SelvaRani's blog

Thursday, 20 August 2015

Paper Presentation -- International Conference at Los Angeles,USA on 13th May 2014.

International Conference
conducted by Globel Academic Network
held at South California University, LOS ANGELES,USA.
FACING JOB INTERVIEWS: STRATEGY-SUCCESS NEXUS
-Dr.SelvaRani Selvam
Principal, Sri Sarada Niketan College for Women Amaravathipudur, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India- 630311;www.srisaradaniketancollege.com

ABSTRACT

Research based outcomes on the strategies for grooming one to face job interviews revealing one’s treasure of caliber, character, courage, conviction and credence (C-qualities) are dealt. Research Setting and Research Findings on (i) Broad Contours and Strategies Adopted for Preparation for Interview and (ii) Interview Performance as Depicted by the Candidates are thrusts aspects of the study.

Research Setting: The research setting for the study is the Performance of Candidates in the Personality Test of Civil Services Examinations meant for selecting IAS/IFS/IPS and Group A/B positions in the Central Government Services in India by the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC), New Delhi. This is two-phase examination withinterview-rate just 1% and final success rate just about 0.5% of candidates taking the preliminary examination. A structured questionnaire was adopted. A sample of 35 candidates consisting of 21 successful candidates and 14 unsuccessful candidates at the interview level was selected adopting Random sampling.

Research Findings on Broad Contours: In the sample of 35 candidates, 22 observed that they were very confident of being called for interview (based on their own assessment of written examination performance). Of this, 16 had passed the personality test giving a success proportion of 0.73. Out of 19 candidates who adjudged themselves as 'talkative', 13 passed out. So, being talkative is a ‘plus’. The mean time spent in preparing for the personality test for the passed-out candidates was 4.66 hours/day, while the same for the failed candidates, 3.43 hours/day. The 73 minute excess time spent daily by the passed-out group mattered the most. Out of the 31 candidates who took training for interview only 18 passed in the interview. Taking training with training institutes didn’t help much.

Findings on Strategies of Interview Preparation: Adoption & Perceived Effectiveness Rates

The 13 strategies of preparation for facing the interview were picked up from own experience and from reviewed literature and these were evaluated. Also, the perceived effectiveness of these strategies was also studied, using a 5 point-scale. The mean scores for the interview-passed out and interview-failed groups of candidates on the different strategies as to level of adoption (X_1s & X_2s) and on the extent of perceived effectiveness (Y_1s & Y_2s) were obtained and given as below.

Scores for the Mutually Inclusive Strategies of Preparing for Interview

S. No.	Different Mutually Inclusive Strategies for Preparing for Interview	Interview- passed out candidates (Mean score)		Interview- failed candidates (Mean score)
S. No.		X_1s	Y_1s	X_2s	Y_2s
1.	Keeping abreast of general current development	4.05	3.70	4.42	3.86
2.	Refreshing knowledge on home State	4.10	3.62	3.43	3.14
3.	Deep study of recent national/ regional/international problems issues,etc.	3.90	3.95	3.57	3.14
4.	Participating in mock interviews at homes or place of work/study	3.10	2.86	2.57	2.77
5.	Getting training under behavioral scientists	1.48	1.52	0.86	0.43
6.	Getting training under private training institutes	2.62	2.23	2.14	1.86
7.	Going through write-ups of toppers about their interview proceedings	2.19	2.00	1.86	2.14
8.	Holding discussions with friends/teachers on preparation for personality test	3.24	2.48	2.71	2.14
9.	Acquiring knowledge on own hobbies & extra- curricular activities	3.62	3.67	3.86	3.71
10.	Making 'cuttings' or 'clippings' of events subject-wise for ready reference	3.29	3.29	2.86	2.29
11.	Viewing TV program on Business, Polity, Current & World Affairs, etc.	2.10	2.62	1.71	1.29
12.	Keeping abreast of recent utterances by national/international personalities	3.14	2.62	2.86	2.43
13.	Started preparing immediately after main written examinations	2.33	2.62	2.14	2.00

Source: Primary Data

Mann-Whitney U test could not establish significant difference between Interview-passed out and Interview-failed candidates. Finer method of testing or alternative approach to establish the performance differences of the groups is needed, at this juncture. Test of significance of Difference between the two Independent Correlation Coefficients to find out the possible performance difference, established that the interview-passed-out candidates rightly matched the emphasis needed on a strategy of preparation for interview with the perceived effectiveness of the strategy. That clicked well in deciding the performance-success.

