1. Basics:The interview is nowadays known as a Personality Test. The reasonbeing that it is not a test of knowledge, but of the overallpersonality of the candidate/aspirant.
2. Interview is more of a psychological test that is justcontent-based. Along with good communicative skills andself-confidence, good knowledge base no doubt gives you an upper hand.However, it has to be borne in mind that nearly all theaspirants/candidates in the Personality Test start more or less asequals in the sphere of knowledge base.
3. The most important thing to know about an interview is thatit is not always a question-answer session and that the Board membersare looking for different aspects of one’s personality.
4. One is not expected to know everything under the sun. If youdo not know the answer to a particular question, do not hesitate to say– I don’t know, Sir/Ma’m. However, even “I don’t know Sir/Ma’m” shouldbe said confidently and with a reasonable amount of cheerfulness.Remember – your knowledge levels have been thoroughly checked duringthe earlier stages of the CSE – viz Prelims and Mains.
5. Always remember that the interview is not a cross examination, but a natural, purposeful conversation.
6. Personality is a life-long asset and a thing, which evolves and changes every day.
7. Preparation
8. Keep a photocopy of the form filled for the Mains examinationhandy. Most of the initial questions – viz the meaning of your name,educational background, professional experience, hobbies etc will bebased on this form only. Try to prepare on your bio-data; roughly 70%questions are based on bio-data, 20% questions are based on yoursubject and 10% are based on current affairs.
9. Aspirants to CSE should take an intelligent interest not onlyin areas of their specialization, but also in what is happening aroundthem – both within and outside the country.
10. Be well informed about your interests and hobbies as therewill be a few questions probing your levels of knowledge as regardsyour hobbies and interests.
11. Prepare thoroughly about your hometown & home state. Ifyou hail from a place of historical importance or tourist interest,prepare well on it.
12. Know yourself. Prepare brief answers to choice of yoursubjects, family background, meaning of your name. You should try totake the lead by answering questions based on your bio-data.
13. One of the secrets of success is to prepare for the Personality Test along with the written test.
14. If a person gives the impression of being a bookworm, thechances of his/her selection are reduced. The candidate must exhibit anall-round personality, which indicates that the aspirant possesses acomplete personality.
MOCK /PRACTICE

15. One should form a group of 4-5 people, as the preparation forPersonality Test cannot be done in isolation. Try holding as many mockinterviews as possible.
16. No training institute can develop/transform your personalityin a few days. However, some of the tips may help in ironing out someweaknesses/grey areas and can provide an avenue for a well-plannedpreparation and group discussions.
17. Take mock interviews. In the mock interview, ask your friends to grill you so that you can face pressure from the Board easily.
18. Discuss a lot with your friends. This not only helps in youassimilating different points of view, but also enhances knowledgelevels.
DRESSING UP:

19. Dress sense is of crucial importance. The choice of dressshould be according to the weather conditions. Try not to wear newlystitched clothes, as they might make you uneasy. Light colours shouldbe preferred. White colour is a good choice.
20. Wear comfortable clothes. Men need to wear light colouredshirt and a dark trouser with a tie (if weather permits). Women appearbest in a saree or salwar/kameez.
21. Pay attention to the details, ironed dress, polished shoes,hair accessories, trimmed nails etc. Polish your footwear meticulously.Use convenient footwear like black or brown leather shoes.
22. Women candidates should take care to avoid the hair falling over the face as it could annoy both – you and the interviewer.
23. Do not wear anything that connects you with a religious or political group.
24. Do not use heavy perfume/deodorants.
25. In case you have a running nose or have caught a cold, carry ahandkerchief, or sufficient stock of tissue paper. Tissue paper ispreferable.
26. Some candidates take medicine to relax on the previous nightof the interview; this should be avoided as the effect of medicine maydecrease your alertness during the interview.
27. What and how you eat is also important. Have a light meal onthe day of the Personality Test. Do not go for the interview on anempty stomach. However, also avoid over-eating, or having a heavy meal.
28. First impression is often the best impression. So create apositive, good impression within the first few minutes of theinterview.
ENTRY:

29. Arrive 20-30 minutes early. Prepare a route map and arrive well in time. This will give you enough time to relax
30. While waiting for your turn in the waiting area, read anewspaper or a magazine and try to remain focused without thinking toomuch of what will happen in the interview. Try not to presupposesituations.
31. Do not get nervous when you are waiting for your turn for thePersonality Test. When waiting for your turn, try relaxing with closedeyes and practice deep breathing. It really relaxes you. Do not try topre-suppose situations in the Personality Test.
32. Take a final, deep breath before entering the boardroom.
33. Do not forget to knock at the door before entering, as it indicates basic courtesy.
34. On entering the room, greet all the members cordially and do not sit down on the seat without being asked to.
35. If there is a lady member in the interview board, greet her first.
36. Be conscious of your body language when you are seated.
37. Men should keep the feet flat on the floor during theinterview, knees at waist level, and hands on your thighs and placeyour elbows on the armchair. Avoid locking hands.
38. Women, cross your ankles or legs, but keep the bottom legstraight down and do not swing it over the top leg and keep your elbowspositioned on the arms of the chair.
39. When the Board members thank you at the end of thePersonality test, do not forget to thank the members one last time andkeep your body posture straight at the time of leaving the room.
40. Remember that interview is a two-way process.
41. Be cool. Be yourself during the Interview.
42. Your aim should be to make the board members feel comfortable in your presence.
43. Be truthful, transparent and Predictable.
44. The object of the interview is to assess the suitability of the aspirant/candidate for a career in public service.
45. Most of the questions posed in the Personality Test are opinion-based.
46. Don’t expect any expression on the faces of board members, even if your answer is very good.
During Interview

47. In a personality test, what is of importance is how you say what you say. It is the style of presentation that matters.
48. Your personality is, on an average, assessed in 25-30 minutes,it is your responsibility to bring out your very best in front of theboard.
49. Be attentive and listen to each question carefully. Try notto jump into an answer before the complete question has been posed asyou will end up wasting time on answering a question that you were notactually asked. If you are not sure of what was asked, you can alwayspolitely seek a clarification.
50. Do not try to answer the question as soon as it is posed.Think over the question, take your time and organize the broad outlineof the answer before airing it. Pause a while before answering, even ifyou know the answer.
51. At times, you will be given situations wherein you will berequired to take a decision. In such situations, the board is testingyour ability to comprehend issues and use reason and good judgmentlogically, precisely and arrive at a balanced decision.
52. Your replies should be crisp and to the point. Do not beat around the bush.
53. Maintain a gentle smile off and on during the Personality Testwithout overdoing it. It displays a sense of ease and confidence.Wherever possible use your sense of humour judiciously.
General Do’s and Don’ts for the personality test:

54. The board members are usually very senior and learned people, so give utmost respect to the board.
55. Don’t go by any stories/rumours spread by others. Avoid unnecessary details.
56. Don’t ask the previous candidate about his/her interview.
57. The board has no biases towards anyone.
58. Never make any sweeping statements/generalized descriptions.
59. Accept your mistakes boldly.
60. Speak honestly, truthfully and modestly.
61. Do not give a hasty reply.
62. Answer in an orderly and logical fashion and always maintain eye contact with the Board members while answering.
63. Be polite and courteous.
64. Don’t try to be too argumentative.
65. Be consistent in your views. Don’t change your views just because the Board differs in its opinion from your opinion.
66. Never make an attempt to present a made-up appearance or politically correct answers.
67. If you are taking an extreme view, you should also be able to justify the same.
68. Take tea or coffee, if any member offers the same to you. Thiswill show you are relaxed and it will also help in lightening andrelaxing further proceedings and give them an informal touch.
69. Avoid chewing gums and other munching items as it gives a negative and a careless image.
70. Try holding mock interviews in front of a mirror. Look out forunwarranted actions/emotions and try to rectify any shortcomings. Ifpossible record your own answers and play them again for finding outerrors.
71. Don’t criticize any government policies or even individuals.
72. Take a good night’s sleep. A good, sound sleep will keep yourefreshed, cheerful and relaxed. Otherwise you will have a fuzzy headand you will betray a confused personality. You will neither be able tograsp questions correctly, nor be able to think clearly.
73. Do not speak rapidly. Speak slowly and clearly so that theBoard members grasp what you are saying and do not have to interruptyou or ask you to repeat your views.
74. The Board will check you for certain traits – such as honestand integrity, logical exposition, balance of opinion, leadershipskills, mental alertness, variety and depth of interest, socialcohesion, moral integrity, acumen, your response to a peculiarsituation, your views on varied topics.
75. At times, the Board members might pile pressure upon you. Donot panic – it is a strategy aimed at gauging the point till which youcan maintain your cool under pressure and can think originally even inpressure cooker situations. Try to resemble tealeaves – show your truecolours when in hot waters.
76. Form your views on a subjects in a logical and rational manner supported by data whenever necessary.
77. To be in touch with the latest happenings/events – nationallyand internationally, candidates should read magazines and newspapers(at least two for interview), watch current affairs-based televisionprogrammes.
78. Assume that all questions are asked with a good reason and answer them accordingly.
79. Keep a file/folder to keep your certificates and documents inan organized manner. They are verified before you enter the interviewroom. (You don’t have to carry file/folder inside board room)

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