Interview-Interview Technique

Why you must master the Interview Technique?

Where there is competition and selection, there is invariably an interview today. Selecting candidates for various appointments is purely on the basis of written tests or testimonials is a thing of the past. Whether it is selection for a job, of for training abroad or for admission to a college course, there is definitely an interview or personality test. A candidate who aspires for success in his career, an individual who wishes to have a bright future, a competitor who is keen to top the list, must therefore master the technique of doing the best in the interview.

What is an interview?

Interview is a face-to-face conversation for a specific purpose. Before you appear for an interview, you must clearly know and understand the purpose of the interview. The nature and type of the interview will vary according to the purpose. In an employment or selection interview, the aim of the interviewer, or the examiner or the Board of Interview is to assess and evaluate the extent of the candidate's suitability for the job in hand. In other words, the interview may be for selection to the IAS, IFS, IES, IPS and other such first grade UPSC cadres or may be at the Service Selection Boards (SSBs) for the Selection of Officers to the Army, Navy or Air Force. Again, it may relate to the selection of business executives, salesmen, accountants, office-supervisors, secretaries, stenos, clerks, typists, and so on. In all these cases, the selectors will have certain job specifications, and by means of interview, they would try to see how far the candidate meets such requirements.

The purpose of the Interview according to the UPSC:

The Union Public Service Commission holds that the object of its interview is to assess the personal suitability of a candidate for the service he has applied for. The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of his career. He will be asked questions on matters of general interests. The object of the interview is to assess, through competent and unbiased observers, the personal suitability of candidate. The test is intended to judge the mental calibre of a candidate. In broad terms, this is an assessment of not only his intellectual qualities, but also his social traits and interest in current affairs. Some of the order qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical power of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, and balance of judgment, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion leadership, intellectual and moral integrity. The technique of interview is not that of strict-cross examination but of a natural, though direct and purposive conversation, which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate. The personal test is not meant to be a test either of the specialised or general knowledge of the candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subject of academic study, but also in the events which are happening around them, both within and without their own state or country, as well as in the modern currents of thought, and in new discoveries which should rouse the curiosity of the well-educated youth.

The Aim of SSB Interviews:

The aim of the SSB interview tries to assess the leadership or 'Officer-like' qualities of candidate by means of the directed and purposive conversation during the interview. He also tries to evaluate the training potentialities of the candidate. The questions at the interview will be so directed as the candidate may automatically emit enough light on his leadership ability in his answers.