Banking interviews are meant to gauge the potential of the candidate to see if he/she has

the skills to be placed in any suitable post in the bank. Banking interview questions are
meant to measure the attitude, skill and adjustability of the candidate, to draw a conclusion
on his/her suitability in the firm. The interviewers will ask as many questions they think is
necessary before recruiting any candidate as they are concerned with the fact that the
quality and skills of the employees will determines the future of the company.

To become successful in the banking interview process, you need to be well prepared to
face the different sets of banking interview questions. Banking interview questions also
starts with some general questions about the candidate such as his/her family background,
education, and interests. The second and third set of banking interview questions will be
meant to know the candidate's work experience, nature, capacity, ideology, and ability to
solve problems. Answering to the fist set of banking interview questions related to your
family, qualification, or future planning will be quite easy.

Let us discuss some of the common but very effective banking interview questions.

The interviewer may typically begin with 'tell me about yourself". It is a common opener
which is meant to set the ball rolling for the next few minutes ahead. Even though this is
the common question which will be asked in most of the interviews you can score brownie
points by answering the question a bit differently, but at the same time not deviating much
from the context.

Other commonly asked banking interview questions include:

General Questions

Why did you choose banking as your profession? 

Do you have any previous experience? 
Why you left your previous job? 
Why do you want to work for us? 
How long will you stay with us? 
Where you see yourself in another five years?

Finance related banking interview questions

If you could buy one stock today, what would it be and why? 
Can you explain the effect of rising interest rates on the United States economy? 
What are the main issues ABC Company has to face before entering a given industry (Porter
framework)? 
Explain the techniques you use to value firms? 
What do you mean by cost of capital? 
When do you use a WACC versus a cost of equity?

Behavioral Questions

Do you think you have leadership quality? Can you explain when did you show leadership? 
Have you think you can perform well in a group? 
What is your most noted accomplishment? 
What are your positive traits or strengths? 
What are your negative traits or weaknesses? 
What you can do for the company others people can't? 
Explain an example when you had a personal conflict and how you resolved it? 
Tell a time when you had an ethical dilemma and how you resolved it. 
What type of person do you find difficult to get along with?

The above mentioned are some of the common questions that are used by most of the
banking interviewers. Remember that for a banking job interviewer, there cannot be a
dearth for questions. So be well prepared before attending the interview and answer all
questions in a positive way. Remember if you have the material they are looking for, you'll
get it.
The 25 most difficult questions you'll be
asked on a job interview
Being prepared is half the battle.
If you are one of those executive types unhappy at your present post and embarking
on a New Year's resolution to find a new one, here's a helping hand. The job
interview is considered to be the most critical aspect of every expedition that brings
you face-to- face with the future boss. One must prepare for it with the same tenacity
and quickness as one does for a fencing tournament or a chess match.
This article has been excerpted from "PARTING COMPANY: How to Survive the
Loss of a Job and Find Another Successfully" by William J. Morin and James C.
Cabrera. Copyright by Drake Beam Morin, inc. Publised by Harcourt Brace
Jovanovich.
Morin is chairman and Cabrera is president of New York-based Drake Beam
Morin, nation's major outplacement firm, which has opened offices in
Philadelphia.

1. Tell me about yourself.

Since this is often the opening question in an interview, be extracareful that you don't
run off at the mouth. Keep your answer to a minute or two at most. Cover four topics:
early years, education, work history, and recent career experience. Emphasize this last
subject. Remember that this is likely to be a warm-up question. Don't waste your best
points on it.

2. What do you know about our organization?

You should be able to discuss products or services, revenues, reputation, image, goals,
problems, management style, people, history and philosophy. But don't act as if you
know everything about the place. Let your answer show that you have taken the time
to do some research, but don't overwhelm the interviewer, and make it clear that you
wish to learn more.

You might start your answer in this manner: "In my job search, I've investigated a
number of companies.

Yours is one of the few that interests me, for these reasons..."
Give your answer a positive tone. Don't say, "Well, everyone tells me that you're in all
sorts of trouble, and that's why I'm here", even if that is why you're there.

