IIMC Entrance Interviews: The Final Frontier

My name is Shayak Majumder. I have studied English Journalism from IIMC Dhenkanal as a part of the 2012-2013 batch. Presently i am working as a reporter in Civil Society magazine. I am also an Assistant Editor in CampusHash.com 

For many, cracking the lionised written examinations is regarded as the gateway to the world of IIMC academia. Sadly, the journey is not over yet. The selected ones must traverse through the tricky IIMC interviews, which ultimately decide the final selections.

It is very easy to come out of an interview with flying colours, if one keeps in mind a few TO-Dos during their interviews. Here they are:-

1. Prepare the questions you couldn’t answer: After your written exam is over, make sure that you read up and collect enough information on all the questions you couldn’t answer on the test. Not only does this help build the much needed current affairs knowledge, it also sets you up in the right track of following current news and events, which will take a centre stage during the interview.

2. Read, Read, Read: The trickiest part of the interview round is that questions from any sphere of knowledge might be shot at you. So, you must strengthen your knowledge base as much as possible. Read newspapers and magazines on a regular basis. In interviews, the interviewees will mostly ask your opinion on certain issues and events. Reading up news editorials gives you enough information to formulate strong opinions.

3. Interview FAQs: Every interview starts with the question – “Tell us something about yourself.” Prepare a good answer beforehand, that gives all the important information about yourself in a nutshell. Make sure you mention your outstanding achievements, but don’t get too boastful. Interviewees may ask you questions regarding your birthplace and/or current place of living. So make sure you get the immediate facts about your locality/town’s politics, governance, specialities and other facts ready.

Another question that does the round is– “Why do you want to pursue journalism as a career?” You would probably face this question even after your IIMC classes start, all the way to the placement sessions. So, answer honestly, reflecting upon your passion for the profession of journalism. Also try to talk about any journalistic work you have engaged into so far.

Students of journalism may face the question – “You have already graduated with journalism as your subject. Why do you want to study further on journalism? Why not pick a different field of study?” Again, answer honestly; the interviewees must clearly understand why you want to pursue journalism from IIMC and what importance it holds for you.

4. If you don’t know the answer, just say it: It is impossible for a human mind to know everything happening all over the world. So, you might just come across a question which you cannot answer. Don’t make up an answer! Be polite and simply say that you don’t know the answer of the question.

5. Dress well: A formal dress-up is heavily advised. You are about to step into a professional course, so it is crucial that you look the part. As they say, the first impression is the last impression – your attire makes up 50% of your first impression.  Also, it gives you a much needed confidence boost once you enter the interview room looking your formal best.

Guys, try to put on a good formal tie that goes well with the shirt. Works wonders, trust me.

Girls, be it a shirt or a salwar-kameez, a formal wear will surely bring your smart, confident self out.

6. Be confident and showcase your soft skills: You will be interviewed by a panel of interviewees. Some will ask the questions, while some will keep an eye on your body language, spoken skills and confidence level. So be confident. Maintain eye contact with all the interviewees while answering the questions. Speak fluently in an average yet audible volume. Don’t speak out too loud or too low. Don’t get into a quarrel with the interviewees under any circumstances. Remember, the interview rounds don’t only check your knowledge but also your soft skills.

7. Relax, smile more often: You wouldn’t like to talk to a person who sits like a stiff cardboard, would you? Same goes with the interviewees. They would also like to converse with a relaxed person who is enjoying the conversation as much. A smile helps brighten up the situation and almost always is received as a positive sign of confidence. Don’t think of the interviews as some unbreakable juggernaut. Take it easy. It’s simply a round of talks that involves a few questions and discussions.

IIMC interviews are not hard to crack. Just be confident in yourself and your abilities. Don’t get tensed up too much before the interviews and am sure the entire process will be a breeze.

A time full of grand learning and experience lies ahead of you, just beyond the final frontiers of interviews. So give it your best and success will surely follow.

Best of Luck!!!