Bank Interview Preparation
Shri. Ravi B Menon
GM (Retd.) Union Bank of India
Setting the Context
First of all, Congratulations !
You have made it to the interview stage
A Bank Job is now almost within your grasp
Best wishes for your success
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 2
To Back Up A Little : Why A
Bank Job?
People look for a Bank job for the following reasons
A. Family background – someone in a Bank
B. Prospect of a steady job and pay
C. To avoid the present job
D. Pressure from parents
E. No other alternative
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 3
Bank Job – What Is In Store?
Most people believe that a bank job is:
Boring repetitive work
Long time to get promoted – (Length of service only
qualification)
No changes possible – (stuck in the same role for long)
No performance recognition or awards
None of these apply !
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 4
Banking Career – The Truth !
Technology has removed all the drudgery
Banks are investing heavily in people’s growth
Incentives for outstanding performance are common today
Accelerated promotion process in place
Huge opportunities for inter-disciplinary change exist
All these in a secure job with a regular income
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 5
Understanding the Interview
Interview is an Opportunity
Don’t look at it as another exam. That part is over
Remember!! This is not a quiz competition
Let me tell you a small story
Therefore, the interview is to assess your personality
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 6
Understand the Context of
Interview
How is this interview different?
Here you will be interviewed by a panel of 4 to 5 members
Interview expected to last between 15 to 20 minutes
In that short period they will make their assessment
Days left to prepare : 10
Lets get started !
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 7
Interview: Main Points To
Remember
Prepare for the future
• Forget exams and marks. Your focus now is to impress the
panel
Know your Interview Panel
• The panel will have 4-5 people. At least two would have
spent their life in a Bank
Know the assessment process
• Each member will assess you first and discuss with each
other and come to a collective assessment
Sync your preparation with these in mind
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 8
What Are You Being Assessed
For
Above average intelligence and awareness (written test)
Ability to relate to numbers, to analyse and reason (written test)
Level of self-confidence, your interaction style (interview)
How well you know yourself ! (interview)
Ability to understand, to communicate clearly, to listen
(interview)
Ability to work hard, ability to persevere (interview)
Commitment, integrity (interview)
Adaptability to working in different geographies, cultures,
environments (interview)
Remember : In everything you do and say, they will look for these
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 9
Interview Preparation
Get Used to Framing Your Answers
Talking about yourself, your family background, your favourite
subject, your school or college, career, your city or place of birth,
your biggest achievement, your hobbies
Follow The Two Minute Rule
DONT: Give one word answers or Talk too much
This does not apply to questions on Banking ([Link] of a
cheque)
Get Ready to Make An Impression
Panelists are looking from you reasons why they should select
you
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 10
The Next Ten Days # 1
The next ten days are available for you to prepare for the interview
Keep in mind what we saw earlier. What is the panel looking for?
Level of self-confidence, your interaction style
How well you know yourself
Ability to understand, to communicate clearly, to listen
Ability to work hard, ability to persevere
Commitment, integrity
Adaptability, being open to working in different geographies, cultures,
environments
Let us look at what we can do to prepare for these questions
Most of what is suggested can be done without any need for any
additional research or study
All that is needed is some un-interrupted time
First of all understand that within you , you have everything to
demonstrate all these qualities
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 11
The Next Ten Days : Knowing
Yourself
Write down at least 10 accomplishments or achievements
in your life you are proud of
Do a PHA codification for these achievements
P for achievement related to working with people
H for achievement related to hard work
A for achievement related to adapting to circumstances
When you are done, you will know yourself better and can
relate your life to the qualities needed
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 12
The Next Ten Days : Using PHA
PHA helps you with not just saying “I am hard working”, but with a
concrete example
When you are asked a question “ What are your strengths and
weaknesses?” you will have examples to give that are backed by
data
If you have done the exercise carefully, you will see that all these
together go to show some of the qualities that the panel is looking
for
What is needed in the interview is the ability to confidently, clearly
and concisely answer the question and present your qualities and
skills
You are only presenting what is true about yourself.
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 13
The Next Ten Days : Presenting
Yourself
Your bio data may lead to some questions relating to sharing
your experience or prompt a question such as : Are you
socially committed?
Use SHARE formula to share your experiences
S - What was the Situation?
H – What were the Hindrances ?
A – What Actions did you take?
R – What were the Results?
E- Evaluate the incident to say something about yourself
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 14
The Next Ten Days :
Presenting Yourself
Here is an example using SHARE
Situation : I volunteered during the recent floods in
Chennai
Hindrances : It was terrible, people had no drinking
water, no shelter, belongings soaked and damaged or
washed away
Action : Physically contacted people and mobilised two
or three boats, some drinking water, food packets
Results : People gained some hope as they were ferried
to places of safety
Evaluate : Demonstrates, ability to work with people,
shows concern for people, ability to co ordinate.
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 15
What To Wear For The Interview
What you wear should be appropriate to the job
Men: wear a light shirt with dark trousers, socks and shoes
with a tie
Women: wear a sari or salwar kameez, in sober colours
Shoes should be properly polished
A blazer or coat is optional (only if you are comfortable)
DO NOT attend the interview in jeans, tee shirt and in
sandals. Take care of your grooming
If you are buying anything to wear for the interview, wear it at
home for a day or two to get used to the feel
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 16
The Interview Begins
You are assessed from the moment you enter the room
A word on the seating arrangement
Knock on the door and enter
Stop just before you reach your chair
Greet the Chairman first “ Good Morning Sir”
Your greeting can include all the panel members “Good Morning
Sirs”
If you have a lady panel member say “ Good Morning, Madam”
You need the panel to see a self-confident , poised person. How do
you ensure that?
Five minutes before you enter the interview room, take a breath and
relax . Then, recall one or two of your most successful moments.
How did you feel at the time? Hold that feeling and then enter the
room !
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 17
The Interview Begins
Occupy your chair only when invited to do so
Be aware of your posture
Sit upright but relaxed and make eye contact with the
Chairman
Leaning back in your chair with your legs crossed does
not make a good impression
Leaning forward makes you look anxious and tense
Give the impression that you are eager to interact with
them
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 18
Interview Process
It is customary for the Chairman of the panel to initiate the
interview
Usually he will address you by name.
This is to ensure that they are interviewing the right person !
Likely questions can be :
• Tell us about yourself
• What is your background ?
• Why do you want Banking as a career?
• If you have a career behind you, the questions could be
about that career and its “fit “ in banking e.g. Armed
Forces, IT Company etc.
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 19
Interacting With The Panel
Remember some questions could be on Banking also.
Answer each question clearly ( Remember the two minute rule)
Be prepared for follow-up questions
If you don’t know the answer, say so politely
If you don’t understand the question ask for a clarification politely
(this will demonstrate your listening skills)
If the person who has asked the question is distracted somehow, or
does not look at you, look at one of the others, maintain eye contact
and answer.
Don’t be disturbed if one of the panel members leaves the room
during the interview ( it is no reflection on you.)
Very Important : Be yourself ! Don’t try and pretend to be what you
are not – accent, background, qualifications, previous salary
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 20
At The End Of The Interview
We have now come to the end of the interview
On certain occasions, they might ask you if you have any
questions
Avoid asking questions about salary, likely places of
posting, whether you will be posted in your home town
etc.
Instead use the opportunity to clarify something that you
would like
Maybe something you could have said, but did not have
the time
Thank the panel and leave the room
[Link] DO NOT DISTRIBUTE – HIGHLY 21