Preparing for SBI Associate Bank Clerk Interviews [Topics & Tips]

State Bank of India recently announced the written test results which was conducted as part of clerks recruitment in its associate banks.While being elated, candidates are equally concerned about preparing for SBI interviews. Since this is the final step leading to appointment in India’s largest banking group, stakes are high.

 

To help those aspirants getting ready for sbi associate bank interviews, here are some important tips & topics for preparations.

 

Under each section, we have provided some model common interview questions that would enable you to think & prepare a realistic answer during practice.

 

Know the Bank

It is always wise to research about your employer before heading for an interview session.Based on the bank you applied for, visit their website & read ‘About us’ section as they contain history, promoters & management.

 

Since this recruitment is in 5 sbi associate bank the direct links to profile page of each are: About state Bank of mysore, about State Bank of Travancore, about State Bank of Patiala, about State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur & about State Bank of Hyderabad.

 

Tip: Note down the important events, dates & names in a paper so can you go through easily at the final hour.

 

Current Affairs

How interested are you in knowing about the daily happenings would be tested.This is primarily done by questioning on important latest events including banking & finance news.

 

Newspapers are the best source of such info.So dont forget to read english papers till your interview day.

 

With new facilities being introduced by SBI its necessary for you to have some knowledge about them.The panel will also be impressed.

 

Few SBI oriented news items this week were

* What is ‘Mobicash Easy’? It is a mobile wallet service introduced by State bank of India in Mumbai & Delhi from Jan 1, 2013 that allows customers to transfer funds & make bill payments through mobile phones * Online approvals for home loans are to be started soon by SBI * The name of SBI mobile banking service is ‘State bank Freedom’ which currently has 54 lakh users. * The Banking laws bill was passed this December in parliament paving way for new private banks.It also awards more powers to RBI.

 

Books

For all those who are looking to get somekind of reference materials can make use of these books to prepare for SBI clerk interviews.

 

* Bank Interview Guide (with 20 mocks) – Rs.119 – Buy online  * Banking Awareness (for definitions used in indian banks) – Rs.138 – Buy online

 

Know the Job

Like in this SBI clerk interview experience shared by one of our reader you may have to encounter questions related to banking terms.So be very thorough of terminologies as they form part of all bank interviews.

 

Since all candidates would have prepared for banking awareness paper in IBPS CWE, it wont be difficult to go through the same books again.

 

Samples:

What is demand draft?

Why are cheques crossed? (A: to make it a/c payable)

What changes were made recently to cheques? (A: CTS implementation)

 

Tip: Do you know the responsibilities of clerical employees? If not, then also consider reading job profile of bank clerks 

 

Know You

Nomatter what post, interviews start from ‘Tell me about yourself’.So prepare an answer that covers your studies, interests, experience (if any) etc.

Rather than reciting everything from your resume pick out points that are worth mentioning (checkout tips to answer tell me about yourself)

BE/Btech/Msc & other PG degree holders can also face yet another q – ‘Why did you choose bank job?’.

Since the reasons are best known to you, come up with an answer which is both realistic & convincing.(See how to answer why you chose banking)

Tip: Avoid replying ‘My childhood dream was to work in bank’, ‘My ambition was to become bank officer’, ‘I am not interested but my parents sent me here’.

8 Top Questions You Should Prepare For Bank Interviews

Common banking test may be a one time exercise but the selection gets over only after each bank completes its interview proceedings.So candidates have to prepare for every bank interview just like preparing for exams earlier.It is not always easy to read the minds of panelists. 

 

Due to this personal interview sessions always tend to create panic among young people.But by being bold & ready to encounter any type of question with confidence, it is possible to keep fear at bay.

• Questions to prepare
• Books to refer

have been explained here to help those CWE passouts understand the strategy.

 

Procedure & Marks

From the applications received, candidates will be shortlisted for interview stage based on their CWE scores and no. of vacancies.From 2013 onwards, common interviews for banking jobs are to be introduced.

 

It shall be conducted for 100 or 50 marks & the minimum marks to qualify for final selection shall be 40-50%. But for you to compete with others, securing the max. score is important, which can be attained by proper preparations.

 

What to Prepare

Although, predicting exact questions is not possible, there are certain topics that are sure to be touched by the panelists during an interview for bank posts. 

1. Personal details

This will be the first section wherein you are asked about your family, education etc., Normally the question is like ‘Tell us about yourself’.   Start with a short introduction about family background & move on to highlight your skills & achievements or college projects. (checkout how to answer tell me about yourself)

 

2. Study your resume/ biodata

The biodata or resume carries great importance as its the official document about you. As bulk of the questions would revolve around the data you provide, pay attention while filling the form given at the interview venue.

 

Get familiar with what you have written so as to avoid giving wrong answers.

 

3. Banking knowledge

Applying for a bank job & don't know what is a term loan?The chances of you making it to the final list would only get distant.There are roughly about 100-130 regularly used words in banking & financial sector.   There is no alternative apart from memorizing those terminologies but it isn't that hard since banking awareness is a section of the common bank exam.   Rather than relying only on websites,you can also purchase some books that provides detailed explanations.

 

4. Latest news

‘What is the current repo rate’, ‘Who is the chief of Asian development bank’ – answers to these would be known only if you read newspapers everyday.

 

Not limited only to economy, you could also encounter questions about national events such as the recent satellite launch, location of asia`s largest solar park etc.,

 

G.K books may help for historical data but newspapers & news channels are your only source for latest happenings.

