Recently there was global meltdown,
initially started with sub-prime crisis and subsequent collapse of
financial and banking sector of USA, which led to shut down of major
banks in USA and there raised a sort of unrest ,resulted in massive job
cuts in private sector especially software field in which we are most
dependent on overseas projects. All these consequences created a notion
in people that there is no job security in recent times.In spite of all
these major things happening Banking Sector in India stayed robust. Now a
day's banks went global and started operating in various branches around
the world. The modern computerized techniques used in banking operations
reduced the risk of making mistakes for the employees; in calculations,
counting and maintaining data of different customers of the bank. Bank
Probationary Officers as well as Bank Clerical jobs emerged as lucrative
careers. Especially at this time of turbulence; bank jobs in public
sector seem to be a safe bet. Bank jobs not only provide us good salaries
but also provide us good social status.Atleast above 70% would be a
fairly good score. Applicants with commerce, financial and Math
background have more chances for success rather than applicants with
other backgrounds.How to get Information about the JobsAs Jobs in the
bank have been declared by the banks very frequently at this point of
time, the aspirants are advised to visit the websites of respective banks
for the upcoming bank exams section frequently, to check recruitment of
bank Probationary Officers or Bank Clerks. Also visit various other
sections of the website to know tips on how to prepare for bank exams,
how to prepare for interviews, group discussions and written part of the
bank exams. You can also visit various other links to know about the job,
salaries, perks, roles & responsibilities of bank jobs. State Bank of
India, the largest bank of the country, having wide network of branches
in India & abroad has announced another massive recruitment exercise.
This time the bank has announced 1000 vacancies of Probationary
Officers.Punjab National Bank which is one of the leading public sector
banks of the country has declared massive recruitment. The bank is having
more than 5000 branches spread over all parts of the country. The bank
has announced one of its biggest recruitment exercises of 6428
Clerks.Information of few useful BooksMagical Book Series: Money, Banking
& Finance by N.K. SinhaThis is a very useful book for the preparation of
banking interviews and reasonably priced. You will find lots of
information in this book on banking and financial environment, important
concepts, terminology, financial institutions, important policies etc.
The book is covering most of the information on which questions are
generally asked in banking interviews.Apart from these books you should
also take help from "Competition Success Review" which is such a good
book for the preparation of interviews. Also refer to the section on
"Interview preparation" in this website for some very useful tips and
methods.Basic eligibility for bank exams: Age to be between 18 - 28 yrs,
as on 01.01.2011; little variations may be there from bank to
bank.Completion of a Degree (any discipline) from a recognized university
is a must.Able to read/write & speak in languages mentioned by the banks
that are recruiting; most commonly must be fluent in English & Hindi
(sometimes local language of the place where the bank is
located).Knowledge in computer operations is required in most of the
banksAfter passing all the eligibility criteria and applying for the
examinations. A Common Written Examination (CWE) will be conducted by the
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) as a pre-requisite for
selection of personnel for Probationary Officer/ Management Trainee
posts/Bank clerks in the Public Sector BanksPattern of the Common Written
Examination for PO'sSelection of PO's is made on the basis of performance
in written test and interview. Sometimes group discussions are also
included in selection process. The pattern of the written test is more
are less similar in all the public sector banks. The written test
includes objective and descriptive type of questions.The candidates shall
be required to qualify in each objective test as per the cut-off marks
determined by individual banks. For wrong answers there is provision for
the negative marking which is normally 1/4th i.e. one marks will be
deducted for four wrong answers.Objective tests include Test for general
awareness, Test for English, Test for quantitative Aptitude and Test for
reasoning. The test lasts for the duration of nearly 2 hrs and for 200-
225 marks, 50 marks for each subject roughly, conducted in English and
Hindi languages. Bank Clerical exams have Clerical Aptitude test in some
of the banks.Descriptive test include of 4 questions out of which the
candidates are required to attempt 3 questions only. The test will be of
60 marks (i.e. 20 marks for each question). The test will be only
qualifying and the marks obtained therein shall not be reckoned for
preparing the merit list. The candidates shall have the option to answer
the descriptive test either in English or Hindi. Selected candidates in
the written test are called for interview and Group Discussion.This is
the General pattern of Bank PO Exams, however now-a-days each bank is
coming up with slight difference in the pattern of exam. So, better keep
a check on exact pattern for coming exams on an ongoing basis.Preparation
tips for Bank ExamsWriting the bank exams with short term preparation at
the moment of the exam does not workout. Serious preparation at least
eight months before is needed. For an aspirant who is willing to get
success in bank exams right strategy, planning and approach are essential
for preparing. If you succeed in choosing a right approach and right
study material to read half of your job is done. As these examinations
are completely different from school and college examinations; we are
supposed to get minimum qualifying marks in each section. We have to work
on some basic and crucial concepts and should manage to get best study
material available in the market.First we have to prioritize all the
sections of the test according to good scoring possibility; in the
priorities reasoning should be on the top of the list, then follow
General awareness, Quantitative aptitude and English respectively.
