What is SSB Personal Interview

Personal Interview is one of the observational techniques used in the selection procedure at the SSB’s. Briefly, the interview technique consists of establishing an effective two way communication process between the interviewer and interviewee for transfer of information. In this situation, the two people interact freely and establish contact or ‘rapport’ with one another. The interviewee is encouraged to take progressively larger part and has to do the maximum of the talking process.

The Interviewing Officer tries to estimate the individual’s planning and organizing ability, his ability to communicate ideas clearly, his ability to work with others in a group, his level of emotional stability to tolerate stressful situations and  finally, his potential growth mainly through careful probing into his past development history.

During the interview, the Interviewing Officer (I.O) keeps a close watch on the facial expressions and body language of the individual, which provides critical supplementary information to assess a personality and evaluate his suitability for the job.

AFCAT CDS NDA Entry SSB Personal Interview Tips and Traits

Personal Interview consider following traits:

• Rapport Building:O creates an environment for interview. I.O establishes a rapport with the individual through casual talks bringing the candidate in his/her comfort zone. Series of undisputed questions are thrown so as to make candidate frank and truthful.
• Rapid Fire: A series or a bunch of questions either 10 to 15 or 20 depending upon your intellectual level is fired which includes family and educational background, sports and extra-curricular background and likewise. Testing candidate’s priority, intellectual capacity, his/her retaining capacity, panic points.
• Routine: It is established that the daily routine shapes one’s personality. It gives certain individual information like punctuality, commitment, sense of responsibility, accountability, motivation, persistence etc.
• Personal Achievements: The achievements of the individual are it in any field like education, sports, extra-curricular activities, or anything else that the person would like to mention. This would reveal his level of aspiration and motivation.
• Hobbies, Interests and Likings: What sort of hobbies does one pursue, what type of people, food, friends, places, books, role models, favourite actors, personalities etc are all asked to judge candidates liking and dislikes.

Similarly other topics that are included in PI are: organizational abilities, current affair, family support, in-dependency, friends other relations, leadership, history etc.

Tips for SSB Personal Interview

1. Be appropriately turned out for the interview.
2. Look smart, cheerful and enthusiastic.
3. Must remain happy and calm and respond politely to the interviewing officer’s welcome remark.
4. Be audible but not too loud. Appear keen to speak and respond to questions.
5. Sit straight and comfortably, do not fidget, do not keep moving your hands and legs.
6. Acknowledge questions being asked by gently nodding your head and maintain eye contact throughout.
7. If you have not understood anything, politely ask for a clarification or to repeat the question.
8. Must be clear about facts and figures regarding your bio-data, marks obtained, ranking in competitive exams, dates, names of school / institution, teachers, friends etc. Avoid stating “I do not remember” and respond as far as possible.
9. A large number of questions are normally asked at one go in a sequence. Try and remember all these questions and attempt to answer them in the same sequence. If you fail to recollect all questions, finish those you remember and then request to clarify for anything, left out.
10. Prep well in general knowledge for the interview. You are expected to be aware about current events if asked.
11. Talk about hobbies, participation in games & sports, adventure activities and any other interests. You must have adequate technical knowledge about your hobbies and games you play. You shall get some questions on these.
12. Utilize your time while waiting for interview by reading newspapers and journals available in waiting room.
13. Watch TV News for updating yourself in candidates lines / waiting room.
14. Remain relaxed and at ease throughout during the interview.
15. Listen to complete questions before attempting to reply.
16. Be truthful and honest while replying to questions.
17. Do not be shabbily dressed.
18. Do not be under stress during interview.
19. Do not discuss the questions asked by interviewing officer.
20. Never lie or put up a false pretense.
21. If you are well read it is an advantage. If not, do not pretend to have read books/magazines and newspapers which you have only heard of.
22. Do not reply as has been told to you by the candidates interviewed before you. Their questions may have had a different perspective.
23. Avoid guess work. Better be polite and say I don’t know, sir, I shall find out”.
24. Avoid being rigid, restorative, argumentative, overbearing, complacent and stiff, throughout the interview.
25. Don’t keep mobile, watch etc on person during interview.