Are You Here For the Interview Child ?

“Oh my God, I still cannot believe I got _____%”. Well, my dear readers, it has been more than 24 hours since the results knocked you off completely and I am sure you have been pinched enough times so now snap out of your bubble and rise up to the reality, accept it and move on.

Moving on from boards to the real business - The College Admissions Process. There are a plethora of colleges that will require you to sit for Group Discussions and Personal Interviews (unlike Roadies) so don’t fret, there will be no bald man sitting on a desk vituperating or a highly ‘acclaimed’ movie star who has all the time to anchor a show from the past 7-8 years with greater powers than ‘Koti-koti pranam babaji’.

Surprisingly, I am no Baba-ji of Interviews, however, I am just a student like you, who has been grilled by interviewers quite frequently in the past weeks. So here I am trying to put forth some pointers to help you fare well through the interviews. Inadvertently, reducing my chances of getting in a decent college. Never- mind ! And also giving some tips to dodge the hurdles that are destined to come your way.

GOLDEN RULE - 1

There are certain ‘high probability’ questions.  So, be prepared to face questions below- mentioned, because not preparing answers for these is like walking in the war without your shield or a sword even worse, its like walking in bare-essentials to an interview.

Why do you want to become/do ________ ? (the course interview you are sitting for. Ex - Law or Lawyer?, English Hon. ? etc.

Why do you want to join our institution ? 

But ours is a very difficult institution to survive in, the faculty grills you, still us ? Why ? 

So Mr/Ms. _________, what are you achievements ?

Where do you see yourself 10 years down the line ?

What are your weaknesses ? 

GOLDEN RULE - 2

Take stock of this one, always be equipped with old english adages, phrases, idioms etc, you can utilize them for a better impression. Trust me, it will be like final nail on the wall.... Or was it Nail on the Coffin? 

Well, now you know, you need to brush up these.

GOLDEN RULE - 3

Most importantly, always be familiar and updated with the recent news related to your career/ degree choice. 

Ex : Do not make the foolish mistake of confidently proclaiming that the Law Minister is Mr. Ashwini Kumar. 

He is, right ?

No No No!!!!!! Mr. Kapil Sibbal is.

GOLDEN RULE - 4

The panelists will belittle you, mock you, laugh at you - but do not, under any circumstance, shout and always be docile, humble. 

But, you can subtly retort if the need arises.

GOLDEN RULE - 5

Keep it in mind, there will be ‘irritated panelists & irritating panelists’ who will be vexed with the recent loss of Super Kings at IPL or probably they got up of the bed on the wrong side, in such dreadful times we all know nothing can be done. So, if you face someone like them, like I did yesterday. And they ask you to recite the Preamble of the Constitution (as if, it is a song or a holy chant) or ask you to name ‘any’, they actually asked me to name ‘any’ judge of the High Court of Rajasthan. Kudos to their leniency ! You know, I am actually standing and writing this blog post, and don’t ask why, I am giving them a standing ovation for their impeccable interviewing skills, alright!

So how to deal with such easy question, like I was faced with, you may ask ? Take my suggestion either apologize for being so dumb, being naive of the field you want to be in and believe that you don’t have the acumen to be what you aspire to be. Or, if you are not desperate to get there, politely stand and reiterate “ Thank you Mr. Jack, and you too (pointing towards the other interviewer) Mr. Jack for asking such a question and walk off” 

Word of Caution: It is exorbitantly unlikely that you might meet interviewers like these, usually the interviewers are exceptionally amicable, are ready to listen to you, your achievements, your philosophies and at the same time, skill test you but with the right weapons, at the right moment and in the right spirit. And, I don’t vouch for naming them Jack ahem ahem !

So, saddle up for as it is a long journey to the base camp of your career. Even if during an interview things go pear shape, fret not. For there are many more pit stops like I mentioned in my previous blog. Good Luck..