{Interview} Guidelines-Bank: Prepare yourself for IBPS interview

Dress for a Banking Job

It is a perception that first impressions mean everything, and this is especially true in the workplace. In a professional setting like a banking job, dressing properly is important, and you should follow a few basic steps to dress for success in a banking job.

• Dress for Success. Dress conservatively. This is always the safest bet when dressing for any job interview, and it will likely be the most appropriate in the banking world since most bank environments adhere to a business professional or business casual dress code.
• Check your outfit for holes, tears, stains, scuffs or wrinkles.
• Tone down the use of makeup, hair spray and perfume. However, inspect your hair, nails, and hems. Brush your hair, and make sure your hands and nails are clean. Make sure your breath is fresh.
• Minimize jewelry and accessories. An excessive amount of large or flashy accessories could might not be taken seriously or could send an image of unprofessionalism.
• Ensure that everything you choose to wear is clean and neat before wearing it. Make time in your morning routine or the night before to iron clothes and polish dress shoes. These details can make all the difference in how you are perceived.
• Conceal any visible tattoos or excessive piercings. These may be a form of self-expression, but they are still considered inappropriate and unacceptable for working in many professional banking jobs.
• Take any feedback or suggestions made regarding your attire by your peers or your parents into consideration. For example, if your parents notes that the shoes you are wearing look a bit too much like tennis shoes for the banking environment, consider replacing them with a more professional looking pair. This will both ensure that your parents  and banking managers know that you are heeding their advice and also that you are maintaining the level of professional appearance that is appropriate for your particular banking job.

Timing for the Interview:

You should appear for the interview at least a half-hour early, bringing with you all of the documentation required. Review the instructions given to you on your interview invitation to ensure you are bringing the documents and certificates requested, as these will be verified before you are seen by the interview panel.

Medium of language in Bank Interview:

Many aspirants are now asking about the medium of language in the interviews, for the forthcoming banking interviews, what should be their medium while replying to interviewers questions, it should be in Hindi or it should be in English? It’s a very common query but an important one. Over a period we have seen that in Bank PO or Bank Clerk interviews, medium does not really make any difference. Important thing is clarity of thoughts and correct reply. Even if you are not aware of answers of a few questions, it is not going to make any difference. So, you should prepare for your interviews in the medium in which you are strong. Even a mix of Hindi & English also works. So start your preparation and it would be wise to prepare structured answers of few of the common questions.

The main qualities that the interviewer look for the candidate are:

• Level of knowledge the candidates possesses.
• Conceptual understanding of issues
• Clarity of thought 
• Communication skill
• Planning of career
• Basic personality 
• Reacting to a situation

Questions to be prepared in advance:

Introduce Yourself

• The interviewer can ask you to provide a description of yourself. Do not state your gender, age or personal interests when answering, but keep the information relevant to the banking position. Focus on your math or finance background, a brief explanation of your previous jobs and responsibilities, and why you have a passion for this particular field, whether teller or banking manager.

Previous Work and Responsibilities

• The employer may ask you to discuss some of your previous responsibilities and roles with past employers. Focus on the duties and roles that apply directly to the position you are interviewing for at the bank. Highlight your experience with counting and handling money, completing customer requests, and transferring funds from one account to another.

Enjoyment

• The interviewer wants to find a candidate who genuinely enjoys the work. A common question during a telephone interview is for you to define what you enjoy about working at a bank. Include aspects of the job that appeal or excite you, so the employer recognizes your passion. Examples include working with banking customers and providing advice and feedback about account information.

Knowledge of the Bank

• One question that will reveal how much research you have done is why you want to work at the bank. Rather than focusing on the specific position, the interviewer wants to know what you know about the bank, its role in the market, any mergers or investments the bank is known for and how wide the client base is. Some answers can include comparing the bank to other banks in the area, but only if it highlights the bank as being the better option for employment.

Applying at the Bank

• Although you may know many details about the bank, the employer wants to know why you are interested in the specific banking position (why PO, why not SO or Clerk). Focus on what you can offer the employer and bank as a whole by using examples from your education, achievements or previous employment roles.

  Technical Knowledge

  • The interview given to candidates who have successfully passed the PO exams can be technical in nature. As a candidate you should focus on being able to answer questions on standard banking terms such as statutory liquidity ratio, repurchase rate, bank rate and maturity transformation. Be prepared both to define terms and to discuss their significance in banking practice and transactions.

  Historical Events and Current Affairs

  • You should also be prepared to demonstrate that you are knowledgeable about the history of the Indian Banking Sector and of banking in India generally, and have a grasp of important historical dates. You should review Indian history during and since the freedom struggle to show your general knowledge. Make yourself aware of recent banking developments and any specific events of importance to the Indian Banking Sector in recent months, such as awards or regulatory changes.

    Let Your Personality Shine

    • Although prior banking experience is always a plus, most banking executives want to hire a team player with a positive attitude. The banking business is changing, trending toward being a more customer sales and service industry. Most bankers understand that product knowledge can be taught, but attitude and personality cannot During the meeting, show your interviewer that you are a team player and are willing to go above and beyond expectations to get the job done right. During the interview, maintain an engaged and interested appearance so the interviewer understands that you are listening to him.

      
      

      Some more Guidelines:

      
      

      • Exude confidence. Stand up straight. Make eye contact. Offer a firm handshake. These simple steps can show the interviewer that you feel confident in your ability to handle the job and yourself.
      • Make small talk. Ask the interviewer how they're doing or mention the weather. Small talk is a great way to break the ice and give the two of you a moment to relax before the real questions begin.
      • Be honest. Most interviewers know when a person is lying to them and will make a mental check to not hire you. Even if you get away with the lie in the initial interview, you will eventually be caught in the lie in the future, which would be even more embarrassing.
      • Demonstrate your knowledge. 
      • Be friendly.
      • Don't slouch during the interview.
      • Don't talk over the interviewer.
      • Prepare questions to ask your interviewer in advance. Inevitably, you will be asked if you have any questions at the end of the interview. Many interviewers expect serious applicants to come prepared with specific questions about the bank or the position. Make sure that your questions are relevant to the position. You could ask about advancement opportunities within the company or additional details about the duties and expectations of the position. Avoid asking about salaries and pay rates at interview.
      • Create a mental or written list of examples in your personal life or work history when you had to resolve a conflict between friends or with a customer, report a friend or co-worker to authorities for inappropriate behavior, times when an employer or customer was especially pleased with your work, and your ability to work as a team player. The main characteristics that are important to bank employers are honesty, customer service and the ability to work well with others. Your interviewer will ask questions regarding these characteristics. They will either be direct or “example” questions. Direct questions could be answered with a "yes" or "no"; however, you should provide examples to support your answer. Example questions ask you to provide an example of how your handled or would handle a specific situation
      • Practice before you go to your interview. Sit or stand in front of a mirror and talk about yourself as if you were talking to your interviewer. Watch yourself as you speak and practice looking yourself in the eyes. If you tend to look down or away, take notice and force yourself to correct the problem. Also, pay attention to how fast you speak. You will likely be somewhat nervous when interviewing. Practice speaking at a normal pace and volume so that you will recognize and correct rushed, mumbled or unintelligible speech once you are at the interview.
      • Express a desire to grow. Employment at a bank offers many opportunities for growth.