COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Tell Me About Yourself?
This is really one of the more difficult questions to answer, because it is not specific. Do not be tempted to tell your life story, but concentrate on your education and work experience.
Though one could answer this open-ended question in a myriad of ways, the key to answering this question or any other interview question is to offer a response that supports your career objective. This means that you shouldn't respond with comments about your hobbies, spouse, or extra curricular activities. Trust me, interviewers aren't interested.
What the interviewer really wants is a quick summary of your skills and why you’re the best candidate for this position. What have you done to prepare yourself? Do you have Call Center Training? What are your skills?
“Tell me about yourself” does not mean tell me everything. Just tell me what makes you the best.
If you are first timer :
Answers:
My name is Jerwin Balenton I graduated....blah blah blah..(short description of your course)
I'm an ambitious, self-motivated person and I'm very happy in my life right now because I was able to finish my education despite all the hardships and financial setbacks. Now,I'm looking for a career because I feel I've achieved all of the goals I set out for myself to finish my study , four years ago.
I've still got a strong appetite for success and I'm looking for a job that will provide fresh challenges and rewards . A job that matches my qualifications and skills. and call center jobs ranks highly on the list of my ideal jobs...I' know that I'm ready for this kind of job because one of your employee referred me here and he told me that I would do well in this field and that I could make a big difference in your company. that's why I'm confident I would be a great addition to your team."
Sometimes the interviewer asks a follow up questions like: "So, what are your skills?" So you can say like
" I am an excellent communicator both verbal and written. I am people oriented. I have a full working knowledge of computer basics. I can do multitasking and an ability to learn and apply procedures quickly."
" I have the right combination of skills and experience for this job. I also bring the additional quality of strong analytical and problem solving ability. I sincerely believe I am the right person for this job and for this company"
Remember and always keep this in mind that those are the primary skills needed by a call center agent.
How do you think you will compensate for your lack of experience?
Answers:
I have a willingness to try new things, and at that, I’m a quick learner. My resume only reflects my work-related experiences, but I have an array of experiences outside of my work life that I can draw from. If anything, my fresh take on the new material will give me an advantage in formulating never-tried-before methods.”
Emphasize you are a quick and hard-working learner. If you have other relevant experience that has not yet been discussed, introduce them to the interviewer at this time.
Try not to get uncomfortable when an interviewer points out your lack of experience; rather, compliment the interviewer for asking:
"That's a great question, Michael, and I am delighted you asked." Then, move on to build your case!
If you have work call center experience:
Answers:
"I have 2 years' sales rep experience, working in a variety of industries, from retail to advertising. For the past two years I have been working in the food industry. In addition to my successful sales techniques, I have a great record for forming long-standing relationships with customers. I'm a team player who thrives on challenge.
I am a self-starter dedicated, hard-working person who works well with other, punctual, detail oriented a team player, great organizational and interpersonal skills."
If you have work experience but not in a call center:
(If you have previous job in a fast food you can relate to it as a customer service job) Most of the work has at least customer service part on it.As far as the customer service part goes, you have to lay it down straight – tell your prospective employers about how you handled customers without any fiction thrown in.
Answers:
"I have never worked at a call center, but I want to because I want to have a career in customer service.That's the reason why I started working on a job that will help me gain skills needed in a Call Center. And now I'm confident that I have enough technical and customer service skills and I'm ready to be a part of TELUS."
"I really would like this role and I strongly believe I will be good at it. In my previous work we also have a customers. I enjoy talking to customers and helping them find what they are looking for.I am good with customers. I enjoy the challenge of turning a dissatisfied customer into a satisfied one.''
You should be very straight forward and honest in replying to this question. The interviewer wants to check if what you have mentioned in your resume is correct or not.Make sure that the job you mentioned is written on your resume.
Why should we hire you?
What Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates Can't? What makes you unique?
This is the time to strongly sell yourself to the interviewer without sounding desperate. Concisely summarize your strengths, qualifications, and assets. Be specific and don't just say you are hardworking and motivated.
Tell the interviewer why you are different from al the rest of the applicants.
The easy answer is that you are the best person for the job.
And don’t be afraid to say so. But then back it up with what specifically differentiates you.
Answers:
"You should hire me because I’m the best person for the job. I realize that there are likely other candidates who also have the ability to do this job. Yet I bring an additional quality that makes me the best person for the job--my passion for excellence. I am passionately committed to quality and excellence. "
"I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use my knowledge and break down information to be more user-friendly."
What is your long-range objective?
What do you see yourself doing in five years?
What do you expect to be doing five years from now? Two years from now?What Are Your Goals?
It is not easy to answer this interview question in terms of specific job or company expectations. One cannot accurately predict what the job or the company will look like in 5 years time. You can answer in general terms about the type of situation you would like to be in and the way you want to have grown and developed. Avoid giving specific time frames or job titles.
Focus on realistic career opportunities you could expect in your industry and what you hope to have gained from these opportunities.
