OUR MOTTO
Determination 
and Devotion
lead to
Development.
OUR FOUNDER PRESIDENT

Dr. Dalbir Bharti,IPS (Retd.)
M.A. (Pol. Sc.), LL.B, Ph.D.

KNOW MORE

NEWS

The Society completed 25 years of social service on 24 August 2018 and held its silver Jubilee Function at Fatehabad (Haryana).

TIPS FOR INTERVIEWS

Most of the competitive examinations are followed by an interview of the candidates who are declared qualified in the written examination. As compared to the total marks of written examination, the marks allotted to interview are less, i.e. about 10 to 15 percent of the total marks of written examination. Nevertheless, the importance of interview test cannot be ignored because it gives the last opportunity to a candidate to increase his (or her) chances of selection by adding marks of the interview to the total marks which will decide his final ranking in the merit.

In the organisations where no competitive examination or written test is held and the candidates are selected for various posts on the basis of their academic qualifications, past experience and interview, the interview plays a very significant role. Some organisations also hold group discussion to assess the qualities and personality traits of the candidates.

The main purpose of interview is to know the personality traits that are critical for successful performance in the job applied for. It is a personality test and not a test of the candidate’s knowledge of academic or other subjects. The interview board evaluates the level of candidate’s leadership and personality traits from the answers he gives or the responses he makes and also the manner in which he presents his answers. A lot depends on his ability to listen and understand the questions clearly. He should form his answers in a logical manner and convey them convincingly. Illogical thoughts and baseless arguments may irritate the board. More than giving right answers is the attitude and manners displayed by the candidate. An interview is not a question and answer session where result will depend upon the right answers. There may not even be anything like right answer for many questions. The purpose of putting various type of questions is to know the views, comments, attitude and reaction of the candidate. Loosing confidence, getting nervous and bluffing during an interview may cost the candidate heavily. Therefore, the candidate should be confident, cheerful, true and positive in his attitude during an interview.

For administrative and managerial posts, along with mental calibre, attitude and outlook of the candidate the interview board tries to test the administrative and managerial capabilities of the candidate. It has now been widely accepted that selection of a wrong candidate merely on the basis of his performance in the written examination may prove harmful for the State or the organization in the long run. Therefore, a candidate having an excellent knowledge cannot be sure of scoring high marks in the interview if he lacks in other aspects of his personality. Thus, the interview is crucial both for the candidate as well as the employer. While the candidate can make his last effort for improving his over all tally of marks by performing well during the interview, on the other hand the interview board can also reduce the chances of selection of an unsuitable candidate by giving him the minimum possible marks in interview.

The aim of interview is to assess the suitability of the candidate for the job for which he is being considered and interviewed. Therefore, when the candidate is appearing for interview in a business organisation, he must make it a point to know as much as possible about the history and achievements of the organisation and its products, services, etc. In the interview for the Civil Services, the candidate must know as much as possible about various services, especially those for which he has given choices. He should not only know the status and working of the service but also the ways in which it can serve the people and contribute in national development.

For the guidance of the candidates, some tips for interview for a middle level entry such as civil services, Probationary Officers in banks, Assistant Administrative Officers in insurance companies, etc., are given below. However, a candidate should exercise due diligence to adopt them as per the requirements of his personality as well as the job he has applied for. Some of the points mentioned below may look unnecessary and like spoon feeding, but, these may be useful for those who are going to appear in an interview for the first time.

Documents

Filling up form/analysis questionnaires at arrival

Dress

Hair style

Entering the interview room and sitting

Responding to questions

Leaving the interview board

Type of questions during the interview

Documents

Generally the time of interview is also to scrutinize and verify original documents such as original certificates of academic qualifications, caste, experience, character, sports, etc. Therefore, the candidate must carry all such documents in original along with a set of photocopies duly attested by competent authorities. I would be better if all the documents are properly arranged in a separate file in accordance with their importance and requirement. For example, the matriculation/SSC certificate is the foremost document as it mentions about the date of birth of the candidate. The next can be the certificate of academic qualification essential for the job such as graduation. After it there can be the requirement of caste certificate on the basis of which the candidate is claiming certain relaxation and/or reservation. Other certificates/documents can be kept next in the order. Wherever, minimum experience or a no-objection from present employer is required, documents to that effect also need to arranged in accordance of their priority.

