SSB Interview Questions and Answers
I Don’t Have a Hobby: What Should Be the Answer?
This point has been discussed in detail in the previous chapter. What is meant by hobby is a particular type of activity performed during spare time which is quite constructive in nature. The hobby is an active pursuit. Watching and listening (radio/tv etc) might be a favorite pastime however, these are passive. In a real sense hobby is ‘doing something’. The presumption is that a person with some hobbies knows how to utilize constructively. With good and fun-filled hobbies you stay immune from stress.
However, this is also a fact that hardly any spare time is available to children especially the urban those who are burdened with academics, non-academic activities, and pre-entrance coaching schedule. IOs today realize this more than anyone else. Still, they ask this question.
If you could not cultivate an active hobby, it is still fine to admit so rather than trying to give an answer just to match the expectation of the IO. Mind you before accepting your answer, he will certainly verify your answer with a lot of questions regarding its details, advantages, cost involved, clubs or associations involved with it, etc. You might face serious embarrassment if an answer is not truthful.
What Should Be the Answer to ‘Why Do You Want to Join Armed Forces’?
The IO asks this question to almost everyone and maximum times directly. Actually, this question pertains to the candidate’s motivation. And again there cannot be any standard answer ‘coz everyone has a different reason; justified by his or her own personal logic and circumstances.
If you value a career of a job, you will be ready to suffer and endure the hardships of professional hazards. You will experience greater job satisfaction in comparison to those who have no serious attachment to the job.
A professional life in the armed forces is full of risks and discomforts. Only a serious and motivated person can be happy in hard conditions. People with
feeble motivation will soon get tired of hardships and seek to get out soon. And that’s why services will probe the reasons for joining the forces rather seriously.
There is no standard answer as to why must you love or value a job. People might have varied reasons. Some of the possible reasons are-
- - Quick selection results in comparison to entry into civil jobs.
- - Job stability.
- - Decent salary and good perks.
- - Good lifestyle.
- - Opportunity to see and visit many places.
- - Clean working environment.
- - No public dealing and hence no pressure from unscrupulous elements.
- - Health
- - Cosmopolitan culture.
- The above-mentioned reasons would come from a person who has evaluated the prospects of being in the armed forces well. However, a lot of us simply fancy the armed forces. They don’t invest any serious thought. There could be three reasons behind such a situation-
- - Getting fancied by the smart gait of a military man.
- - Influence of peer group (maybe after a friend got selected)
- - Dream of parents and ideal worship!
It is expected that the choice of a career is a serious pursuit. A prudent choice comes after seriously evaluating the various aspects. Choice of career has to be based on dual considerations. Firstly, the career must suit the circumstances and conditions that govern a person. I have seen many cases where people seek home postings more than once to ‘attend to certain responsibilities’. Services might not find it feasible to keep you near your home beyond a certain period. In extreme cases this might not be feasible at all! Such people lose the charm of their military careers soon. Secondly, the person too should be suitable for the career in terms of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and personality profile demanded by the career.
Once a person chooses a career or a stream, he seeks some information gathers facts, learns the desirable qualities, and modifies his behavior (habits, routine, etc) to prove his suitability. Whatever is the reason you offer to the io will be subjected to a lot of questions to ascertain how truthful you are and with what seriousness you are appearing at SSBs.
Gone are the days when people used to cite patriotism and the will to sacrifice life for the nation as the main motivation to join the armed forces. The idealist personality is being replaced by a realistic personality notwithstanding the fact that some sense of idealism or commitment to higher values is an essential drive force in the armed forces. Material reason (gains in material terms like- pay & perks) today more genuine than idealism.
All I wish to advise you that please have your own reasons for your choice.