The interviewer is looking for evidence of career goals and ambitions rather than minutely specific descriptions. The interviewer wants to see your thought process and the criteria that are important to you.The key is to focus on your achievable objectives and what you are doing to reach those objectives.
Answers:
Within 2 years, I would like to become the very best call Center Agent TELUS has on operation. I want to work toward becoming the expert that others rely upon. And in doing so, I feel I’ll be fully prepared to take on any greater responsibilities which might be presented in the long term. My ambition is to lead a department and be involved in a strategic planning in a senior level. I would expect that TELUS will provide me an opportunities for leadership and management in the future.
"It is an uncertain world and one can't predict what is going to happen. However, my hope is that I will have contributed to the success of the company and grown both personally and professionally within my position"
Sometimes it's best to talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the distant future. For example,
"My immediate goal is to get a job in a growth-oriented Call Center like TELUS. My long-term goal will depend on where the company goes. I hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility"
I am interested in long-term commitment and stability. This is a position that I’ve had my eyes on for awhile, and as long as it provides me with the opportunity to grow within the company, I would love to stay here and make it my future career path. I’m confident that when given the chance to prove my fully-qualified skills, you will agree that I am a great investment for this company now and in the future as well
What is your greatest weakness?
Most career books tell you to select a strength and present it as a weakness. Such as:"I work too much. I just work and work and work." Wrong. First of all, using a strength and presenting it as a weakness is deceiving. Second, it misses the point of the question.
With this typical interview question the interviewer is assessing your self awareness and insight rather than your weaknesses. The ability to acknowledge a weakness is often seen as a sign of maturity and wisdom. Refer to a true weakness but then turn it into a positive by describing it as an area for development. In your job interview answer relate what steps you have taken to try and improve.
Answers:
"I'm impatient with people who don't work at the same pace as me but I'm learning to manage this. I make sure that they have the right resources for the job, I follow up to see that they are on track and I step in and help when needed"
"I can be disorganized, I am aware of this and make sure I answer my emails and messages straight away. I update my calendar as soon as I have a new task or appointment, this really helps"
You should select a weakness that you have been actively working to overcome.
"I have had trouble in the past with planning and prioritization. However, I’m now taking steps to correct this. I just started organizing everything and figure out what is urgent and what is not."
"for me weakness is vulnerability. I'm a strong person and I'm not considering myself vulnerable. I'm not good in singing but I don't think it will affect my job."
"My weakness was speeches and interviews like this. I talk too fast then stutter sometimes especially when I am excited about the interview. I have taken steps to slow it down by forcing myself to slow down and think before I speak. I'm also afraid that I will not be able to show my true potential in job interview like this one. However it works best for me because when you're afraid you tend to work harder exert an extra effort and press on. I'm working on it and now I am proud to say I am I'm a little bit confident,what do you think?"
If asked about your strength...
Possible strengths to mention: positive attitude, ability to focus on projects, ability to prioritize, organization, leadership skills, ability to work under pressure, professionalism
For the strengths part, you want to highlight your strengths which are most in line with the company and the position. If the company values leadership, then cite your leadership experience. If the position is in marketing or advertising, choose “creativity.” If you’re in a technical field, state something along the lines of adapting to new technologies quickly.
What’s most important is that you can provide examples to show that what you mentioned is in fact a strength. So if you’re in sales and you list your persuasion skills as a strength, be sure you have a few stories about getting tough prospects to buy your goods.
Answers:
"I'm an adaptable person. I work for three different managers, they have very different management styles and expectations of me. I am able to adjust my approach to meet each of their needs"
"My strenghts is my attention to details, I pride myself for following through and making my job easier and done on time."
What does a Call Center mean to you? Why Call Center? What do you know about call center?Why do you want to work at this call center?
This question may seem harmless, but its connotations are huge. The interviewer is trying to gauge your seriousness and commitment to the job and this question is a standard call center interview question.
Remember, you have to reply to this question in all seriousness and earnestness – never ever give the impression to the interviewer that you are taking the job just until you get a better one or for fun and profit. Be serious and say in a formal voice that you want to make a career out of working in a call center.
Answer:
"Call Center job is one of the fastest growing industry. If there are course like BS Call Center I will definitely take that course more than my current educational background. Call center is my priority, I can see better opportunities here and this is exactly a job that perfectly matches my skills and my qualifications"
Why Do You Want to Work Here?
The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates you've given this some thought and are not sending out resumes just because there is an opening.They wanna know also if you take time researching for the company. (This is a good time to kiss up and impress them with how much you know about the company)
Answers:
"I've selected key companies whose mission statements are in line with my values, where I know I could be excited about what the company does, and TELUS is very high on my list of desirable choices. and most of all...I want my future to be friendly"
"In my job search, I've investigated a number of companies. Yours is one of the few that interests me, One of the reasons,I want to work for this company is your reputation for staff development, learning and growth are important values to me. I sincerely believe I am the right person for this job and for this company"
Greatest accomplishment?
