Many candidates, especially fresh graduates, often feel nervous about facing a viva voce or oral examination. I've received questions on how to prepare, so I'm sharing what I've learned from personal experience. I hope this simple guide will be helpful for others preparing to enter the professional world, particularly in the power sector of Bangladesh.
- Challenge: Responding naturally and confidently in a new environment or during your first introduction.
- Guidance: Speak humbly. Be confident, but not boastful.
- Five steps: self-introduction, follow-up questions, the organization, the nation, and your departmental basics.
- It's okay to say "I don't know", but never give a wrong answer.
✅ Step 1: Self-Introduction – Your First Impression Matters
Begin with your introduction. If not asked to speak in English, you may speak in Bangla. Include:
- Your name
- District or hometown
- Education background
- Current activities (job prep, training, or research)
⏱️ Keep it short, ideally 1 to 1.5 minutes.
🎯 If needed, mention a hobby or area of interest.
🚫 Avoid mentioning your family unless asked.
In my BPDB viva, I was asked to introduce myself in English, so I did. For BREB, I was told to talk "about yourself", so I introduced myself in Bangla.
✅ Step 2: Be Prepared for Follow-Up Questions
A good introduction leads to relevant follow-up questions, such as:
| Your introduction mentions | Possible follow-up |
|---|---|
| Your name | The meaning of your name, or whether it's similar to any historical figures |
| Your district | Any specialty of your district |
| Your university | Key facts about your university (especially if it's named after a national icon) |
✅ Step 3: Know About the Organization
Before your interview, visit the organization's website and gather:
- Overview of the organization
- Power plants, projects, or office locations
- Vision, mission, or management details
📌 Links for major organizations are provided at the end of this post.
✅ Step 4: Know the Nation
Some topics are essential for any government or public sector viva:
- Liberation War history
- Bir Shreshtha (war heroes)
- Language Movement
- Prime Minister & his party's iconic figure and activity
- Basic facts about Bangladesh (area, districts, bordering countries)
❗ Ignorance in these areas may be seen as unacceptable. Be mentally prepared to answer briefly and correctly.
✅ Step 5: Departmental Knowledge – Know Your Basics
If you're from a technical background (e.g., Electrical Engineering), some basics are non-negotiable.
It's okay to say "I don't know." But don't give wrong answers. That harms credibility.
You must know
| Area | Topics |
|---|---|
| Circuit basics | Current, Resistance Capacitor and Inductor behavior in AC/DC Resonance (RLC) |
| Power concepts | Power Factor Active & Reactive Power Diversity Factor, Plant Factor, Load Factor and their importance |
| Transformer | Transformer oil (name, purpose) Short circuit vs. open circuit test losses Buchholz relay (fault detection) ONAF, ONAN, AFOF cooling methods Tap changer: what it is and where it's found Breather function |
| Machines | Synchronous vs. Induction motor: basic working principle and differences Synchronous Generator |
✅ Bonus Tips – Go Beyond the Basics
Extra knowledge often helps:
- Power substation protection equipment & single-line diagram
- Quick rental and captive power plant
- Combined cycle power plant
- Step and touch potential (important for safety)
These show you're serious and well-informed.
🙌 Final Words
Viva preparation is not about memorizing answers. It's about:
- Knowing yourself
- Being aware of your surroundings
- Understanding your profession
- Staying calm under pressure
Good luck to everyone. You've got this!
🔗 Official Power Sector Resources in Bangladesh
🔌 Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB)
- Overview
- Vision & Mission
- BPDB Portal – At a Glance
- BPDB Generation System – Main Site
- BPDB Generation System – Portal Version
- Live Generation Data (MIS)
⚙️ Transmission
💡 Distribution
🔥 Generation Companies
- APSCL Overview
- APSCL Generation
- EGCB Overview
- NWPGCL Overview
- NWPGCL Projects
- BR PowerGen Overview
- RPCL Overview
- RPCL Projects
- RPCL-Norinco Overview
- BCPCL Overview
- BIFPCL Website
- CPGCBL Overview
🌱 Renewable Energy & Sustainability
🏛️ Government & Policy
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How long should my self-introduction be?
Keep it short, ideally 1 to 1.5 minutes: name, district or hometown, education background, and current activities.
Q: What if I don't know the answer to a question?
It's okay to say "I don't know." But don't give wrong answers, because that harms your credibility.
Q: Should I speak English or Bangla in the viva?
If you are not asked to speak in English, you may speak in Bangla. In my BPDB viva I was asked to introduce myself in English; for BREB I was asked to talk "about yourself" and used Bangla.
Thank you for visiting my blog.