 

5. Know your state

Public banks are now demanding applicants for clerical posts to posses proficiency in local language of the state.   In addition to testing your language skills, expect queries on the no. of districts in your state, names of ministers,governor or about a place of importance.   These questions need not necessarily test your knowledge but enables the interviewer to deduce your communication skills.

 

6. Know about the organization

Few questions on history, performance, awards or chairman/MD of the bank could be asked to gauge your level of preparation & interest in taking up the job.

 

Visit the bank`s website, look for a section ‘About us’ under which all the info ranging from mission, vision to previous year`s financial results will be available.

 

7. Know yourself

Now comes the real part, where you need to talk more.What could you be questioned on? What are your strengths & weaknesses? What is your biggest achievement? How can you be useful to our bank? Answering these can get tough if you have not though about this in advance.   Responses like ‘My biggest strength is working hard’ & ‘Short temper is my weakness’ will only send wrong signals to the interviewing panel.Don't sound too vague or object of ridicule.   While officer post requires managerial & team building skills, clerical employees are required to have good customer handling capabilities.   Understand the job profile & frame answers that could bring these qualities to the fore.

 

8. Why bank job?

Are you applying for entry level posts in banks with BE/MBA/MCA degrees? If yes, either of the following questions could be heading your way

• Why are you applying for banks with technical degree
• Are`nt you overqualified for PO/ clerk position

The best answer here shall be the real reason which pushed you to write CWE & apply for bank jobs.Try to come up with a reply that would convince the panel.

 

Checkout our previous post - How to answer why you chose bank jobs to read on what to say in detail.

 

Books

While some may feel books for bank interviews are not required, its always best to have some kind of reference so you could chart out a plan.

* Interviews for IBPS qualified (with mock sessions) – Rs.110 – Buy online * Banking Terms & Glossary – Rs.95 – Buy online

 

These are the 8 sure shot questions that you need to prepare for cracking the next bank interview!!

SBI Clerk Interview Experience [Candidate Shares Questions]

Interviews are conducted not only to assess your subject knowledge but also to measure an individual’s capacity to tackle situations. ‘I performed well but am not qualified is one’ – is one question candidates often ask us. But the truth is, there is no readymade formula to answer interview questions & especially in bank jobs where competition is high – every miniscule error can pull your marks down.

 

‘Then how can one prepare for bank interviews’ will be your next thought.

 

By reading through experiences of others you shall get familiar about the environment, common interview questions and their responses. So is why we are publishing one such session today.

Mr.Nellai mathivel, one of BankExamsIndia.com`s regular reader sent his SBI clerk interview experience held recently for other aspirants to benefit.

My interview was on September 4th at Madurai, Tamilnadu.In the panel there were are 4 members (including 1 lady)

On entering the room, I said ‘Good morning’ after which the interview started right away. The 1st question was from my subject (B.Com) itself

 

Q: What is the difference between trail balance & balance sheet? A: Trail balance is just a rough balance made to check for any clerical mistake but a balance sheet reveals the company`s position in financial aspects. Q: Can we know the profits of a company from its balance sheet? A: No.Profit or loss of a company cant be known through their balance sheet but capital break-up can be found. Q: What is bank rate & repo rate.How both differ? A: Bank rate is rate of interest levied on long term loan obtained by commercial banks from RBI while repo rate is the rate of interest levied on short term loans. Q. What is SLR & CRR? How SLR differs from CRR? A: SLR is statutory liquidity ratio which is currently 23% that is banks must maintain 23%  of their balances as gold or securities.   CRR is Cash Reserve Ratio.It is presently 4.75% which means 4.75% of the funds should be maintained with RBI by banks.   The main difference is SLR can be kept in banks, CRR has to be parked with RBI. Q: Do you often visit banks? A: Yes Q: In every bank, why does probationary officer verifies a transaction after entered by clerk? A: This is to reduce any possibility of errors Finally, all the members wish me ‘all the best’.I acknowledge them by saying ‘thanks’ & leave the room.

 

For more such shares, see bank interview preparations & real interview experiences

‘How can you compete with others’ [BOB Interview Experience]

Okay, you have scored the required marks in IBPS common exam to secure an interview call. Does it mean your name will be featured in the appointment list? No. Infact many people with good scores were not even able to fetch qualifying marks in interview stage.

 

That is why BankExamsIndia.com features interview experiences of candidates as it helps other aspirants to buckle up & be prepared for their day.

 

Interview questions for bank jobs need not revolve only around banking or economy terms & it could be from your resume as well.

The below recitation showcases the need to be attentive of our surroundings.The panelists enquire about the candidate`s degree & how he stacks up against other professionals.

It should an interesting read for other aspirants.

 

Mr.Sagar Anand Chandiramani from Mumbai with score of 179 in IBPS CWE (general) had sent his Bank of Baroda PO Interview encounters.

 

I wish to share my experience from the day I got my CWE results till I was selected in Bank of Baroda with Bankexamsindia because it helped me throughout my path to selection.