Filling up form/analysis questionnaires at arrival

Many times the candidates are required to fill up certain forms and questionnaires before the interview. While such information may be for analysis and survey, it may also be used by the interview board to know about the candidate in advance. Therefore, it is advisable that the candidates should fill up such forms and answer the questionnaire very carefully.

Dress

There is always some sort of confusion or anxiety regarding the dress one should wear for the interview. What is expected is that the candidate should be neatly and elegantly dressed according to the season. If the interview board room is surely air conditioned then the candidate may wear a suit, if he so likes and feels comfortable. Since the dress is also an indication of one’s personality, habits and attitude, one must be careful in selecting his dress for the interview. However, it is not at all necessary to get dressed in expensive clothes. In fact an expensive dress and other accessories like shoes, watch, etc. should be avoided if the financial position of the candidate does not permit that otherwise the board may interpret it negatively. One can appear to be neat and tidy as well as elegant in inexpensive clothes. The candidate should try to dress up himself in the same way as the officers/employees, in the rank of the post for which he is appearing, normally dress up.

In case a new dress has been purchased for the interview, it should be worn by the candidate a few times in advance before the interview so that the candidate is is fairly comfortable and at ease wearing it at the time of interview. It is important that he should not be over-conscious about the dress. Ill-fitting or extra-loose clothes should be avoided. The dress should be well tailored and ironed. If the candidate is not going to wear a suit then he may wear neck-tie to look elegant and smart. Avoid gaudy colours or contrast combinations as these do not help improve one’s look and may even look cheap. A pant of slightly dark colour like blue, grey or brown with a full sleeve shirt of light colour like white, sky-blue or crèame may be a good combination. In case the candidate is not wearing a neck-tie then he must ensure that the shirt is fully buttoned up including the cuffs, except the color button. The shoes should be properly polished and shined.

Women candidates may wear dress of their region as per the seasonal requirement. However, wearing saree is always advisable as this is the dress prescribed for formal occasions for women officers under various service rule. Expensive jewellery and gaudy make-up should also be avoided. However, they can wear a simple type of chain or mangalsutra, as per their own culture and requirement.

Hair style

Like dress there is also no hard and fast rule for hair style. However, very long hair and very small hair not suitable to one’ face should be avoided. The candidate should have his hair cut a few days before the interview and not just before the interview. The hair should be properly combed. The candidate should not be over conscious of his hair while sitting in front of the interview board. Needless to mention that the candidate should be well-shaved. If the candidate wears turban, then he should ensure that it is clean and tied in a neat style. Women candidates should comb their hair neatly and avoid fancy style. They should also not be over conscious of their hair while sitting before the interview board.

Entering the interview room and sitting

A few minutes before the turn to go to the interview, the candidate should get himself ready and wait for the call. He should not be panic and restless. When he is asked to go to the interview room, he should open it slowly and enter. Though he has been called and thus there should not be any need to take permission, yet it is always better to seek permission before entering the room by saying, “May I come in Sir?” After saying it the candidate should be very attentive and march ahead after hearing or getting any other hint from the board. He should not give a chance to the board to repeat the permitting words or hint. He should walk in an upright manner with a light smile on his face. He should not sit without getting a hint. Once asked, he should sit in a straight and relaxed manner occupying the complete chair and not merely the front edge. He should not change his poses to adjust himself for it may indicate that he is nervous. The candidate should not put his hands on the table. Let his hands rest at the arms of the chair.

While sitting the candidate should not give a shy look with downcast eyes. He should maintain confidence and pleasant smile on his face and not give any impression that he is nervous and suffering from inferiority complex. It may give wrong impression about his personality.

