Introduction

Heartiest congratulations to the candidates who have cleared the Mains Examination. With the declaration of these results, the clouds of doubt & anxiety have given way to rays of hope and aspiration. Those of you who have qualified for appearing in the interview must be happy & rejoicing. But the moments of anxiety are not gone as yet. Many questions might be haunting you. For instance - Who will be on the panel of my interview ? How many marks have I scored in the Mains? What dress should I wear for the interview ? Will I be able to answer all the questions in the interview? Most of the candidates are not prepared for the interview in advance. They are either not sure of getting through or do not know how exactly to prepare for the interview. Managing interview is truly an art. At the same time it is the most crucial stage of this examination, for three reasons. Firstly, this is the final hurdle between you and your success in the Civil Services Examination. Secondly, it is the first, only & the last direct interaction between the examinee and the members & representatives of the examining body. Thirdly, it does not test you merely for your knowledge & information (for which one would have already been tested at Preliminary & Main exams).

This booklet will assist you to know about all the aspects of the interview and enable you to face the interview boldly & confidently.

What is Personality Test?

The personality test, as it is known, in the truest sense of the word, is a test of your personality. The biggest problem is that most of the candidates do not know what is the rationale behind conducting it. The Interview is meant at assessing whether, on selection, the candidate would be competently able to set out his duties as an administrator. The members test the candidate's personal suitability to a career in Civil Service and the general administrative job he/she is required to perform after the final selection. The candidate is also tested for not only his/her intellectual qualities but also for social traits and interest in current affairs.

The Personality test, or the interview or the viva voce as it is often called, euphemistically, is the final hurdle between the aspirant and the aspiration. Crossing it successfully will put the candidate on the even and smooth road to a prosperous career. But a casual jump or even a mighty jump with clenched fists and closed eyes would not land the candidate across in the safe territory i.e. in the select merit list.

The effort needs not only the summoning of one's best talents - informational, analytical and conversational but calls for adequate planning and preparation as well. In this context, it is important to realize that proper planning, preparation and timely summoning of the required mental faculties will be possible only if one understands what he or she is up against.

In other words, the prescription for success dictates that first of all, one should know what the Personality Test is all about and how it is conducted. Once the candidate appreciates what the Commission conducting the Personality Test is looking for, it will be easy for him or her to prepare properly and measure up to the expectations of the selectors.

Significance of Personality Test

The significance, and prime importance of a Personality Test rest in the fact that it is the first (and only) interaction between the selecting agency (The Commission) and the candidate who until now has proved his or her merit on the strength of academic (rather bookish) talent; the candidates having offered different subjects to prove this merit of theirs and that too, in written examinations.

The ultimate objective is to select young men and women with potential and promise for enlightened governance and the right socio-economic attitude to deal with the requirements of a highly populous, pluralistic and politically conscious population of nation. While it is very difficult to assess any candidate against this scale in a conversation lasting about half-hour on the average, there appears to be no better alternative. Therefore the selectors attempt to make an overall evaluation of the personality of the candidate and his or her potential to evolve into an efficient civil servant with the right attitude. So what do the selectors look for? And who are these selectors?

The Selectors

The Personality Test takes the form of a conversation with a group of about five knowledgeable and highly experienced persons drawn from different career - streams. While there are no rigid rules for constituting a panel for personality Tests, there are members, either serving or retired, from the civil services, science and technology, university or academic institutions, and economic disciplines. There is generally a lady member representing one of these streams. Contrary to the popular belief, there is no professional psychologist among the members. Candidates belonging to SC/ST are assessed separately although the criteria remain the same.

Usually more than one panel conduct the Personality Tests in view of the large number of candidates and the short period of few weeks. There are time-tested mechanisms, in place, to ensure uniformity of rules and equity of standards. Selectors are pre-advised not to worry about testing the depth of knowledge of a candidate in the subjects that he or she offered for the written examinations since that has already been tested and the candidate's performance in the written papers will be taken into account while compiling the final result. The conversation during the Personality Test is carried out in a friendly atmosphere with necessary decorum and is intended to bring out the best in the candidate while observing and taking note of personality flaws if any.

What do the selectors look for ?