 

Moreover, it is also the website from which I saw my final selection for BOB PO & before that - corporation bank SWO (clerk, 2011)

 

My initial days

When IBPS PO exam results were released, I was happy to have secured 179 marks. I thought it may be sufficient for me to become eligible & get selected within first 2 or 3 banks.   But I was not even able to apply as most banks fixed min. 55% in graduation (I had only 53%).   While I was thinking of the journey to end abruptly, I saw an analysis done by Bankexamsindia about previous year’s percentage criteria of various banks & as per it Bank of Baroda was the only hope for me.   As days passed Allahabad Bank, Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank, Bank of Maharashtra & Central Bank of India invited applications from degree passouts as well creating an opportunity for everyone like me.

 

What questions were asked?

BOB was the finest interviews I have ever given & my final score is 95 marks (out of 100).

 

There were 3 members in the panel & my session lasted for half an hour.

 

Q. How long were you sitting outside? Ans. Sir, about two hours.   Q. Have you chatted with the aspirants sitting outside & what did you notice in them? Ans. Yes Sir, I have conversed with some people & the interesting thing that I found in them was, all have professional courses like MBA, B.E, Chartered Accountants, and Engineering.   Q. So what do you think? How will you compete with those guys, being a plain commerce graduate ? Ans. Sir, Being a Commerce student I have an upper hand over them as they are aspiring to come into a field which is more related to commerce stream.   Q. So what were your subjects in Commerce? Ans. I had Direct & Indirect Taxes, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Economics etc.   Q. Can you tell me what a Direct tax is? Ans. Sir Taxes which are directly imposed on the people in the form of Income tax etc.   Q. What is VAT? Ans. Value Added Tax

 

Q. Who charges VAT & where it goes finally? Ans. While state Governments charge VAT , it finally goes to Central Govt.   Q. What is the concept of VAT? Ans. It is a tax charged over the margin of the producer, wholesaler & retailer which is finally paid by the end user for a product.   Q. What is GDP & what is the meaning? Ans. GDP is Gross Domestic Product & it means all goods & services that are produced in a country over a period of time.   Q. You are working as a clerk for Corporation Bank.Do you have any idea about latest trends in clearing system? Ans. Yes Sir.It is Cheque Truncation & it is the concept wherein the image of a cheque is sent through mail to the other bank for faster clearance.   Q. Has your Bank started with the same system? Ans. Sir, On a trial basis it has been started in parts of New Delhi.It may be implemented across the country by mid of 2013.   Q. What is Sales Tax? Ans. Sorry Sir. I have gone through it but do not hold proper answer for the same.   Q. You have a good score. Which other PO interviews for PO have you attended? Ans. Sir this is my second interview because prior to this I was not able to fill applications as most banks placed percentage criteria in graduation.   Q. Which interview you have given before this? Ans. Sir it was Allahabad Bank   Q. So if you are given an option to join both the banks, which one will you prefer? Ans. I would love to go with Bank of Baroda.   Q. If you are posted in any rural branch, are you ready for it? Ans. Yes Sir I am ready for the same.

 

They wished me luck & shared some of their past experiences.It was enough for me to understand that they liked my performance & also saw some potential in me.

 

I would request all candidates who were not able to make it - Don’t loose hope. Fight till the end.

 

See below for more such articles:

* How to behave inside an Interview hall

* How to answer interview question: Why did you bank job

* Dena bank PO Interview Experience

‘Why did you choose Bank Job’ [PNB Interview Experience]

Preparing for bank interview questions could be a daunting task for many especially if your efforts aren't rewarded.In such cases, consulting with people who made it through can greatly help.For those who could not access such professionals, we regularly post on the best answers for common questions & real life experiences of candidates.

 

With no individual exams to write, aspirants are to be only interviewed for upcoming bank jobs & qualifying in it is very important for final selection. In line with that, here is one such experience shared by our reader.

 

Mr. Himanshu bharti from Delhi with score of 162 (SC) was shortlisted by Punjab national bank as part of their management trainees recruitment.The interview was held on June 19

 

In addition to questions he also gives some valuable tips for bank interviews that others could follow. Now, over to him.

 

I entered a room that had 4 members.I greeted them individually following which I was asked to take a seat.

 

1st examiner: Introduce yourself.

A: I was prepared for this question, so answered it easily. Do not recite your resume.Tell only those which you want the panelist should know. This was my answer - ‘My name is Himanshu Bharti. My home town is Gorakhpur but now living in delhi with my father and preparing for various competitive exams’.Then told about my educational background.   After that I wanted them to know about my aim.Hence said, ‘Aim of my life is to accomplish my talents and to be useful to the society’. After that I mentioned about my hobbies, strong & weak areas. Related reading – How to answer tell me about yourself   Q: Have you been to village? What are the differences between a village & metro city? I told them that I have never stayed in any village as there are not many facilities available but basic need can be fulfilled.In village we can stay close to the nature & resources are pure.It would be hard for those who depend on artificial lifestyle but for simple lifestyle it’s not bad

 

2nd member: Do you read newspapers?

A: I said yes.Times Of India.   What is today’s main headline? I said ‘Fitch rating agency changed India’s outlook from stable to negative.   He asked me what will be its impact on India? I said that investors will hesitate to invest in India & Indian government will find it little difficult to borrow money from other countries.   He asked me how? I explained about the investment coming in through FII and how these ratings could affect the country.   Then he asked me tell me other country where investor can invest now? I said, China but he asked ‘and’.Then I said Brazil & Russia.   The next question was to name the BRICS nations? It was answered. (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa)

 

 

2nd panelist: What did you do after passing from college in 2010?

