Tips and frequently asked questions in call center industry. How to pass the interview.
photo grabbed from Google.com/image
Have you tried applying for a call center job but didn't make the interview? Or, Do you want to work and be hired in a call center industry?
Here are some tips that may be helpful to you.
Preparing for the interview beforehand is an important stage in applying for any job interview you wanted.
For job seekers who are a bit worried of finding a job in the Philippines with better compensation and benefits,I guess BPO company is a perfect avenue for you . Either you are a graduate of a 4 year course or not,call center industry will welcome you open arms.
To give you a sort of idea about the environment of this industry,Call center is a place for centralised office used for receiving or transmitting large volume of request by telephone. It consist of Inbound and Outbound.
An Inbound call center handles incoming product support or information inquiries from the consumers.Meaning your job is to receive incoming calls from outside your country and assist them base on the type of account that is tasked to you. On the other hand, Outbound call center focused on the solicitation,debt collection, market research, and mostly telemarketing. Your job here is mainly telemarketing on selling products.
For the past three years experience of working in a BPO company, I think I already knew and learned the interview process and perhaps familiar with the interview questions that are commonly ask by the recruitment team.
I myself admit I also failed the first job interview but through constant practice at home fortunately, I surpassed the interview. That's the reason why I wanted to share this blog to help individual,job hunters pass a call center interview and get their dream job in the industry.Again, these are just based on my knowledge and experience.
An interviewer for a BPO company mostly dont judge your outside appearance. Yes its true! Meaning you can wear you fave jeans,shirts,and sneakers. But I don't recommend this since your personal appearance would also matter. I'm saying this because I have never wear formal to corporate attire not even once during my interview.
Also,they don't mind if you are older, has long hair (for men) , with tattooes,and member of the LGBT community because call center provides equal opportunity as long as you are qualified,well fitted and can work for the multi-diverse culture of the company.
Of course you should be a good candidate that can speak English language (in the first place) and know how to pronounce English words correctly. But this can be learned through constant practice by reading or by watching foreign movies. I tell you this can be absolutely learned. You can keep practising for a week or two before your interview to equipped you in the language
Below are some important TIPS you should need to know first:
Tip 1: Be smart looking. This is the first stage so you need to impress and catch their attention (somehow you project) that you are a perfect or good candidate for a call center agent.
Tip 2: Don't sound scripted. Scripts and ready-made answers will help you a lot in answering the question in easy and smart way. But in case you forgot the next word you've memorized, make sure it wont be noticeable for the interviewer. Remember, interviewer will only gauge your performance and ability to speak and comprehend English language.
Tip 3: Answer the question that is being asked to you. Don't get intimidated, be spontaneous. Remember there is no right answer to their questions. But always make sure its a relevant answer.
Tip 4: Remember the Pneumonics "SIR" which stands for Smile, Inhale and Relax. When you smile and inhale before and during interview, this allows your brain to think. As you inhale oxygen, brain starts working and send signal making you feel relax thus helps you give positive thought. You can never be wrong if you try doing this at all times.
Tip 5: Apply what you practice. Simply, practice makes you perfect.
Tip 6: No "Uhmm" words. This is called fillers and big mark X for a call center job interview. Also watch how you pronounce the following b, v, f, p and th. Minimize hand gestures as this will imply you are having hard time expressing yourself. Speak absolute zero NO TAGALOG words in the entire interview.
Tip 7: Practice American accent if possible but never too exaggerated. Don't be too exaggerate in pronouncing words as this might irritate the interviewer.
The recruitment process will take you within a day and that includes the following stages:
- Initial Interview (either one-on-one interview or by phone interview)
- Series of Exam (it may be a form of online questionnaire like Subject-verb Agreement, Psychological exam,Versant, Berlitz,Typing skills, and Mock Call.)
- Final Interview (usually by Operational Manager or Team Manager)
- Lastly,JOB OFFER (contract signing) then it follows requirements and medical
Note: The Top 10 questions below are COMMONLY asked during the interview so find your best answer and be prepared.
1. Tell me something about yourself. Don't answer that is already written on your resume
2. What is a Call Center. Usually asked to applicants without any call center experience. Try to google it and come up with a shorter explanation.
3.Why Call Center. Don't answer you applied in the company because of money, or you want to enhance your communication skills. Relate your educational background instead.
4 Strengths and Weaknesses. For the strength, answer this question according to your skills that is neede in the industry like your flexibility, good listening skills, adaptability, patience, multi-tasking skills, positive behavior. In answering weaknesses make sure to come up with atleast one or two answer which is not too negative like " I can't say no to someone who needs my help." This is a good example of your weakness but doesn't reflect negative implication to yourself.
5.What makes you qualified to work in call center. You can answer the question by presenting in detail your skills, strength and good qualities
6.What has been your significant achievement. This question aims to look how you see yourself as a person. Finishing your college is a good example.
7.How do you see yourself 5 years from now. This interview question aims to see how you look at yourself five years after. Answer should be realistic and achievable within the span of 5 years.
8. What are your goals in life. Goal may be for short and long term. Make sure to ask for clarification or if you're a bit of hesitant you can jump up your answer to a long term goal.
9.What is your expected salary. As much as possible, never give answer with a figure. The best way to answer this question is you a okay with whatever the company decides for you. But if the interview insist for a figure that's the time should give a figure.
10. Why should we hire you. Simply answer this question with confidence and enumerate your skills and qualities that a call center agent should posses.
Now that you are ready and equipped for the interview, always remember this " I can accept failure, everyone fails at something . But I can't accept not trying" - Michael Jordan .
Smile, laugh, be happy, and live your life to the fullest. Be positive!
If you have any questions or comment please feel free to drop your message on the comment box below. Thanks for reading!
photo credit Google.com/image
