MB#19: 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝘽𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙇𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 𝙁𝙤𝙧: 𝙈𝙮 𝙁𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧'𝙨 𝙂𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨.
- www.suryanarayana.com
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
[MemoirBlogthon #19] In 1991, my father served as a committee member for public sector bank interviews. He never spoke of it, but I discovered his handwritten journal—a meticulous, eight-page guide on what interviewers truly expect from a candidate. Covering everything from body language ("Don't put hands on the table") to communication ("Admit when you don't recall the answer"), this journal is a timeless ethical blueprint for professional success. While I never took the banking job, these principles have guided my client interactions for decades, proving that the foundation of success is always dignified conduct and honest preparation.
Interview Playbook to Approach, Personality, and Preparation—A Guide to Landing a Job
My father, Er. S.S. Sastry, was invited multiple times in 1991 to serve as a committee member for conducting interviews for personnel recruitment in public sector banks by the Banking Service Recruitment Board (BSRB). He never disclosed this work, upholding the principle of maintaining strict confidentiality.
Years later, while browsing through his papers, I found the official letter of nomination from the BSRB secretary and my father's handwritten reply of consent. More importantly, I discovered an eight-page handwritten journal outlining his expectations of candidates—a philosophical and ethical guide to facing an interview board.
This journal is a timeless primer for professional success, regardless of whether the interview is physical or virtual. It is a testament to the belief that the winning solution lies in preparation and ethical conduct.
The Interviewer's Expectations: A Guide from the Inside
My father’s journal covered everything from entry to exit, forming a comprehensive "Interview Playbook" based on his expertise as an interviewer.
### Appearance and Body Language (Approach & Personality)
The first impression determined the rest of the interview. His advice was detailed and highly practical:
Approach: Come in a dignified way; sit erect; appear pleasant; look straight into the eyes of the interviewer, not sideways. Say "May I come in?" and "Thank you, sir" (or madam).
Dress: Avoid casual attire like jeans or flower shirts. Wear simple, pleasant-colored clothing that suits your complexion and the climate. Avoid excessive ornaments or silk sarees for ladies.
Demeanor: Maintain a pleasing smile. Avoid nail-biting, swinging legs or hands, and chewing gum. Sit freely, but do not put your hands on the table.
Communication and Content (Behavior & Dealing with the Board)
The guide emphasized honesty, clarity, and attentiveness over trying to bluff the expert panel:
Answering: Provide straight answers and natural replies. Do not rush to answer, but don't delay abnormally. Listen carefully and understand the question before responding intelligently.
Admitting Ignorance: If you don't know the answer, say "I am sorry" or accept your ignorance; do not bluff.
Interactions: Avoid giving compliments like "That is a solid question." Never argue with or interrupt the interviewer. If a question is unclear, request a repeat, using phrases like "I beg your pardon" or "Excuse me," but don't do this many times.
Focus: Provide a direct answer that is clear and natural, and avoid bringing in unwanted points that might provoke further, unknown questions.
Strategic Preparation (Certificates & Employer Knowledge)
My father stressed that an interview is a presentation of your best self, backed by evidence:
Certifications: Keep all originals and photocopies in a neat folder, arranged chronologically. Be ready to show them instantly. Show special credentials (like in games or extracurriculars) even if not explicitly asked, as they may convince the members to select you.
Employer Knowledge: Know the company or organization well. Be ready to articulate clearly how the job is suitable for you and why you want to make a career change (if applicable).
A Timeless Legacy
My last employment was from 1991 to 1995, and I later moved into my current profession as a practicing company secretary, so I never got to use these techniques in a banking job interview. However, the principles of dignified conduct, ethical honesty, and meticulous preparation have guided my approach to prospective and existing clients for over three decades.
This orientation is a winning solution for anyone attending any sort of interview. The crucial contrast is that these principles, written by a government engineer based on his experience on a high-stakes interview board, are highly valued even today. While the format has changed to virtual interviews, the advice is useful for generations, irrespective of their age or career stage.
I understood that my father used to make photocopies of this manuscript to hand over to those who sought his help, a final act of mentorship. What I learned here is the ethical "why": that successful conduct in any life situation is rooted in respect, preparation, and a sincere, unvarnished presentation of oneself.
MB#19: Quiz
MB#19 Question: What subject did the father's meticulous, eight-page handwritten journal cover?
A. Engineering project management.
B. Interview expectations for bank candidates.
C. Public sector budgeting.
D. The history of banking in India.
MB#19: Quote