Preparation for the CSS Interview can be a tricky subject. Some feel that no preparation is required as it is just a personality test. Some feel a details mugging of all issues important on taht day is required. Some are finicky about dress code, some on presentation, some about content, and some about everything under the sun. Every person has a different view.

I feel that Personality test - as it is called - can be broken down to basic identifiable items upon which we can work and improve. I will put some key points here.

What are the things that trigger a question in the mind of the INterview board?
Ans: The elements in their immediate view.
What are these elements?
Ans: First the candidate himself/herself, second his back ground record as revealed from the mains application form, third important events that have happened in last few months or are in news currently and lastly words taht we use in our answers to teh board.
Can we identify these triggers?
Ans: Yes to large extent. By doing so we can be very well prepared for about 85-90% of the questions.
How does this help?
Ans: By preparing well on these triggers, we can also work on their presentation as well so as to avoid giving unnecessary triggers through our answers or positively giving triggers that will lead the baord to our familiar territory.

For example, my date of birth coincides with that of Mother Teresa. I had prepared on the controversies surrounding Mother Teresa. There were about 2 main questions and about 3 supplementaries on that.

Practically speaking we can sit with our mains application form. and write down each and every word that we have written in that form separately on a separate page of a register. Having done that, then list questions that can be asked, with that word acting as a trigger. Refine the list by sitting with few friends. You will have a list of about 300-400 questions. Start preparing on their content and work on their presentation to keep it crispy and meaningfull. Similarly we can work on other triggers and try avoid giving unnecessary triggers in our answers.

In this manner we can prepare for the interview. This is one of the approaches that stood very well.

1. Do not shave in the morning of the day of interview. One tend to shave extra, and may land up in bruise, cuts, and summer rashes.
2. Wearing a tie after an immediate shave is not a comfortable thing.
3. So, shave a night before the exam, except off course you have excessive fast growth.
4. Do not have haircut a day before the exam, make is a week before so that you have buffer for any late cuts.
5. Make a general cleansing, like nails cutting, teeth whitening, nose and ear hair trimming and stuff like that.
6. If you plan to use a new clothes during the day of interview, make sure you wear at least twice and thrice so the clothes get comfortable.
7. Do not use pure cotton, as it looses it's crease too fast, and if your serial in interview is late, then surely you would look as if coming from a desert safari ride.
8. Use a shade of color combination, like a light brown shirt, to dark brown trowser. You may experiment with your color choice.
9. Polish your shoes, and make sure you are having a lace shoes.
10. Do not use a horse tapping shoes, nor a completely slimy one on the sole. one tend to make you an army Jawan, and the other as a creepy grouchy duck.
11. If you use heel, make sure it is firmly hidden by the length of your trouser.
12. If you wear specks, make sure it is completely clean of dust. Do not use contact on the day if you are not habitual.
13. If you wear too many rings, be ready to know them why are you wearing them. Safely; they should be pretty less in number.
14. Wear a more traditional watch, and the strap should not be loose. The leather strap carry well with a tie and leather belt. The steel strap goes well with steel glass frame, buckle prominent belt, American styled half shirt.
15. Do not wear a half shirt with a tie. It's an American office way.
16. Do not put any papers (especially colored pages) over your shirt pocket.
17. Do keep a hand towel and handkerchiefs. Throw the towel before you enter the room though!
18. Use a classy pen neatly tucked over right side of the upper left pocket of the shirt.
19. Always make a double knot of the tie and if you are married, keep the tie length below the belt, and if not; up to the level of the belt.
20. Use a Tie pin to keep the tie in place and tuck it at the level of 3rd button.
21. Before entering the room, there is refreshment room in the corridor. Walk-in to check your attire, the tie, and give a last smile to yourself before you plunge

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@shahbaaz..

well dear...ur suggestions r worthy of applause but i m forced to disagree with ur some suggestions...

1:not shaving on the morning of interview can be very repulsive...if u dont shave in the morning..u r presenting brandnew car with a dust on it...i suggest to shave a night before and also in the morning n then take a heavy shower...heavy shower will heal all petty cuts n will act as a facial also...
similarly..after shave is also necessary as it smoothes ur skin after shave..it serves the same as filer does for nails...

2: knot of tie as u suggested depends on the type of collar one is using...nowadays normally frenched collar shirts r in vogue...n one doesnt use double knots with french collar...but if one is using english collar then one can use double knot but 4 bachelors single knot is alwayz prefered...

3: wearing suit even in summer is customery 4 interviews...so half shirt is dead issue...

Thanks and you are more than welcome


It is better to have dust on brand new car than scratches.

I was in an interview wearing french collar with single knot and i wasn't comfortable. The gap between french collar is completely filled with double knot. ANy how it is matter of choice.

Thanks once again

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What is looked for in the Personality Test

1. Suitability to a public career
2. Mental Caliber
3. Not only intellectual traits but also social traits
4. Interest in current affairs
5. Mental alertness
6. Critical powers of assimilation
7. Clear and logical exposition
8. Balance of judgment
9. Variety and depth of interest
10. Ability for social cohesion and leadership
11. Intellectual and moral integrity

So, you will have to improve these qualities as you progress towards the interview stage.

How to Prepare?

• Start full-scale preparation for the interview, immediately after the mains exam.

• Be very careful while filling the mains application form. This form is the basis on which the whole interview depends. So, consult the seniors and fill the information carefully. Through this form, you can direct the board into your strong areas. The interview will go on expected lines and you can give well-prepared answers. Do keep a photocopy of the form.

• The preparation should be at two levels - the subject matter preparation and the way you present yourself.

