BEATING TOUGH QUESTIONS ON A CALL CENTER JOB INTERVIEW

If you have been following my blog here (Personal Journey), you know that I was a bummer for 11 years before I decided to apply for a call center job, and I got the job right away on my first application. I don't think I'm smarter than anybody else is. What I believe though, that convinced those HR guys to take me in, is my honesty to admit my lack of knowledge on some points and my eagerness to learn, plus my perseverance and confidence on what I believe I can do. And just like what I mentioned on my "Interview Tips for Call Centre Job," you need not exaggerate on your qualifications or pretend that you know something or someone when you don't. Skills will be taught in any call centre.

Having been on this industry for quite sometime, I have compiled a list of Interview Questions that are most often asked by those call center HR personnel, and what they actually want to find out from asking those interview questions.

Why are you applying for this position?

Never ever never ever mention your financial motive like "because I need money or I'm looking for greener pasture" and don't say "I need experience." On the interviewer's point of view, it meant you are just going to use the company as a stepping ground before moving on to bigger things. Uh-oh, call centers biggest headache is attrition rate. They invest on training people, and therefore they need a long term team player.

TIP: Check on the call centre's background first and be sure to know the nature of the job that you are applying for, and explain how this job opportunity and the company will fit in with how you want to develop your skills and abilities. Mention your past experience (in school or at work), and be able to correlate them .

EX: "I have learned that this company is (mention the company's strength), and I have always wanted to work on that kind of settings. (name of the job position) will help me develop my skills in (abilities and talent).

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Aww, it's so tempting to answer this with your personal plans like have a family, kids and be in the US, Canada, etc. But please, this is a make or break question. What they really want to find out is if you have focus and direction, and how you can be of value to the call centre.

TIP: Be sure that you prepare a well-thought-of career path before going to the interview.

What do you expect out if this job?

When they asked me with this question, I was spellbound, I just want to walk out of the room. I dared asked him to give me a few seconds to think about it. And after collecting my thoughts, I answered it with the best way I can. Although there's nothing wrong admitting that you need sometime to think about it, being prepared for this question will put you in a better position. Since this is job-related, you can only get a thumbs-up by letting your interviewer know that you understand the nature of the job and the pressure it entails. Explain why you would like to learn those responsibilities, and be challenged by the pressures.

TIP: Get an idea of the job responsibilities.

What can you do for us, that someone else can't?

This is now your chance to sell yourself by emphasizing your unique ability/skill. Recall your past experiences when your solution was able to solve a problem that nobody ever thought of.

TIP: Think of your character traits, experiences, and positive attitude that makes you up as a person. Use them to sell yourself. But please, don't fill the room with hot-air.

Now the bombshell, Why should we hire you?

Correct answer: "Because I will be an asset to your company."
TIP: Before answering, convince yourself first with those words.

If you are looking for a career in call centers, consider looking at these great tips from an insider:


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37 comments:

Anonymous said...

wow this really helps! not just another stupid junk.

Sybill said...

Hello there! I take it as a compliment. It has always been a pleasure to know that I have helped, guys like us, in one way or another.
Best regards and keep us updated on your own journey. Good luck!

Ferdz said...

Oh my, oh my... Thank God I found this site. I'm planning to apply as a csr in teletech novaliches, and I'm looking for some tips on how to a land a job there. This is awesome,and will be of great help. Thank you for publishing your experiences.

Sybill said...

Hello Ferdz! Thanks for taking your time to post your appreciation. Good luck on your job hunting and remember, if you believe you can get there, you will be there. Don't ever doubt your will power. That's gonna be your best weapon. I felt the struggle, but never did I doubt the fact that skills can be learned, you just need to have the will to learn. Go for it, Ferdz!!!

jeff said...

wow thank you so much for this, i am also applying as a csr in teletech nova! thanks!

Anonymous said...

thanks! now i know why i flunked my interview last week... am applying for another company next week... i'll keep in mind your suggestions
hope to get it right this time.