I said my percentage was low so I couldn't appear for campus placement.After completing college, I was searching for job & also preparing for GATE.Finally in march 2011, I joined as Drive Test Engineer in telecom sector.After 3 months, I quit that job to start preparing for competition exams & got selected in SSC and then in banks.   Q: why did you leave the job as telecom sector is a booming sector? A: It was a field job & chance of promotion was after 2-3 years.Moreover I was not getting the right platform for my development.   Q: Why choosing bank job after B.Tech? You can try for a different telecom company. A: B.tech developed my technical skills, made my mind sharper & developed my analytical abilities.Now I approach things differently (like asking why, how, where etc). So I can use these technicalities in a bank & show better output.   I also said, B.Tech developed leadership qualities in me as I organized & participated in many events during college.This will help me in leading my staff later in a bank.   I have good communication skills so I can provide good customer service (learned it from this site only).   So bank job fits me very well as it will be a good platform to develop my talent.Also banking is one among the growing sectors that offers good salary package and high promotion chances. Checkout: How to answer why choose bank jobs

 

The 3^rd examiner was watching me from the moment I entered the room & did not ask any question. (consider reading, 7 simple tips to behave inside an interview hall)

 

 

4th panelist: What if you are selected in SSC again and get a desired profile?

A:  Sir everyone opts for the best opportunity. I think bank & SSC jobs are nearly the same.Banks have some advantages and disadvantages too.   It will be useless for me to leave a bank & join SSC because within one year I would have learned a lot about banking sector.To waste that knowledge and start again doesn’t sound good to me.   My main goal is PCS (Provincial Civil Services).If I get selected in that later in life, I will definitely leave bank job.   After this, they said, ‘Thank you Mr.Himanshu and Best Of Luck’.   According to me getting this compliment from the panel means - you will get good marks in interview.

 

Here ends the interview session of Mr.Bharti but he provides some important interview tips for other candidates.

 

More to add

So far, I have given 5 interviews & here are my observations that I would like to divulge to others Your appearance has a great impact on the interviewer.Wear neat & clean clothes Male candidates must be clean shaven.My BOI interview was excellent, but at the end I was asked “Why didn't you shave?’(although i had, before 2 days).Though I gave a suitable answer, am sure it was the reason for them to not choose me. Most importantly, prepare well for commonly asked questions rather than difficult ones. (read how to answer common bank interview questions)

 

For your information, Mr.Himanshu has been selected for appointment as Management trainee in Punjab national bank

Dena Bank PO Interview Experience & Tips [Candidate Speaks]

Bank interviews for PO & clerk jobs are being conducted regularly especially after IBPS started its common written examinations.Since public banks have to shortlist 3 or 5 times the number of vacancies there is heavy competition among applicants.This has made  candidates to prop up their preparations & enter final list.

 

Bank interview questions will not be the same for everyone.But learning from others can greatly help in understanding the needs of an interviewer which could be handy when your chance comes the way.(see bank PO cutoffs in 2012)

 

Mr.Balwinder Singh Choudhary shortlisted by Dena bank for PO interview had sent his experiences to share with others.He is a BSc, MCA graduate & has secured TWS of 162 in IBPS common bank exam.

 

Now let us go through the events in his own words where he describes about

1) Questions asked in the interview 2) Tips for preparation 

The interview was arranged at a hotel in Chandigarh.I reached the venue before 30 mins of the scheduled time of 9.00AM dressed in white shirt, black tie, dark blue trouser & leather shoes (black)

 

There were two officials in the waiting room to verify the documents.We were given a sheet that contained list of required certificates/proofs & was asked to compile them in the specified order for verification.By 10.30AM the interview process began.

 

Some time later, it was my turn.After seeking permission, I walked inside the room to see 3 members(male) in the panel.

 

I wished them ‘Good afternoon’ after which I was told to sit.

 

#1 panelist: Introduce yourself. (see how to answer tell me about yourself)

 

#1:(seeing my score card), Mr. Balwinder you’ve scored marginally above our cutoff. Don’t you feel it’s a low score? Do you still feel you will be selected?

I said “Although this score might seem low comparing with the toppers, I still feel its competitive score, I am highly motivated for this job.I am technically sound and good with computers and other ICT tools. I also possess others skills that are required for this job. I can easily outshine other candidates by performing well in this interview. And I’m also committed to work more towards improving my score in case im left behind.

 

#1: We outsource technical staff, so why do we go for a candidate with master’s degree in computers?

I replied “Sir, apart from being technically sound, I’m also very good in preparing financial statements. I have excellent management skills too & also learned to analyze & prepare annual accounts statements, budgets by using various computer software in my previous job. I am a people`s person too & know how to manage staff efficiently. I have long sitting schedules and I never quit before I finish all my assignments.  

 

#1: Tell about RBI,Its major functions & whether RBI creates credit?

 

2^nd panelist: As you mentioned of being part of budget preparations in your previous job; tell us about,

 

#2: Who prepares budget for Govt. of India?  

Answered.(Budget Division of Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance)

 

#2: What are its objectives?

I gave the answer. (For substantial distributions/investment of the hard earned money of our citizens in the developmental processes.The Govt. collects this money in the previous financial year inform of fees, fines & taxes etc.It aims for planned money management in order to insure a sustainable and balanced development of our society and attain stable economic growth)

 

#2: What is FDI?

 

#2: How does it differ from FII?

