Pay scale, job security make it attractive
Syed Amir Ali Hashmi interviews Kamal Bhushan, director, Oriental Bank of Commerce.
What makes a PO’s work challenging?
Probationary officers are generalists. Unlike specialists, they are posted in different departments of a branch to gather knowledge on all aspects of banking and also to remove the monotony inherent in the job of a specialist. An important post, that of a branch manager, is generally occupied by a PO.
Keeping the competition from the private sector in mind, what is being done 
to make this career much sought-after?
First, there is as such no competition from the private sector as far as human resources are concerned, because after the recent wage settlement, a PO is expected to get a handsome salary. The icing on the cake, of course, is the job security and almost two months of paid holiday a year that POs in nationalised banks get.
Besides this, we have also made the promotion process very attractive. A PO at present can become a senior manager in just six years. This used to, earlier take at least 12 years. A lot of retirements are also taking place in the next two to three years, offering more job openings for probationary officers.
What is the mantra for reaching the top?
Hard work, proper planning and its execution, excellent communication skills, honesty and integrity, dedication to the organisation, ability to work under pressure and developing an interest in the work assigned to him/her will help a PO get ahead.
Many POs who had joined our bank today occupy top positions in some nationalised banks.
Author: HT Horizons
Date: 16th Dec., 2009
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