Say you’ve been on the lookout for a job with the Indian Government for a while. You’ve submitted several applications through Vidhya 360. Finally, you get an invite to interview. Now is not the time to rest on your oars; you’ve not scaled your biggest hurdle just yet! There’s still the interview to ace.
Government Job Interviews Are Different
Government job interviews are different from those held in the private sector. Hiring managers will check first for your competence on the job. So expect to be asked questions about yourself, your work history, and why you want to work for the government. Expect to be asked about new things you’ve learned on the job during your career and how you would apply your knowledge should you be given the job. To ace these questions, ensure that you understand the job requirements. Know your resume by heart and the details you’ve included in it. Be honest and straightforward because you only have one chance to make a first impression.
Next, hiring managers want to know if you can be civil and honest in several work situations. Government jobs are positions of public trust, and persons of questionable character are not wanted. So get ready to talk about ethical dilemmas you faced and how you handled them. You might be asked about a hypothetical situation and told to decide on the right course of action. Understand the issue and address it. Relate your answer to the agency’s values and goals, and act with personal integrity.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Practice well if you want to excel in a government job interview. Create a list of several possible questions you might be asked and write your answer to each question. Know these questions and your answers by heart. Set up several in-person mock interview sessions with a friend. The sessions will help you practice your possible interview questions and answers, as well as the job interview tips in this blog post. After all, practice, they say, makes perfect.