I didn’t know the answer. So said ‘sorry sir, I’m not sure about it’ (FII stands for Foreign Institutional Investor)

 

# 1 (in hindi) “Rupee ki kimat kis tarah mapi jati hai?”

I could not understand what he was asking about, so just said “sorry sir, I don’t know”

 

# 1(helping me understand the question, explained it again) Aaj kal dollar ki kimat badh rahi hai aur rupee ki kimat kam ho rahi hai. Aap sey hum yahi puchna chahtey hain ki yeh kimat kaisey measure ki jati hai ?

Although i was trying to correlate it with exchange rate, felt it might be wrong.So just said sorry again!

 

#2: What is plastic money?

 

#2: What is difference between Debit card and credit card?

Answered it but made a mistake (said credit cards are issued only to current accounts but they aren’t).This lead to next question.

 

#2: Are u sure?.. (next he asked) Is it necessary to have an a/c in the bank to applying for a credit card?

 

Panelist 3: (smilingly asked in hindi) So aap ney subha ladoo kahey thai?

I replied “Haan ji sir, kahey thai.”

 

#3: Kaisey thai? I said “badiya thai sir & thanks for it. It was really tasty sir!”

 

#3: What was so special about it?

I answered (The bank was established on 26^th may 1938 & has completed 74 years.It was 75th year anniversary of dena bank.)

 

#3: Did you see today’s newspaper? What is the current saving rate? Why do different banks have different saving rates?

 

#3: Share with us the most pleasant experience of your life?

 

After I finished, he smiled and said ‘Okay! your interview is over.You can leave now’.

I responded, “Thank you sir” & thanked other members also.

 

While leaving, I was about to move towards the wrong door but they guided me towards the correct exit. It made me realize they were closely watching my every movement & action. (read how to behave inside an interview hall)  

 

Overall, we would term it as a good session & his interview preparation has helped. Hopefully the panel might have also been satisfied with the performance expect for few questions.

 

How did he prepare?

While responding to a reader`s query, Mr.Balwinder explains how he was preparing for the d-day (the following is an excerpt from our comments section)

 

1. Interview experiences of others & articles on interview preparation published on BankExamsIndia.com provided a road map of things that could be asked in any interview, especially in bank recruitments.(see tips for bank interviews)   2. I prepared for banking terms & more importantly about macro economic concepts that are commonly asked in such exams .   3. I expected questions from my profile & hence focused on my bio-data, strengths etc.,It helped me build confidence as i had secured somewhat lower in the IBPS CWE.   4. Listening to news on AIR for past few months helped in improving my communication skills & knowledge of current affairs.   5. I watched interviews of famous personalities on Youtube to learn about proper body language.It also enabled me in learning the art of framing answers to some tricky questions.

Syndicate Bank Interview Experience [Reader Share]

Be any job, the selection is incomplete without an interview session with the HR heads of that organization.If the posts are to be filled through a competitive exam, more weightage is given to test your interpersonal skills.In this season of common exams for bank jobs, your final chance to outrank the competition is also through this.

 

Preparing for bank interviews doesn't stop with memorizing banking terminologies & current affairs.It also includes your looks, body language & communication skills.

 

Mr.Mihir Mishra (Bsc.Botany & BCA) from Jharkhand who had scored 165 (Gen) in IBPS PO CWE was shortlisted for personal interview in Syndicate bank.He shares that experience in his own words,

 

The Interview was scheduled at 9.30 AM, and so I reached the venue by 9 AM. All the necessary documents were verified for the first 15 mins. after which I was asked to wait for my turn.Although excited, I was confident.After 30 minutes, I was called.

 

I entered the room that had a panel comprising of 5 members, including a woman. Wishing them good morning, I took a seat & got ready for the questions.

Q:Partnership and Company – What is the difference?
I answered in 2 sentences each.They asked few questions within my answer.

Q:How many people are necessary for partnerships?
Sir, minimum two persons are required.

 

>>What is the maximum limit?

Sorry sir. am not sure..

 

Q: How have you completed both BSc botany & BCA in 2010?
A: Sir, it takes approx. 5 years complete graduation from SKM Univ , Dumka as the classes are irregular.So I have done BCA through Distance education during that period.

>> What is the reason behind irregular classes in that Univ, & why did you choose to study there if you knew about it earlier?

Sir, Jharkhand is called the “Land of Forests” and tribals who come under ST category constitute majority of population.If they have not prepared for the exams a revolt is launched against conducting tests which results in such delays.But since they get relaxation of 10 years in Govt jobs, students like me have to suffer.Moreover my financial condition was not sound at that time which pushed me to do degree from that University itself.

 

Q. Who is the Governor of Jharkhand?
Its Syed Ahmed.

Q.Who is the Governor of Bihar? 
D.Kunwar (I was asked what does D stand for & I replied Its Devanand Kunwar)

Q.How many districts are in Jharkhand and Bihar? 
24 Districts in Jharkhand and 38 in Bihar

Q.Where is the Head Office of Syndicate Bank located?
Manipal, Karnataka

Q.Tell us something about your family background? 
answered for about 2 minutes.

Q.What is a Bank and its Functions?
I have prepared already so explained it confidently

Q.What is Bill of Exchange?
Again, responded with the correct answer

Q.What does BRA stands for and when was it formed? 
It is Banking Regulation Act, which came into effect in the year 1949

Q.When was the company’s act framed?
1956.

Q:Name the chief justice of India? 
S.H Kapadia.

Q.Who is the chief election commissioner of India?
S.Y.Quraishi.

