How To Get a Bank Job: A Complete Guide

Updated 9 March 2023

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A career in banking can be rewarding in terms of salary and job security. If you are good with numbers and want to work in a fast-paced environment, this might be a perfect career option for you. Before you start your job search, however, you should know the eligibility criteria to apply for bank jobs. In this article, we discuss how to get a bank job, including what skills and qualifications you need and how much you can earn in this profession.

How to get a bank job in public sector banks

Follow these steps to understand how to get a bank job in public sector banks:

1. Do your research

You can join a public sector or government bank as a bank clerk, probationary officer (PO) or specialist officer (SO). Only Indian nationals can secure a job in government banks. Three institutes provide an opportunity to get a government bank job:

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
The State Bank of India (SBI)

Each of these institutes conducts its own examination and has a different eligibility criteria.

2. Understand the education and qualifications required

The three institutes mentioned above have different eligibility criteria, including the age limit and educational qualifications needed to appear for their banking job entrance examinations. These are:

IBPS

IBPS conducts a common entrance exam for job roles like PO, SO and clerical cadre in government banks and Group A and Group B assistant posts for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). The eligibility criteria for different posts are:

Clerical cadre and PO: Any candidate between the age of 20 and 30 years is eligible for these two roles. They should be qualified graduates in any discipline, have some basic computer knowledge and fluently speak, write and read the official language of the state for which they are applying.
SO: Any candidate between the age of 20 and 30 years is eligible for this role, and the educational qualification required varies depending on the post you are applying for. As an SO, you can get hired as an IT officer, agricultural field officer, law officer, HR/personnel officer or marketing officer in any public sector bank.
RRBs: The eligibility criteria for RRBs are the same as that of a PO. In addition, candidates can apply for office assistant posts, which are equivalent to clerical cadre posts in urban locations.

SBI

The SBI conducts a common written test mainly for the PO and bank clerk posts. Any candidate between the age of 20 and 30 years is eligible for the PO post, and the age limit for a bank clerk post is between 20 and 28 years. Also, candidates should have a graduation degree from an accredited university recognised by the central government of India. Students in the final year of their graduation are also eligible to apply.

RBI

RBI conducts a common written examination to select candidates for their Grade B officer posts. The candidates must have a graduation degree. The age limit for this post is between 21 and 30 years. However, candidates with MPhil can apply until 32 years of age, while those with PhD degrees can apply until 34 years of age.

3. Clear the written examination

To get a job in a government bank, you need to appear and clear one of the following written examinations:

IBPS Clerk
IBPS PO
IBPS SO
IBPSRRB
SBI Clerk
SBI PO
SBI SO
RBI Officer Grade B

Also, these exams have three phases: preliminary exam, mains exam and interview. Once you clear the preliminary exam, you are eligible to sit for the mains exam. It is essential to clear each phase of the examination to get a job in a bank. The list of selected candidates depends upon marks they secure in these three phases.

What do you study for banking?

For clearing any of the banking exams, study the following topics:

Reasoning abilities
Quantitative aptitude
English
Computer knowledge
General awareness of economy and banking

How to get a job in private sector banks

In private sector banks, depending on the positions available and your qualifications, you can join as a personal finance advisor, private banker, investment banker, bank teller, business development manager or relationship manager. The steps for getting a job in private sector banks are as follows:

1. Earn a bachelor's degree

Most private banking jobs require candidates with a bachelor's degree, preferably in finance, accounting, business or economics. So, keep this in mind when choosing your subjects for graduation after completing your 10+2.

2. Pursue education in banking

To increase your chances of getting into a private sector bank and earning a higher salary, consider pursuing higher education or earning certifications in banking-related fields. For example, an MBA degree in banking can help you get hired for high-level bank jobs. You can even pursue a diploma in banking to enhance your career prospects.

3. Understand how job portals work

Most private sectors bank list their job requirements on their job portals. Also, you can browse the career section of banks or search for the term "bank job" on Indeed's job portal.

4. Know the eligibility criteria and educational qualification

The eligibility criteria for each bank job are different. Some jobs require a simple graduation degree, while others may require a candidate to have an MBA or other relevant post-graduation degree. Excellent computer skills are also an integral part of getting a job in any private sector bank.

5. Clear the hiring process

Many private banks may conduct a written exam to gauge your general aptitude skills. A group discussion and an interview usually follow this. The hiring process varies from bank to bank. One bank may prefer psychometric profiling of candidates, while others may prefer conducting a group discussion. So, go through the website of individual banks to understand more about their recruitment process.

6. Know about the service bond

Many private banks may ask you to sign a service bond that is usually between one and two years. Before the completion of the service bond, a candidate cannot quit or resign. Read the terms and conditions of the service bond before signing it.

Average salary for bank jobs

The average salary of a bank officer working in a private sector bank is ₹2,21,984 per year, while the average salary of a bank clerk is ₹3,70,853 per year and the average salary of a relationship banker is ₹2,49,794 per year. The salary depends upon your skills, qualification and experience.

What qualifications do you need to get a bank job?

To get a job in private or public sector banks, you should at least have a bachelor's degree. While public sector banks prefer graduation in any discipline, private sector banks prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree in finance or a related field.

Skills required to get a job in a bank

Some of the most common skills required to get a job in a bank are:

Customer service
Problem-solving
Teamwork
Analytical thinking
Trustworthiness
Determination
Confidence
Communication
Banking-related technical skills

Tips for getting a job in a bank

Here are some tips for getting a job in a bank:

Network with banking professionals. Making connections with people who work in the banking industry can help you get career advice from experienced bankers, learn about new job openings in their bank and find a coach. You can create a network with professionals in this industry through industry events, local or national membership of associations, banking conferences or college alumni meet.
Follow the banking industry. To show your banking knowledge, learn about common banking terminologies and methods. Follow the banking industry by reading articles and blogs, monitoring the market and news for the latest trends.
Get an internship. To increase your chances of clearing the interview in both public and private sector banks, consider joining an internship during your graduation. This exposure can give you experience in the banking sector and make you a favourable candidate.
Start a blog. To establish yourself as a knowledgeable banking professional, start a blog and write posts and commentaries about banking news and different investment ideas. You can mention it on your resume and talk about your blog during the interview process.

Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.