In specific terms, the selectors look for the following attributes in the candidates
» Personable turn-out and pleasant demeanour
» Positive and non-aggressive body language, conveying self-confidence.
» Intelligent and alert mind with quick comprehension and sharp reflex.
» Ability of spoken word and communication.
» Faculty of analysis and succinct expression
» Realization of own strengths and weaknesses and the determination to improve
» Unbiased balanced view of current & other issues
» Honesty and integrity
» Secular and democratic outlook
» Awareness of the history, culture and heritage of the country
» Free from prejudices of caste, creed and gender
» Faith in the destiny of the nation
» Flexibility of approach to problems
» Tactful at conflict resolution and tension diffusion
» Ability to remain calm under provocation
» Breadth of interests as judged by hobbies and extracurricular activities

» Positive attitude on national, societal, environmental and developmental issues
» Capacity for hard and sustained work
» ILeadership and persuasive qualities
» Attention to detail and quickness in decision making.
» Open to new ideas especially in public administration and the planning process
» Willingness to learn and acquire new knowledge and abilities
» Appreciation of the socio-economic problems of the nation
» Understanding the role of Science and Technology in country's development
» Appreciation of the role of Civil Servants in the country's governance.

The selectors assess these attributes by talking to the candidate and more importantly by observing him or her intensely. While one member engages the candidate in a brief conversation or discussion, four or five pairs of eyes and ears are scanning and assessing the candidate. In almost all cases, there is a good convergence among the members regarding the Final assessment of the candidate at the Personality Test.

Prescription for success in personality test

In order to measure up to the expectations of the selectors and to emerge with flying colours at the Personality Test, the candidate has to possess and exhibit as many of the above mentioned attributes as possible. Obviously, there would be hardly any person possessing all the desirable attributes especially among the young and inexperienced persons who are just out of colleges and universities.

Then what is the young aspirant to do, to secure merit at the personality Test? There is only one unanimous answer: Project the Right Personality and if you do not possess it as yet, work hard to gain it.

Personality is what constitutes a person. Personality denotes the distinguishing mental faculties of a person particularly those comprising mood, intelligence and emotional drive. It is the distinctive personal character - in fact the qualities that make up a person's character - that constitutes his or her personality. Thus, a candidate will have his/her individual personality but it is the high proportion of positive qualities and attitudes that will win the day for the individual at the Personality Test.

While it is certainly possible to develop one's personality, it should be clearly noted that it is impossible to create or even improve the personality overnight. Any attempt to don an artificial cloak of good manners and positive attitudes is sure to fail under the experienced gaze and searching questions of the members.

Therefore, what is needed is a sustained long term development of one's personality. Most of the candidates do not give any attention to this aspect and think about personality development only when they get the call letter, or, at best, after they have done well at the main exam. This is not the correct way.

Proper preparation for sure success at the Personality Test should be done in four phases, as follows -
» Advance Long Term Preparation
» Intermediate Short Term preparation
» Immediate Preparation : On getting the call
» The Final Battle: On the day of the Personality Test

Advance Long Term Preparation

This preparation should begin right from the time one thinks of attempting the competition. It should be an on-going process. Basically, it should comprise the following :
» Improving the spoken word (vocabulary, pronunciation and diction)
» Inter-personal manners and communication (by talking among friends).
» Good health, clean habits and neat turnout.
» Balanced gait and right posture

» Avoidance of gesticulation and unnecessary repetitive words.
» Positive thinking and compassionate attitude
» Wide general reading (books, magazines, journals & newspapers).
» Regular reading of two daily newspapers (one general and the other financial)
» Development of unbiased and balanced views on current & other issues.
» Introspection : Self analysis of one's strengths and weaknesses.
» Conscious effort to add to the strengths and eliminate/reduce the weaknesses.
» Development of ability to discuss provocative matters calmly and logically.
» Learn not to bluff.

It should be noted that regular reading of two newspapers (one general and the other financial) is absolutely essential for a candidate aspiring for success at Personality Test.

Intermediate Short Term preparation

This phase should begin as soon as the candidate is free from the main examination when much of the daily tension is gone. The candidate, who was till now pre-occupied and tied down with the grind of the mains papers, should now practice relaxation, building up the lost health, and should look around to gain as much general knowledge as possible through wide reading.