3. Why do you want to work for us?

The deadliest answer you can give is "Because I like people." What else would you
like-animals?

Here, and throughout the interview, a good answer comes from having done your
homework so that you can speak in terms of the company's needs. You might say that
your research has shown that the company is doing things you would like to be
involved with, and that it's doing them in ways that greatly interest you. For example,
if the organization is known for strong management, your answer should mention that
fact and show that you would like to be a part of that team. If the company places a
great deal of emphasis on research and development, emphasize the fact that you want
to create new things and that you know this is a place in which such activity is
encouraged. If the organization stresses financial controls, your answer should
mention a reverence for numbers.

If you feel that you have to concoct an answer to this question - if, for example, the
company stresses research, and you feel that you should mention it even though it
really doesn't interest you- then you probably should not be taking that interview,
because you probably shouldn't be considering a job with that organization.

Your homework should include learning enough about the company to avoid
approaching places where you wouldn't be able -or wouldn't want- to function. Since
most of us are poor liars, it's difficult to con anyone in an interview. But even if you
should succeed at it, your prize is a job you don't really want.

4. What can you do for us that someone else can't?

Here you have every right, and perhaps an obligation, to toot your own horn and be a
bit egotistical. Talk about your record of getting things done, and mention specifics
from your resume or list of career accomplishments. Say that your skills and interests,
combined with this history of getting results, make you valuable. Mention your ability
to set priorities, identify problems, and use your experience and energy to solve them.

5. What do you find most attractive about this position? What seems least
attractive about it?

List three or four attractive factors of the job, and mention a single, minor,
unattractive item.
6. Why should we hire you?

Create your answer by thinking in terms of your ability, your experience, and your
energy. (See question 4.)

7. What do you look for in a job?

Keep your answer oriented to opportunities at this organization. Talk about your
desire to perform and be recognized for your contributions. Make your answer
oriented toward opportunity rather than personal security.

8. Please give me your defintion of [the position for which you are being
interviewed].

Keep your answer brief and taskoriented. Think in in terms of responsibilities and
accountability. Make sure that you really do understand what the position involves
before you attempt an answer. If you are not certain. ask the interviewer; he or she
may answer the question for you.

9. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?

Be realistic. Say that, while you would expect to meet pressing demands and pull your
own weight from the first day, it might take six months to a year before you could
expect to know the organization and its needs well enough to make a major
contribution.

10. How long would you stay with us?

Say that you are interested in a career with the organization, but admit that you would
have to continue to feel challenged to remain with any organization. Think in terms
of, "As long as we both feel achievement-oriented."

11. Your resume suggests that you may be over-qualified or too experienced for
this position. What's Your opinion?

Emphasize your interest in establishing a long-term association with the organization,

and say that you assume that if you perform well in his job, new opportunities will
open up for you. Mention that a strong company needs a strong staff. Observe that
experienced executives are always at a premium. Suggest that since you are so
wellqualified, the employer will get a fast return on his investment. Say that a
growing, energetic company can never have too much talent.
12. What is your management style?

You should know enough about the company's style to know that your management
style will complement it. Possible styles include: task oriented (I'll enjoy problem-
solving identifying what's wrong, choosing a solution and implementing it"), results-
oriented ("Every management decision I make is determined by how it will affect the
bottom line"), or even paternalistic ("I'm committed to taking care of my subordinates
and pointing them in the right direction").

A participative style is currently quite popular: an open-door method of managing in

which you get things done by motivating people and delegating responsibility.

As you consider this question, think about whether your style will let you work
hatppily and effectively within the organization.

13. Are you a good manager? Can you give me some examples? Do you feel that
you have top managerial potential?

Keep your answer achievementand ask-oriented. Rely on examples from your career
to buttress your argument. Stress your experience and your energy.

14. What do you look for when You hire people?

Think in terms of skills. initiative, and the adaptability to be able to work comfortably
and effectively with others. Mention that you like to hire people who appear capable
of moving up in the organization.

15. Have you ever had to fire people? What were the reasons, and how did you
handle the situation?

Admit that the situation was not easy, but say that it worked out well, both for the
company and, you think, for the individual. Show that, like anyone else, you don't
enjoy unpleasant tasks but that you can resolve them efficiently and -in the case of
firing someone- humanely.