Responding to questions

Once the board starts asking him questions, he should be a bit serious and thoughtful. Maintaining artificial smile while serious questions are being put to him may irritate the board. Now the qualities of listening, grasping and understanding will play their role. As far as possible the candidate should not give a chance to the members of the board to repeat the question. Nevertheless, if the candidate could not hear and grasp any question, he may politely request the member of the board to repeat it by saying, “May I beg your pardon Sir? In the similar way the candidate should not give a chance to the members to ask him to repeat his answer and therefore he should be loud and clear with adequate softness.

Leaving the interview board

When the interview is over the chairman of the board will convey it to the candidate. On getting the hint, the candidate should take his file/documents and stand up. He should move his chair backward, come back to it and put the chair again at its place and then leave the room after saying, “Thank you Sir.”

Type of questions during the interview

It depends upon the nature of organisation and job profile as what type of questions will be asked during the interview. It depends upon the policy about the time to be spent on each candidate. It also depends upon the policy as how the interview is to be conducted. If there is division of the marks for various aspects such as academic qualifications, technical knowledge, past experience, personality and appearance, leadership qualities, etc, then the questions on all these aspects will be asked to evaluate the candidate in these fields. If there is no such policy then the candidate may expect questions on—(i) his academic qualifications and subjects of his graduation, post graduation, specialisation, etc. (ii) his present job, if he is employed, (iii) his native place and home state, (iv) the reasons of his choice for the service/post he is being interviewed, (v) current affairs and past events of importance, and (vi) any other subject/topic which may emerge during the conversation.

Generally, during the interview for the civil services, questions on various social issues such as population explosion, poverty, dowry system, rural development, urbanisation; national issues such as electoral reforms, political system, national security and integrity; and international issues such as relations with neighbouring countries, Non-aligned movement, role of United Nations, disarmament, international trade are asked to know the attitude and reaction and response of the candidate. Questions are also asked about freedom struggle and various social and political movements. The candidate may prepare a list of expected questions and frame answers accordingly after consulting their teachers, guide or friends who can help him. The candidate may also go through various competitive magazines to know the recent trend and the kinds of questions being asked during the interview.

What matters most in the interview is the candidate’s truthfulness, self-confidence, positive attitude an pleasant appearance with clarity in voice as well as views.

Our New Initiative
Our Web Links
Other Links

TIPS FOR INTERVIEWS

Most of the competitive examinations are followed by an interview of the candidates who are declared qualified in the written examination. As compared to the total marks of written examination, the marks allotted to interview are less, i.e. about 10 to 15 percent of the total marks of written examination. Nevertheless, the importance of interview test cannot be ignored because it gives the last opportunity to a candidate to increase his (or her) chances of selection by adding marks of the interview to the total marks which will decide his final ranking in the merit.

In the organisations where no competitive examination or written test is held and the candidates are selected for various posts on the basis of their academic qualifications, past experience and interview, the interview plays a very significant role. Some organisations also hold group discussion to assess the qualities and personality traits of the candidates.

The main purpose of interview is to know the personality traits that are critical for successful performance in the job applied for. It is a personality test and not a test of the candidate’s knowledge of academic or other subjects. The interview board evaluates the level of candidate’s leadership and personality traits from the answers he gives or the responses he makes and also the manner in which he presents his answers. A lot depends on his ability to listen and understand the questions clearly. He should form his answers in a logical manner and convey them convincingly. Illogical thoughts and baseless arguments may irritate the board. More than giving right answers is the attitude and manners displayed by the candidate. An interview is not a question and answer session where result will depend upon the right answers. There may not even be anything like right answer for many questions. The purpose of putting various type of questions is to know the views, comments, attitude and reaction of the candidate. Loosing confidence, getting nervous and bluffing during an interview may cost the candidate heavily. Therefore, the candidate should be confident, cheerful, true and positive in his attitude during an interview.

For administrative and managerial posts, along with mental calibre, attitude and outlook of the candidate the interview board tries to test the administrative and managerial capabilities of the candidate. It has now been widely accepted that selection of a wrong candidate merely on the basis of his performance in the written examination may prove harmful for the State or the organization in the long run. Therefore, a candidate having an excellent knowledge cannot be sure of scoring high marks in the interview if he lacks in other aspects of his personality. Thus, the interview is crucial both for the candidate as well as the employer. While the candidate can make his last effort for improving his over all tally of marks by performing well during the interview, on the other hand the interview board can also reduce the chances of selection of an unsuitable candidate by giving him the minimum possible marks in interview.

