Best UPSC Interviews and Key Red Flags to Avoid in UPSC Interview | Interview Tips

Vijender Masijeevi

4 Sept 202416:21

Summary

TLDRThe video script discusses the impact of interviews on the interviewer, highlighting a candidate who topped the Odisha civil services but couldn't join due to being an engineer in a PSU and eventually becoming an IAS officer. The discussion emphasizes the importance of humility, sensitivity, and integrity in candidates, using the candidate's story to illustrate these traits. The interviewer shares insights on red flags during interviews, such as arrogance and insensitivity, and green flags like sensitivity and struggle, using the candidate's journey to underscore the value of these qualities.

Takeaways

😀 The interviewee was deeply impacted by a candidate who topped the Odisha civil services but couldn't join due to being an engineer in a PSU and becoming an IAS officer instead.
🏆 The candidate's family income from agriculture was noted, with the father's income stated as ₹1 lakh and the mother's as zero, highlighting potential gender disparities in work recognition.
🌟 The importance of humility and the ability to admit mistakes during interviews was emphasized, as it reflects integrity and sensitivity.
🚫 'Arrogance' was identified as a red flag in interviews, especially for civil services where discretion and respect for others are crucial.
🙅‍♀️ Insensitivity towards marginalized communities or groups was pointed out as another red flag, indicating a lack of empathy and understanding necessary for public service.
🗣️ The interviewee discussed how non-verbal communication, such as body language and tone of voice, can reveal arrogance or insensitivity.
💡 The interviewee stressed that integrity is key, and candidates should not pretend to know something they don't, as honesty is valued.
🌱 The candidate's struggle and sensitivity towards societal issues were highlighted as positive traits, showing their depth of character and empathy.
📚 A fondness for candidates who are passionate about their subjects and show a deep understanding and love for what they've studied was expressed.
🌐 The interviewee's approach to interviews was described as a storytelling experience, where they look for a candidate's life journey, struggles, and personal growth.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the interview discussed in the script?
-The main theme revolves around the interviewer's experience and impact from interviews, particularly focusing on candidates who have excelled in civil services but chose different career paths, and the qualities that make an interview memorable and impactful.
Why was the candidate who topped the Odisha civil services but didn't join it memorable for the interviewer?
-The candidate was memorable because she was an engineer who became an IAS officer despite not joining the civil services, which is unconventional. Her story and the interviewer's interaction with her left a lasting impression.
What are the 'Red Flags' the interviewer mentions that should be considered during an interview?
-The 'Red Flags' include arrogance, insensitivity, and dishonesty. These are traits that could indicate potential issues with the candidate's personality or integrity.
How does the interviewer define arrogance in the context of an interview?
-Arrogance is defined as a candidate displaying overconfidence or a sense of self-importance during what could be one of the most crucial interviews of their life, which is considered a warning sign.
What is the significance of the term 'insensitivity' as used in the interview context?
-Insensitivity refers to a candidate's lack of empathy or awareness towards marginalized groups or individuals, which is seen as detrimental to a democratic bureaucracy.
Why is honesty during an interview considered important by the interviewer?
-Honesty is crucial as it reflects a candidate's integrity. Dishonesty, such as claiming to know something when they don't, is a red flag indicating potential ethical issues.
What are the 'Green Flags' that the interviewer finds impressive in a candidate?
-The 'Green Flags' include sensitivity, struggle, and a deep passion for their subject of study or work, which showcase the candidate's character and dedication.
How does the interviewer feel when interviewing candidates who are passionate about their field of study?
-The interviewer feels a sense of joy and satisfaction when candidates show deep passion and knowledge in their field, as it indicates their love for learning and their discipline.
What does the interviewer mean by 'story reading' when conducting an interview?
-'Story reading' refers to the面试官's approach to understanding a candidate's life journey, struggles, and experiences, which helps in assessing the candidate's character and suitability.
Why does the interviewer value the candidate's struggle and background in the interview process?
-The interviewer values a candidate's struggle and background because it provides context to their achievements, resilience, and the potential for them to empathize and contribute positively in their future roles.
What is the importance of a candidate's social skills according to the interviewer?
-While social skills are important, the interviewer emphasizes that a candidate's passion for their discipline and their integrity are more valued, as these traits contribute significantly to their personality and potential for success.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Candidacy and Personal Impact

The speaker begins by reflecting on an interview that left a profound impact on them. It involved a candidate who topped the Odisha civil services but couldn't join due to being an engineer in a PSU and eventually becoming an IAS officer. The candidate's background included a family income primarily from agriculture, with the father earning around ₹1 lakh and the mother having no income. The speaker uses this interview to delve into what makes a memorable interview, focusing on the candidate's personality traits and life story. They emphasize the importance of humility and the ability to connect with the interviewer on a personal level, which can leave a lasting impression.

05:01

😔 Sensitivity and Integrity in Interviews

In this segment, the speaker discusses the importance of sensitivity and integrity during interviews. They highlight 'red flags' such as arrogance, insensitivity towards marginalized communities, and a lack of integrity when candidates make false claims or show disrespect. The speaker stresses that these traits can be detrimental in a bureaucratic role within a democratic setup. They provide examples of how a candidate's language, humor, and non-verbal communication can reveal their sensitivity or lack thereof. The speaker also touches upon the concept of 'mansplaining' and 'manspreading' as indicators of insensitivity, advising interviewers to look for these behaviors as potential red flags.

