Interviewers have two major concerns in mind: (a) the personality issue and (b) the knowledge aspect of the candidate. Now, in the case of civil services, the knowledge aspect is taken care of by an elaborate written examination, which has already been over and done with. What remains to be evaluated is the personality of the candidate. It is for this reason the interview is also called "the personality test".

In the civil services, what matters to the selectors more than the qualification aspect is the personality aspect - since the service does not require critical technical qualifications for the day-to-day administrative business of the government.What the government is looking for in a candidate is a woman of substance who possesses the mind and courage to take on any job and give his/her best to it, without flinching even for a moment.

It's natural to be nervous before an interview, but do not panic. There is an element of energy present even in this nervousness and if properly harnessed, this can help you present yourself with agility passion and con , viction. But to do so, you need to been in control of your nerves. Before the interview, try to visualise an enthusiastic interviewer, who is reacting positively to your responses. Picture yourself delivering a clear and interesting presentation, admit to yourself that you may be nervous, but you are going to convert your nervousness into energy in a positive way , .

Here are some last-minute tips, which you will do well to keep in mind when you face the interview board.

? Intelligent listening - maintain eye contact to show that you are listening attentively. While speaking, the eye contact can be a little relaxed.

? Low Peripheral Movement - it shows that you are used to people listening to you carefully when you talk , to them. Cut your answers short to the required patience shown by the members of the board talking to you.

They usually like to talk more, so listen carefully and think for a few seconds before you answer. This will show you are organising your thoughts before you start to speak.

Bring in qualifiers while talking, so as to leave some room for differences of opinion. Do take a stand, but do not be adamant or unwilling to appreciate the board's opinion.

? Use a couple of words from the question while answering it. It shows you have listened to the question very carefully .

? Be careful about limited use of technical jargon.

? Do not guess or speculate if you are not sure of something.

? Listen very keenly. Reply with respect, in brief. Do not go in for introductions; come to the central issue of the enquiry immediately .

? Even if there has been some initial mistake, stay confident and do not think you have lost the game. They are looking for warm, sensitive, respectful and attentive youngsters and are not quizmasters.

? Talk humbly about your achievements and hobbies. You may have mentioned some of your hobbies in the interview/ personality test form, without getting into the details.

? Say less to convey more. Less is more these days, as per the minimalist creed.

? Argue logically and generalise correctly if you have to, add a rider (other things being equal as they do in economics).

? Do not try to "read too much between the lines".

? In the Civil Services Examination, interviews are form-driven and not content-driven. Yet you must speak sensibly about what you know.

? Do not start evaluating your performance while still in the boardroom.

? 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 aspects of the subject.

? Remember that the interviewers are not your adversaries and they are not attending the interview to pull you apart. Their interest lies in what you have to say and how you project ¦ yourself.