A banker’s job in the government sector is one of the most popular work profiles in the country. Apart from job security, comfortable work environment and relaxed work timings, a job in a public bank offers financial stability and perks as well. There are two types of posts in Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) banks — one is at the officer level and one is at the clerical level. The officer level is further segregated into two posts — PO post and the Specialist Officer (SP) post. Recruitment trends show that the position of Probationary Officer (PO) is the one aspirants prefer the most. What else is making news? For this post, the Institute of Banking and Personnel Selection (IBPS) and the State Bank of India (SBI) conduct recruitment exams in which people participate in large numbers. IBPS and SBI conduct their respective recruitment drives every year to shortlist eligible candidates for this post pan India. Many other PSU banks hold recruitment drives for PO posts as well as part of their individual recruitment drives. An SP in a government bank is engaged in roles related to marketing, HR, IT, etc whereas a PO is involved in branch functions, such as credit and debit, loan sanctions and forex, among others. Read: IBPS CWE PO/MT VI prelims exam 2016: Result out, check when to download mains admit card Anil Nagar from Career Power feels that as a PO, there are more options for professional growth. "With the profile of a PO, you learn a lot whereas with a specialist officer post, you get streamlined, meaning if you get into marketing you will be doing marketing only, hence PO offers more options for career growth," he says, adding that many senior managers or even chairmans in PSU banks have initially joined as POs and then worked their way up to reach that level. Another advantage of the PO post is that you can get posting abroad. "With PO, it is possible that you can a transfer outside India with a lot of benefits. These possibilities make people flock towards the PO post," says Nagar. The job offers perks in the form of residential accomodation, medical insurance and travel allowance as well. Infact, the pay packet offered by the SBI for its PO is better compared to those of other PSU banks or even those recruited through the IBPS. It also offers 100 per cent cover for the employee's medical insurance and 75 per cent cover for the family's medical insurance. Read: Tips to prepare for bank exams Recruitment process: POs are recruited through a two stage written exam (that is, the prelims round and the mains round) followed by an interview round. There may or may not be a group discussion round. Vacancies: The SBI holds its PO exam for about 1,800 to 2,000 vacancies whereas the IBPS has about 15,000 to 20,000 vacancies for the same, informs Nagar. This is excluding the PO recruitment exams of other non-participating PSU banks. Read: Tips on how to prepare for a job interview Remuneration: The pay scale of the PO post is clearly defined before joining. The SBI offers a slightly better pay scale than other PSU banks, feels Sagar. “In SBI, after joining, you get two increments right away, including increments every year twice. In IBPS, your pay scale might depend on the bank you get posted with,” said Nagar. For more information on banking exams, click here
