The aim of an interview at the SSB is to assess the
leadership or ‘Officer like’ qualities of the candidates by means of a directed
or purposive conversation between the candidate and the Interviewing Officer (IO). In addition to
appraising the present level of the candidate, the IO tries to evaluate the
training potential of the candidate. The question at the interview, therefore,
will be so directed as to allow the candidate to automatically show his
leadership ability in his answer.
HANDLING QUESTIONS
The two important factors which play a decisive role in the
selection of the candidate in the interview are the candidate’s knowledge and power of expression. In a
group or a gathering the person who does the talking in a forceful and convincing
manner dominates. Similarly, at the interview, the candidate who is able to
speak fluently and express himself clearly, will score high marks. At the same
time, a candidate cannot well unless he has good knowledge to generate ideas on
a variety of topics. The interview, as already pointed out, will not be a mere
cross-examination of the candidate, like questions and answers in school class
room. The questions will be open ended. While answering the questions the
candidate should take lead and cover as much of the relevant ground as
possible. In other words simply saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a question will not
suffice and the candidate must logically and forcefully substantiate his views
with valid arguments.
Some Practical
Hints
Question1:
Where do you come from?
Answer:
“Kewaplore”.
Comments: This one –word answer is incomplete in the
context of the interview. In all probability the interviewing officer has never
heard this name before. A better answer
would be-“I came from Kewaplore, a small village in Madhya Pradesh. It has
population of some 10,000 people who are mainly engaged in
agriculture.”(However these details are not required if you come from big
city).
Question1:
What do you think is the most pressing
problem facing the country today?
Answer: “Achieving
self-sufficiency in food production”.
Comments:
Again, the answer is inadequate for the interview. Although the interviewing
officer has not asked you specially to state why think so, still you must give
the reasons for choosing this as the pressing problem. It would be better if
you state some other equally pressing problems and then state as to why you
have given priority to food production. This would , then, indicate your
knowledge in both dimensions width and depth. Here is a better answer:
“In my opinion,
gaining self-sufficiency in food is the most pressing problem facing our
country today. I agree that there are other problems, like industrialization,
un-employment, national integration etc., which also require to be tackled with
equal urgency. But I had given priority to food, as it cuts the very root of
our existence as an independent nation. What is more we have the resources and
it only needs proper harnessing of modern scientific techniques to achieve self
sufficiency in food grains. ”
GENERAL TIPS
Answer the question, “What is my point?”
Avoid the risk that IO will interrupt or simply tune you out before you
get to your major point.
Use body language as a part of your emotional expression.
Avoid extreme emotions such as anger, sentiments etc.
Keep up to date with current events.
Discuss current events with your acquaintances.
Scan even the sections of newspapers and magazines that you are not particularly interested in, e.g., sports, finance, arts.
SMILE
A smile is the most effective means
to establish effective communications. It is facial expression that signals
you are pleased or happy.
Use a smile to signal that you are in a pleasant mood, positive, and approachable.
Practice smiling in front of a mirror to gain confidence. See how you look with a broad smile showing your teeth, a smile with lips together, and a smile teeth parted, possibly leading to a soft laugh.
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