Tips for facing the interview – IPBS bank examination – Interview for clerks and officers

The purpose of interview:

The purpose of interview is to select suitable person for the concerned post. The person to be interviewed may be having better qualifications; however, he may not be having better communication ability, leadership quality and interpersonal relationship. Banking demands people who are willing to work hard; to mingle with customers freely and friendly and move with their colleagues in amicable manner.

Phases of the interview:

The interview is conducted in four phases namely;

·         the first phase during the course of which questions are posed about the person and his specialization;

·          the second phase wherein questions are asked about the bank which is conducting the interview;

·         the third phase wherein questions on general banking and finance and latest developments are asked.

·         The fourth phase is closing the interview

The interview committee:

The interview committee consists of three imminent personalities

·         The first member analyses the body language of the individual

·         The second member studies the answering ability of the individual

·         The third member judges about the capability of the individual for the post

The main purpose of posing the questions is to provoke the candidate emotionally, intellectually thereby pressurizing him to come out with appropriate replies available in his mind.

The interview process:

The interview process consists of the following:

·         Completion of certificate verification and paper work;

·         Waiting for the turn at the waiting hall;

·         Entering interview room after seeking permission of the members;

·         Thanking the interviewer who allowed the candidate inside the cabin;

·         Sitting on the seat offered;

·         Thanking the person who had offered the seat;

·         Shaking the hands of the members if offered;

·         Attending the interview maintaining eye contact;

·         Contacting all paper works after the interview is over;

·         Thanking the interviewers

·         Walking out calmly and closing the door slowly

Dress code:

·         Dress code is more important and a person is judged by the dress he wears.

·         For men: Please wear a neat trouser and full length shirt – preferably white colored or light shaded; Using “T” shirts will dampen your image and do not opt for “T” shirts. Wear a good quality shoes neatly polished. If possible you can wear a “tie” – this is purely optional and in northern parts of the country persons wearing “tie” is considered to be dynamic.

·         For girls: Under no circumstances do not wear provoking dress namely; “T” shirts; jeans pants; trousers and shirts with messages and blouses with low cuts. A neat chudithar is considered to be the best and wearing sarees improves the image of the individuality.

Questions during the first phase:

·         Initially the candidates are invited to tell about themselves, their family members, their ambitions, their qualifications, their achievements in studies, sports, music and other extra curricular activities;

·         The second question is about the place where the candidate belongs. In case the candidate belongs to Kanchipuram, he will be asked to tell about Kanchipuram and the positive points about the place. Necessarily the candidate should have a thorough knowledge about the place from which he is hailing;

·         The interview will pose “ice breaking questions” in order to shift the focus of the candidate. This is for the purpose of finding out the reaction of the candidate during such “focus change”. (Banks demand people who are able to meet any challenges);

·         The first two to three minutes will tell more than 80 percent of the candidate. It has to be remembered that – “first impression is the best impression”.

Sample questions during the first phase:

·         Tell something about yourself (You should inform about yourself, your family, your qualification, achievements etc in a crisp manner. Unnecessary explanation should be avoided)

·         I see – you are from Tiruchirapally – please tell me about Tiruchirapally: Tell about Tiruchi – the river Kaveri; Rock temple; Sri Rangam, Samayapuram and many more;

·         You had studied in Presidency college. Why you preferred this college. How was your life in the college?

·         You had studied “EEE”  - why you chose the course?

·         You had mentioned your surname as “Kavirayar” – what is the reason?

·         You are in Chennai for the past one year. What is your opinion about Chennai?

·         You are having “EEE” in engineering and why do you prefer banking? (Your reply should be – In fact by working in bank, I can develop my relationship with customers, improve my knowledge and serve many people)

·         What are your strengths and weaknesses? – Your answer: I am always willing to work hard irrespective of the situation – I have good communication ability and I develop friendship in a fast manner; I love to mingle with people –

·         You are highly qualified having MBA and engineering degree – what is the guarantee that you will be in our bank for many years? (The reply should not be: On account of unemployment problem I am joining your bank; Your reply should be – even though I have good qualifications, I wish to work in the bank)

(The candidate should do a home work – he should analyse his strength – weaknesses and positive points – during the course of the interview negative reply or angry reply should not be made under any circumstances- when provoked or tempted the candidate should remain calm and smile pleasingly during such occasions)

The following question may provoke the candidate –

·         You had dressed like Rajnikanth – do you think that you are Rajnikanth?

(Your reply should be– In fact I am his fan and used to see many of his films since his films contain good messages which are useful for life)

Second phase of the interview process:

During this phase, questions will be asked about the bank for which the candidate is appearing for the interview and the following are some sample questions:

·         Do you know – where is the head office of Canara Bank?

·         Who is the present chairman of the bank?

·         How many branches Canara Bank is having as on date?

·         Can you tell me about the total business of the bank?

·         Why Canara Bank is named after Canara?

·         Can you tell me about some deposit schemes available in the bank?

·         What do you know about the logo of Canara Bank?

·         What is the punchline of Canara Bank?

Third phase of the interview:

During this phase, questions will be asked about general banking practices as follows:

·         Have you visited any bank branch? What is your experience ?

·         What is the business of any bank?

·         What are the prime functions of any bank?

·         What are the secondary functions of any bank?

·         Who can open a savings bank account?

·         What do you know by KYC guidelines?

·         What is the difference between Current account and Savings account?

·         Who normally opens current account?

·         What do you know by fixed deposit account?

·         Can a company can open a savings account?

·         Can the director of a company can open a savings account?

·         Who is the controlling authority for the banks in India?

·         What is a foreign bank?

·         What is meant by public sector bank?

·         Which is the largest private sector bank in the country?

·         Which is the largest bank in the country?

·         You are working as an officer in savings department. The customer complains about the irritating behavior of the clerk who is working under you. What you will do in this situation?

·         Your manager delegates some work and you are failing in doing the work within the allotted time and your manager is not happy with your performance. How you will convince your manager?

·         Today there is a news about monetary credit policy. What do you know by that?

·         What do you know by reverse repo?

·         What is called as inflation?

·         What is rupee convertibility?

·         What do you know by gross domestic product?

·         What do you know by ASBA?

·         What do you know by Sensex?

·         What do you know by a convertible debenture?

·         What is initial public offer?

·         What do you know by facebook – whether it is good for any individual and what is your opinion?

(The above questions are illustrative and not exhaustive and the candidate should know fairly well about many banking aspects)

The fourth phase of the interview:

Like the initial phase or first phase – this fourth phase is also important and wherein tricky questions will be asked as mentioned below:

·         You are hailing from Tiruchirapalli. In case you are posted to Chennai whether you will be willing to work in Chennai. (Your answer: If I am posted at Tiruchirapalli, I can do justice to the bank as well as the family members dependant on me)

·         Suddenly on account of computer crash, you have to sit late – whether you will be willing to sit late and finish the job or leave early without informing your superiors? (Definitely I will never mind in sitting late and I will always cooperate with my manager in finishing the day to day functions of the branch)

·         What are you willing to tell about you? ( If I am selected, I shall work hard and I shall discharge my duties to the entire satisfaction of my superiors. I will do always the best from my side)