Common Interview Question Do's and Don’ts (Part 1)

Common Interview Question Do's and Don’ts (Part 1)

by: Arlene Gentallan

Common Interview Question Do's and Don’ts (Part 1)

Common Call Center Job Interview Questions and Answers with Do's and Don'ts


A. Tips for answering call center job interview question 
1: Tell me something about yourself?

Do's: things to tell

++ Educational attainment

* The highest educational level you earned (high school / vocational / college)

* The course you've taken for college --what's the nature of that course?

++ Previous work experience

* The name of the company and account you've worked for.

* The nature of the account

* Your roles and responsibility

* The number of years you've been in the industry

* The reason you left your previous employment

++ Achievements and accomplishment related to 'work' (if any)

* Are you rewarded for being punctual at work?

++ Something interesting about yourself -- interest and hobbies you are passionate about, but make sure it has a 'relation' or the skills you've gained on it can leverage your ability to handle the position you're applying for. (E.g. Reading books, writing blogs)


Don'ts:

-- You don't have to tell your age, birthday and address. (Avoid telling data that has no bearing whatsoever to the position you are applying for. Besides, the interviewer can already see these on your resume)

-- Don't tell the interviewer about your past achievements that have no direct significance to the job you're applying for. (e.g. 'Best in History', 'Best in Math')

-- Don't mention non-productive hobbies. (E.g. Watching TV, sleeping, playing video games)

B. Tips for answering call center job interview question 
2: Why should we hire you?

Do's:

++ Emphasize that you have the SKILLS to match the once needed for the job.



++ Convince them you are QUALIFIED to take the position.



++ Tell how your skills and ability can CONTRIBUTE to the company.



++ Enumerate your STRENGTHS



++ Put your strengths into ACTION.

* ( punctual ) "I always make it a point to arrive several minutes earlier. You won't have a problem with me when it comes to attendance."

* ( responsible ) "I take responsibility of the tasks entrusted on me. I put emphasis on completing my task with quality."

* ( adaptability ) "I am aware that the call center industry is marked by a stressful and constantly changing environment which I can adapt to. I 'm able to maintain a balanced work-play life. I'm a fast learner and I'm not afraid to cover new grounds."

++ Commitment

* Tell that you 'want' to stay and 'grow' with the company ( Show genuine interest. )

Don'ts:

-- Don't mention that you've just heard the company and would like to take a shot at it. Don't tell them it's because you want to 'learn.' It's work. Not a training ground. (They want to know what you can do for the company. What the company can do for you comes in when you get hired.)

C. Tips for answering call center job interview question 
3: Why do you want go work in a call center/BPO industry?

Do's:

++ Supports Career growth

* It's the industry you envisioned yourself successful at.

* It's not a stagnant field. There's a lot of opportunities open for you.

* You see yourself taking in more responsibilities to manage a higher position in the future.

++ Mention positive stuffs about the call center industry

* fast-growing industry

* stable industry

* in-demand

Don'ts:

-- Don't tell the interviewer that you want to improve your English communication skills.

* They'll just think that you're there just to 'train' and then move somewhere better once you improve.

* Take note: You should already have a good English communication skill for you to be hired. The company is looking for workers, not trainees.

-- No money talk

* Don't tell the interviewer that your motivation is the salary.

* Don't mention that you need to earn money before you can go back to your profession.

-- It's not about helping your family ( It's about the job. )

* This may be the real reason for most of the applicants but you see, the company does not care. It's a business.

* The interviewer doesn’t want to hear about your family. They want to hear about your interest on the job.

-- Don't tell the interviewer you just want to try and see what happens.

* They won't hire you if you're not committed.

D. Tips for answering call center job interview question 
4: Why do you want to work in this company? / Why did you choose to apply in this company?

Do's:

++ Customized positive feedback about the company ( What are the good stuffs you know about the company? )

* "[ name of the company ] is an industry leader and has an excellent reputation in providing excellent customer service. The accounts here are huge and stable allowing great opportunity for career growth."

* "This company has excellent value system and employee morale. The hard works of employees are appreciated. Also, the work environment is fun and rewarding."

Don'ts:

-- Don't say bad things about the company ( common sense )

E. Tips for answering call center job interview question 
5: Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Do's:

++ Do mention your career ambition...with your undying commitment

* e.g. "I see myself taking in more responsibility as a [ name of the higher position you aspire: team leader / subject matter expert / trainer ] in this same company."

Don'ts:

-- Don't tell the interviewer about your personal goal that is not in line with the company's objective.

* e.g. "I'll have my own house and car." "I'll run a business of my own."

-- Don't mention unrealistic career goals

* The interviewer may think you are just bragging

* e.g. "I'll be the president of this company in five years time."

F. Tips for answering call center job interview question 
6: Tell me four of your strengths?

Do's:

++ Enumerate the skills you have and mention about a situation in the past in which you've proved it helpful or tell how you think it will impact your future role as a call center agent.



++ You may find the quality that fits you on the list below:

* Good english communication skill

* Fast learner

* Flexible / adaptive

* Able to learn from mistakes

* Can deal with stress

* Know how to prioritize

* Not a complainer

* Good listener

* Excellent multitasking skill

* Patient

* Hard working

* Team player - able to get along with people

Don'ts:

-- Avoid saying that you are workaholic since it has some setback


G. Tips for answering call center job interview question 
7: What is your greatest weakness?

Do's:

++ Tell them about an area you are still improving on

* Make sure your weakness has no grave impact upon your work

Don'ts:

-- Being a perfectionist and workaholic is not a weakness

-- Never tell you have a problem dealing with people or that you prefer to work alone (In the call center, you will always be a part of a team)

-- Never tell you are a slow learner (There are lots of stuffs you'll have to know about the work process, it's a fast face environment out there.)

-- Just don't tell a negative stuff about you that'll endanger your chance of being hired. Make sure your weakness won't badly affect this job.

Summary of Contents:


Common Call Center Job Interview Questions and Answers with Do's and Don'ts


A.
1: Tell me something about yourself?


B.
2: Why should we hire you?


C.
3: Why do you want go work in a call center/BPO industry?


D.
4: Why do you want to work in this company? / Why did you choose to apply in this company?


E.
5: Where do you see yourself five years from now?


F.
6: Tell me four of your strengths?

G.
7: What is your greatest weakness?