Stop Freaking Out

Isha Jalan passed out of English Journalism from IIMC, New Delhi, in 2013. She works as a sub-editor with Hindustan Times, Chandigarh. When she’s not working long night shifts and sleeping, she likes to make do-it-yourselves (DIYs).

Isha is Vice-President of Punjab-Haryana-Himachal Chapter of IIMC Alumni Association.

First off, congratulations for making it to the interview round. Now, if you eat, sleep and drink news and social media, enjoy reading and writing, and are any or all types of crazy, you fit the bill for IIMC.

Here are a few suggestions to help you reach that beautiful campus in JNU.

Stop freaking out: Firstly, stop freaking out. It’s just an interview. You made it till here. Pat yourself for it, and be confident. Also, a lot of English journalism aspirants are not sure if they would have a GD. In 2012, we directly had interviews. No GD. So, be prepared in case that happens.

Read magazines: Eat, sleep and drink news magazines (and of course papers, but for last-minute preparation, magazines can do wonders) for last-minute revision.

If politics is not your strong point, don’t worry: If you are not passionate about politics as you are about other things such as sports or fashion, don’t worry. Journalism is a wide field and there is space for everyone here. Of course, being up-to date with current affairs is necessary, but, at the same time, if you like other thing, don’t shy away from talking about them in your interview.

Show off: A little show off never killed anybody. If you don’t tell the interviewers what all you have done in the past, how would they know what you are capable of? So make sure you mention about that internship you did a year ago, which you otherwise thought was useless. Also, if you have any kind of published work, get it all with you and proudly share it with them.

Wear formals: During my time, not many people - especially girls - wore formals to the interview, except me. It made me stand out and worked in my favour. So, I’d suggest you to wear formals. Buy yourself a full-sleeved shirt to go with crisply ironed pants and hair neatly tied in a pony. Also, don’t forget the smile! Nobody likes talking to an expressionless face.

Prepare answers: Prepare answers to questions that you are expecting. Why do you want to get into journalism? Why did you choose journalism over AD/PR or vice versa? If you have work experience, why do you want to study when you can work? These are only a few. Think of more and be ready with the answers.

Make points: Give pointers wherever possible. They any day read better over your three-page long essays. Also, it is very important to stick to the word limit. If you have a 10-mark question, do not write more than a page. There is no competition to fill maximum sheets here.

Take notes: If you, like me, are not blessed with a great memory, make sure to jot down notes. Scribble whatever you read and read it when you are on your way to the college.

Outstation students, don’t worry: Getting thoughts such as, ‘Would Delhites get preference over me?” if you are an outstation student are common. However, I can assure you that if you are deserving, you will get through. Quick fact: Around 70 % of my classmates were not from Delhi.

And lastly, don’t be heartbroken if you don’t get through. A year later, you will be in the same, if not better, position if you work at a media house instead, as would be your IIMC friends.

Go break a leg!