Struggling with English Fluency for IAS: Is a BPO Job the Right Step to Boost Confidence?

I am new to this forum, and this is my first post here. I need some help from dear senior members with my plan to become fluent in English speaking.

About Myself

I had my schooling in a Hindi-medium school in UP. English was my second language until I entered an engineering institute. Since then, English has been my medium of learning for the last six years. By the time I finished college, Civil Services (IAS) was my goal. I came to New Delhi, attempted the exam in English, and reached the interview stage. However, during the interview, in the presence of experienced bureaucrats and experts, I found myself stammering, which made me anxious and eventually very nervous. The experience was not what I expected, and neither was the final result. Now, I am preparing for my second attempt and about to take the pre-interview stage (Mains) examination scheduled for this coming October.

Reflecting on my last year's interview preparation, I realized I didn't pay enough attention to my language skills, assuming knowledge and factual information alone would suffice. However, fluency in language is essential for smooth communication.

Current Efforts to Improve English

To improve my English comprehensibility, I have been reading 'The Hindu' newspaper for over ten months as part of my exam preparation and maintaining a vocabulary list.

Now, here's the challenge: I live alone in New Delhi and don't have many opportunities to converse in English. While I have a few friends, they are similar to me or not keen on investing time in this endeavor.

I believe what I need is ample practice speaking in English. I considered joining coaching classes or groups for conversational exercises, but they all charge significant fees, which is challenging as I am currently unemployed and tight on money.

Additionally, I feel more confident conversing in English with strangers who don't know me rather than with acquaintances, perhaps due to a fear of judgment.

Proposed Solution

My proposed solution to this problem involves considering joining a BPO/Call center post-October for two months. This would provide me with opportunities to converse in English regularly, along with a source of income. However, I am aware that BPO companies often prefer individuals from convent-educated metropolitan backgrounds.

My positive attributes for such a role, although potentially irrelevant, include my graduation in computer science from a premier institute, good knowledge of current affairs and economic issues, and a neutral accent.

Questions

1. How can I impress BPO/call center recruiters to hire me?
2. Is joining a BPO job a sensible idea to gain confidence in English?

Thank you for your consideration and time.

Regards,
HK

At the outset, I admire your grit and determination. I also salute you for the clarity you have towards your life goal. Clearly, you've highlighted an inherent weakness which you believe is holding you back from achieving your life goal. What impresses me the most is that instead of explaining it away with excuses and blaming others, you've accepted responsibility and made yourself accountable to yourself.

You've exhibited these traits: Initiative, Accountability, Responsibility, Future Vision, Clarity of Purpose, Clarity of Process, and above all - a Deep-Seated Yearning to Know What You Don't!

My friend, I want you to understand that as disappointing as your today may appear to you, the traits I've mentioned above are what we collectively label - Leadership!

Don't underestimate yourself! Not even for a moment! Your mind and your heart are in sync with each other. You know where you want to be and you've almost identified what's holding you from getting there. And, you are prepared to Do Whatever It Takes!

That's the key - Do Whatever It Takes! Most of us only do the bare minimum that is required but gorilla beat our chests as if we've conquered the moon!

You are different. And I want you to know that.

By all means, join the BPO job. How can it hurt you? Think about it - instead of paying some coaching institute for speaking in English, you'll be getting paid to speak in English while learning other life skills to add to your already impressive list.

But, make sure you remember that for you, the BPO job is NOT an end in itself. Instead, it's a MEANS to your Life Goal - The Civil Services. Treat the BPO job accordingly and don't get sucked into the vortex of money, lifestyle, glitz, etc... Remember, this job will only be a vehicle to launch you over the final hurdle between you and The Civil Services!

Always keep your focus on Your Life Goal!

All the Best and Go Get Them!

Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate your encouragement. Once I finish my written exams in October, I will start searching for BPO jobs. As I mentioned in the previous note, I'm a little concerned about my occasional stammering and lack of fluency with language. I'm not sure how I can substitute these drawbacks of mine with other possible plus points.

Thanks for the reply.

Regards,
HK

Dealing with Stammering and Lack of Fluency in Language

1. Speak slowly.

2. Finish each word. This means making sure you pronounce the first and last letter of each word completely. Avoid speaking like many of us Indians who only articulate the first and last word of each sentence without pausing, as if their house is on fire and they have only a nanosecond to reach it.

3. If you do nothing else but focus on the above two points for about 30 minutes in front of a mirror each day (it doesn't have to be done all at once—10 minutes at a time is sufficient), you will notice a marked difference in your fluency and stammering within 45 to 60 days.

4. When you stand in front of a mirror, read your exam books, English newspapers, magazines—anything. It doesn't matter what you read, as long as it's in grammatically correct English.

5. I cannot stress enough how important it is to actually enunciate the first and last letter of every word clearly.

6. This practice allows the tongue enough time to reset itself for the next word.

7. Speaking clearly also prevents your mind from racing ahead like a speeding train while you're still on the platform wondering what's happening!

Remember—those who speak slowly are often perceived as sophisticated, knowledgeable, and in control of the situation.

When someone asks you a question, resist the impulse to blurt out the answer at Usain Bolt's sprint pace. Take a 2 or 3-second pause, clear your throat, and apply suggestions 1, 2, and 4.

You'll be great!

Good luck!

Thank you for writing such an explicit help. It really means a lot to me. When I wrote down my queries at first, I never expected this much elaborated reply. But you showed me the way.

Thank you very much for all your effort.

With regards,
HK

I would like to appreciate you for your sincere effort in writing down your problem with crystal clear meaning. I really felt good when I saw your post and the answer given by Gaurav. Hats off to you. Keep up the good work!

I completely agree with Gaurav's suggestion. Speaking in front of the mirror is the best option to improve communication skills. One more thing I would like to add on - when you say something in Hindi, always try to convert that into English as well. When you start doing that, it will give you fluency, and I believe that's what you want.

All the best and do well.