Research Findings on Depiction of one's Performance in the Personality Test

It should be possible for any candidate to state how well he or she perceivably performed in the personality test. The Mann-Whitney test rejected the null-hypothesis of equality of perceived performance depiction scores, with Z=3.25 at 5% significance level. The significantly higher mean score of the interview-passed out candidates than that of the interview failed candidates in respect of each performance depiction, signified the fact that the former group did better than the latter group in their own relative assessments. Mann-Whitney test confirmed the significant difference between the groups.

Mean Scores of Interview Passed and Failed Candidates for the

Different Performance Depictions

No.	Performance indicators.	Passed (mean)	Failed (mean)
1.	Proceeded on expected lines	2.62	2.14
2.	Felt confident through out	2.71	2.28
3.	Situation totally in your control	2.38	2.00
4.	Felt out of focus	2.95	2.28
5.	Over - awed by initial disappointments if any	2.81	2.57
6.	Board members kept you at ease	2.57	2.28
7.	Not hesitated to say 'I don't know'	2.95	2.28
8.	Caught 'trapped' by own 'traps'	2.86	2.70
9.	Presence of mind helped much	2.48	2.14
10.	Preparations helped much	2.33	2.21

Source: Primary Data

Sum-up

In the interview performance excellence depends on one’s methodical preparedness adopting right strategies to the right extent. A person can self-judge his/her performance in the interview mostly. High achievers by their hard work and presence of mind kept the interview process under their grip.

Boost your brain power !

In a small get-together, all the guests greeted themselves by shaking hands. The number of handshakes exchanged were 36
altogether.Can you guess how many guests were present ?
Answer follows.

Imagine that there are only 4 guests namely A,B,C,D.Okay.Now the exchanges were like this. That is,

A to B, A to C , A to D,
B to C , B to D, and C to D . that is 6 hand shakes.= 3! {FACTORIAL 3 =3*2*1.where * is meant for multiplication.}

If there were ' n ' persons, the number of hand shakes is {n-1}!. i .e ,{n-1}{n-2}..............3.2.1.=Sum of first n-1 natural numbers.
Sum of 1 to n terms=n{n+1}\2

So number of hand shakes={n-1}{n-1+1}\2
                                       ={n-1}n\2 = 36   given.

   =n2 -n -72 = 0
                                       ={n-9}{n+8}=0
n = 9.
So 9 guests were present.

BUILD YOUR BRAIN POWER

--Dr.(Mrs).S.SelvaRani

Principal,Sri Sarada Niketan College.

The Brain is the most important organ in any living being, particularly in human beings. It is the centre of the nervous system. Even the most sophisticated computer in the world cannot have the storage capacity and processing ability of the brain of even an ordinary person. But humans use only a little bit of it. Even the great scientist like Eienstin used only a fraction of his brain capacity. No one has tapped brain’s full potential so far. There are approximately 100 billion neurons in human brain.

Brain waves

The brain emits faint electrical impulses in the form of mental waves. These waves can be measured in microvolts by an electro encephalograph. These waves represent a manifestation of certain internal psychological states of the mind. According to the emotion, the waves are classified into four types as Alpha waves, Beta waves, Gama waves and Delta Waves. When the brain waves reach Zero point, the brain is dead.