Q.Do you have a bank account? In which bank? 
I have an account in State Bank of India.

Q.What are the essential things to open an account in a bank?
According to RBI’s KYC (i.e Know Your Customer) norms Photo ID proof, residential address proof, Financial status, Occupation and few other personal information are essential for opening a bank account. (the mam said ok, good)

Q.What is the interest rate currently offered by SBI to you?
Previously it was 4%, but with RBI allowing banks to decide their own SB rate, I think its 4.5% in SBI but am not sure.

Q.What is money laundering? 
It is a process of concealing the source of money received.

Q.What are your positive qualities?
I know how to maintain accuracy which is a very vital quality required by people like me who wants to be a banker.Also I posses good communication skills and hence I am clearly able to express my thoughts to others.

Q.What is SIDBI & what are its function? 
SIDBI stands for Small Industrial Development Bank of India.It provides loans specially to small scale industries.

Q.What is your goal in life?
Sir, life is not a bed of roses rather it is full of challenges.I want to get through these challenges & emerge a winner.

 

--- My interview lasted for about 25 minutes.All the panel members were very good & hopefully satisfied with me.Looking forward for the results.

 

That was a definitely a good session.What you people think?

 

On behalf of BankExamsIndia.com`s readers we would like to thank & wish Mr.Mihir mishra the best times ahead! His experience, we hope would have helped others get a feel of how to prepare for interviews in banks.

 

You can also refer common interview questions or to know specifics, see how to answer tell me about yourself & why you chose bank jobs

How to Prepare for Bank Interviews – 5 Must Follow Tips

The final phase in recruitment process would be Interview.We receive many requests from our readers asking for tips on how to prepare effectively for job interview.Interview is an integral of any recruitment, since its where the employer tests your personality, communication & problem solving skills.

 

With the implementation of common written exam by IBPS, the following would play a vital role in determining the appointment of a candidate.

• IBPS scorecard (issued to those clearing the test)
• Interview & marks secured in it

Keeping that in mind, here are some of the proven tips about how to prepare for bank Interviews.

 

1. Research.Visit the bank`s website, click on ‘About Us’ & read about their history, services, achievements, management etc.,

• It tells the interviewer that you have taken efforts to know about them & are interested in the job.
• There are many banking terms such as Reverse repo, Credit rate, RTGS, inflation etc.,that could occupy a major portion of questions.There are books available, wherein these words are explained in detail (see below)

2. Stay Updated. Read newspapers focusing on the business sector, as any latest event could be questioned during the interview.

For example, the interest rate hikes by RBI & change of cheque clearance rules were some of the recently featured news items.

Since it is not possible for everyone to read all the business newspapers, make use of their websites by visiting them atleast twice a week.

 

3.Speak English. Most bank interviews are conducted only in english mainly to test your communication skills.There are chances for the person sitting before you, not knowing the regional language.So its always better to speak in english.

• Don't try to impress the panel by speaking fast – many make mistakes.
• How well are you in conveying your thoughts, is what they look for.
• Keep it simple by framing simple sentences.

Again, english newspapers, magazines & english news channels would help you improve the command over that language.

 

4. Practice. Are you feeling nervous to speak at the interview?If yes, its time you spend some time in overcoming that as tension & nervousness can spoil your chances.

• Stand before the mirror & try speaking to yourself to gain confidence.
• Conduct mock interviews with your friends or family members.See common interview questions

5. Plan. There is nothing wrong in rehearsing for the interview as its not only about answering question but also about your personality & behavior.

• Chart a plan in advance - right from the dress you will wear, leaving your home, reaching the venue & behaving inside the hall.
• Read Tips for interview behaviour

Books: Guides & books about banking terminologies are sold over Internet that can purchased via cash, netbanking or ATM/ debit & credit cards.

 

* How to face bank interviews (useful for promotions too) – Rs.170 – Buy online

 

Hope these detailed steps will serve as starting point in interview preparations  for upcoming bank jobs

Answering Interview Question: Why Choose Bank Jobs

For many, appearing for an interview creates butterflies in the stomach compared to written exam. Combine that with some tricky questions – they are sure to fumble.To avoid such situations, BankExamsIndia.com has been analyzing some make-or-break type of questions to help you get prepared in advance.

 

This week, we shall discuss about answering “Why did you choose to join a bank”. Like “Tell me about yourself”, this is also a commonly asked question in bank interviews especially if you are an engineering or management graduate, as large number of applicants are BE, BTech, MBA, MCA degree holders.

 

Expect these questions to be asked by the panel often, as over 90% of engg. graduates have come across this.

Some variations could be “Why looking for a government job when you can get better pay in private”, “Why looking to join as clerk after engineering”.

 

What they expect: The interviewer wants to know how interested are you in choosing bank jobs.Some others prefer to ask this question to make you speak, thereby judging your communication skills & clarity of speech.Be prepared with your points as this question may lead into a discussion with other panelists also joining in with how`s, why`s & what`s.

 

How to answer: The first requirement – Be bold.

• Make you answer looks realistic & at the same time conveys your willingness to join their bank.
• Don't bluntly say ‘I did not get any other job’ or ‘There is high stress & pressure in private companies’. You would be countered with more questions.
• If questioned about BE graduates opting for IT jobs, mention about the uncertain future of software companies compared to the high growth witnessed in banking industry.
• You can even emphasize about the opportunity created by huge vacancies in banks that could lead young performers to reach top posts within short span of time, which is absent in other fields.
• Let them know that your engineering degree would help in interacting with customers from a similar business while lending loans & fetching deposits.