10:05

😌 The Power of Struggle and Sensitivity

The speaker recounts an interview with a female candidate who left a lasting impression due to her struggle and sensitivity. Despite not being able to join the civil services due to her engineering background, she demonstrated a deep understanding and passion for her field. The speaker appreciates her sensitivity towards societal issues and her struggle, which are considered 'green flags' or positive traits. The speaker also mentions other candidates like Ravi Kumar Siha, whose interviews showcased their struggle and dedication to their subjects, making them memorable and impactful.

15:05

🤓 Passion for One's Discipline

In the final paragraph, the speaker expresses joy when interviewing candidates who are deeply passionate about their学科领域. They describe the enthusiasm these candidates exhibit when discussing their field of study as akin to a musician playing their instrument. The speaker values this passion as it reflects the candidate's learning attitude and commitment to their discipline. They argue that such passion is integral to a candidate's personality, which is shaped by their environment and interactions. The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of a well-rounded personality that can adapt and succeed in various situations.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Interview

An interview, in the context of the video, refers to a formal conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee, typically to assess the latter's qualifications, skills, and personality traits. The video discusses the impact of interviews on the interviewer, highlighting the importance of the interview process in understanding a candidate's suitability for a role, especially in the civil services.

💡Arogance

Arogance is described as a negative trait that can be a red flag during interviews. It implies an exaggerated sense of self-importance and can be detected through a candidate's verbal and non-verbal communication. The video emphasizes that arrogance can be a sign of potential issues in a candidate's personality, which might lead to problems if they are given positions of power and responsibility.

💡Sensitivity

Sensitivity, in the script, refers to a candidate's ability to be aware and responsive to the feelings, needs, and rights of others, particularly those who are marginalized or underprivileged. The video suggests that a lack of sensitivity can be a significant red flag, indicating a candidate's potential to act inappropriately or unfairly towards certain groups of people.

💡Integrity

Integrity is highlighted as a crucial quality in candidates, reflecting their honesty and adherence to moral and ethical principles. The video discusses how a candidate's integrity can be assessed through their responses to questions, particularly when they admit to not knowing the answer or making a mistake, demonstrating their truthfulness and commitment to ethical behavior.

💡Struggle

Struggle is mentioned as a significant theme in the video, representing the challenges and efforts a candidate has undergone to achieve their goals. It is used to illustrate the resilience and determination of candidates, especially those from less privileged backgrounds, and how their personal journey can be inspiring and impactful.

💡Red Flags

Red flags are indicators or warning signs that a candidate may not be suitable for a position or role. The video discusses various behaviors and attitudes, such as arrogance and insensitivity, that can serve as red flags during interviews, suggesting that these traits require careful consideration and further evaluation.

💡Discriminatory Power

Discriminatory power refers to the authority or influence that can be used to treat people unfairly based on certain characteristics like gender, race, or social status. The video explains that candidates with a sense of discriminatory power can be a concern for roles in civil services, where fairness and impartiality are essential.

💡Non-Verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication encompasses body language, facial expressions, and other visual cues that convey information alongside or instead of spoken words. The video mentions that non-verbal cues can reveal a candidate's arrogance or confidence, providing insights into their personality and suitability for a role.

💡Feminization of Agriculture

The feminization of agriculture is a social phenomenon where women are increasingly involved in agricultural work, traditionally dominated by men. The video uses this term to discuss gender roles and economic contributions in agriculture, particularly questioning a candidate's understanding and representation of his family's income sources.

💡Fundoo Candidate

A 'fundoo' candidate is a term used to describe someone who is deeply passionate and knowledgeable about their subject of study. The video appreciates such candidates for their enthusiasm and expertise, which can be a positive indicator of their potential in their chosen field.

💡Storytelling

Storytelling in the video refers to the narrative of a candidate's life and experiences. It is used to emphasize the importance of understanding a candidate's background, struggles, and achievements to assess their character and suitability for a role, much like reading a compelling story.

Highlights

The interviewee discusses the impact of a candidate who topped the Odisha civil services but couldn't join due to being an engineer in a PSU.

The candidate's family income from agriculture is mentioned, with the father's income noted as one lakh and the mother's as zero.

The interviewee emphasizes the importance of the interviewee's sensitivity towards marginalized communities.

Arogage as a red flag in interviews, indicating a candidate's potential for misuse of power.

Insensitivity towards underprivileged groups is highlighted as a significant red flag.

The interviewee explains how a candidate's privileged background can lead to insensitivity.

The interviewee discusses the importance of integrity in interviews, using the example of a candidate who falsely claimed to know the answer to a question.

The interviewee shares their favorite interview story, emphasizing the impact of a candidate's struggle and sensitivity.

The interviewee explains the concept of 'mensplain' and 'manspread' as indicators of insensitivity.

The interviewee discusses the importance of a candidate's struggle and how it reflects in their personality.

The interviewee shares an example of a candidate who topped the Odisha civil services but couldn't join, highlighting the candidate's struggle and sensitivity.

The interviewee emphasizes the importance of a candidate's passion for their subject.

The interviewee discusses the joy of interviewing 'fundoo' candidates who are deeply passionate about their subjects.

The interviewee shares an example of a candidate, Rajat Sharma, who was passionate about mathematics.

The interviewee talks about the impact of a candidate's environment and interactions on their personality.

The interviewee discusses how a candidate's struggle can be a positive attribute, reflecting their personality.

The interviewee shares an example of a candidate, Ravi Kumar Siha, whose struggle and honesty left a lasting impression.