He or she should re-double the efforts on items listed under "Advance Preparation" above. Particular attention should be paid to the following:
» Reading two newspapers daily in greater detail
» Analysing the current issues and discussing them among friends
» Improving conversational skill including pronunciation
» Prepare well to answer questions on one's hobbies
» Anticipate questions arising from one's own background & prepare answers to them.
» Understand the current national and international economic situations and their impact on national economy.
» Improve personal turnout, ensure right posture, improve body language and give up gesticulation and unnecessary phraseology.
» Walk regularly in the mornings to develop positive thoughts and gain a pleasant face.
» Totally give up the tendency to bluff if it still persists.
» Decide on what dress to wear for the Personality test. If it is a new set, it should be worn and laundered a couple of times so that it drapes well. Footwear should be comfortable and should not creak.

Immediate Preparation: On getting the call

A very important period of preparation for the Personality Test commences here onwards. Updating on the current affairs and developing a relaxed mood are the keys to success at this stage.

The following suggestions should be helpful -
» Continue to read two newspapers daily
» Continue morning walks
» Ensure sound (quality & quantity) sleep; there should not be any sleep deficit.
» Get your dress and footwear ready; you should be neither overdressed, nor underdressed.
» Anticipate and rehearse possible questions on current affairs, your bio-data, your background and your hobbies.
» Re-scan last three months, newspapers to update on current and recent issues.
» Make full use of the facility of "Mock Interviews" at a good institution having a proven track record.

On the day of the Personality Test

This is the D-day and the candidate has to be in the best of physical and mental health with a cheerful and positive mood. Therefore the first and foremost thing is to ensure sound sleep and relaxed mood but without the assistance of any drugs. It is also necessary to reach the venue well in time.

While waiting to be called in, the candidate should not enter into unnecessary discussion with other candidates, a few of which may be quite gregarious either out of nervousness or otherwise. It is wise to take the day's newspaper along and scan it while waiting to be called in. When one's own turn is about to come, it will be prudent to visit the toilet to freshen up and adjust the hair. It is also advisable to have a few sips of water while getting ready to proceed to the Interview room.

When called in, one should enter with the normal gait, approach the table and wish the chairperson and members. Once asked to take seat, the candidate should sit in the chair, thank the chairperson, sit in a comfortable but correct posture, wear a pleasant smile, look around the table at the members quickly with a pleasant face and face the chairperson with an air of hopeful expectation.

Etiquettes to be maintained

During the conversation, the following etiquettes need to be maintained :

» Answer the questions succinctly
» Keep eyes contact with the questioner.
» Answer in the language of the question. If you do not know the language, say so.
» Do not laugh even if members laugh. But keep a pleasant face.
» Maintain calm & composure even if provoked
» Do not enter into any argument or give a long-winded reply.
» Once a new question has been posed, do not dwell on the earlier question or your reply thereto.
» Continue to maintain body posture; do not slouch.
» If very necessary, you may take a sip of water from the tumbler that would be on table for you. Although, it is better to avoid it. It is even more necessary to avoid parched lips or dry throat.
» If a beverage or snacks are served, just ignore them. If urged by a member or chairperson to partake the beverage, say "No, thank you" and ignore the offering.
» When the chairperson concludes the session, rise quickly, say "Thank you" and make a dignified exit.

It is quite likely, that you would have made the impact and can hope & await the selection.

Pay Attention to your Body Language

A candidate's body language speaks a lot about his personality. You should walk into the room with your back straight and maintain the posture while sitting down. A soft pleasing expression with a hint of a smile enhances your personality. You must appear cheerful and confident. A good interviewee is attentive and is able to draw the interviewer's attention as well . Attentiveness means being in tune with the other person's needs and wants. Good listening skills are vital if one wants an interaction to be productive and informative. Verbal expressions coupled with non verbal expressions can lead to greater effectiveness. In others words, body actions should match with what one speaks. If a good relation is to be maintained, a candidate should make optimum use of his various physical movements.