16. What do you think is the most difficult thing about being a manager or
executive?

Mention planning, execution, and cost-control. The most difficult task is to motivate
and manage employess to get something planned and completed on time and within
the budget.
17. What important trends do you see in our industry?

Be prepared with two or three trends that illustrate how well you understand your
industry. You might consider technological challenges or opportunities, economic
conditions, or even regulatory demands as you collect your thoughts about the
direction in which your business is heading.

18. Why are you leaving (did you leave) your present (last) job?

Be brief, to the point, and as honest as you can without hurting yourself. Refer back to
the planning phase of your job search. where you considered this topic as you set your
reference statements. If you were laid off in an across-the-board cutback, say so;
otherwise, indicate that the move was your decision, the result of your action. Do not
mention personality conflicts.

The interviewer may spend some time probing you on this issue, particularly if it is
clear that you were terminated. The "We agreed to disagree" approach may be useful.
Remember hat your references are likely to be checked, so don't concoct a story for an
interview.

19. How do you feel about leaving all your benefits to find a new job?

Mention that you are concerned, naturally, but not panicked. You are willing to accept
some risk to find the right job for yourself. Don't suggest that security might interest
you more than getting the job done successfully.

20. In your current (last) position, what features do (did) you like the most? The
least?

Be careful and be positive. Describe more features that you liked than disliked. Don't
cite personality problems. If you make your last job sound terrible, an interviewer
may wonder why you remained there until now.

21. What do you think of your boss?

Be as positive as you can. A potential boss is likely to wonder if you might talk about
him in similar terms at some point in the future.

22. Why aren't you earning more at your age?

Say that this is one reason that you are conducting this job search. Don't be defensive.
23. What do you feel this position should pay?

Salary is a delicate topic. We suggest that you defer tying yourself to a precise figure
for as long as you can do so politely. You might say, "I understand that the range for
this job is between $______ and $______. That seems appropriate for the job as I
understand it." You might answer the question with a question: "Perhaps you can help
me on this one. Can you tell me if there is a range for similar jobs in the
organization?"

If you are asked the question during an initial screening interview, you might say that
you feel you need to know more about the position's responsibilities before you could
give a meaningful answer to that question. Here, too, either by asking the interviewer
or search executive (if one is involved), or in research done as part of your homework,
you can try to find out whether there is a salary grade attached to the job. If there is,
and if you can live with it, say that the range seems right to you.

If the interviewer continues to probe, you might say, "You know that I'm making
$______ now. Like everyone else, I'd like to improve on that figure, but my major
interest is with the job itself." Remember that the act of taking a new job does not, in
and of itself, make you worth more money.

If a search firm is involved, your contact there may be able to help with the salary
question. He or she may even be able to run interference for you. If, for instance, he
tells you what the position pays, and you tell him that you are earning that amount
now and would Like to do a bit better, he might go back to the employer and propose
that you be offered an additional 10%.

If no price range is attached to the job, and the interviewer continues to press the
subject, then you will have to restpond with a number. You cannot leave the
impression that it does not really matter, that you'll accept whatever is offered. If
you've been making $80,000 a year, you can't say that a $35,000 figure would be fine
without sounding as if you've given up on yourself. (If you are making a radical career
change, however, this kind of disparity may be more reasonable and understandable.)

Don't sell yourself short, but continue to stress the fact that the job itself is the most
important thing in your mind. The interviewer may be trying to determine just how
much you want the job. Don't leave the impression that money is the only thing that is
important to you. Link questions of salary to the work itself.

But whenever possible, say as little as you can about salary until you reach the "final"
stage of the interview process. At that point, you know that the company is genuinely
interested in you and that it is likely to be flexible in salary negotiations.
24. What are your long-range goals?

Refer back to the planning phase of your job search. Don't answer, "I want the job
you've advertised." Relate your goals to the company you are interviewing: 'in a firm
like yours, I would like to..."

