How a summer internship at HDFC Bank helped me work on my people skills -By Apurv Mittal from SIIB Pune
What is the selection process for doing a summer internship at HDFC Bank?
The selection process for securing a summer internship at HDFC Bank wasn’t elaborate. It comprised of just two steps:
- Aptitude Test
- Group Discussion
As I had prepared for HDFC Bank’s selection process beforehand, cracking it was not a big deal for me. Do remember, your confidence is what makes you sail through any organization’s selection process with the utmost ease.
What was my role during my internship?
The role offered to me was that of Sales and Cold-Calling. I had to get in touch with the customers and make them aware of the Bank’s financial products like CASA, loans, Credit Cards, etc. Now, the catch here is that simply calling a customer was not enough. I had to highlight the USP of the products on offer and then persuade them into purchasing one. This proved quite challenging at times since convincing a customer seemed like an uphill task. I had to brainstorm methods to do complete justice to my job. Nevertheless, my seniors were quite impressed by my job and always encouraged me to do better.
What did I learn from my mentor during my summer internship at HDFC Bank?
The extent of my role during my summer internship at HDFC played a crucial role in enhancing my people skills. I met clients on a daily basis, understood their preferences, and learned the art of Pitching Sales. Always keeping a smile on my face while interacting with the potential customers have given a positive spin to my patience level.
Apart from this, I also received a wonderful chance to do an in-depth analysis of Banking Operations, Financial Products and Business Generation Process. It was absolutely mesmerizing to see the two worlds of theory and practicality blend in front of my eyes. I will be indebted to HDFC for providing me with the same.
What is the work culture at HDFC Bank?
My internship was in Pune, the same city where I am currently residing for my educational purposes. Although I had been in Pune for one year, I didn’t get a chance to explore the city. So, my internship proved to be a blessing in disguise. It allowed me to interact with the locals ranging from businessmen, shopkeepers, working professionals which was absolutely amazing. Due to interactions, I started understanding Marathi a bit. I also learned a few words of this beautiful language.
Although there was no official team outing as such, interacting with fellow interns over lunch and snacks was a joyful experience. These sessions proved to be ice-breakers and helped me to gel with employees and seniors. If working with HDFC Bank was a choice, I would grace this opportunity with open hands. Being a part of such a leading giant can provide me with practical exposure in the field of Banking and Finance. Add to that a reputable name and you are good to go!
What did I learn from my mentor during the course of my summer internship at HDFC Bank?
My day at HDFC Bank, on a daily basis, began with a meeting with my mentor. In this session, he discussed at length about ways to generate business for the Bank. He always advised me to work on my Marketing and Selling Skills and maintain a positive attitude while dealing with the clients. His ideas, knowledge, and experiences helped me a great deal during my internship at HDFC Bank.
To sum up, my summer internship at HDFC Bank was a journey laden with learnings. Now, I feel well-equipped with all the necessary skills to excel in the domain of Finance and Banking. I had stepped into this internship with a lot of expectations. I am elated that all of them were fulfilled!