The Preliminary Interview (PI) is essentially a panel interview where you will be grilled by a panel of ambassadors, heads of mission, and diplomats about anything and everything under the sun. Keep calm. You will only be given roughly 20 minutes so enjoy the ride because it's not every day that you get to chat with these people.
What basically happens is that after you pass the Qualifying Exam, the BFSE will send you instructions over the email. This set of instructions will include a CV that you need to fill up and send back to them--not over the internet but through mail.
The CV will include basic biographical data but the second part contains a set of essay questions that you need to answer. Be concise yet complete when you answer the essay part. Keep a copy of your answers and make sure to review them because you will be asked about your answers during the PI.
The BFSE will send you a copy of your interview schedule so make sure you will be at the venue an hour before your time slot. This will give you enough time to calm down, relax, and collect your thoughts.
When you arrive at the venue, you will be asked to register at a designated area before you will be led to a holding room with the other interviewees who are waiting for their turn. You will be called when it's nearly your turn to be interviewed.
When you're inside the interview room, make sure to greet the panel, sit down only when you are asked to, and answer all the questions in English. Do not stutter as much as you can. Be confident of your answers even if you really feel a tinge of doubt about them. You can't expect the panel to believe in you if you don't believe in yourself in the first place.
Finally, show up in a sharp business suit. This will make you look professional and put together. Business casual is okay but there's nothing like dressing up for the part that you want to play someday.
Oh, and don't forget to smile. It'll help you feel at ease.
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