Right and Left Brain

The brain is divided into right and left hemispheres. Each hemisphere is responsible for different modes of thinking, each specializing in certain skills. The thinking processes of the left brain are logical, linguistic, reality-based, dealing with abstract ideas and micro approach. The right brain thinking modes are creative, imaginative, art & music, visualisation and micro approach. To lead an effective life both hemispheres are equally important. Most geniuses use both left and right brains.

Impact of Ageing

Recent studies have shown that, with proper stimulation, the brain can continue to grow and produce enhanced intelligence, memory power and better functioning even at the age of 90.

Use your brain …..

The more you use your brain, the sharper it gets. So, brain should be constantly used, else it loses its power. When the brain is stimulated intellectually and physically you can see the measurable changes in its structure.

The brain can grow new cells and more thinking power can be obtained out of the existing cells. Recent studies prove that new connections can be formed virtually at any age.

Thinking Exercise

Albert Einstein says, “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination. Creativity comes only through imagination”. Open your mind to infinite possibilities of new ideas. Learn how to sharpen your innate power of comprehension, insight, intuition and sensory perception. The brain is extraordinarily stimulated when it is engaged in creativity and imagination. The thought of problems leads us to solutions.

The magnificent computer or a safety pin came first in the form of ‘thought’. Inventions, discoveries, progress, advancement, innovations etc., are the result of thought by the people using their brain. As William James has correctly pointed out:

“Dynamic thought or belief helps create the actual facts”

James Allen has said,

“A man can only rise, conquer and achieve by lifting up his thoughts”.

One can become an Einstein and a Newton, by keeping one’s brain in thinking mode, not by keeping it mute. The great scientist Archimedis invented the ‘Archimedis’ Principle’, by immersing his mind all the time in the same thought, even while bathing immersed in water tub. You must read the books of great scientists and achievers and know how they achieved and invented things.

Present Education System

The curriculum in our education system must be designed in such a way to extract the potentials of the brains of youth. I recall my good old days at School where we used to solve ‘Riders’ in our SSLC class, Elective Mathematics. By Solving, riders, one’s brain is stimulated and the Intelligent Quotient (I Q) improves. Also, in those days , Primary school children were trained to do “mental sums” in Mathematics within a short time. Certainly, through this type of mental exercises, brain is triggered and sharpened.

Today, the curriculum is not designed to exhibit one’s intelligence and skills. The present examination system is to test the memory power rather than intelligence. One can obtain even State ranks and University first ranks by simply ‘roting’ the lessons and reproducing them in exams. Some competitive examinations like IIT-JEE are exceptional and they could pick the ‘brainy’ leaving the rest.

Mental Exercise

Bernard Shaw says,”Activity is the only road to knowledge”. So, to improve your brain power, solve crossword puzzles, mathematical riddles, magic squares, etc. The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. Students of Mathematics can stimulate their brain power by framing mathematical equations and models, choosing the relevant probability tests in testing of hypothesis in statistical problems, and solving riders, instead of mechanically doing problems in Algebra, Calculus, etc.

Yoga, Meditation & Prayer

When we are meditating, the thinking process must come out from the brain. Words without thought are the mere verbal repetition of prayer in which the mind does not participate. As Shakespeare wrote,

“My words fly up, my thoughts remain below

Words without thoughts never to heaven go”.

Yogic exercises of asanas, pranayama and meditation boost brain power considerably. Concentration of mind triggers the brain power to achieve great things. In Maha Bharata, Arjuna won in the arrow competition by concentrating his mind only on the pupil of the eye of the bird.

Be Quiet …… Listen to Good Music

Eienstein pointed out, “The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind”. Research has established that music is very effective for concentration, memory skills and control of stress. So listen to good music, enjoy Nature, and meditate deeply. You can also fresh up your mind by changing your works. But, one should not be idle, since, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. By doing different types of works, the brain is energized and rejuvenated.

