Wear Your Confidence on Your Sleeve

Sezel Lalwani has graduated from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication with a Post Graduate Diploma in Radio and Television Journalism, 2013-14. Formerly she has done her triple major in Journalism, Psychology and English Literature from Christ University, Bangalore. Sezel Lalwani has also represented India at the Study of United States Institutes (SUSI) in New Media and Journalism at Oklahoma University. She is currently in the Digital Marketing team of HCL via Campus placement.

Let it be written or the interview, the confidence matters. In your writing, speaking and thinking. Right from how you are going to walk up to your examination centre, pick up that pen and write away to glory to waiting for your results (with a little anxiety of course) to when you shall walk for the interview and finally to the first day of college.

First things first, the entrance exam. Of course you would have gone through the last few years exam papers and realised that hey its all GK ! Well, it is General Knowledge but a good indepth one at that.

The thing is not about the questions, its all about what you write, your answers. Everyone reads the papers, are aware about what’s happening in the country and outside, but what makes you different is the opinions you hold. How deep do you understand the elections the country witnessed just now, how well aware are you of the FA Football Cup, what is happening on the economic front, international affairs and just about everything under the Sun.

Back your answers with examples, facts and incidents, this shows that you have very well understood the topic and are aware of its complete  know-hows.

There are choices. That’s the best part. You can choose what topic you know about amongst an array of others, but yes, choose wisely and I repeat write confidently, even if you aren’t too well aware with a particular answer, write all that you know in surety.

Keep the language crisp and to the point. Write only how much you are asked to write.

At the end of the day, the facts are going to remain as they are, to everyone, the difference is only in the way you put them across.

Now to the Interview, your confidence can walk you right through it. The way you present yourself, how you talk, and smile of course, and mainly how frank you are. If it means that you do not know a particular answer, say that you don’t, it’s any day better than goofing up, right?

Journalism interviews are ALL about mainly Politics. You MUST be completely aware about the political affairs of your state. I mean it, know it Inside out. Expect a definite question on this.

The PTC (Piece to Camera) for RTVians is the most crucial part. You’ll be given exactly a minute to speak on the camera on a topic of the interviewers’ choice. It’s usually about what they have already asked you. Here again, Content is King, but Confidence is the final decision maker. They will observe how you speak more than what you speak. So, be poised and show them your swag!

Get out there, and believe me there is no better place than IIMC for all the fun, learning and opportunities that await you!

Good Luck !