Do’s & Dont’s In SSB Interview

Every Defence Aspirant who wants to be an officer in Indian Armed Forces knows the importance of SSB Interview. Those who know about SSB interviews must have known that this is not a common interview and it runs continuously for five days. SSB tests every aspect of a candidate whether it is physical, Mental, Psychological or communication skill. Personal interview is one of the important phases in SSB interview.

Here we are providing some tips on what a candidate should do and what he don’t in personal interview phase of SSB interview.

PRE-INTERVIEW PREPARATIONS

• Read your resume in detail and Remember your PIQ form
• Remain updated with current affairs and General knowledge questions.
• Be ready on Questions about your hobby friends, family, school,  extra-curricular activity and your place your mentioned in your PIQ form
• Remember your  education, achievements ,work, and try to arrange it in chronological order
• Be formal. Wear ironed dress, neck tie and polished shoes and also carry a handkerchief with you.
• Don’t carry your mobile, wallet, wrist watch, any sacred threads, don’t fold cuffs, tuck in shirt and make sure your look as gentleman.
• Do carry pen and blank sheet in your pocket ( in case of emergency. don’t ask pen from IO)

“Being good at interview is skill; make sure you have it in you”

INTERVIEW

• The interview process involves only two persons IO and you. It is to check your officers like qualities and your nature and personality traits.
• The officers like qualities he is looking for are :
• Planning and organization:- Effective intelligence, reasoning, organizing
• Social adjustment:- Adaptability, co-operation, responsibility,
• Social effectiveness:- Initiative, self confidence, decision making power, influencing power &  nature
• Dynamics: – Courage, enthusiasm, stamina, determination.
• This is just like cross checking method. The psychological officer makes a character map which he further transfers to GTO and IO. The IO will try to check that version while interviewing you.
• Keep in mind that it is a two way process. As you will enter interview room he will welcome you with bright smile and sometimes with a hand shake so, give him very good response.
• Don’t sit without taking permission and don’t even stand in front of chair.  Try to stand near to the chair. After getting permission thank him with good gestures.
• Non-verbal language is an important part of any interview. Often decisions about you are made in seconds, sometimes before you even have a chance to speak. Since body language is such an important part of communication, it’s important to be aware of it during a SSB interview. Here are a body gestures you should do during an interview:

HANDS

• Keep your hands out of your pockets at all times during the interview. Hidden hands often indicate you have something to hide.
• Beware of over-using hand gestures. It can be highly distracting and take away from what you are saying.
• If you are prone to talk with your hands excessively, practice answering a few basic interview questions at home, in front of the mirror to get an idea of how you look and what is appropriate.
• During an interview, avoid folding your arms because it can be interpreted as a defensive move. Instead, fold your hands loosely on your lap or place your arms on the arm rests, if your chair has them.

EYES

• It’s very important to make eye contact. However, make sure it is natural eye contact and not staring. If you feel uncomfortable maintaining eye-contact for this length of time, try looking at your interviewer’s nose.

SITTING POSTURE

• Your posture reflects your energy, as well as your interest level, enthusiasm and self control. While standing or sitting, do so with a straight back and squared shoulders. Slouching will give the impression you have a negative attitude.
• When sitting, put both feet on the floor and lean slightly forwards.
• Sitting on the edge of your chair will give the impression that you are tense and that you feel uncomfortable, so you should avoid sitting too far forward.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

• Don’t panic. Listen carefully to the questions and tell answers in simple and correct words. Use words which you know the meaning of. During interview you must be humble & polite. Don’t lose your ground even in tough questions. That’s key to success in SSB personal interview.
• If you are asked question like why you want to join army? Then don’t go for “”it is assumed…!! Or don’t tell want to be like James bond. Be real and firmly grounded. Give emphasis on principal qualities, experiences, occupation.
• Limit your application of perfumes.
• The three best ways to get better at interviews are to practice, practice, and, yes, practice. The best way to practice is in front of a mirror.
• Show you skills, potentials and achievements and be gentle in the complete process.
• Remember IO is very senior person with lot of experience to interview around 1000 of candidates so don’t bluff .Try to make your interview productive, as it will help him to select a right candidate. Don’t show off things and don’t ask any question to him.
• Speak in same pitch for complete interview. Distance between you and interviewing officer will be more than 8 to 10 feet so don’t shake your legs and don’t do any moves which will give bad impressions.