What I am now is already a big accomplishment, however, my greatest accomplishment is always ahead of me. I believe that i can always do better than what i have previously done. I can always improve and always have a better accomplishment.
How would you describe your previous manager/boss/supervisor?
When answering typical interview questions about previous managers avoid saying anything that can be interpreted as negative. It sends up a red flag about your attitude to authority and supervision. Even if there is something truly negative about your boss rather try to find something positive to focus on. The answer you give should be fact-based and not just your opinion.
Answer:
"My manager was very experienced, he had managed a number of big call centers over the past 12 years. He liked his staff to be able to work independently and I had to learn quickly to become independent about analyzing problems and finding solutions."
How would your co-workers describe you?
Answer:
"I know they considered me to be hard working. In fact, the other team members often thanked me for the extra hours I put in. ut to be honest with you, I'm not a hardworker. I just love what I'm doing and I don;t feel any pressure as it everything comes natural to me."
How do you define success?
Answer:
Success to me would be maintaining a good health, learning something new every day, and having friends and family close. I don’t believe that success is found in money, power, and fame. I believe success is found in the fabric of everyday life, things that we tend to take for granted until it’s taken away from us
How do you motivate people?
Answer:
"Positive reinforcement on achievement, giving recognition/responsibility when due, and the opportunity for growth and advancement is usually what I’ve found to motivate people. Sometimes, it’s not the destination, but rather the journey that counts. I found that people seldom remember what you have said, but they will never forget how you made them feel. So I like to motivate people through positive support and ample opportunities for personal growth.”
What motivates you in your job?
This is a personal trait, there is no right or wrong answer.
Answers:
"I am motivated by the challenge of difficult tasks and projects.My previous manager gave me more and more responsibility as I proved myself, I found this very motivating."
"It is important for me to meet the customers needs. I give them the best service and when I exceed their expectations or get positive feedback it motivates me."
"I like to know that I am growing as an employee. Learning and using new skills is a big motivator for me."
How do you manage multiple tasks/projects?
Answer:
The first step is list all of the tasks, then to prioritize them into four descending levels of importance: emergency, urgent but not an emergency, important, and routine. Deal with the emergencies NOW! Then, create teams to deal with the rest of the list in the order of priority. Delegate and teamwork is the key to eliminating the emergency and urgent tasks, so your team is only working on the important and soon it seems to be routine
What Salary Are You Seeking?
Research salaries in your field before your interviews so that you know the current salary range for the type of position you are seeking. Level one agent here at Telus ranges from 18-20 thousand. But they will tell you that salary here is ranging from 16-17K.
"I am sure when the time comes, we can agree on a reasonable amount. In what range do you typically pay someone with my background?"
How long have you been looking for a job?
(Concern - is there something wrong with you that other employers have picked up?)
Answer:
“After I was laid off from my last job, I took the opportunity to take some time out to examine my career goals and where I was going with my life. I have just begun my search in the last few weeks. I have a definite goal in mind and have been selective about the positions I consider. Your company and this position are of great interest to me.”
QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASKED TO THE INTERVIEWER
You can actually ask the interviewer and it will leave a good note on your part!
Do you think this is a good answer to the question?
May I ask to why this position is open?
Are there any other questions I can answer for you?
Is there anything I’ve mentioned that makes you think I’m not the best candidate for this job?”
What can I tell you about my qualifications?
How would you describe the company culture?
What type of employees tend to excel at this company?
Can you tell me more about the interview process?
How would you describe your ideal candidate?
How would you describe the work environment at the company?
What's the most enjoyable part of your job? What's the most challenging part?
How would you describe a typical week/day in this position?
What are the first projects I will be involved with if hired?
What is the company's management style?
What's a common career path at the company for someone in this role?
Is there room for advancement within the company if I proved to be a top worker?
What are the prospects for growth and advancement?
How does one advance in the company?
Can you tell me about any additional opportunities this job may lead to?
It's wise to inquire about your prospects, especially if you end up landing the job!
--Does this company provide a structured career path?
--Do I have potential for advancement? If my performance excels, what could be the next step?
--Can you tell me about any additional opportunities this job may lead to?
--Does this job usually lead to other positions within the company? If so, which ones?
What do you like about working here?
When do you expect to make your final decision?
Always thank the interviewer!
"Thank you for your time. I am highly interested in this position, it's exactly the kind of work I want to pursue for my career. What is the next step in the interview process?"
For referral please indicate my name, employee number, department on your resume and please inform me beforehand.
Jerwin A.Balenton
Customer Interaction Associate/ FC3A Trainer
Contact # mobile:09062203413 / 09156681006/ landline: 8661794
Email:
jerwin101@hotmail.com
YM:
csrjerwin@yahoo.com
Employee Number:017041
Department: SAMSUNG Technical Support ( Laptop/Printer Department)
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