It remains a fact that as a person grows from childhood to adolescence and finally to adulthood, he/she develops a particular type of behaviour and thinking depending upon various circumstances prevailing in the house, neighbourhood, school and society. It affects the way of walking, talking and other manners to a large extent. These manners may differ from accepted norms of civilized society, in formal and informal situations.

For a formal occasion like an interview or group discussion, there have developed some accepted norms which must be adhered to.

During the course of an interview a candidate should restrict his/her body movements to the minimum. It gives an adverse impression on the interviewer to make an unnecessary body movements such as, waving hands here and there, changing body postures too often, jerking head and shoulders, raising and lowering eyebrows, shaking legs, pouting the mouth etc. It also includes making unwanted sounds while opening the door or closing it, dragging the chair with a screeching sound. All these movements not only has irritation and distraction effect on the interviewer, they also show distractedness and tiredness of a candidate sometimes to the extent of indifference. A candidate should sit in the chair straight but not stiff.

Whenever a candidate needs to change his/her posture, he/she should do it stealthily, that is, at a time when he is not being watched. Changing body posture in a short duration interview should be avoided under all circumstances.

The best posture is to keep hands below the table with hands clasped for comfort. You must maintain eye contact with the concerned interviewer, right through the interview. This shows your confidence. Looking away is a mark of your discomfort and gives an impression that you are trying to conceal your fear and anxiety.

Now, on the other hand, a candidate can also use body language to emphasise or give impetus to what he/she is saying. A candidate should maintain constant eye contact with the interviewer but it should not be so fixed as to perplex him. It should be such that would show that he/she is confident enough and what he/she is telling is true. Head, hands and fingers can be used effectively to make the interviewer pay attention to him. Watch carefully the newsreaders carefully on television to have a perfect idea how you can make most of your gestures. Fingers can be effectively used when someone is making a few point-raise one finger to say the first, two to say the second point , but it should not be overplayed. Similarly, leaning a little forward while listening shows interest and attention. Body language is only an aiding device, but in the final outcome, what will count are the words that the interviewer will evaluate upon.

Ask the following vital questions to yourself. The answers will help you to get rid of all your odds and to come out with all flying colours.
» Do you seek eye contact?
» Do you look to the right, left or behind the interviewer?
» Are your gestures in accordance with the words you speak? Are you too stiff?
» Do you point your finger at the interviewer? Do you wave your hands?
» Are you yourself?
» Do you feel natural or like a caged tiger?
» Do you create barriers between the interviewer and you?

Having a slick resume and all the right answers to tricky interview questions won't get you anywhere if your body language gives an entirely different message.
» Tone of voice and body language accounts for 65 per cent of what's communicated. Words account for 35 per cent of the message that's communicated.
» Body language can give away a lot of our feelings, regardless of whether we keep our mouths shut or not, and without an awareness of our actions, nervousness, dishonesty, boredom and other negative attributes can become dead give-aways.
» Before taking a seat, be mindful of what you'll be staring at. If you have a choice, avoid staring at a bright window. If you don't apparently have a choice, don't be afraid to ask. Ensure that you have room to move and re-position yourself if you become stiff or restless.
» To begin with, you need to set yourself up in a confident and comfortable position to help avoid negative body language habits. Make sure you are comfortably seated in an upright position ensuring that no particular part of your body is under strain (e.g. your neck). Keep your hands rested in your lap, your head raised, showing an expression of interest and relax your shoulders, without slumping into the seat.

Although I shall cover specific body language signs later, here are the obvious ones to watch out for.
» Fidgeting shows boredom and restlessness
» Crossing arms indicates an unwillingness to listen
» Tapping your foot, is distracting and a sure sign of boredom

» Doodling on paper shows you're not paying attention
» Touching your face or playing with your hair can be a sign that you're hiding something
» Looking away or hesitating before or while speaking indicates that you're unsure of what you're saying
» A fixed, unfocused stare shows your attention is elsewhere

A good CV and all the right answers to the toughest interview questions won't land you the job if your voice gives off an entirely different impression. It is important to project yourself confidently in a clear, controlled and steady voice that can be easily understood.

