Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 9/28/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi sir,
Today I faced Indian army interview,it was good but one thing i m concerned about is that I told my hobbies as listening english rock music and surfing on net.I think that this is not the answer that i should have given to them.I want to know that what kind of hobbies should I told so that my selection chances would have increased.
Thank You

ANSWER: Shantanu,
Intereszing name, like the king huh?

You did nothing wrong by telling the truth.  Many foreigners learn English by listening to the music and watching TV.  I believe your answer was correct.

सौभाग्य
Colonel H

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ya I told the truth,but i think they dont select people with these kind of idle activities.Plz tell me that next time what should i tell my hobbies so that I can be selected...
I wonder how come u know hindi and how do you know that Shantanu was the name of a king??

Answer
Shantanu,
You cannot tell what the individual board members may wish to hear, so you can always "invent" a hobby if you like.  Just be careful you don't pick one that a board member does himself.  I still think you did correctly.

I have a Ph.D. in history so I know a lot of this stuff.  Plus I know many "foreign" languages.
In college, my speciality was Far Eastern history.

Please write and let me know if you were accepted.

हार्दिक शुभकामना
  Colonel H