This is purely a voluntary effort for

dissemination of knowledge and

enabling people to prepare
for interview and to enhance the
knowledge. I Like to thank at this point
of juncture to one of my closest person -
MS.K, AND MR. J AND THE TEAM
who had encouraged to do this and also
to all interview going people and other
students - who are in the queue to attend
the interview in the future.
Best efforts have been put to provide the
accurate and updated information.
However, the users are requested to
refer various and latest material.

-pHoENix
----

General tips

avoid bluffing or guessing. do not get emotional or nervous even if a

question is asked to provoke you, try to maintain your coolness. if you
don’t
remember answer say “sorry sir/madam, i am unable to recollect right
now.” or if you don’t know the answer, say “sorry sir/madam, i don’t know
the answer”. (politely)
----

appearances should not matter, but the plain fact is that you are often
judged before you have even uttered a word. dressing comfortably is
important in a pressurized interview situation. confident dressing hints at
your desire to progress and succeed within the company. women specially
need to take care as they have more options and feeling a tad bit confused
is understandable. a classic plain business suit combined with a clean shirt
goes well.

++++++

REMAIN PROFESSIONAL: EVEN IF YOU ARE QUITE

COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR INTERVIEWER AND KNOW THEM
WELL, YOU SHOULD STILL TREAT THIS LIKE A LEGITIMATE
INTERVIEW. MAINTAIN A PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE WHILE
ANSWERING THEIR QUESTIONS. THIS CAN SHOW THE
INTERVIEWER THAT YOU ARE TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY
FOR A PROMOTION SERIOUSLY.

BE READY FOR THE UNEXPECTED: BEING CONFIDENT DURING

AN INTERVIEW IS IMPORTANT, BUT DON’T BE SO CONFIDENT
THAT YOU GET BLINDSIDED BY A CHALLENGING QUESTION.
THERE MAY BE MORE TO THIS POSITION THAN YOU REALIZE,
WHICH IS WHY YOU STILL NEED TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT
YOUR RESPONSES AND LISTEN TO WHAT THE INTERVIEW
SAYS CAREFULLY.

ASK YOUR OWN QUESTIONS: ONCE THE INTERVIEWER IS

FINISHED ASKING YOU QUESTIONS, MAKE SURE TO ASK SOME
OF YOUR OWN. YOU COULD INQUIRE ABOUT THE TRANSITION
PROCESS IF YOU WERE TO GET THE ROLE OR ANY
RESPONSIBILITIES YOU’D LIKE THEM TO DISCUSS FURTHER.
ALONG WITH HELPING YOU LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ROLE,
IT SHOWS YOUR TRUE INTEREST IN THE JOB.
+++

What was your biggest achievement working -- if in case of employed ???

EMPLOYERS ASK THIS QUESTION TO LEARN MORE ABOUT

YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN YOUR CURRENT ROLE.
SHOWING THAT YOU ARE GOAL-ORIENTED AND AMBITIOUS
CAN INDICATE THAT YOU ARE READY FOR THE NEXT STEP IN
YOUR CAREER. THINK ABOUT ONE OF YOUR GREATEST
SUCCESSES AT WORK AND HOW IT BENEFITED THE COMPANY.
SHARE HOW YOU LOOK FORWARD TO REACHING EVEN MORE
OF YOUR GOALS.

I ALSO THINK THEY WOULD DESCRIBE ME AS DETERMINED. I

AM ALWAYS LOOKING TO MAKE NEW GOALS AND STAY ON
TOP OF MY TASKS. THAT’S WHY I THINK I’D BE SUCH A GOOD
FIT FOR THIS ROLE.
++

IN AN INTERVIEW HOW DOES ONE HANDLE THE QUESTION

"TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF?

A VERY COMMON QUESTION ASKED IN THE INTERVIEW. YOUR

OPENING STATEMENT NEEDS TO BE A SUMMARY OF YOUR
GOALS, OVERALL PROFESSIONAL CAPABILITIES,
ACHIEVEMENTS, BACKGROUND (EDUCATIONAL AND
FAMILY),STRENGTHS, PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVES AND
ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR PERSONALITY THAT IS RELEVANT
AND INTERESTING.