The above list is only a guidance & not definite nor complete.You have to frame the right sentences for interview questions – to portray your answer as a compelling one, that the interviewer must agree.

How to Behave Inside an Interview Hall – 7 Simple Tips

How to behave inside an interview hall, in front of the panel is a question not asked by many, but candidates must understand that every single movement before the interviewer will have an impact on their result.We have given some easy to follow methods that you can apply to boost your chances of selection. 

 

1. Remember to wish the interviewer/panel ‘good morning’ or ‘good afternoon’ once you enter the room.

 

2.Sit down calmly, when offered a seat.Make sure you don't create noises by pulling or dragging the chair.It could spoil the atmosphere.

 

3. Sit straight with your back against the chair & arms on the armrest. Leaning on the table or pushing yourself forward are not good signs.

 

4. Wait until the interviewer goes through your resume.Don't start talking before you are asked anything – it means that you are nervous.Answer the questions in a clear & bold manner,once your turn comes.

 

5. While answering any question,do not look at the ceiling or around the room.Look at the interviewer .This creates a feeling within the panel that you are interested in the conversation.

 

6. If you don't know the answer for an interview question, say it to the panel.Do not try to fill the gap by giving unwanted or wrong answers.Incase of such situations,DON`T

• scratch your head,
• bite your nails,
• close your eyes or
• put your fingers on your face.

7. Do not repeat the answers again.It clearly shows that you are unprepared & have no proper understanding of the subject.

 

8.Start answering after the question has been asked.Rushing to answer says, you want to complete the interview process as soon as possible.

 

9. Say ‘Thank you’ to the interviewer & leave the room.Sometimes, the panel may glance your profile once last time.Don't grab your documents or resume from them in a haste to get out.Wait till they handover them to you.

 

If you want to know about the type of questions that would be asked & the methods to answer them, check out our article on Commonly asked Interview questions

How to Answer Interview Question - Tell About Yourself

“I always clear written test but lose in Interview rounds”.”How to prepare for interview?” These are some of the commonly asked questions asked by many candidates.Hence, BankExamsIndia.com will be covering such Interview  questions, suggesting methods to answer them.

 

The first question in most interviews is “Tell me about yourself“.Here are some important tips that could employed during your interview in any organization.

 

* Mention about your background, education, achievements, previous experiences &  abilities.It should also not sound as if you are reading your resume.

 

* Avoid giving detailed info of your parents,relatives, school, college, city etc.,like I studied in John college.It was built 100 years ago & has a big library where 1000 people can sit.The interviewer is concerned knowing more about you, not the college.

 

* Highlight your strengths that would be relevant to the job.For example - If you are applying for a software job, emphasize on your final year software project by giving details of the work, client, team & result.

 

* Know about the company or organization, their services/projects & the position your applying.Prepare for interview in such a manner that you speak about your abilities in relation to the eligibility for that post.

 

* Along with your academic or professional achievements, describe how those skills could help their organization.Make the interviewer feel that you are the right person for that job.

 

A sample answer:

My name is Priya and I completed B.Com with 85% distinction from XYZ college.I have a natural interest in accounts & it was the reason for me being the college topper in accountancy subject.Due to this, I was chosen to lead our account dept. projects at seminars held at various colleges & companies, which have given me great exposure to current industry standards. With all this experiences, I am confident of excelling as Accounts Manager in your bank.

 

Remember: The above script is just an example & do not memorize it.

Interview questions could make you nervous but answers should not be mugged since an interviewer can easily find out if a person is speaking his mind or reciting answers.

 

Follow the above steps, prepare a good answer & say it in your own words.Good Luck !

4 Common Bank Interview Questions – Tips to Answer [Must Read]

How to prepare for bank Interview questions? Perhaps,this is a regular question asked by candidates after clearing the written tests conducted by banks. Interview sessions are considered tough by many, as it involves speaking out. Here are some commonly asked bank interview questions & methods to answer them.


Although you would be extensively asked about banking terms & definitions, the interviewer will generally start with the following queries.

This article will take you through

1. Tips to answer common interview questions
2. Books for interviews
3. Answers given by candidates 

Q: Tell /describe about yourself (you will be asked this 90%) A: Don't recite your resume.Tell about your education, experience, projects worked, passion etc., Make sure you complete this within 2-3mins so the interviewer doesn't get bored.If you need detailed tips, proceed to read ‘how to answer Tell me about yourself

           

Q: Why should we hire you into our organization? A : This would be perfect time to tell about your strengths,achievements & assets. Compare your profile with the job role & justify that you will be a best fit for the job. Answers like ‘This is a best company’ , ‘I want a job in this field’ wont impress the interviewer. If you are an engineering graduate or PG degree holder (MBA/ MCA), prepare a convincing answer since this will be a sure question. Read our article titled how to answer 'why did you choose banking jobs’

Q : What are your strengths & weakness? A: This is a tricky question, wherein the interviewing panel want to know about you in your own words.So do it right. Strengths – Mention a quality about you that has some relation to the job or post you applied for. ’I am very good in english’ can be said as ‘I have good communication skills & hence can provide good service to customers  Weakness – Make sure to say something which will not show yourself in bad light.Also describe about the steps taken to overcome that weakness in you. ‘I don't have any weakness’ means you are not ready to talk about it. Similarly don't say something like, ‘Im short tempered & get angry very soon’ – It gives an impression that you are not fit to work in group.

