How to Face the Interview Board with Right Approach

Facing the Interview Board Right Approach

[The candidate, Ruchi Narula, enters the room when her name is called. She offers her salutations to the Chairman and Members of the Board and takes her seat after having been asked to do so by the Chairman. She thanks the Chairman.]

Chairman: Miss Narula, we are glad to notice from your bio-data that, besides being a prolific writer, you have traveled widely. Will you let us know what struck you most when you first visited the foreign lands ? Did you feel strange on account of different national characteristics of the people living there ?

Candidate: Well, Sir, I did not feel strange when I first went to the United States with my father since the landscape looked quite familiar to me because of its illustrations in various books and magazines published in India. As for national characteristics I do not believe in any. The only characteristics that I know of our individual characteristics which differ from one individual to another, no matter whether he is an Indian or from any other country.

First Member: What, according to you, accounts for a sudden interest abroad in things of Indian origin, particularly the Indian saree, music, yoga and so on ? Do you think this to be a passing phase, or has it found a permanent place in their way of life ?

Candidate: As far as I could judge, Sir, Indian culture has created good impression on the people in the West. My conviction is based on the fact that for these people it is a sort of discovery from which they derive much satisfaction and pleasure. I also feel that for them the Indian artistic traditions seem to be really fascinating and enchanting. Indian music, particularly, offers them a new experience. This view has been strengthened by the recent holding of Festivals of India in England, France, United States and Russia.

Second Member: What is your field of writing ?

Candidate: Sir, I write short stories, features on topical Issues and at times the biographies of eminent persons.

Chairman: Do you regard literature as a link between the peoples of various countries ?

Candidate: Sir, I do not think that literature has linked, or could ever link, different people.

Chairman: Do you wish to say that there are no national literary tastes ?

Candidate: Sir, I do not believe in the geographical division of literature. There cannot be such a thing as Indian Literature with special characteristics of its own.

Chairman: To what would you attribute today’s misery In spite of the rapid advancement of knowledge ?

Candidate: Sir, I think it is due to the fact that we have been developing knowledge without paying much heed to human values, Therefore, while knowledge expands, our minds remain underdeveloped. We are applying knowledge with undeveloped or under-developed minds. This results in disillusionment and misery.

First Member: What makes you opt for the Indian Foreign Service ?

Candidate: I know French and German, and I would be able to serve my country better by getting into the Indian Foreign Service where my knowledge of these foreign languages will be an asset.

First Member: What do you understand by the policy of non-alignment ?

Candidate: Sir, it would be necessary to explain the background of this concept before saying what Is meant by non-alignment. The world was till a decade ago divided into two major camps or blocs—one led by the USA and the other by the erstwhile USSR. There were quite a number of countries sandwiched between these two power blocs, especially those that attained independence after World War II. These countries belonged to neither group, nor did they wish to align themselves with either of superpowers. These are called non-aligned nations.

Third Member: What is the difference between ‘non-alignment’ and `neutrality’ ?

Candidate: Prima Icicle, there is no difference, Sir. But in actual practice there is a considerable difference between the usage of these two words. Neutrality implies a static approach to some extent, while the policy of non-alignment shows a positive, active and deliberate effort on the part of a group of people to make for the balancing of global equations.

First Member: When was the United Nations founded 7 Who gave it its name ?

Candidate: The United Nations was founded in 1945 after the end of World War II. Sir, it was the American President Franklin D. Roosevelt who gave the world body its name : United Nations Organisation.

Chairman: What is meant by the term, “Third World” ?

Candidate: Sir, the term “Third World” signifies the underdeveloped or developing countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. India also comes under this category.

First Member: What is the difference between an Ambassador and Charge Affalres

Candidates: An Ambassador is the senior-most diplomat officer in rank. Charged’ Affairs comes next, In Commonwealth countries, however, our envoys are called High Commissioners, and not Ambassadors.

Chairman: Miss Narula, what are your other interests ?

Candidate: Sir, besides writing, I am deeply attached to music, especially jazz.

Second Member: What about sports ?

Candidate: Sir, I am interested in lawn tennis, but I must confess that I am just a mediocre player,

Chairman: That will do.

Candidate: Thank you, Sir.