Getting through the written examination and receving the interview call is not winning half the battle as some people are prone to think. An interview is completely unpredictable. One can never tell what turn it will take. Preparing for an inerview has its own problem. Infact preparation may besaid to be impossible. For one thing,questions are totally unpredictable. And for another ones own reactions and behaviour are hardto guarantee beforehand.
The questions usually asked are of avery general nature related to Indian History, Current Events, personal tastes and hobbies. They can all be met satisfactory enough. But during an interview a canididate may often slip up with a hasty,unthoughtful response. A candidate must have sincerity and honesty and candidate may, absolutely mistakenly, in order to create an impression, profess attitudes and opinions not really his own. But these can easily be perceived and even ridiculed by members of the Boardwith disastrous results.
The ignorance is not a shameful thing. Guessing at what one does not know is unperdonable. A straight-forward admission of does not harm. I myself, confessedly, had to return an apologetic “I’m afraid I don’t know,sir,”many times. Some candidates find it unnecessary to prepare for the interviewat all apart from reading daily newspapers as a matter of routine. All candidates do not feel so wellequpped and realize that need to cultivate the above qualities.
Here freinds can help immensely by examining a candidate in the manner of interview boards. This method may be considered ridiculous or useless, but it undoubtedly helps many timid or shy people to acquire at least a semblance of assurance. Thus a candidate is given the opportunity to habituate himself to being questioned closely. He becomes familiar with his shortcomings and can guard against them better.
My own interview was not of a very exciting nature. The questions were very general, relating to Gandian thought, the National movement, Religion, my favourite authors and the like. Somewhere easy, some difficult and some confusing. I had often to deny all knowledge, sometimes to beg for clarification, and admittedly I stumbled here and there. But though I could not soar with optimism, there was nothing to despair of either. The interview remain on an even keel throughout, with a few flashes of humour to lighten the atmosphere and though not lenient the board was friendly and encouraging.
All in all, it was an experience.
Thanks.
