Some learnings from experience of 4 interviews that i attended:
1) Treat it as normal conversation that you are going to have with 5 random strangers. Give simple application based answers and NOT the ones you write in Mains that are keyword or jargon or facts centric. (I used to give technical answers and then they ask 4-5 linez of counter questions to check depth and applocation).
2) Read profile of all 9-10 chairs so that you know their ideology and area of interest or policy that they have worked on so that you dont end up criticizing a policy that they worked on. (I did this!) This will also help you in saying what the person wants to listen. More they are able to resonate with you, more marks you may get.
3) Do not go in that room with mindset that you are weak in language of communication else you will end up being nervous and overspeak in attempt to prove ypur point. Starting this very moment, you will talk to each and every person in language of interview.
4) Be confident while saying "Sorry sir/ma'am, idk". Your facial expressions should not change, whether you know the question or not. Dont get excited or nervous. They have already checked your knowledge in prelims and mains and this is not a knowledge test.
5) At times, they will ask you a question and then pretend to do something else like having tea or samosa or chit chat among themselves while you are answering. Do not let it affect you now that you know that even this happens.
6) LISTEN question carefully. Take PAUSE. FRAME 4-5 crisp to the point apllication based lines in your mind and then SPEAK. This process ensures that you know what you are talking about and dont blabber random crap. In 2017 (4th interview), in beginning of interview, board told me "We have tested your knowledge enough. This is just a conversation that we are going to have. Listen to the question. Take pause. Then answer".
7) DAF point number 7 is part of summary sheet from which most of the questions are asked. Be very specific, and NOT GENERIC, in terms of details that you mention for prizes etc so that you can catch eyeballs and drive interview. But, dont try to do it mechanically during the interview. They are expereinced smart people and have worked enough to catch it in a second.
8) If you are faking anything in DAF, particularly a hobby, then internalize it in remaining days so that you answer anything related to it with conviction. For example, "Why IAS" is the most common question we prepare. But, they wont ask it just directly by serving it on the platter. They will ask you xyz random question(s) and then cross questions and then from your answer(s) they will then shoot this question to you. It is common to go blank in that situation about this basic question. Hence, you need to internalize your answer so that you can answer it in any context.
9) It may vary but they never asked me anything wrt my cadre choices.
10) Be forthcoming if they ask you to draw say a world map or to perform your hobby then and there. Dont start with any sort of excuse that you may not be able to do well etc.
@decodecivilsgroup
1) Treat it as normal conversation that you are going to have with 5 random strangers. Give simple application based answers and NOT the ones you write in Mains that are keyword or jargon or facts centric. (I used to give technical answers and then they ask 4-5 linez of counter questions to check depth and applocation).
2) Read profile of all 9-10 chairs so that you know their ideology and area of interest or policy that they have worked on so that you dont end up criticizing a policy that they worked on. (I did this!) This will also help you in saying what the person wants to listen. More they are able to resonate with you, more marks you may get.
3) Do not go in that room with mindset that you are weak in language of communication else you will end up being nervous and overspeak in attempt to prove ypur point. Starting this very moment, you will talk to each and every person in language of interview.
4) Be confident while saying "Sorry sir/ma'am, idk". Your facial expressions should not change, whether you know the question or not. Dont get excited or nervous. They have already checked your knowledge in prelims and mains and this is not a knowledge test.
5) At times, they will ask you a question and then pretend to do something else like having tea or samosa or chit chat among themselves while you are answering. Do not let it affect you now that you know that even this happens.
6) LISTEN question carefully. Take PAUSE. FRAME 4-5 crisp to the point apllication based lines in your mind and then SPEAK. This process ensures that you know what you are talking about and dont blabber random crap. In 2017 (4th interview), in beginning of interview, board told me "We have tested your knowledge enough. This is just a conversation that we are going to have. Listen to the question. Take pause. Then answer".
7) DAF point number 7 is part of summary sheet from which most of the questions are asked. Be very specific, and NOT GENERIC, in terms of details that you mention for prizes etc so that you can catch eyeballs and drive interview. But, dont try to do it mechanically during the interview. They are expereinced smart people and have worked enough to catch it in a second.
8) If you are faking anything in DAF, particularly a hobby, then internalize it in remaining days so that you answer anything related to it with conviction. For example, "Why IAS" is the most common question we prepare. But, they wont ask it just directly by serving it on the platter. They will ask you xyz random question(s) and then cross questions and then from your answer(s) they will then shoot this question to you. It is common to go blank in that situation about this basic question. Hence, you need to internalize your answer so that you can answer it in any context.
9) It may vary but they never asked me anything wrt my cadre choices.
10) Be forthcoming if they ask you to draw say a world map or to perform your hobby then and there. Dont start with any sort of excuse that you may not be able to do well etc.
@decodecivilsgroup
