Important Note: No matter what the question is, NEVER say “If you give me a chance” or “Try Me” on any of your answers, employers do not want to gamble and most managers or recruitment officers do not want this answer! Always outline your strengths and your characteristics that would be helpful to the job that you are applying for.
Disclaimer: This is not an original article, the questions on this page were collected on other sites. We only gathered the common questions that are usually asked when you're applying for a call center agent position.
Why do you want to work for this company? Why are you interested in this job?
The interviewer is trying to determine what you know and like about the company, whether you will be willing to make a commitment to the job, and if your skills match the job requirements. Your research will be a big help in formulating your answer to this question. Say as many positive things about the company as possible, show your interest in whatever products/services they sell and explain why the position fits with your career goals.
Have you done this kind of work before?
The interviewer wants to know if you can learn to do the job in a reasonable time and how much training you will need. Never say "no" to this question. Instead, stress the experience you do have that will assist you in learning the new job quickly and efficiently. No two jobs are alike and you never do exactly the same work. In all jobs, new skills, rules and details have to be learned. Be sure to mention the following:
o Your past work experience.
o Your education and training related to the job.
o Volunteer work that might relate to the job.
o Any transferable skills - e.g. organizational skills, people skills.
o Your ability to learn quickly and how quickly you learned that type of work in the past.
What kind of training or qualifications do you have?
The interviewer is trying to find out what school credentials you have. If you have no formal school qualifications but have a lot of experience, you might say:
o I didn't get formal school training for this job but I have (number) of years of experience in the field. I'm willing to learn new skills or go to school to get further training if I am offered the job. I learn quickly and I like to keep upgrading my skills.
If you have just completed a training course but have little work experience, you might say:
o I took a one year training program in (name of program) at (name of school) which is related to the job I'm applying for. I look forward to working in the field and putting into practice what I learned. I don't have a lot of work experience in this area but I learn quickly. I know you will be happy with my work.
Tell me about yourself. Why should we hire you?
The interviewer is trying to find out about you, your job skills and how well you express yourself. Do not dwell on personal issues. State your best qualifications for the job. Be specific and include examples to support your statements. Try to show that you meet the employer's expectations.
For example:
o I am punctual, dependable and can be counted upon to finish what I start. I get a great deal of satisfaction from knowing that I have done something well and on time. For example, at my present job, I was given different work orders every day. It was my responsibility to finish the orders and make sure they all met quality and safety standards within a specific deadline. On occasion, I had to familiarize myself with the product and the production process. I was always able to learn quickly and carry out my job responsibilities. Our company was known for making excellent processed food products. In 1990, it received an award for being on Canada's top companies in the field. I feel I can use the same skills and hard work to do well on this job too.
o For someone who’s more entry-level and doesn’t really have a career to describe yet, the answer would be more forward-looking. For instance: “I’ve always been a news junkie and I spent my last two years in school preparing myself to work in communications when I graduated. I sought out internships and extracurricular opportunities that would expose me to media relations work, and I’m excited to continue on that path. I’ve been told that I’m particularly good at coming up with creative story pitches, and I love pitching, but I really want to learn every aspect of this business from the ground up. I’d like to work in-house rather than in an agency, and I’m especially interested in advocacy work, so I’m particularly excited about this opportunity.”
o As you see in these two examples, you want to keep this focused on your professional persona. Don’t bring kids into it, or your spouse, or where you grew up. That’s not to say you can’t say anything personal, but make sure there’s a relevant reason for raising it. For instance, you could add something like, “And I grew up in this area and still have family here, so I’m really excited about the prospect of moving back.” (Hence signaling to the interviewer that you’re not going to be flighty about relocation.)
o Whatever your answer is, practice it out loud over and over so it flows right out of your mouth in the interview. Don’t try to wing it!
What do you do in your spare time?
Interviewers ask this question to see if your activities and hobbies might help the company and to get an idea of what kind of person you are outside your work life. Describe any volunteer work you do and any hobbies or interests that might relate to the job in some way. Stick to active hobbies, such as playing sports, carpentry, gardening, etc. Avoid mentioning inactive and non-creative activities such as watching television.
What do you think of working in a group?
