8 Important Questions You Have to 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 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. 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. 

4. 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.

5. 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. 

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 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. 

8. 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.

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

IBPS PO/ Clerk Interview: Top and Important 4 Rules

The interview season is back again for the year 2015. IBPS has announced common interviews for PO & clerk posts as part of the recruitment exams completed last year.The scores secured at this stage are important to confirm your appointment in govt. banks, as it is instrumental in fixing the final scores of an individual.So here are the 4 important rules that you need to prepare for the upcoming IBPS common interviews.

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection has fixed a total 100 marks for the interview & the minimum cutoff score is 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC) to become eligible for merit list. 

Therefore, all exam pass-outs must understand that their interview performance is vital for allotment in govt. banks.Here are some of the important areas that you need to concentrate upon: 

Know A to Z of Banking Sector:

The interviewing panel will want to know whether you are fit to work in a bank by checking your banking knowledge. 

→There is absolutely no purpose in selecting someone who doesn't know anything about the field. 

→Expect extensive no. of questions related to banking sector starting from types of accounts to the latest technologies integrated in banks. 

→If you are appearing for the first time in such interviews or was not able to crack it the last time, here is a quick way to memorize all the terms: Get a good book. 

→While going through the pages, take note of the important terminologies in a diary or separate sheet.This will help you in last minute revisions. 

Be Aware of Current Affairs:

→Follow a national newspaper such as ‘The Hindu’ for a month.For business news, ‘Business Line’ will be a good choice (you may also visit their websites such as Hindu & Business Line regularly, if you don't have access to physical copies)

→Events such as Reserve Bank of India announcing new policies, appointment of chairman for appointed for banks, formation of committees & other economy related news shouldn't miss your eyes.They may be asked in your next interview.

→Write down the top headlines date-wise so you may revise them at a glance. 

Don't miss your state events while focusing nationally.In clerk interviews, the panel had also asked questions about the city that he/she belongs. 

Fine-tune your Communication Skills 

We regularly see candidates who were successful in the exams fail to make it in the interviews.A common problem faced by them is the inability to communicate their thoughts in english language. 

→It is NOT necessary for you to speak in British or US English, but whatever you say must be understandable by the panel. 

→Don't feel nervous as it leads you to speak fast, which must be avoided. 

→Ask your friends or family members to conduct mock interviews & get their feedback on your performance. 

→There are certain commonly asked questions in an interview such as Tell me about yourself, Why did you choose bank jobs etc.,You could prepare some answers based on experiences shared by others but dont repeat the exact same thing. 

Incase you don't know an answer for a question, be bold enough to reply, ‘Sir/Mam, I don't know’. 

Behave Well 

A candidate will be judged as soon as he/she enters the room.So right from the manner you greet the panel to the words you use to address them - everything will be taken into account while awarding marks. 

→Dress decently.
        →Men are expected to be in formals (full sleeve shirt & ironed pant with shoes).
        →Women may choose to wear a saree or a neat looking salwar kameez
→Work on your sitting posture & body language.Practice speaking in front of a mirror.It will help you see the various actions you make while answering.

→No nail biting, scratching your heads or pulling your hair type of activities. 

The panel would consist of senior/retired officials from various banks & will expect all candidates to show them respect.You may be brilliant in a field but don't project it or showoff before them as these officials may take it personally & mistake you to be an arrogant person!!

Interview Question: Why Did You Choose Bank Job

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.

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.

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:

→Tips to answer common interview questions

→Books for interviews

→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.