Take some time to practise, even staging a mock interview with a friend or colleague. Try to be aware of the following:
» Speak clearly in a controlled range of tones, avoid a monotone
» Always pause before speaking, this avoids instinctively reacting and saying the wrong things
» Speak slightly slower than normal, don't over do it though
» Vary your tone and dynamics, but try not to speak too loudly or too softly
» Don't mumble or gamble on excitedly
» Keep your hands away from your mouth as you speak
» Watch your pitch (high-pitched voices are tough on the ears) and avoid a 'sing-song' tone

Let your voice show your enthusiasm and keenness Whether we intend it or not, our body language gives off very subtle signs which are subconsciously interpreted by the other party. We likewise read the same into other people's behaviour. Imagine conducting an interview with someone behind a two-way mirror, we wouldn't have the benefit of responding to their facial expressions and would feel quite unnerved by the experience. Every little frown or smile gives us the caution or confidence to make our next statement and it is a sublime skill which every human being has developed since childhood. Some people are more receptive to body language than others, but as a candidate striving to make a good impression, it is important to be aware at all times of the body language that may give out a negative impression.

Guide to body language

Positive
» Responsive/eager: Leaning forward, open arms, nodding
» Listening: Head tilted, constant eye contact, nodding and verbal acknowledgement
» Attentive: Smiling

Negative
» Bored: Slumped posture, foot tapping, doodling
» Rejection: Arms folded, head down, subconscious frowning

» Aggression: Leaning to far forward, finger pointing, grinding teeth
» Lying: Touching face, hands over mouth, eyes aver-ted, shifting uncomfortably in your seat, glancing

Following signals would be helpful for a successful interview
» A smile is the most positive signal you can give, it re-affirms your enthusiasm and good nature, but be careful of over-grinning stupidly.
» Maintain regular, attentive eye contact, but remember to avert your gaze from time to time to avoid staring.
» Relax! Give off calm signals and don't rush through the interview, be mindful of time, but let the interviewer dictate the pace of the interview.
» Mirror the interviewer's techniques. If they laugh, laugh with them (within limit), if they lean forward to impress a point, respond by leaning forward to show your attention.
» Do not hurry any movement, if you're challenged with a difficult question, remind yourself about negative body language habits before answering the question.
» Try to maintain an alert position, sit up straight, don't slump, and adjust your position slightly if you get uncomfortable but don't fidget.
» Always try to adopt an open, honest and confident attitude: this is the starting point of managing subconscious body language.

Frequently asked questions on the topic...

I am not well prepared for the Interview, What should I do now ?
Relax !!! This is not the time to press the panic button. Rather, you should sit up and take serious note of certain aspects related to your educational qualifications, socio-economic background, hobbies & interests, preference of service, current national & international developments etc.

Who does the interview board comprise of? What will be the nature of Interview?
Interview board consists of experts from diverse fields like - administration, education, literature, social work, academics (particularly Sociology, Psychology & Public-Administration) and representatives from institutions of Commerce & Economics, Science & Technology etc. The Interview is held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. The assessment is done through conversation, while one member engages the candidate in conversation, the other members observe him/her carefully.

Is Interview a test of knowledge & information?
A candidate's depth of knowledge & range of information have been tested in the previous stages of this examination viz. Prelims & Mains. The interview is aimed at testing one's administrative capabilities. The members tries to assess the suitability & potentials of the candidate for a career in Civil Service.

What qualities do the members look for in a candidate ? What areas do the questions cover?
The members look for a candidate's mental alertness, critical power of assimilation, clear and logical expo-sition, balance of judgement, variety & depth of interest and the qualities of honesty, integrity and leadership.
Generally, the questions pertain to a candidate's bio-data – extra-curricular activities, prizes, awards & scholarships won in school and college, hobbies and interests, sports/games participated in, previous employment, alternative career, facts & issues concerning one's home town, home district & home state and current national & international affairs. In addition to these, there might be a Situation Reaction Test (SRT), wherein the candidate is expected to respond to a hypothetical situation. Here, his/her qualities of quick decision-making , ability to act under stress, mental alertness and ability to handle difficult situations are tested.
There is no restriction on the area to be covered, rather it depends on the way the conversation between the Interviewee and Interviewers has progressed.