THIS QUESTION REPRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD THE

INTERVIEWER IN THE DIRECTION YOU WANT HIM TO GO E.G.,
YOUR SPECIALTY OR WHATEVER ELSE YOU MAY WISH TO
HIGHLIGHT.

YOUR INTENTION SHOULD BE TO TRY TO SUBTLY CONVINCE

THE INTERVIEWERS THAT YOU ARE A GOOD CANDIDATE, YOU
HAVE PROVED THAT IN THE PAST, AND HAVE A PERSONALITY
THAT FITS THE REQUIREMENT.

REMEMBER THAT THE FIRST IMPRESSION YOU CREATE WILL

GO A LONG WAY IN THE ULTIMATE SELECTION. KEEP IN MIND,
MOST CANDIDATES WHO ARE ASKED THIS QUESTION JUST TO
BLURT OUT WHICH ARE ALREADY THERE IN THE BIODATA.
SO THERE IS NO NEED OF TELLING THE INTERVIEWER
SOMETHING HE ALREADY KNOWS.

A FINAL WORD ON APPROACHING THIS QUESTION. ONCE

YOU HAVE SAID WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY - SHUT UP. DON'T
KEEP ON NARRATING FOR THE SAKE OF SPEAKING FOR
YOU MIGHT SAY SOMETHING FOOLISH. SOMETIMES
INTERVIEWERS DON'T INTERRUPT IN ORDER TO GIVE THE
CANDIDATE THE IMPRESSION THAT HE HAS NOT SPOKEN
ENOUGH. THIS IS JUST A STRESS INDUCING TACTIC. DON'T
FALL FOR IT, IF YOU FEEL YOU HAVE SPOKEN ENOUGH.
THE LENGTH OF AN INTERVIEW IN NO WAY IS AN
INDICATOR OF HOW WELL AN INTERVIEW WENT.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH PRESSURE OR STRESSFUL

SITUATIONS?
THE EMPLOYER WANTS TO KNOW: DO YOU HOLD DOWN THE
FORT OR CRUMBLE UNDER PRESSURE?

THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU WON’T HAVE A

MELTDOWN WHEN THE PRESSURE BECOMES INTENSE AND
DEADLINES ARE LOOMING. THE ABILITY TO STAY CALM
UNDER PRESSURE IS A HIGHLY PRIZED TALENT.

Script is ||||

I REALIZE STRESSFUL SITUATION ARE ALWAYS GOING TO

COME UP, AND I DEFINITELY HAVE HAD TO LEARN HOW TO
NAVIGATE THEM THROUGHOUT MY CAREER. I THINK I GET
BETTER AT IT WITH EVERY NEW EXPERIENCE. WHILE
WORKING ON A NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH AT MY LAST
COMPANY, FOR EXAMPLE, THINGS WERE NOT GOING
ACCORDING TO PLAN WITH MY TEAM. INSTEAD OF POINTING
FINGERS, MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO TAKE A STEP BACK
AND FIGURE OUT SOME STRATEGIES AROUND HOW WE
COULD WE SOLVE THE PROBLEM AT HAND. PREVIOUSLY, I
MAY HAVE DEFAULTED TO PANICKING IN THAT SITUATION,
SO BEING CALM AND COLLECTED WAS DEFINITELY A STEP
FORWARD AND HELPED ME APPROACH THE SITUATION WITH
MORE CLARITY.
++++

WHEN YOU’RE BALANCING MULTIPLE CUSTOMERS OR IF IN

CASE YOU ARE IN A POSITION TO PRIORITIZE THE IMPORTANT,
HOW DO YOU KEEP YOURSELF ORGANIZED?

EMPLOYERS WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW YOU USE YOUR

TIME AND ENERGY TO STAY PRODUCTIVE AND EFFICIENT.

THEY’RE ALSO LOOKING TO UNDERSTAND IF YOU HAVE

YOUR OWN SYSTEM FOR STAYING ON TRACK WITH THE
WORK BEYOND THE COMPANY’S SCHEDULES AND
WORKFLOW PLANS.

BE SURE TO EMPHASIZE THAT YOU ADHERE TO DEADLINES

AND TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY.

DISCUSS A SPECIFIC INSTANCE WHEN YOU STAYED ON

TRACK.

TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE AND URGENCY OF THE

PROJECTS YOU WERE WORKING ON AND HOW YOU
ALLOCATED YOUR TIME ACCORDINGLY.

EXPLAIN HOW YOU REMAIN ORGANIZED AND FOCUSED ON

THE JOB IN FRONT OF YOU.

EXAMPLE: “I’M USED TO JUGGLING PROJECTS AT MY

CURRENT JOB WHERE I’M OFTEN MOVING BETWEEN CODING
ONE SOFTWARE PROGRAM TO ANOTHER. I USE THE
TIMEBOXING TECHNIQUE TO MAKE SURE THEY’RE ALL ON
TRACK, ALLOCATING TIME ON MY CALENDAR FOR CERTAIN
TASKS. I’VE FOUND IT REALLY HELPS ME PRIORITIZE WHAT
NEEDS TO GET DONE FIRST, AND IT HOLDS ME ACCOUNTABLE
FOR THE MORE REPETITIVE DAY-TO-DAY TASKS I’M
RESPONSIBLE FOR.”

++

WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE LAST YEAR TO IMPROVE YOUR

KNOWLEDGE?/ WHAT WILL YOU DO IN YOUR PAST TIME ---
SAME WORDINGS WITH SLIGHT MODIFICATIONS AS AND
THERE --- IF IN CASE YOU ARE WORKING AND TRAVELLING TO
AND FRO FOR UR WORK

EMPLOYERS WANT TO KNOW HOW PEOPLE USED THEIR TIME

DIFFERENTLY. KNOW THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO FEEL
SCARED ABOUT ANSWERING THIS QUESTION IF YOU DIDN’T
SPEND YOUR TIME BRUSHING UP ON SKILLS OR TAKING
COURSES. WE LEARN FROM ANY EXPERIENCE WE HAVE.

. I READ A LOT OF JOURNALS TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE

LATEST IDEAS IN MY FIELD, AND SHARPENED MY SKILLS BY
TAKING SOME ONLINE COURSES, SUCH AS…” (AND THEN BE
SPECIFIC)

I, GAINED SOME TIME LAST YEAR FROM NOT HAVING TO

TRAVEL TWO HOURS A DAY TO AND FROM WORK. I DECIDED
TO SPEND MY TIME ON THINGS I LOVE. SO I GOT BACK TO
LEARNING HOW TO PLAY THE GUITAR AND JOURNALING. I
FEEL IT BROUGHT ME CLOSER TO MYSELF AND HAS BEEN
REALLY GREAT FOR MY MENTAL HEALTH AND
PRODUCTIVITY.
++

"WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST STRENGTH?"

AS TEMPTING AS IT MAY BE TO LIST EVERY BUZZWORD

POSSIBLE, INTERVIEWERS WILL HAVE HEARD THEM ALL.
LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION WITH AN ANECDOTAL
RESPONSE THAT DEMONSTRATES THE SKILLS THEY’RE
LOOKING FOR IN A CANDIDATE.

FOR EXAMPLE: “I HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO WORK WELL UNDER

A TIGHT SCHEDULE. IN MY CURRENT ROLE…”

YOU CAN ALSO USE SITUATIONS FROM DIFFERENT POINTS IN

YOUR CAREER. KEEP IN MIND THE TIPS FROM THE PROMPT
ABOVE AND USE THE S.T.A.R METHOD TO STRUCTURE YOUR
RESPONSE:

SITUATION: SET THE SCENE

TASK: EXPLAIN YOUR END GOAL
ACTION: OUTLINE THE STEPS YOU TOOK TO ACHIEVE YOUR
TASK

RESULT: NOTE THE RESULT OF YOUR ACTION

WHY IS THIS QUESTION IMPORTANT?

THIS QUESTION IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO “WOW”

THEM BY DEMONSTRATING THE KIND OF VALUE YOU CAN
BRING TO THEIR ORGANIZATION. CAREER CHANGERS CAN
LEVERAGE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES TO HIGHLIGHT
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS. USE THE S.T.A.R. METHOD FOR ANY
BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS, ALSO KNOWN AS “TELL ME OF A
TIME” QUESTIONS.
TYPICAL BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS SEEK EXAMPLES OF
LEADERSHIP, PROBLEM-SOLVING, OR GROWTH.