The interviewer is trying to find out about your ability to get along with others.Focus on the following:
o The advantages of working in a group. Explain how the various individuals in a group complement one another in carrying out certain tasks.
o Give specific examples of your personal experience in a group.
How do you react to instruction and criticism?
The interviewer is trying to find out how you get along with Supervisors and how you feel about authority. You might say:
o I appreciate getting instruction and criticism when it is done fairly and constructively.
With the kind of work experience you have had, do you think this job would bore you?
The interviewer may think you are over-qualified and want this job only until something better comes along. Stress that no job is ever boring because you always learn new skills. Mention how you would benefit by working for the company and vice versa.
Why did you choose this line of work?
The interviewer is trying to find out about your commitment to your career choice. In other words do you do it because you love the work or just take any job you can get for the money. If you did this work for many years and stopped due to a layoff,you might say:
o I have done this for (number) of years. I like my work. The only reason I left my last workplace was because I was laid off.
How well do you work under pressure or tight deadlines?
This question indicates that the job you're applying for will involve working under pressure. Give examples of volunteer and paid work that involved pressure and deadlines. You could mention that we are always faced with pressure and deadlines in our lives and you do not mind the stress. Stressful situations are a learning and challenging experience. You might mention the following:
o How you handled large rush orders at your last workplace.
o How you prepared for exams and homework assignments while working full-time and attending school part-time.
o How you managed a crisis situation. (For example: a car accident)
How often were you absent from work in your last job? Have you every had any serious illness or injuries? Do you have any health problems?
The interviewer is trying to find out if you have any health issues which will cause you to take a lot of sick days. You do not have to go into your health history for the interviewer. If you have health problems that do not interfere with your work performance, do not give the interviewer details about them. If you had a previous health problem that interfered with your work in the past, but is no longer a problem, do not volunteer this information. It no longer affects your work, therefore the employer does not have to know.
If you have a health problem that will affect your work performance, explain your situation briefly and stress the positive points. I will be helpful to have a positive reference letter from your previous employer. This letter should explain the type of duties you did and stress that you are a steady worker who is responsible, hardworking and punctual.
Have you ever been fired or quit a job?
The interviewer is looking for clues to any problems you have had in previous jobs and if you may have the same problems in a new job. Try to:
o Avoid saying anything negative about yourself or your previous employer. If you had problems, explain them without being negative.
o Be careful not the use the word "fired" or "quit". Instead use words such as: "I changed jobs", "I was laid off", or "I needed a more challenging job".
o If you were fired and are not on good terms with your previous employer, explain the reason why you were fired. Stress that you learned something from the previous situation.
Why haven't you worked recently?
The interviewer is looking for clues to serious problems or job difficulties that could carry over to a new job. You might say:
o Since I was laid off from my previous employer, I have been actively looking for a job. However, as you know, there are many people looking for work and applying for the same jobs. I have always worked steadily but I haven't been able to find a job in the present job market.
o After I got laid off from my previous employer, I decided to go back to school to upgrade my skills so I can get a better, more secure job.
What are your long-term goals or career plans?
The interviewer may want to know if you are ambitious, plan ahead, or if you set goals for yourself. The interviewer may also want to know what expectation you have of the company. You might say:
o I hope to become very good at my job and perhaps take some chooling to become more skilled in my field of work.
o I intend to learn (name of area or skills) very well so that I can be promoted to a higher position in (name skill or department).
What do you feel are your greatest strengths?
This is your opportunity to brag a little bit. It is important that you have done your research about the type of work that you are applying for. For example if you are applying as a production labourer and from your research you understand that this type of work required people that have the ability to meet quotas, work as a team and make improvement suggestions, then it is important for you to incorporate this into your strengths.
o Example: My greatest strength is that I have a lot of initiative. I am always looking for a better way to do things at work that I feel would save the company money and I can always achieve my production quotas. For example one time I was working at my station and I felt that I was wasting time by always having to walk to the other side of my station to get some parts. So I reorganized the station and my supervisor was really impressed as it increased my quota.
What do you feel are your weaknesses?
You never want to give any indication of any weaknesses that you have. Turn you weaknesses into strengths by working it to the employer's advantage.
o Example:I am the type of person or is very hard on myself. I am always expecting myself to do a little bit more. However, I guess this works out well for my employer.
