Interview related content based upon my DAF
Use it only for reference

Only for reference.

In HR questions it is important that the response should feel like part of conversation and it should come out with conviction

These are the guidelines shared by Kanishak Kataria Sir in 2019. I found it very useful while filing DAF. Kindly go through it


Few pointers for filling the DAF:

• Don’t spend ages researching and filling the DAF. Finish it quickly and resume Mains prep.

• Don’t fill anything you are not ready to prepare later.

• Don’t show off achievements or write false hobbies/interests. One of the biggest blunder you can commit in filling the DAF.

• Write your achievements and interests concisely instead of filling paragraphs. Interests etc. should be legible in a single glance. Board doesn’t spend too much time looking into each and every aspect of your DAF. First impression is very critical.

• Limit the hobbies to maximum 3 - more than this will dilute the points and also create headache for you later as you will have to prepare all of them.

• In case of multiple achievements only write those which are most attractive (and can beat other smaller one). Example: University topper need not write about being CBSE 10th topper

• Govt scholarships/fellowships should be written like NTSE, KVPY etc

• Clearly mention your degree like Minor and Honours component. You wouldn’t want the board to misinterpret your graduation domain and ask you irrelevant questions!

• Do not force information where it’s not applicable. It’s perfectly fine to leave some columns. For eg. if you are not into sports, do not write it.

• Write specific interest and hobbies instead of general ones. For eg. if you are into dancing, mention specific dance form instead of merely writing “Dancing” as your hobby. You will end up providing a very big spectrum to the board to ask questions from.

• Writing internship experience under the “jobs” section - completely up to you. But if you write it, you should be ready to justify it. As mentioned earlier, do not force information in the DAF.

• There is a thin line between less info and excessive info in the DAF. If you try to show off and have an information overload, believe me you will have lot of trouble preparing for the interview. Each and every word in your DAF is a loose thread which can form a potential question.

Few pointers for mock interviews:

Mock interviews can be helpful to gauge one’s preparation and to get over the initial hick-ups while answering questions and framing the response within 5-6 seconds.

I gave around 12 mock interviews in CSE 2019. I must say that the experience was not very good. It’s better to limit the mocks, may be 2-4 with the coaching institutions. In CSE 2020, I appeared for 2 mocks- one at KSG and another at iAnugrah. But at the same time I increased close group discussions and one to one interaction.

1 week before one’s personality test, one should avoid giving any mocks. Also you can plan 2-4 mocks and distribute it, till 1 week prior to your real personality test.

Always take the advice from mock interview board with a pinch of salt. Many times the mock interview board might demotivate you. You should always focus on building your confidence, clarity of your thought and better articulation through these mocks.

I got benefitted from close group discussions in personality test of CSE 2020. We made a small group of 3-4 people and everyday we used to ask questions to each other in formal way. This I did for 15-20 days. Other than this one to one interaction with close friends and seniors who are associated with CSE are also very helpful.

My experience from different mocks in CSE 2019 and CSE 2020:

1. iAnugrah - heard about it from my friend Kumar Saumya. It is run by Sudhir Chandra Sir (ex-CBDT Chairman). It was a very nice experience. I followed Sir’s advice in real interview as well

2. KSG - It was good. Khan Sir pointed out my positives and areas where I can improve. Overall boosted my confidence.

3. TheIAShub: Mock was good in CSE 2019. Their interview guidance material on Current affairs are very good. Referred in CSE 2019 as well as in CSE 2020. One to one interaction with M K Yadav Sir was also good.

4. NextIAS: Their pdf on hobbies, states and Engineering subjects are very good. Mock experience in CSE 2019 was not good. One to one interaction with B Singh Sir for Civil Engineering in CSE 2019 was good.

4. Vajiram - attended CAs classes in CSE 2019. Didn’t appear for mock interview. Just had one to one interaction with Ravindran Sir and it was good

5. Samkalp - group mock experience was good, normal mock was not that good

6. RauIAS- focused on factual questions. Mock interview experience in CSE 2019 was not that good

7. Dhyeya - overall okayish, can be skipped.

8. Unique Siksha: not that good experience, can be skipped

9. Drishti IAS: gave mock interview in CSE 2019. Overall decent experience. It had boosted my confidence.

10. For Anthropology I had one to one interaction with Vaid Sir (VaidICS)- it was good.

11. NACS BH/JH: Candidates from Bihar/Jharkhand can appear for mock interview conducted by civil servants belonging to Bihar/Jharkhand. Offline interviews are conducted at Bihar Bhawan Delhi. I had decent experience. Also it helped to frame response on questions related to Bihar

I will be in ORN in Sindhi park at 4:30pm for half an hour or so. Aspirant near by can come and have interaction.

Regards

It was very nice and humbling experience to again come back to Old Rajinder Nagar (ORN), Delhi and interact with aspirants directly !!

I tried to clarify doubts of aspirants as far I could. Most of the things which I said, have been already shared either on my telegram channel or my 4hour long YouTube video.

After result I interacted with many aspirants through seminars organised by district administration. This helped me to reach tier 2 and 3 cities. This experience was also very unique to me.

I hope that the direct engagements of toppers with aspirant community increases going forward and the preparation of civil services becomes more inclusive and equal !!

All the best
Regards

For all those who are going to appear for Personality Test. Apala very nicely explained on how to prepare for the personality test !!