The aim of interview is to assess the suitability of the candidate for the job for which he is being considered and interviewed. Therefore, when the candidate is appearing for interview in a business organisation, he must make it a point to know as much as possible about the history and achievements of the organisation and its products, services, etc. In the interview for the Civil Services, the candidate must know as much as possible about various services, especially those for which he has given choices. He should not only know the status and working of the service but also the ways in which it can serve the people and contribute in national development.

For the guidance of the candidates, some tips for interview for a middle level entry such as civil services, Probationary Officers in banks, Assistant Administrative Officer is insurance companies, etc., are given below. However, a candidate should exercise due diligence to adopt them as per the requirements of his personality as well as the job he has applied for. Some of the points mentioned below may look unnecessary and like spoon feeding, but, these may be useful for those who are going to appear in an interview for the first time.

Documents

Filling up form/analysis questionnaires at arrival

Dress

Hair style

Entering the interview room and sitting

Responding to questions

Leaving the interview board

Type of questions during the interview

Documents

Generally the time of interview is also to scrutinize and verify original documents such as original certificates of academic qualifications, caste, experience, character, sports, etc. Therefore, the candidate must carry all such documents in original along with a set of photocopies duly attested by competent authorities. I would be better if all the documents are properly arranged in a separate file in accordance with their importance and requirement. For example, the matriculation/SSC certificate is the foremost document as it mentions about the date of birth of the candidate. The next can be the certificate of academic qualification essential for the job such as graduation. After it there can be the requirement of caste certificate on the basis of which the candidate is claiming certain relaxation and/or reservation. Other certificates/documents can be kept next in the order. Wherever, minimum experience or a no-objection from present employer is required, documents to that effect also need to arranged in accordance of their priority.

Filling up form/analysis questionnaires at arrival

Many times the candidates are required to fill up certain forms and questionnaires before the interview. While such information may be for analysis and survey, it may also be used by the interview board to know about the candidate in advance. Therefore, it is advisable that the candidates should fill up such forms and answer the questionnaire very carefully.

Dress

There is always some sort of confusion or anxiety regarding the dress one should wear for the interview. What is expected is that the candidate should be neatly and elegantly dressed according to the season. If the interview board room is surely air conditioned then the candidate may wear a suit, if he so likes and feels comfortable. Since the dress is also an indication of one’s personality, habits and attitude, one must be careful in selecting his dress for the interview. However, it is not at all necessary to get dressed in expensive clothes. In fact an expensive dress and other accessories like shoes, watch, etc. should be avoided if the financial position of the candidate does not permit that otherwise the board may interpret it negatively. One can appear to be neat and tidy as well as elegant in inexpensive clothes. The candidate should try to dress up himself in the same way as the officers/employees, in the rank of the post for which he is appearing, normally dress up.

In case a new dress has been purchased for the interview, it should be worn by the candidate a few times in advance before the interview so that the candidate is is fairly comfortable and at ease wearing it at the time of interview. It is important that he should not be over-conscious about the dress. Ill-fitting or extra-loose clothes should be avoided. The dress should be well tailored and ironed. If the candidate is not going to wear a suit then he may wear neck-tie to look elegant and smart. Avoid gaudy colours or contrast combinations as these do not help improve one’s look and may even look cheap. A pant of slightly dark colour like blue, grey or brown with a full sleeve shirt of light colour like white, sky-blue or crèame may be a good combination. In case the candidate is not wearing a neck-tie then he must ensure that the shirt is fully buttoned up including the cuffs, except the color button. The shoes should be properly polished and shined.

Women candidates may wear dress of their region as per the seasonal requirement. However, wearing saree is always advisable as this is the dress prescribed for formal occasions for women officers under various service rule. Expensive jewellery and gaudy make-up should also be avoided. However, they can wear a simple type of chain or mangalsutra, as per their own culture and requirement.

