CSE/IFS DAF: Filling it the logical way!

There is no right or wrong way to fill a DAF. The post tries to summarise my learnings in CSE/IFS journey with respect to DAF filling.

Starting with the first principle thinking

First principle thinking starts with the most basic questions regarding DAF and goals that one seeks to achieve from it.

1. A candidate's primary objective must be to provide the board with enough points in his/her DAF to ask questions from. Otherwise, Lesser the diversity in your DAF, more current affairs/generic questions you can expect in your interview.

2. Maximise the probability of questions being asked from your profile rather than generic/CA. Profile based questions can be prepared, current affairs are endless.

3. Third objective is to showcase that are well suited for the job. This has two components - General competence and Job specific competence.

Based on above objectives, we'll discuss various aspects of "DAF filling".

1. Hobbies - Theme based approach

I followed a "theme based approach" while filling my DAF. The approach calls for maintaining not more than 3 themes in your DAF. The most important advantage of the approach is that it makes your preparation well defined. Allow me to explain using my examples. I broadly followed 2 themes in my DAF - Startups and Aviation

1. Startups - Have raised over $1.5 million in 2 startups, Advisor for 2 startups, Ex-Venture capital, Panel members at multiple IIT/IIM entrepreneurship events.

2. Aviation - Aerospace Engineer from IITB, Aeromodelling Club Head at IITB, Worked on Key aviation project with other members being MD/CEO of largest Indian Airports/Airlines, Founded a startup on aviation analytics

3. Exams - IITB, CAT -99.9, GATE 14, IFS AIR 41, Top 50 in Olympiads etc. Decided not to mention this theme as it shows lack of consistency on my part. However, I mentioned this in my RBI Grade B interview and it worked in my favour.

Throughout my DAF, I had points related to above themes in my DAF. As expected, most of the questions were from the above themes.

Try to align your hobbies with education/position of reponsibility/work-ex as these are some things which are more or less fixed

2. Cadre Preferences

This is a pure Statistics and probability gameplay. There is only one suggestion here - don't fill preferences keeping in mind "what you want", also consider "what you can get". Last year, I did an analysis using Excel of 5-6 years vacancies and then filled the cadre preferences.

3. Tell me about yourself

Most fo the boards may ask you to introduce yourself. Although I didn't do this myself. A few of my friends did this and it helped them in their interviews.

Finish your introduction with a "wow element". Something that's not in the DAF. Something that captures their imagination instantaneously.

Conclusion

As I mentioned earlier, there is no right or wrong way to fill DAF. Adopt what you feel is relevant and useful for you. Ignore the rest.