25. How successful do you you've been so far?

Say that, all-in-all, you're happy with the way your career has progressed so far. Given
the normal ups and downs of life, you feel that you've done quite well and have no
complaints.

Present a positive and confident picture of yourself, but don't overstate your case. An
answer like, "Everything's wonderful! I can't think of a time when things were going
better! I'm overjoyed!" is likely to make an interviewer wonder whether you're trying
to fool him . . . or yourself. The most convincing confidence is usually quiet
confidence.
If you think job interview questions sessions are all about tough interview questions or
difficult interview questions then it is time to stop thinking that way. You are creating
unnecessarily anxiety for yourself prior to the interview. Stay calm and begin to fill your
mind with only positive thoughts. Envision yourself as a talented individual offering solutions
to the hiring company.

Well-structured job interview questions session should not take more than an hour. During
such a session, the interviewers would ask a host of questions pertaining to your family
background, personal interest, academic achievement, work experience and future
aspiration. Their purpose is to know the real you and decide whether you can fit into the
culture and work with the existing team effectively.

A List Of Job Interview Questions

1)Tell us about yourself.

2)What are your greatest strengths?

3)What are your greatest weaknesses?

4)Describe your typical day at work?

5)How would you describe your present or most recent boss?

6)What do your boss thinks of you?

7)What are your friends and colleagues’ opinion of you?

8)What is you most memorable achievement in the last 12 months?

9)What was the most difficult situation you faced at work recently and how did you handle
it?

10)What contribution have you made in your present/last employment?

11)What do you least like and most like about your current/last employment?

12)Why do you want to leave?

13)Why did you leave without a job?

14)What is your short term and long term plans?

15)Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

16)What do you know about our Company?

17)Why do you want to join us?

18)What can you bring to this post?

19)Why should we hire you?

20)What remuneration are you looking at?

21)Can we do a reference check with your last two employers?

22)What do you do for leisure?

23)What have you read lately?

24)Who do you admire most? Who is your role model?

25) If there is a chance to relive your life, what would you do differently?

26) How should a leader behave?

27) How would you lead your new team in order to achieve success within a short time?

28) What are the priorities in your life?

29) What is your greatest fear in life?

Answer all the interview questions posted sincerely, straight to the point and with
enthusiasm. Clarify with the interviewer if you are not sure about the questioned posted
before you start answering it. Try to sound spontaneous when answering interview
questions posted even if you have rehearsed answering the questions ample times
privately. And maintain a consistent level of energy throughout the session. No interviewer
would be impressed if the candidate start to wither away right before their eyes after an
hour of questioning. Or worst keep checking the time and grew anxious to leave.
Why do you want to enter banking?
 You need to talk about Banking – what the interviewer seeks for is a person who is
flexible to be along with the given timings, someone who can cope up with writing bits
and bobs or a person who can benefit them with more development .Your answer can
have following bulleted points.
 Banking is a fast changing environment
 Retail banking is now very competitive – from telephone banking, retailers
and etc Banking is thus now largely sales driven.
 You can even talk about IT getting changes and clearing banks offers a
wide range of career opportunities for graduates – not just in branch
banking but also in financial services, consultancy and corporate
banking.
 Have you applied to any other areas apart from banking?
 Here off course your answer will hold some other finance or sales and
marketing careers – insurance or accountancy, altogether these careers
should have skills related to banking.
 How do you feel about committing yourself to another three years of
exams?
 The professional examinations that you will almost certainly be required to
take as part of your training are not always difficult in themselves, but do
require determination and focus- especially as much of your study will be
done in the evenings after a hard days work.

 You should also be aware of the range of qualifications open to you – many of
the large clearing banks offer the opportunity to gain qualifications in marketing,
personnel or accountancy – not just banking.
 Tell me about an experience in which you had to use tact?
 Tact and diplomacy are important qualities in retail banking – the customer is
(almost!) always right. You may have to tell an account holder diplomatically
why they can’t have a loan for example, without provoking them into moving
their account elsewhere.

