[Official ] Interview Preparation 2021 - Ask Questions, Debates and Doubts, Hobbies, Home State
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LIVE Session for filling up DAF 2 | CSE 2020
Hello All,
So the last time I create a TG for Interview prep we saw some good discussions. However, the group has little archival value, by which I means discussions that happen are not archived on the Internet forever - which is something we need for Civils prep - or at least for the community.
This thread is created by ME circa 2021 to be "The Interview Group"
I am also working on a guide for Interview Preparation - which is kinda here
And a very interesting hobby discussion thread here
http://discuss.forumias.com/discussion/23379/hobbies-discussion-for-upsc-interview
The thing with my hobbies is that they are mostly things that I do on and off. A little bit of this and a little bit of that.
For example, I've been playing the ukulele the past 8 months now and got reasonably good at it. (Guess who learned the Godfather theme music and Bella Ciao in fingerstyle this past week) Yet, my theoretical knowledge of music is nil. It's an instrument I learned using the internet entirely. Also, I genuinely love a certain genre of music and I take my Spotify very seriously. However, my interest and knowledge is limited to that alone. If they ask me about Kishore Kumar songs or famous musicians from my State from eons ago, I would know only to the extent I've prepared.
Similarly, I've honestly been cycling in recent times. My heart and my brain knows it to be true, but my waistline does not. AND I know nothing about cycling in general. I can only balance a cycle.
Coming to reading books, it's a habit I picked up in the past three years. I wouldn't say I'm a voracious reader, but I read books which pique my interest. A lot of books do, and they're generally non fiction books. So, my knowledge is limited to a casual reading of the same.
I write both prose and poetry, but I mostly dont publish them because I feel it's art and art is always personal. It's weird, I know, but it is what it is.
I also binge watch movies and TV series.
Everything takes a back seat when the cricket is on.
Basically, I'm like Dee Dee from Dexter who goes " Ooo, what does this button do?" when I see something that captures my interest. I don't lose that interest ever, but since there is only so much time every day, I cant give each interest the time it deserves.
If that is the case, would they be hobbies or just interests?
I think my best bet would beto try and learn the basics the best I can,and just be honest and authentic about the fact that my knowledge is rather shallow about each of these interests of mine, if I dont know the answer? I wouldn't look like a blithering idiot, would I?
Thoughts?
Aaaaaaaaaaarrghhhhh. Overthinking would be my primary hobby if it were enjoyable. I definitely do it regularly.
If I were you, I would have written *experimenting with new things* as my hobby. :D
@Neyawn sir i have played cricket all my life leaving last two years, also i was in college team.
Other than that i do exercises but i don't know much about it, i do normal plank, situps , etc. so should i keep this while writing hobbies ??
one more thing sir , i have a habit of doing fast calculation since childhood, till today i can write any one table in between 50-100 within 22 seconds😅(i know its childish), so can this be a hobby ?? ( ps- i don't have maths optional).
ssver2,@JhansiKiRanii This female candidates being asked about females is new to me. Thanks for sharing it.I too don't limit myself by genre. There are few authors however who I prefer reading more than others but again not from a single genre.
As a matter of fact, there's also a trend to ask male candidates who put in cricket as a hobby about the female cricket team:p
So, you never know what the board is up to:D
ssver2,Joeyisthebest
@Neyawn it would be of great help if you could tell how much specific one should get while writing hobbies.. for instance, writing ' 'cooking' vis a vis 'cooking different types of rice/snacks' or 'Cooking Chinese cuisine'.
I personally think mentioning a specific hobby could be one way to attract the attention of the board. If you're really good at it, it could be a bonus. (Please correct me if I'm wrong)
I was thinkingto write 'English Football'. I've been a big fan of Arsenal since 2004. So, I think I know English football inside out!
This might have a negative spillover too. For example, in my case, if the board asks me about Indian football, I'd draw a blank. (I'll prepare this area though)
Your Chinese cuisine is my English football!
So, yes! The question remains- Specifics over generic or vice-versa?
I have written hobbies such as | READING AND WRITING ON QUORA,TRACKING INDIAN SHARE MARKET,WATCHING WEBSERIES,GARDENING in my IFos DAF can i use the same in daf2 also ....kindly guide ,I have been working in Paytm,sorry if it look like joke as i wrote whatever i do
@Neyawn ...
ssver2,JhansiKiRaniiThe one with the hobbies:
I generally enjoy cooking and have been trying new recipes lately those which I like to eat. But I am not well versed with various cuisines. What range of knowledge (practical) one should possess in cooking?
I also like to watch movies and web series. Have watched hundreds of movies and good 20-25 tv series* (full runtime). But here it is purely for entertainment basis and any relation to productivity is fictional. So, what one is expected to know in this field to not look like a serial time killer?