Does it mean that the Interview can be led by a candidate?
'Leading the interview' is like a double-edged weapon. If used properly it ensures more than 70% marks, but if the candidate fails to use it to his benefit or if he makes a 'too deliberate attempt' at this, he might end up ruining his Interview.

Generally, what is the duration of an interview? Does a longer interview essentially mean a better interview?
On an average, a candidate is interviewed for about 20-25 minutes. However, there could be exceptions (on both sides of the time range) in certain individual cases. It's important to note here, that such exceptions indicate neither a bad interview nor a good one. A longer interview being a better one or a shorter a worse one is a proven misconception and rumour.

Compared to the marks in written examination (2000 + 600), interview carries far less marks (300). So, how important is it to score in the interview in order to succeed in the Civil Services Examination?
I would say that interview is the most important stage of this exam. The marks obtained in the interview are indeed crucial and these play a determining role in the final selection and position in the merit-list.

Is it easily possible to score more than 200 marks in the Interview?
It is a proven fact that it is possible to score more than 200 marks. During the last 8 years, more than a hundred of my students have scored more than 200 marks in the Interview; dozens of them scoring more than 210/300 (70%) and many touching the magic score of 240 /300 (80% ) in the interview.

How can I impress the members and score higher marks?
Try to relax and feel comfortable in the Interview hall. Approach the interview with a positive attitude and booming self-confidence. Whenever you are asked a question, pay attention to the details and intent of the question. Start your answer by addressing the questioner and maintain an eye-contact with him/her as you speak. A popular misconception is that one should look at all the members while answering a question . Let me remind you, you are not delivering a lecture or a sermon, but are being interviewed. As it is evident, one member asks one question at one time. Accordingly, you should answer one member at a time. If you try to look around and maintain eye-contact with all the members, you might lose your concentration, at the same time such action might offend the questioner. Answer a question in as simple words as possible. Be a good listener, you will be a good speaker automatically. Maintain proper eye-contact with the questioner. Most importantly, be your natural self. Because, Interview is nothing but the convincing revelation of your natural Self to the Interviewers.

How does one answer the opinion-based questions?
The aim of opinion-based questions is to test a candidate's understanding of the subject matter, in its positive, negative as well as applied aspects. This is the time to tread cautiously. Your views need to be balanced (not extreme) and free from any kind of prejudice - regional, religious, or any other.

What type of dress should one wear on the day of Interview?
One should always choose the clothes according to the season & occasion. April is a relatively hot month in New Delhi. Therefore, for men, formal shirt, trousers, clean socks, polished shoes, neatly manicured nails, well-shaved face and a recent hair-cut are all absolutely necessary. However, if one is comfortable with a neck-tie, wearing one would be preferable. Women can choose anything from a Sari, a Salwar-Kameez (Punjabi Suit) or a Western Formal Suit. But ensure that your clothes are not gaudy and don't put on a heavy make-up. You should be presentable and not overdressed or otherwise. More importantly, don't wear a brand new dress on the day of the Interview. Even if it's a new dress, wear it, wash it and iron it for a couple of times before the interview so that it fits you well and looks natural on you.

What are the don'ts for the Interview?
So far, I have dealt with all the do's, certain strict don'ts would be –
» Don't bluff (If you don't know something, say so!)
» Don't smoke (if you are a smoker) immediately before entering the interview-room.
» Don't try to establish any unnecessary rapport with any member(s).
» Don't beat about the bush, instead come straight to the point.
» Don't present extreme or biased views.

Important tips for a successful Interview

» A smile is a positive sign during an interview. It shows your enthusiasm and good nature but avoid a too broad and foolish smile.
» Listen to the question carefully and answer the question looking at the interviewer. But, avoid staring which might make him/her feel uncomfortable.
» Sit comfortably in a straight but slight relaxed posture. Adjust yourself if necessary.
» Keep track of time. Don't take too long to answer a question. Maintain brevity and be specific.
» Be attentive and responsive to the body language of the interviewer. You can join them in a laughter (within limit) or nod in agreement.
» Don't be excited or emotional at any point. Your body language should not betray you.
» Always give an honest and confident answer with a broad perspective.