 To answer this type of question, think through everything you have done in
the last five years – school, university, sports, clubs, societies, travel,
vacation jobs etc. and try to think of situations where you had to demonstrate
this and other qualities – do this before your interview.
 If you have completed a number of employer application forms, then you
should already have done this as this type of question is now common on
application forms.
 Who are our major competitors and what differences do you notice in our
products?
 The company will be expecting that you have done your research on the
industry generally. You should be familiar with the bank’s products and
services – literature on these can be picked up at any branch. Read the banks
brochures and annual reports – these may be in the careers information
room.
 Be aware of current trends in the market and try to find out what each bank
is doing in these areas.
 What significant trends do you see in the future for our industry?
 This is your chance to shine. You will be fully familiar with the economic
situation as it relates to banking or how recent legislation affects it. How will
 you be familiar? Because you will have done your research and preparation
properly.
 You will have talked to people about the employer, you will have been reading
trade magazines, journals and newspapers, and you will have poured over
company brochures, annual reports or anything else you can get your hands
on direct from the employer.
 You could talk about tele-banking, the limited range of services now being
offered by the supermarket banks, the effects of technology and competition
and much more.
 The Employment Files in the Careers Service library are an obvious first place
to look. The Internet is also an excellent source of information. Be ready to
have more than one significant trend to discuss!

With the competition keener than ever and the economy in a slump, you need to prepare for your job interview thoroughly. It’s
no longer enough to offer a firm handshake to your interviewer, make eye contact, and nod pleasantly now and then. You need to
prepare a dynamic application letter and resume. You need to research the company. And you need to present a confident image
and develop the ability to answer tough questions on the spot.

Although no one can predict the questions your potential employer will ask, you can think about how you’d answer some of the
commonly asked ones. Here are ten questions for you to consider and a few hints about how to answer them:

1. Tell me about yourself.

Chances are the employer doesn’t want to know how much you weighed when you were born, when you learned to tie your
shoes, or how much you had to drink last night. He or she wants to know how you would fit into the company and what
your relevant job experience is. You might answer by asking the interviewer what he’d like to know. Or you might talk
about your education, the fact that you’re a team player, or whatever you think might be important to this particular
company.

2. Why should we hire you?

Even though five people may be waiting outside, you need to sound confident, calm, and capable. Explain how your
experience has prepared you for the job. Emphasize the qualities you think the employer is looking for, such as your
outstanding work ethic or the fact that you’re a fast learner.

3. What is your worst characteristic?

Some human resource specialists suggest that you make a virtue sound like a flaw. “I tend to be a perfectionist,” or,
“Everyone says I work too hard.” But others say these answers have become clichés. Mention a minor flaw, such as, “I
think I’m too outspoken at times, but I’m working on it.”

4. Where do you want to be five years from now?

Let the interviewer know you’re looking for job stability and that you aren’t planning to use this job as a temporary
stopping point in your quest for a better position. You
 could say, “I’d like to be employed in a small company like this one, where I can learn,
contribute, and advance.”

5. Why did you leave your last job?

Never put your former employer or your co-workers in a negative light. Don’t blame them for your departure. Give a
positive reason, such as you left to take advantage of another opportunity that was better suited to your skills.

6. Tell me about a problem you had in your life and how you solved it.
Be prepared with a short answer that shows you’re resourceful. “I really wanted to go to a private university, but my parents
didn’t have the money. I went to a community college for two years, worked part time and saved my money so I could
attend the last two years at the college of my choice.”

7. Have you had difficulties getting along with supervisors or co-workers?

You’d have to be a saint to have had no problems with the people you worked with. You might answer, “Nothing major. I
try to get along with everyone.”

8. How do you deal with stress on the job?

The employer wants to know if you’re going to run out the door when things get stressful. Ask yourself if you thrive on
working with deadlines or if you need creative time to function more effectively. Think about how you handle stress and be
honest. “I focus on the work I’m doing,” or, “I make time to work out at the gym.”

9. What salary do you want for this job?

Rather than stating a definite figure, tell the interviewer you’d expect to get somewhere in the standard range paid for this
position.

10. Do you have questions for me?

Always have a few questions. They show that you researched the company. Ask about a
current issue the company is working on or how their recent layoff in another department
affected company morale.