++++

Very dangeroius question is

What Is Your Biggest Weakness?”

Of course, you don’t want to admit to being anything but the perfect
candidate. The secret is to use this as an opportunity to demonstrate how
you’ve grown in your career.

But however you can say weakness of a lighter note – that too in a t in a
positive light; it's not a weakness, but rather an area of growth ---- if u cant
think just tell

Even if there is something I would definitely work on updating the same

by spending time on it.

In the below these UNDER THE HEADING GOOD – COULD ALSO BE

USED IN THE POSITIVE TRAITS IF YOU ARE WILLIN TO
EXPLAIN

FEW EXAMPLES OF HOW YOUR APPROACH SHOULD BE TO

DIFFERENT QUESTIONS:

FOCUS ON RESULTS:

BAD: “I’M AN EXCELLENT COMMUNICATOR.”

GOOD: “I’M A STRONG COMMUNICATOR.IT BECAME A

VEHICLE FOR ELIMINATING REDUNDANCIES, PROMOTING
BEST PRACTICES, AND IMPROVING OVERALL MORALE.

” QUANTIFY YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS BAD: “I’M A SELF-

STARTER.”

GOOD: “I’M HIGHLY SELF-MOTIVATED.

SHOW HOW YOUR BRAIN WORKS

BAD: “I HAVE GOOD TIME-MANAGEMENT SKILLS.”

GOOD: “I’M AN EXCEPTIONAL TIME MANAGER. MY JOB –

(WHICH I AM GOING TO BE EMPLOYED/ BANK JOB/ IF IN CASE
OF PREVIOUS JOB OR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WHERE IN
PORTRAYING THIS EXPERIENCES )REQUIRES STAYING ON TOP
OF MANY MOVING PARTS, SO I ROUTINELY PLAN ON A
MONTHLY, WEEKLY, AND DAILY

ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, AT THE END OF EVERY DAY, I INVEST

10 MINUTES IN PLANNING THE NEXT DAY, BLOCKING AND
SCHEDULING TIME TO MEET MY TOP TWO TO THREE
PRIORITIES FOR THE DAY.”

HIGHLIGHT POSITIVE FEEDBACK YOU’VE RECEIVED IN THE

PAST

BAD: “I’M A TEAM PLAYER.”

GOOD: “SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN REALLY CONSISTENT

THROUGHOUT MY CAREER IS THAT I AM EASILY FLEXIBLE
AND ADAPTABLE THAT MAKES ME A KEY ANCHOR PLAYER
MAKING MYSELF EASY TO WORK WITH. I’M SERIOUS ABOUT
MY WORK AND THE CULTURE AND MAKE MY MIND TUNED TO
LEVEL SO THAT I CAN BE CALM AND COMPOSED EVEN IN
CRITICAL SITUATIONS

.” SHARPEN YOUR INTERVIEWING SKILLS KNOWING WHAT TO

SAY IN A JOB INTERVIEW IS KEY TO MAKING A LASTING
IMPRESSION—IN A GOOD WAY. OFFERING GOOD INTERVIEW
EXAMPLES THAT HIGHLIGHT YOUR UNIQUE SKILLS AND
EXPERIENCE IS JUST ONE ASPECT OF ACING THE TEST.

Some inspired questions from various sources slightly modified

WHY SHOULD WE CHOOSE YOU OVER OTHERS/ WHY

SHOULD WE HIRE YOU?

Some tips to keep in mind while responding

• This is where you mention your greatest strength, which you are proud
of. (It can be one you mentioned in "What are your strengths?"
question.
• It should relate to the job requirements.
• Don't talk about technical skills here. There will always be people more
qualified than us.
• Don't point out negative traits of other candidates. Respect everyone.
• Include an example of that strength you give (real not fake)

So, I am taking an example of my greatest strengths - good teaching

skills and trustworthiness. You should choose yours.

"Sir, I had a habit of teaching since my school days only. As a banker,

I will have to deal with a variety of customers, including those who
find it difficult to understand our services. This is where my skill of
explaining complex matters in simple language would come into use.
Also, I am someone whom people trust easily, which would give me an
advantage while dealing with new customers. Because of these reasons,
I feel I am fully competent for this position"

Remember, you should sound confident here and not someone who is
doubting his own statements. But avoid overconfidence
++++
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE GOVERNMENT SECTOR?