Anonymous said...

Hi sybill i just want to say thank you for inspiring us. I am also looking on how I could have a better job interview answers for my next job interview. I hope you'll post new tips here. God Bless!:)

holy said...

nice article about QA Job...very informative and beneficial for me..thx

Unknown said...

Thank you so much, i m looking for job in call center.. this is very useful to getting in interview

Taking You Forward said...

Call Center Philippines aim is to not just simply exceed your requirement, but to become partners to our clients’ business success.

Neyam said...

wOw! this blog is such a heaven scent! Keep this up, ure a great help to countless net surfers trying their luck in a cc industry.
:)

Unknown said...

Hey, thank u so much sharing this blog. i am looking for job in call center. this post is very useful for me. thanks again!!!!

Common Interview Questions

Customer call cente said...

nice article about QA Job...very informative and beneficial for all peoples...thanks.

Anonymous said...

Truly, this is a big aid especially for those who just getting started to
to enter this field. Thanks for the hints!

Anonymous said...

Truly, this is a big aid especially for those who just getting started to
to enter this field. Thanks for the hints!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting this! it really helps me alot! (:

Anonymous said...

This article really helps. I'm on my way to a job interview right now, and I really need some tips regarding the interview. thanks again :)

REYNER said...

awesome. you have been a great help.

Sophia said...

Hi,

I have an interview this afternoon and this is really what I need right now (Now, I realized why I flunked my last interview).

Good luck to me!!

handyman2575 said...

hi there. i have an interview tomorrow morning... I feel so uncomfortable awhile ago. Then by surfing the net i found this spot and this is exactly what i need. Thanks to you sybill. i gain enough confident for tomorrow.
TWO THUMBS UP!!!

handyman2575 said...

hi there. i have an interview tomorrow morning... I feel so uncomfortable awhile ago. Then by surfing the net i found this spot and this is exactly what i need. Thanks to you sybill. i gain enough confident for tomorrow.
TWO THUMBS UP!!!

Sybill said...

Goodluck Handyman! I'm glad to be of help. Whatever happens, I hope you can share it with us and to all those who will be in the same position. Keep in touch!

serene said...

nice tips..i have been always wondering about the correct and impressive answer for the question "where do you see after 5 years from now"? your post has guided me to frame a answer for that.

Anonymous said...

This blog is very informative, I am going to apply for TSR position next week. Hopefully I could get in through the interview.

Sybill said...

Goodluck on your interview.

Anonymous said...

Thanks to you sybil. You inspired me a lot. I'm planning to resign in my work now and apply to this field. Hope you can post more. TWO THUMBS UP! :)

Sybill said...

Thanks to you. Good luck!

MPL said...

good post. at the end of the day, an interview for a call centre service job is the same as any interview: just be calm, collected and confident, and make sure you have a decent knowledge of what the company do and what role you are applying for!

Anonymous said...

ohh my,thanks a lot for this helpful and meaningful tips that u have shared with us..definitely it will heplps a newbee applicant like me to ace the job that we wanted which is being a good CSR

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this informative blog you help me a lot. Im planning to apply for tech support and thanks i drop to your blog thanks again and godbless

Anonymous said...

hey sybill, this is a wow!!! really.. thanks for posting this, now i know why i got failed in my call center interview last month..now ive learn how to... thanks anyway... god bless!!

Mahverick Mijares said...

Thanks very much man!!It'll be a big help for us who wanted to be a csr. I hope you can help a lot more people. God bless!

Doris Dimaggio said...

Thanks for the posting of important tips.
Robert
Call center

Aldrin said...

This is really something... Thanks for the advices, keep it up...

Aldrin said...

This is really something... Thanks for the advices... Keep it up.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting such an informative and useful advices. This is kinda big help for a newbee like us. I'm planning to apply as a csr this week but I'm so pretty scared and now I've read this, I'm bit excited for those question to be asked!

Anonymous said...

this is very interesting ...it really gave me a lot of ideas .it really build up my confidence.

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