• One should prepare for the interview with a group of 3-4 people as the
preparation for Interview cannot be done in isolation. Personality is a life-time asset and expecting miraculous changes in personality in a span of a few days or weeks is not possible. Yet, efforts can be made to overcome major deficiency and polishing of views and opinions.

• Use a handy cam or a mirror to see how you speak, the facial expressions, mannerisms etc.

• Keep visualizing the interview scenario and modify yourself accordingly. In interview- you are assessed right from the moment you enter. So the following aspects are important—the way you walk; the way you sit down; the way you dress up; the enthusiasm and cheerfulness in your face; the way you talk; your mannerisms; facial expressions; politeness; behavior; the way you tackle the questions; the confidence you display; the way you take leave and walk out of the room; etc. So in all these dimensions you should keep contemplating and put your best performance on that day.

• The best way of preparation is to just sit and do brain storming intensively. Think what type of questions can be asked and how you can give a simple and logical answer. This will not come from reading many books. It requires lot of introspection.

• Show a positive body language. You believe that you are suitable for the job. Convey to them the message that you are the person they are looking for.

• Read various original interviews posted in this forum


Questions to be taken inot consideration

• Relating to your name: Any famous personality who has a similar or same name or surname.

• Your career choice: Why you want to opt for the civil services.

• Your Hobbies: Why you pursue such a hobby or questions related to your hobby. So research well on your hobby.

• Hot topics of recent days If you are from an economy background, the same topic will veer towards the economic implications of the Bird flu.

• How you are going to use your specific knowledge (like if you are a doctor, lawyer, engineer etc) in the services.

• Situational questions/ Hypothetical questions: Like If you were the
officer, what would you do after the Communal riots/Bomb Blast?

• Choice of services: The order of your choice of services can raise questions too.

• About your institution and related

• Other areas to be focused are: why optionals; background of the parents; places where you stayed; academic background and related aspects; optional subjects; graduating subject; positions if held; job experience if any; hobbies; sports;

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*Try not to be too conclusive on controversial issues or on delibrated questions

*Avoid delayed replies; Try to grasp the question and the interviewers and develop the reply during the process of being questioned. Zero second start is many a times an advantage , provided you have Understood the question well and know the reply "Well Enough"

*Be confident that If the interviewer can judge you in the same time why can't you evaluate his attitude

*Be cautious , when ever you feel like its done, there is always something undone

*Don't try to prove your idealistic view behind every reply , be subject sepcific and precise

*Dont give incomlete replies, as they give way to more counter questions. This is self injury

*Try and keep the reply in equal propostion to the answer. A good ratio is 1:3

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BTW whts the philosophy behind this statement? can anyone answer

Decision of single or double knot depends upon the type of tie (whether fabric is thin or thick) if it is thick then double knot seems awkward but if it is thin then double not is the best decision.


Regarding length of tie:

Standard disciplined style: Standard length is up to the level of the belt.

Vulgar and energetic style: Officially extra short tie i.e. length shorter than belt size is perceived as vulgar style and energetic. This style is mostly famous in our younger generation burger type (casual style).

Lazy style: Tie larger than belt size is perceived as symbol of lazy / lethargic / physically inactive person. Image of larger tie which is formed before disciplined persons is lesser consciousness of the person about personality traits and merely fulfilling formality under compulsion. That gives indication of lesser interest of the person and his minimal habit of using tie in his routine.

Tips to improve your performance at the Interview



**Enter confidently and greet the Chairperson, who will probably welcome you, and pleasantly nod at other members. Wait till you are asked to sit.


**Intelligent listing is the mantra, and for this maintaining eye contact is very important. You should not glare but all the same appear attentive and do not glance at other members, it can be very distracting for the interviewer. However if some other member asks you anything, look at that member and answer and turn back to the first - this is what we do in normal attentive listening.


**Do not fidget or throw your hands around, or shake your head. Less amount of movement does not mean you should sit unnaturally stiff. Your posture should be attentive and relaxed at the same time. Do not crouch/bend forward or place your hands on the table.


**Cut your answer short to the required patience shown by the member talking to you. They usually like to talk more, so listen carefully and think for a few seconds before you start answering the question. This will show that you are organising your thoughts in mind before starting to speak.


**Leave some room for difference in opinion. Do take a stand, but do not look adamant or unwilling to appreciate the board's opinion.


**Use couple of words from the question while answering any question. It shows you have listened to the question carefully. But at the same time limit the use the technical jargon.


**Listen very carefully. Come to the central issue of the enquiry immediately. Wild guessing or speculation are a complete no no.


**Do not start evaluating your performance while still inthe interview. Even if you have committed mistakes in the beginning, do not think that you have already lost the game. They are looking for warm, sensitive respectful and attentive youngsters. They know you are good or you would not have come so far.


**Talk humbly about your achievements and hobbies. You may have mentioned some hobbies in the form without serious background in them, but before the interview it would be useful to pick up some basic info on the hobby.


**Say less to convey more. Less is more these days as per the minimalist creed. Argue logically and generalise correctly. Do not try to read too much between the lines.


**Remember, while answering any question, what is easy to see is easy to miss. We often tend to miss the obvious and go for some non-crucial aspect of the subject.


**Get up to leave only when the chairperson asks you to, not because you think everyone has asked a question. Similarly, even if someone has not asked a question and the chairperson asks you to leave then please leave. Some members do not ask questions at all, due to various reasons like limited time.


**Before leaving politely thank the chairperson and nod at the others politely. Avoid saying "Have a good day sir". A "Thank you Sir/Madam" is enough.

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