Some tips like doing a clinical exam:

Always examine the patient in standing position, while the examiner sits.
Always examine both inguinal regions (20% hernias are bilateral)
Look for visible expansile impulse on coughing
Look for palpable expansile impulse on coughing
Assess whether you can get above the swelling or not
Swelling is reducible or not
Assess the percussion note: Resonant if the content is gut, dull if the content is omentum
Always examine the genitalia (there may be dual pathology)
Feel the testis (testis will be separate from the swelling)
Locate epididymis above and posterior to the testis
Feel along the spermatic cord
Always look for abdominal scars especially appendicectomy scar which will injure the ilioinguinal nerve
Assessment of the abdominal muscle tone – head raising test.
Examine the abdomen for visceral malignancy
Examine the chest for respiratory problems
Per rectal examination to rule out benign hypertrophy of prostate