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Call Center Interview

Questions and Suggested
Answers
There is no right or wrong answers here because the answers would
depend on who you are. The key is asking yourself the questions in
advance and deciding on the answer before a call center interview.

One of the common problems I see is that people wait for the question
before they start thinking about the answer.

In a call center job, preparation is key and knowing a lot of the

answers beforehand saves you a lot of time and makes you more
credible when you give an answer.

I’m not recommending giving a memorized answer. I do

recommend however that you know the gist or the main points of
your answer beforehand.

Don’t just give an answer. Learn to elaborate and expand about any of
them. Remember to try to form a bond with your
interviewer.
 Here are some of the call center interview
questions you need to prepare for:

Tell me something about yourself.

Start with your name, where you’re from, what you did for work and
something random like a positive trait or what you do on your free
time.

What are your strengths?

I recommend picking a few that’s job related or if you’re a bit more
adventurous like me pick one that’s totally not job related and
explain why it’s important to the job. I’m good at giving love advice
to friends so I’m used to listening to a problem, asking for important
details and offering solutions.

What are your weaknesses?

You can pick a current one that you’re working on or a past one that
you overcame. Always provide a solution to a problem. Your job
whether they’re hiring you for customer service, tech support or
sales is to provide solutions to a problem. Practice working on
solutions to your weaknesses. Write it down so you can explain it
better.

Why you want to work in a call center?

I would like to upgrade to a higher pay. I know this industry has
high turnover (or a lot of people quitting) and I figure that if I do
well there’s an opportunity for me to get promoted and earn well. I
don’t mind working night shift or weekends or holidays. I enjoy
talking to people over the phone. I enjoy talking to foreigners and
learning more about their culture (never say to improve your
communication skills. If you do I’ll hunt you down and torture you
and kill you slowly. Always be confident that your communication
skills is good enough and is improving by the minute).
 Here are some other questions:

Why should we hire you?

List down your positive traits that will help you get the job.
Terms like: keen to details, responsible, object-oriented person,
passionate at work, creates good results , trainable within the given
training period.

What do you have that other applicants don’t? (What’s your

advantage over the other applicants?)
Pick one from a list. I suggest you pick one that you consider a
disadvantage and frame it as a perk for them to hire you. I
sometimes share a story about how I only had one year in college
and had to go look for work at an early age. I thought about what I
could offer as an advantage over degree holders. I noticed how a lot
of people stop learning and updating their skills as soon as they earn
their diploma. They’re graduates after all in their own words. So I
worked harder than anyone I know at learning and updating. The
Kevin they’ll interact with a year from now will be far different than
the Kevin they’re seeing. I evolve by reading, attending workshops,
being mentored and doing experiments. I’m not afraid to spend
money to make myself a better person. I pick up skills I’m interested
in and I’m interested in picking up skills. Each skill I gain can
contribute directly or indirectly to your team.

If you’re a nurse
(call centers hate nurses because they’re the first ones to leave when
they get offers to work abroad) tell them you’re used to night shift or
difficult situations and if you’re not afraid of blood you’re sure you
can take on providing solutions with TLC (tender loving care) over
the phone.

If you’re a single mom

tell them that being a mom is a full time job that requires two people
and you were able to deal with putting out crisis on a regular basis.
Being a first time mom requires learning and adapting to a lot of life
and death situations and the fact that you’re still a mom can say that
if you did that successfully teaching someone a solution over the
phone is no sweat for you. Plus, taking care of a baby is mostly night
shift. While you’re at it you can tell them that you’re going to get to
see your little angel (or devil) more because you’ll be working at
night and you’d get to play with them a bit after you wake up and he
or she gets back to school.

Why shouldn’t we hire you?

I don’t know. I think I’ve clearly explained that I’m a good match for
the job because I’m (insert five to ten reasons) and I don’t really
think I can prove that unless I start working for you. Seriously. Give
an answer. Just throw them an answer.
You processed me for (x hours) if there’s someone better and you
don’t have enough slots for the job and you’d like to take your
chances on that person then by all means. But the fact that I got this
far tells me that there’s something in me that you want in a call
center agent/customer service representative/sales person/ or
whatever the position is.
I don’t know. I think you’re more qualified to answer that question
than me. You see I don’t have experience working in a call center but
I made it this far. At the moment do yous see any reason why I’m
not a good match?
Be creative and have fun. Be unforgettable.

What’s your expected salary?

Be honest and creative here. I tell them how much I’m expecting. I
know that the offer is around fifteen to twenty thousand per month
and some additional perks. Did I get that correctly or do you offer
more?
Why did you leave your previous work?
Never tell them anything negative about your previous work. Tell
them things you’d like to gain by working in a call center like higher
pay. New and exciting opportunities. A new environment. Exposure
to a different kind of people (young, positive, fun think of
something).

Why would you want to shift to a different industry?

Same reasons as above. It looks exciting. The pay could be better. It
might be a perfect match for me because…You can think of your
own answer.
*This industry provides compensations and benefits better than
others.
*I know I will excel in this kind of industry. I have the skills that will
contribute to the company.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

I heard the promotion in a call center if you’re not a job hopper is
quite fast. In one or two years I could be a team leader or a trainer
or a QA (quality assurance). I don’t know what’s next but I’m sure
I’ll aim higher when I get there. I heard that unlike most local
companies as long as I get my work done really well and I learn to
lead there are opportunities for me here. I don’t know the details
about this company. Is my expectation correct? (Smile and wait for
your interviewer’s answer. You’ve sold yourself now it’s their turn to
sell your company)

How do you manage stress?

I take care of myself well. I go to spas and get massages. I make sure
I play or party hard after I work hard (make sure you express that
you don’t go drinking every night after work or do drugs). I sleep
eight hours a day. Drink plenty of water and eat healthy food. I
know these influences how my brain responds to stressful
situations. It’s cliche but a sharp mind requires a healthy body.
What do you think is an advantage of working for this company?
I like the fact that..It’s close to my house. Pays well according to the
advertisement or I heard some good things about this company. Be
honest about your answer. If you don’t know, tell them that you
don’t know and start asking some questions. Asking questions show
that you’re interested.

Spend some time thinking about these things. I recommend writing

them down and ask yourself if your answers are good enough. If you
were hiring yourself as a call center agent, would you pick yourself
for the job. If not, what do you think would be a better answer?

In summary:
1. Ask yourself the questions.
2. Write down the answer.
3. Be honest and be creative.
4. Deliver with confidence and elaborate.
5. Try to form a bond with your interviewer by asking some
questions.
How do you answer questions before. How will you answer
questions now?