Lastly, I think I like to read. But then it is scattered read just few hindi and english novels here and there. Some non fiction books also. I also read lot of trash on internet, doesn't count though. I would have read some 30-40 books. However, I am not a sucker for 'classics' (western literature). This might not be a good situation infront of well read people.
All in all I am totally clueless about the whole hobby thing. Any suggestions would be helpful.
*Edit 1: counting number of tv series in my head and then making a correction.
Prepare the most basic questions that you someone may ask you on your hobby with a smile. For example, if I were to mock Interview you, I would ask So what does heeng do to food, with a smile.
Trust me depending on where you stand, there will be people who will think what a simple question - "who cooks and not knows that. Thats a bogus cook." And an equal number of people who will say - "I have been cooking all my life but never used heeng." So you see why some preparation is helpful. In fact needed.
There is no problem being a serial time killer, just that if someone asks you few basic questions, it is better to have deliberated them here than to do impromptu in the Interview.
There are very few people who are extremely good at giving an objective, balanced answer Impromptu . This year, among all the candidates I found one candidate who was brilliant with impromptu answers, he was from NLS, and he has secured Rank 5. Not sure about his final marks though.
I will try to locate and post the video. Its a little informal one, not fancy youtube stuff. Ping me sometime, and I will share it here in this little community :)
And what do you think about mentioning reading philosophy ?
Stoic philosophy, tao, vivekanad etc i have read and enjoyed. Ryan Holiday, Allan Watts etc
Philosophy meets self help is what interests me.
I like reading nihilism and existentialism literature too. Mostly as an escape from the grind of life. Not sure whether to mention it or not.@Neyawn your thoughts on this ?
You may, but remember that from what I have seen that setting expectations very high before the board is not a good idea. The simpler you keep the better it is.
Thats also because what you feel like the grind of life is nowhere close to how life grinds you as time passes by.
So a 65 year old is less likley to believe that you are facing some grind ( and hence turned philosophical ) , because somewhere he knows whats in store for you as years ( and decades ) pass by.
But more than that, the person going to interview you was someone like you, plus thirty more years where he has explored the topics in much more depth. ( Secreatry level officers in State govt do not have as much work. Its even more free in IPS )
Look, knowledge/ wisdom per-se is gained in stages. And when you get new knowledge, it will unfold itself like the peels of an onion. If you have ever peeled an onion, you will find the "perfect-ultimate-final" piece of onion.
But then when you peel off that layer too, you will find a completely fresh onion, which is even more perfect than the previous one.
So when we know something, we always feel that this is the ultimate truth of life/ syllabus. Until we dig a layer deeper. But while we are at a certain layer, we do feel 100% that this is "the" fact/ "the truth" and final.
And what do you think about mentioning reading philosophy ?
Stoic philosophy, tao, vivekanad etc i have read and enjoyed. Ryan Holiday, Allan Watts etc
Philosophy meets self help is what interests me.
I like reading nihilism and existentialism literature too. Mostly as an escape from the grind of life. Not sure whether to mention it or not.@Neyawn your thoughts on this ?
Thank you. You validate my point. This is what happens. And you can't say Sir, this was not part of Philosophy Optional syllabus!
ssver2,
ssver2,HotBloodPrinceAnd what do you think about mentioning reading philosophy ?
Stoic philosophy, tao, vivekanad etc i have read and enjoyed. Ryan Holiday, Allan Watts etc
Philosophy meets self help is what interests me.
I like reading nihilism and existentialism literature too. Mostly as an escape from the grind of life. Not sure whether to mention it or not.@Neyawn your thoughts on this ?
You may, but remember that from what I have seen that setting expectations very high before the board is not a good idea. The simpler you keep the better it is.
Thats also because what you feel like the grind of life is nowhere close to how life grinds you as time passes by.
So a 65 year old is less likley to believe that you are facing some grind ( and hence turned philosophical ) , because somewhere he knows whats in store for you as years ( and decades ) pass by.
But more than that, the person going to interview you was someone like you, plus thirty more years where he has explored the topics in much more depth. ( Secreatry level officers in State govt do not have as much work. Its even more free in IPS )
Look, knowledge/ wisdom per-se is gained in stages. And when you get new knowledge, it will unfold itself like the peels of an onion. If you have ever peeled an onion, you will find the "perfect-ultimate-final" piece of onion.
But then when you peel off that layer too, you will find a completely fresh onion, which is even more perfect than the previous one.
So when we know something, we always feel that this is the ultimate truth of life/ syllabus. Until we dig a layer deeper. But while we are at a certain layer, we do feel 100% that this is "the" fact/ "the truth" and final.
Yes, my own understanding of the ideas of these thinkers change every time I read them.
It is extremely subjective and with age I think I might get closer to the real truth.
Dropping the idea of mentioning it.
I feel sticking to extremely objective things as hobbies must make sense. DAF might look bland but insurers against the risk of scoring poorly
ssver2,@Neyawn and yes thank you for all these insights.
