WAYS TO PASS THE PUBLIC SERVICE RECRUITMENT SECRETARIAT (PSRS) INTERVIEW
The PSRS interview process is conducted in three main stages:
- Written Interview (Screening Stage)
- Practical Interview – for some specific professions
- Oral Interview (Face-to-Face Interview)
1. WRITTEN INTERVIEW (SCREENING STAGE)
This interview is conducted for all candidates who meet the initial qualifications stated in the job advert. As the name suggests, the screening interview aims to reduce the number of applicants by selecting the best.
The questions are generally not specific, so you must study broadly within your professional area. You might ask yourself, “How can I study everything in just two weeks?” It’s possible if you do the following:
- You already have basic knowledge of your field – that gives you a head start.
- Research the institution you’ve been called to interview with – understand what it does.
- Review past papers from your college or university.
- Look for sample questions from previous PSRS interviews – even if they’re from a different profession – to understand the format.
- Read the job description in the job advert thoroughly and create potential interview questions from it. You can even use ChatGPT or someone else to convert those descriptions into multiple choice or interview questions for practice.
COMMON FORMAT OF THE WRITTEN INTERVIEW:
- Questions are usually Multiple Choice
- There are typically 40 – 50 questions
- Time allotted is 40 – 45 minutes
- Language is English
- The test may be handwritten or online (Aptitude Test) – both formats serve the same purpose
2. PRACTICAL INTERVIEW
This stage applies only to a few professional fields, for example: health workers or drivers. In this part, prepare to demonstrate your ability to perform tasks you would typically do at work. Also, review professional laws and codes of conduct related to your field.
- Focus on the basic and most common tasks.
- Research the institution to understand its services and equipment.
- For example, if you know the facility doesn’t have a GeneXpert machine for TB testing, then don’t waste time studying it.
- Know exactly what the institution deals with.
Remember: By this stage, the number of candidates has already been significantly reduced. In some cases, it may be 9 candidates per position, depending on the institution.
3. ORAL INTERVIEW (FACE-TO-FACE)
This is a very important stage, and you should feel proud for reaching it. Here's why:
- You now have a 50/50 chance of getting the job
- If you score 50 marks or more, your name remains in the recruitment database for one year – if new vacancies arise, you may be contacted directly
- Most of the questions asked at this stage are well-known and predictable
INTERVIEW FORMAT:
- You will be asked 7 questions
- The language of the interview is English
- The interview panel usually consists of 7 members
- The duration is about 15 minutes
- The question "Tell me about yourself" is always asked, even if phrased differently
TECHNIQUE
- Read the job advert thoroughly, and turn every job description point into a potential interview question and prepare for it. About 80% of oral interview questions come directly from the job description in the advert.
- Prepare to answer the question “TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF” – visit the AjiraCoach Platform to learn how to answer it well. This is the most important question of all. You could answer every other question correctly but still fail if you mess up this one. If you answer it well, even if you get other questions wrong, you still have a strong chance of passing.
- Speak in a clear, audible voice
- Greet the panel members politely, even if you are older than them
- Do not sit down unless you are invited to, even if a chair is placed in front of you
- Dress appropriately and neatly – your appearance should not offend or distract the interviewers
- The outcome of the oral interview often depends on both the panel and your attitude – compassion can sometimes work in your favor
BONYEZA HAPA KUSOMA KWA KISWAHILI
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