SBI conducted the written examination for recruitment of personnel in clerical cadre. The exams were conducted through online mode in the month of July. The results of the written exam have been declared on 20^th of November 2014. You can check your results here.

A hearty congrats to those of you who cleared the bank clerical exam. To those of you, who did not, do not lose your heart. There is always a next time. Those of you who made though it is time for the interviews!!! Usually SBI calls for interview in the ratio of 1:3. This year (2014-2015) among the large number of candidates who have applied for the paper, 17,000 (roughly) have been short-listed for the interview.

As far as the interview questions are concerned no one can be quite certain as to what the panel members are going to ask you. But we can give you a fair idea about what questions to expect. Few of the questions were shared by friends who faced the board.

Be careful while filling up your bio-data form. Do not just fill it with anything and everything, for the interviewers are definitely going to go through your bio-data and grill you on that. It is often seen that the generalized questions on your personality hobbies experience etc are more difficult to answer. You need to have a balance of diplomacy as well as a straight shooter while answering these questions.

Let us first make a rough compilation of the most common questions:

1. Say something about yourself
2. Why did you choose banking?
3. Why should we recruit you among all others sitting outside?
4. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
5. Why did you choose “XYZ” subject in your graduation and why this subject for PG course?(if you have changed your subject in Post Graduation)
6. Do you think you will make a good banker? If so why?
7. Regarding hobbies: whatever you write be sure to know it actually. It is one of the favorite topics of the interviewers.
8. What are your strengths? How will your strength be helpful for our bank?
9. What are your weaknesses? Do you think if you correct your weakness you will be a perfect person?
10. If your parents are working or are retired: what do you know about your father’s/mother’s job?

Now coming on to: How to answer. Well truth be said there is no hard and fast rule or any book which says this is how you should answer. But be confident and do not fake your answers. You need not just answer what we write here or what other person says. Remember you are a different individual and you have your own set of personalities which  is different from the other person whose answer you heard. What that person pulled off you might not be able to!! But that said we can definitely guide you on the line to be followed during answering J

1. Say something about yourself: while answering this type of questions it is better to steer clear of what you have written in our bio-data form. That your name is this and you belong to so-and-so state is already mentioned in the form. Try focusing more on what all you did not mention. It is a different story if the interviewer asks you to say something on your family etc. then you might. For example you can say I am confident, hardworking and dedicated person. Mention what you love to do in your free time. Etc.
2. Why choose banking: here please steer clear of negative answers as coz I did not get through I any other exam or I did not get a job in campus interview or my earlier job had lengthy work hours would not earn you any brownies. Try focusing on the positive aspects. You could say you want to join banking as it gives you a platform to prove your mettle. Etc.
3. Why should we recruit you? : This should be an easy question for those of you from commerce background. You could say you are a step ahead of your other competitors you know a few things regarding accounting etc. that puts you ahead of your competitors etc. but do not bite more than you can chew! For those of you from other backgrounds you can focus on your other good qualities as a diligent team player etc.
4. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? This is a question to check on your ambitious side and your confidence. So think carefully before answering. Good luck.
5. Do you think you can make a good banker? Hint: harp on your positive qualities. Nearly similar to point 3.
6. Strength and weakness: will correcting your weakness make you a perfect person? : Similar to 3 and 5. There is no bench mark for a “perfect person”. So be diplomatic in your answer. You can say it will definitely make you a better person. But you will strive to supersede yourself.
7. Graduation and Post graduation topics: Brush up your basics. Remember they are not subject matter experts. So they will ask (if they do) on just a few basic questions. But make sure you do not fumble.

As far as current affairs and other banking and economy related questions are concerned there is no end to that. For that you need to be well acquainted with the news daily and have a clear knowledge at least on the basic economics terms.