@Neyawn this is so true! All Non-fiction is just opinion at best. And like everything else, everyone has their own opinion on how to succeed in life, work, love etc. There is nothing sacrosanct.All these self-help books seem to me like one big knowledge-porn which leaves one frustrated and confused even more. But don’t get me wrong. I’m also a big part of this circle-jerk and I still read non-fiction.On the other hand, fiction is much more humane. It’s like therapy. Writers tell you things that you were afraid to discuss with any other mortal. It makes you feel less alone in feeling the way you do.So yeah.I know most men (research says women like fiction more) who are in the workforce read mostly non-fiction. Like I follow Anudeep’s articles. He only talks about non-fiction. It isn’t a bad thing at all! Probably I’ll do the same going forward.But I just hope people don’t give up on fiction and philosophy. These two rescue us from the despair that springs forth from the absurdity of existence.
“Stories of imagination tend to upset those without one.”
―Also
Joeyisthebest,Sankoza
err, no. I get where you are coming from. but I love both fiction & philosophy :p
(check out mypodcast, it's Seneca for now, so, not so mumbo-jumpo) (boy, I'm shameless!)
but "unreal" stories (eg fantasy) is not my cup of tea, unless supplied with a looooot of details (eg HP, LoTR). I too usually stick to fiction I can relate to. otoh, the true lovers of fiction read it to delve into diverse "realities"
And I too feel that sankoza over-generalizes here. but I confess that when absurdity of life hit, Harry Potter helped more than Albert Camus. and that it's knowledge porn at the end of the day. reminds me of neyawn's article where he says ki kitna bhi mein motivation porn likh dun aur tum padh lo, ussse kaddu kuch nahi hoga, agar mehnat nahi karoge (in better words ofc)
Sankoza,JhansiKiRanii
@ssver2 i second your opinion. Fiction is still okay, esp when it's short and relatable(like kafka, or our Upmanyu chatterjee). But philosophy drowns me into boredom. It feels like why is someone making a simple thing so complex(or maybe i don’t have the bandwidth to process all that). Nothing against philosophy or fiction, rather fiction writers are the conscience keeper of the society, but some people are just not cut out for it.Will also disagree with@Sankoza,all non fiction is not just opinion, esp if the work is well backed up by facts and documented history
err, no. I get where you are coming from. but I love both fiction & philosophy :p
(check out mypodcast, it's Seneca for now, so, not so mumbo-jumpo) (boy, I'm shameless!)
but "unreal" stories (eg fantasy) is not my cup of tea, unless supplied with a looooot of details (eg HP, LoTR). also I usually stick to fiction I can relate to. otoh, the true lovers of fiction read it to delve into diverse "realities"
And I too feel that sankoza over-generalizes here. but I confess that when absurdity of life hit, Harry Potter helped more than Albert Camus. and that it's knowledge porn at the end of the day. reminds me of neyawn's article where he says ki kitna bhi mein motivation porn likh dun aur tum padh lo, ussse kaddu kuch nahi hoga, agar mehnat nahi karoge (in better words ofc)
Totally agree with the point that nothing more motivational than the momentum gained through studying itself.
Albert Camus has been really helpful to me. Sisyphus is happy has stayed with me for a while now.
I need to try reading LoTR and HP as you recommended
ssver2,Sankoza@ssver2 i second your opinion. Fiction is still okay, esp when it's short and relatable(like kafka, or our Upmanyu chatterjee). But philosophy drowns me into boredom. It feels like why is someone making a simple thing so complex(or maybe i don’t have the bandwidth to process all that). Nothing against philosophy or fiction, rather fiction writers are the conscience keeper of the society, but some people are just not cut out for it.Will also disagree with@Sankoza,all non fiction is not just opinion, esp if the work is well backed up by facts and documented history
err, no. I get where you are coming from. but I love both fiction & philosophy :p
(check out mypodcast, it's Seneca for now, so, not so mumbo-jumpo) (boy, I'm shameless!)
but "unreal" stories (eg fantasy) is not my cup of tea, unless supplied with a looooot of details (eg HP, LoTR). also I usually stick to fiction I can relate to. otoh, the true lovers of fiction read it to delve into diverse "realities"
And I too feel that sankoza over-generalizes here. but I confess that when absurdity of life hit, Harry Potter helped more than Albert Camus. and that it's knowledge porn at the end of the day. reminds me of neyawn's article where he says ki kitna bhi mein motivation porn likh dun aur tum padh lo, ussse kaddu kuch nahi hoga, agar mehnat nahi karoge (in better words ofc)
Totally agree with the point that nothing more motivational than the momentum gained through studying itself.
Albert Camus has been really helpful to me. Sisyphus is happy has stayed with me for a while now.
I need to try reading LoTR and HP as you recommended
<3 One must imagine the Sisyphus LOL-ing :p
Sankoza,
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