WHILE ANSWERING THIS ONE, YOU NEED TO KEEP IN MIND

THE FOLLOWING POINTS

• TALK ABOUT THE POSITIVES OF GOVERNMENT SECTOR

• TALK ABOUT 'LESS POSITIVES" OF PRIVATE SECTOR, THAT
IS DON'T SAY ANYTHING NEGATIVE. JUST FEW THINGS
WHERE PRIVATE SECTOR NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
• INCLUDE ANY PERSONAL REASONS YOU MIGHT HAVE
• YOU CAN USE SOME POINTS FROM THE ABOVE POST
RELATING TO "WHY BANKING AFTER BA, BSC, BTECH, ETC.?"
• SHOW IT AS A PERSONAL OPINION AND NOT TO PROVE
GOVERNMENT SECTOR IS BETTER THAN PRIVATE.

HERE'S AN UNSTRUCTURED SAMPLE USING THESE POINTS.

ADD OR REMOVE THEM ACCORDING TO YOUR NEEDS.

" SIR, I CHOSE GOVERNMENT SECTOR BECAUSE OF ITS

STABILITY (DON'T SAY JOB SECURITY) AND OTHER PERKS
AND FACILITIES. MOREOVER, EVERY GOVERNMENT JOB
COMES WITH SOME POWERS AND STATUS, WHICH
FASCINATES ME.
I HAVE NOTICED THAT SOMETIMES IT GETS DIFFICULT TO
MAINTAIN WORK LIFE BALANCE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR,
DUE TO COMPARATIVELY MORE PRESSURE. ALSO, IT WAS
MY FATHER'S DREAM THAT I JOIN A BANK, AS HIS FATHER,
OR MY GRANDFATHER WAS ALSO A BANKER."

REMEMBER, THEY ALREADY KNOW WHY YOU ARE HERE.

YOU ARE MOTIVATED BY THE BENEFITS. SO NO NEED TO
HIDE MUCH. JUST DON'T BE BLUNT.

THIS QUESTION CAN HAVE ENDLESS FOLLOW-UP

QUESTIONS, LIKE WHY BANKING, NOT SSC OR UPSC, ETC.
BE PREPARED FOR THAT AS WELL.
+++

NTRODUCE YOURSELF / TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR

YOURSELF

(Probably the most discussed and most asked question)

This is one of the most important questions, because it often sets the
tone of the interview. Cross questions will be put. So be careful what
you say. Choose your words wisely.

Almost every expert gives his/her own advice regarding this question,
which creates a lot of confusion. According to me, follow these rules.

• Mention those things which define you.

• Add only the most relevant details
• Be very precise. Don't tell them your whole life history
• you should sound confident, for obvious reasons.
• don't mention about your gaps/weakness/ mistakes. Be positive

How to frame it?

• Start with your name, but don't say, "My name is XYZ" It sounds
childish. Instead, say something like, "As the panel members already
know, myself/ I am Akshat....." and so on.
• Include your birthplace, but also add one positive detail about it.
Example - check below
• If you are working, add those details, otherwise skip this
• give your highest education qualification info, not whole. I am a post-
graduate, I usually mention that only. After that, I talk about my
graduation (not always). No need to tell about your schooling.
• Tell about your family, starting with father, then mother, and
siblings. You must mention your father's occupational details in short.
• any specific qualification, which you want to mention.

And that's it. This is a generic answer. There are a lot of other creative
ways to answer it, but as per my experience, the more creative you
get, the more the expectations of panel members rise, and the more
nervous you get. Better to be on a safer side.
+++++

I have already described how to answer this question in 'Introduce

yourself'.

If specifically asked, start with,

"Sir, we are a small family of 4 members. My father, who works as .........."
and so on.

One small tip - even if you live in a joint family, don't mention about it.
Cross questions will be there based on their professions. It's better to keep
it simple.

Also, ask questions to your parents, siblings or whoever you are going to
mention, about their job. It will help you. Do remember their exact
designation.
+++
You should prepare the following questions,

• facts about your city/state

• famous places
• any historical importance
• any famous personality from your place
• economy
• population, number of districts
• name of mayor, DM, MLA, etc.
• any other important information you may need to remember