Reading

“Books are the gateways to knowledge.” You can empower your brain power by reading good informational, inspirational and motivational books about leaders, scientists, inventors and all famous people in different fields. Such books induce you to think, act and achieve to build a better life. It is not enough to know what they have achieved, but it is essential to know how they have achieved and then start emulating them.

Positive Thinking

Always fill your brain with positive thinking. Let it go into your brain and flow through your body and maximize your mental strength. Be optimistic. Then success is yours. With the powerful positive thought, one can achieve, even what the world calls impossible.

Nutrients, sleep

Nutrients strongly influence mental functioning Nutritional deficiencies can cause brain imbalances like fatigue,

forgetfulness, depression, anxiety, etc. Sleep is generally considered as a natural phenomenon that allows the brain

and other organs to get energy. Happy frame mindset, maintaining good health and avoiding stress are essential things to have effective brain power.

Indian Minds

When I was reading the book ‘ignited minds’ by our former President His Excellency Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, I was very much inspired by our Indian scientists and Mathematicians. The great Mathematicians Aryabhata, Brahmagupta and Bhaskaracharya who contributed much to Algebra, Trigonometry, Astronomy, value of ‘pie’ etc. inspired even Albert Einstein to remark, “ We owe a lot to the Indians who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made”. Then genius Srinivasa Ramanujan, Nobel Lauretes C.V.Raman and Prof.S.Chandrasekhar, Scientist J.C.Bose, Dr.Homi J.Bhabha, Dr.Vikram Sarabhai and Dr.D.S.Kothari stand with the “best” in the world.

Dear Students! Instead of differentiating among yourselves, integrate in every field and invent new things. You must go through the life history of great Mathematicians and Scientists and ignite your brain to achieve great things. What is needed is inexhaustible spirit!

Swami Vivekananda said, “The infinite library of the universe is in your own mind. The external world is simply the suggestion, the occasion which sets you to study your own mind. The falling of an apple gave the suggestion to Newton, and he studied his own mind. He rearranged all the previous links of thoughts in his mind and discovered a new link among them, which we call the Law of Gravitation”.

Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam says,

“Dream, Dream, Dream

Dreams transform into thoughts

and thoughts result in actions”.

Note the dreams are not the usual ones coming in sleep but those that make you awake!

My dear students! It is time for you to set your goal. Dream, Think and Act upon it. If there are no thoughts, no action will emanate. You energise yourself, sharpen your brain, trigger your brain power to achieve great things! Make your life a masterpiece!

References

1. G.Francis Xavier : Boost Your Brain Power,

2 Barendra Kumar :’Can’ is the word of Power,

3. S.P.Sharma: Success through Positive Thinking,

4. APJ Abdul Kalam : Ignited Minds.

5. Selections from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda.

Suggestions for IAS,IPS and other Civil Services Examinations.

* Aspirants must develop their lingual ability to do well in the CSAT and also in the Main examination and in the Personality test.

*Aspirants must develop their numerical ability and problem solving skills to do well in CSAT.
Candidates must practice to solve many puzzles in Mathematics. By writing model tests in a simulated
             environment, this skill can be developed.
        * Aspirants must develop special reading habits. Extensive reading of multiple news papers and                  magazines is to be cultivated.
       *Aspirants must take interest in general studies &current affairs right from school -college studies so that   general knowledge is gained as a routine.
   *Candidates must make complete and thorough coverage of syllabus, with additional stress on important topics.
   *At the examination ,judicious allocation of time over the number of questions to be answered is a must.
         *Candidates should not leave hope, even if the success does not turn up in the first one or two attempts.Experience gained from the earlier attempts can be used to one's advantage in the next attempt.
          *Besides one should choose quality coaching institute.
           *Engineering graduates in large number can come forward to take up the exam as their success rate is higher than that of other students.
   *Candidates must capitalize on educational achievements of their family members.
           *Hard work, methodical preparation ,perseverance, etc are needed. Above all, a great degree of commitment and achievement motivation is a pre- requisite for success in the Civil Services Examination.