Hair style

Like dress there is also no hard and fast rule for hair style. However, very long hair and very small hair not suitable to one’ face should be avoided. The candidate should have his hair cut a few days before the interview and not just before the interview. The hair should be properly combed. The candidate should not be over conscious of his hair while sitting in front of the interview board. Needless to mention that the candidate should be well-shaved. If the candidate wears turban, then he should ensure that it is clean and tied in a neat style. Women candidates should comb their hair neatly and avoid fancy style. They should also not be over conscious of their hair while sitting before the interview board.

Entering the interview room and sitting

A few minutes before the turn to go to the interview, the candidate should get himself ready and wait for the call. He should not be panic and restless. When he is asked to go to the interview room, he should open it slowly and enter. Though he has been called and thus there should not be any need to take permission, yet it is always better to seek permission before entering the room by saying, “May I come in Sir?” After saying it the candidate should be very attentive and march ahead after hearing or getting any other hint from the board. He should not give a chance to the board to repeat the permitting words or hint. He should walk in an upright manner with a light smile on his face. He should not sit without getting a hint. Once asked, he should sit in a straight and relaxed manner occupying the complete chair and not merely the front edge. He should not change his poses to adjust himself for it may indicate that he is nervous. The candidate should not put his hands on the table. Let his hands rest at the arms of the chair.

While sitting the candidate should not give a shy look with downcast eyes. He should maintain confidence and pleasant smile on his face and not give any impression that he is nervous and suffering from inferiority complex. It may give wrong impression about his personality.

Responding to questions

Once the board starts asking him questions, he should be a bit serious and thoughtful. Maintaining artificial smile while serious questions are being put to him may irritate the board. Now the qualities of listening, grasping and understanding will play their role. As far as possible the candidate should not give a chance to the members of the board to repeat the question. Nevertheless, if the candidate could not hear and grasp any question, he may politely request the member of the board to repeat it by saying, “May I beg your pardon Sir? In the similar way the candidate should not give a chance to the members to ask him to repeat his answer and therefore he should be loud and clear with adequate softness.

Leaving the interview board

When the interview is over the chairman of the board will convey it to the candidate. On getting the hint, the candidate should take his file/documents and stand up. He should move his chair backward, come back to it and put the chair again at its place and then leave the room after saying, “Thank you Sir.”

Type of questions during the interview

It depends upon the nature of organisation and job profile as what type of questions will be asked during the interview. It depends upon the policy about the time to be spent on each candidate. It also depends upon the policy as how the interview is to be conducted. If there is division of the marks for various aspects such as academic qualifications, technical knowledge, past experience, personality and appearance, leadership qualities, etc, then the questions on all these aspects will be asked to evaluate the candidate in these fields. If there is no such policy then the candidate may expect questions on—(i) his academic qualifications and subjects of his graduation, post graduation, specialisation, etc. (ii) his present job, if he is employed, (iii) his native place and home state, (iv) the reasons of his choice for the service/post he is being interviewed, (v) current affairs and past events of importance, and (vi) any other subject/topic which may emerge during the conversation.

Generally, during the interview for the civil services, questions on various social issues such as population explosion, poverty, dowry system, rural development, urbanisation; national issues such as electoral reforms, political system, national security and integrity; and international issues such as relations with neighbouring countries, Non-aligned movement, role of United Nations, disarmament, international trade are asked to know the attitude and reaction and response of the candidate. Questions are also asked about freedom struggle and various social and political movements. The candidate may prepare a list of expected questions and frame answers accordingly after consulting their teachers, guide or friends who can help him. The candidate may also go through various competitive magazines to know the recent trend and the kinds of questions being asked during the interview.

What matters most in the interview is the candidate’s truthfulness, self-confidence, positive attitude an pleasant appearance with clarity in voice as well as views.

OUR FOUNDER PRESIDENT

Dr. Dalbir Bharti,IPS (Retd.)
M.A. (Pol. Sc.), LL.B, Ph.D.

KNOW MORE

OUR MOTTO
Determination 
and Devotion
lead to
Development.
Our Web Links
Other Links
Our New Initiative