the advice was for them.

About hobby

 There are aspirants have been living with just books for years, and don’t have time for hobbies. These guys go up with “built up stories”. And when some cross question is asked, the story collapses. There are people who have kept trekking as hobby, but never been on a trek. The silly trick of creating a non-existent hobby or job would do damage than good. The interviewers don’t need to be a genius to find out a lie. Just a few questions can easily reveal if the guy is faking or has done it for real. The areas like hobby are just asked to give you an opportunity to open up. It’s better to specify the area of interest, don’t give a generalised word. Eg: Reading as hobby – In case you are a gadget freak and read a lot of the latest ones, then ‘reading technology’ may be a better description than just keeping “reading”.

Think, Develop an Opinion

Lot of opinion based questions are asked in interview. Think about the common areas, your opinion and the reason for the opinion. Here your aim is not to debate and win, but to present your views. Eg: Nuclear energy. In case you believe it’s good, have your set of reasons for that. If a board member argues against it, don’t scream that you are correct. Say politely that you respect his views and move on. Also, take care to see that you don’t contradict your answer during a question asked during another occasion.

*Check blog archives for more info and topper interview transcripts