English is just qualifying exam; so you can just attempt all the
questions just to qualify. Before appearing the exam know whether English
is qualifying or marks are counted. General awareness is an easy scoring
subject (you can score more than 80%).This consists of mainly current
affairs and happenings in India and around the world, in the past 6-8
months. You need to devote some time on regular basis reading current
affairs from different News Papers and magazines and keep yourself
current. Quantitative Aptitude part is a general and basic math which is
not very hard. The only thing is you need a lot of practice on regular
basis and exact and thorough understanding of the concepts clearly.
Practice should be in such a way that you answer the questions in an
accurate and quick manner. The most crucial and the part on which your
success depends is Reasoning test. This is the toughest part of the exam
for most of the aspirants. You should understand the concepts and solve
the old model papers and it will be more useful if you solve more and
more questions; because more or less similar questions based on certain
concepts appear in most of the PO's question papers.Descriptive part
don't require more preparation, because any fairly good student can
answer this part and more over it is only a qualifying exam. Most of the
aspirants qualify in this exam very easily; so nothing to worry
about.Time management in the Exam Even though you know all the answers
and solutions for all the questions; if you can't solve them in given
time it is of no use. Therefore, presence of mind and time management are
major Keys for your success. In quantitative aptitude and reasoning right
from the beginning of practice, make it a habit to solve with in certain
time limit. Rigorous practice not only improves your accuracy; but also
accelerates your speed in arriving at genuine and correct solutions.Most
of your success depends on how you divide the time between different
sections. Generally English and General awareness do not require more
time, because most of the questions are direct and do not require more
thinking or analysis. So, try to complete both the sections within 30-40
min maximum. The more time you save in both these sections can be used in
solving other two sections. It is good to contribute 35-40 min;
quantitative aptitude has direct application of shortcuts and formulas;
which can be achieved by more practice. Maximum time of 60 min or more
can be contributed to Reasoning test; because it needs logical and
analytical thinking.Time management gives you competitive advantage over
the other aspirants, who are attempting the same exam. More over time
management is always useful in all aspects of your life; may it be your
career or any occasion. You will learn proper use of time; so that you
will not be wasting your precious time on unnecessary things and this in
turn helps you in prioritizing things.ScoresIf you really prepare well
you can easily score 85% and above in math and general awareness and 80%
is good percentage in reasoning test. If you get 70% you will have fairly
good chances for an interview call and if you score overall 80%, you will
definitely get an interview call.Preparation for Interviews and Group
discussion:The aspirants have to prepare well ahead of time for
interviews and group discussions; because it requires a good command over
communication skills. Immense and regular practice makes you well worse
in these aspects and no doubt improve your communication skills.Few tips
for interview: Keep specific answers for all the generally asked
questions. Dress in a proper formal manner, look and be polite, answer in
more pleasing and confident manner.Some of the commonly asked questions
in the interview:Tell me about yourself?Why do you want to enter
banking?What significant trends do you see in the future in Banking
Industry?Explain how you would be an asset to this organization or why
should we select you for this position?What is your greatest strength and
greatest weakness?Do you think you are overqualified for this
position?Few tips for Group discussions: Here are few tips which give you
cutting edge in group discussions as compared to other aspirants. Group
discussion should be done in a very careful manner; because it is the way
to test your communication skills, Leadership skills and your ability to
work in teams.Be polite with a slight smile on your face; have a positive
approach over the topic you are speaking, this gives a good impression to
the evaluators.Initiating the discussion gets you an edge over others;
but never ever initiates the discussion if you are not comfortable with
the topic.Do not speak in a hasty manner. Be, a good listener during the
course of discussion. If you pay attention on what others are speaking,
you can build upon the discussion and you can express your own views on
the topic and you can even try concluding the topic. This builds up your
image in the view of evaluators.Be cool and never get indulged into
arguments. If at all any arguments arise in due course accidentally;
pacify them in a more matured manner by putting forth genuine views , so
that other aspirants are soothingly persuaded.If you prepare well in this
sequence it is easy to crack the bank exams and come out in flying
colors.