Q: Where do you see yourself after 5 years ? A: This question would be asked to check how clear are you about the career path. ‘After 5 years,I want to be in your seat’ wont work in any case.Think realistically, understand the growth opportunities of that job & put it across to them. These are just few questions that can be asked during an Interview ,but the list is exhaustive.So be prepared to answer any question with confidence.

Reference materials

When it comes to personal interviews for public banks, it is necessary for you to be thorough in banking, financial & economic terms.There are many books available on the internet to help you prepare for bank job interviews such as. * Bank Interview Guide – Rs.150 - Buy online * Banking Terms & Definitions – Rs.95 – Buy online

Real Bank Interview Questions

In addition to these, remember to check out original experiences shared by our readers,

PNB management trainee Interview (read responses that led to appointment)

Syndicate bank PO interview (another candidate & a different scenario)

SBI Interview Questions - Candidate Experiences | Part 2

We hope the part 1 of SBI Interview Questions would have helped candidates preparing for State bank of India recruitment & other jobs to get a feel of what happens inside the hall.As said earlier, here is the Part 2 of Interview experiences shared by members on our Orkut community describing the questions asked.

 

These are posted on our website to give you the type of questions that one can expect before the panel.Trying to memorize them or praying for the same set of questions wont help you

 

sree describes her questions -
* Define Indian economy & how it emerges from recession
* What is a bank & who operates it
* What is SLR,PLR,CRR, Bank rate etc.

* A situation was given & was asked how would i react to it
* Authors of any novels 
* They also questions from UG & PG degree & why i chose banking 
* News in today's paper 
* Chairman of SBI
* Why would u like to join SBI  
* What is nationalization act?
* 3-4 questions were asked from degree subjects.

* Why studied B.E and choosing bank jobs
* Some questions about my hobbies. 
* Why airlines were stopped in European countries recently? 
* Who won the IPL trophy & who is the chairman of IPL

 

vιριη shares his friend`s experience ,

* What are the financial institution in India
* India`s finance minister
* Asked about RBI & their services
* How to reduce inflation
* What new services are provided by RBI
* Why choose banking after engineering
* Some questions about hobbies & personal

i nevr thk futur recollects that, the panel consisted of 4 members & the questions -
* Some questions from resume (about me, family background, hobbies etc)

* Since I'm an IT graduate ,some questions on computers

* What is networking & how many types of topologies
* Asked about conditions of women in our society

 

Concluded: This would be end of the two part series that discussed about SBI Interview.These shares will also help candidates preparing for upcoming SBI jobs

 

The team at www.bankexamsindia.com thanks all the candidates who have taken time to share their interview experiences & questions on our website & through our Orkut community.

SBI Interview Questions - Candidate Experiences | Part 1

There has been lot of activity on our Orkut group ,ever since the SBI results for recruitment of 11000 clerks were released. State bank of India has started the interview process for those selected candidates & many members of our group were kind enough to share their interview questions with others.

 

So, we have decided to re-publish their experiences here so that all candidates  including non members of our Orkut group can benefit.

 

The Panel : For most candidates the interview lasted between 10-25 mins.The topics were related to India, banking, economy, current affairs & from your resume. Many candidates informed us that the Interview panel(senior officials) were cool & the session was full of fun.Now, let us move to the questions -

 

Bhawana sharma says ,she was asked about - 

* Family background. 
* Willing to relocate/ work in rural areas or not?

* Reason for doing MBA after B.Tech (candidate is B.Tech,MBA graduate) 
* My MBA was in HR & Finance so they asked abt HR and Subjects in Finance 
* About Financial Institutions, Share market, Mutual Funds,Nifty, BSE etc.

* My SWOT analysis (Strength,Weakness,Opportunity,Threats)

* About my hobbies (in resume)
* Names of RBI Governor, President, VP & Deputy chairman of Planning commission
* Asked how will i judge a candidate if he/she is suitable for a job?  
* Few questions on RBI,SBI, Recession, Subprime crisis etc.,

* What is written on a 100 rupee note and whose signature are there on it?

 

barun shares his experience as,

* Tell something about SBI 
* Questions related to hobbies 
* What are monetary policies

* Repo rate, SLR ,Addhar (The new name of UID Project)
* Why did you apply for clerk job in bank?
* Five years down the line u will be like to be at?
* Will the IPL controversy put a bad image to IPL?
* About Cut motion (recent issue in parliament)

 

soumya:Xpectin d says,

* Asked about SBI.

* Importance of March 8 & what happened on that day in Indian parliament.(answer is Women's day & 33% women`s reservation bill)
* Questions from resume/ biodata. 

priya details her turn -

* Asked about SBI & SBI associate banks
* Kinds of loan that SBI provides
* About savings bank account & rate of interest for them 
* Difference between Private & Public sector banks
* What are the foreign banks in India
* About my hobby (Reading), I was asked who is the author of ‘Discovery of India’
* Headlines of today's newspaper

 

~Pritha~  says that one of her friend was posed these questions -

* Selection procedure for Rajyasabha members

* IPL results along with best batsman, best bowler etc... 
* Family background. 
* 5 questions from subject of study in college

 

End of Part 1. Check out the Part –2 of candidates experiences at the State bank of India interview session.