An interview is a face-to-face meeting, especially for the purpose of assessing the candidate for the job applied for. It aims at evaluating your academic knowledge, awareness on current topics, communication skills, the clarity of thought and expression and sense of balance and ability to extricate you from tricky situation. Body language forms the essential ingredients.

 One of the most fundamental factors that contribute to the successful interview is the time and quality of preparation made by a candidate. Normally the President/ Vice President of the Services Selection Board will conduct the personal Interview. They are very senior Officers from the Armed forces. Degree of preparedness for an interview helps reduce the uncertain anxiety prior to the Interview. The amount of effort you wish to put into preparation is directly proportional to your output at the time of interview. How to plan your preparation? Preparation develops confidence and gears you for the anticipated grilling. Prepare the following:

Entry / Exit Process: No unnecessary disturbances, ask to enter politely and get seated only after permission. Do not move the chair from where it is kept. Exit with thank you Sir/Madam without disturbances.

Seating Posture: Should be upright with head up. Keep eye contact and wear your smile.

Question/Answer Session: Answer all questions without waffling to the best of your ability keeping your body language under control. If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so.

 A serious reader will score over others who refer to cheap detective, thriller novels. The logic holds good for any other hobby you have mentioned in your PIQ. Be clear of your favourite subject and area of you interest in the subject, which you are/have specialized.

Follow the normal etiquettes for the interview. Wait for the interviewing officer to speak first. Listen carefully before you speak. Take a few long breaths. This will calm down your nerves. After listening to the question carefully, clarify your doubts if any, before you answer the question. Think well before you answer. Be  aware of the question behind the question.