Or
o I never like to leave work until I have every thing finished completely. Sometimes this bothers me but I feel inside that it is important.
Or
o I am the type of person who always takes my work home with me. This sometimes interferes with my personal life but I feel that work comes first.
How would you describe your last employer?
Never run down or say anything negative about anybody or anyone. The employer will feel that you will do it to them. You should state the positive things such as he had high expectations and I really respected him for that. He was down to earth and really knew the job I was doing, if I had any problems he was approachable and would always give me suggestion or he gave the responsibility to do a good job.
o Example: I liked my employer. He/she treated me fairly and respected my work
Or
o I appreciated my previous employer having given me the opportunity to acquire a lot of skills and experiences in (name area of work skill).
What five words would be describe you?
These should be your transferrable skills such as reliable, punctual, organized,friendly, honest, cooperative, outgoing, easy to get along with, hardworking,energetic, take pride in my work, responsible, respected,dedicated.
What did you like about your last job?
Say only positive things that you feel could transfer across to the position your are applying for.
Example: I liked my last job because I got along well with my co-workers and the work was challenging, fast paced and I was given a lot of responsibility to do a good job.
Why did you leave your last position?
Keep this answer simple. If you were laid off simply say so, If your company downsized, simply say so. Do not go into a lot of detail. If you were terminated you will have to say you were let go but always follow up that as a result you have learned how to overcome this and feel it will not affect you in the future.
What are your long range goals?
The interviewer is trying to figure out whether or not you are going to be a long term employee or whether or not you will be using this job as a stepping stone to another objective. So, you should try to assure him/her that your intention is to stay with the company and to grow in your career within the company. You should respond "I am looking for a position with a company where I can stay and grow with and I feel this position would give me this opportunity."
What kind of machines or equipment have you worked with?
This is your opportunity to give some detail of what actual work skills you have. Don't be vague, supply all of the information that you have to offer.
What type of salary are you looking for?
Do not get into this subject unless you are forced to. Even then you want to leave an impression that you are flexible in this area.
What do you know about our company?
This is your opportunity to show them that you have taken the time to research their company in particular.
Do you have any other skills of experiences that we have not discussed?
List any other skills that you have that are related to the position. You can also discuss any hobbies or volunteer experience you have and discuss any interest courses or educational upgrading you have.
What according to you is a BPO?
BPO stands for Business Process Outsourcing. When a company decides to outsource some of its non-core work processes to another company with expertise in it, it is called Business Process Outsourcing.
Why do companies outsource their work?
There are mainly four reasons for a company to outsource its work:
a.) Cost saving
b.) Focus on core activities
c.) Access to special enterprise who has expertise in the domain.
d.) Other resource related reasons like relieving resource constraints, reducing IT staff and augmenting IT staff .
What is off-shore outsourcing?
When a work process is out-sourced to a different country which is not nearby – it is called off-shore outsourcing. For e.g. If USA outsources a work process to India- it is off-shore outsourcing.
What is near shore outsourcing?
When a work process is out-sourced to a nearby country, it is called near shore outsourcing.
For example, if a business process is out-sourced from a company in USA to a company in Mexico or Canada – it is near shore outsourcing.
What is onshore outsourcing?
When a business process is outsourced from a company in one country to another country in the same country – it is called onshore outsourcing.
What is a call centre?
Call centres are voice based BPOs. These are usually used for sales, customer service or support activities.
What do you mean by following?
a.) Inbound call centre - Inbound call centres are the call centres which receive calls on behalf of their client – usually the support or customer service centres fall in this category.
b.) Outbound call centre – Outbound call centres are the call centres which make calls on behalf of their clients – usually the sales calls.
What is the difference between a BPO and a call centre?
Call centre is a subset of BPO.
What attracts you towards a BPO?
When you are asked this question – focus your answer mainly on the growth of the industry and the prospects you see for yourself in the industry. You can also keep some facts and figures about the growth of the industry handy which will help you in providing more weight to your statement.
Where do you see yourself (xx) years from now?
The purpose of this question is to see if you are ambitious and if you will stay with the company for sometime or not. To answer this question you can say, “In three years from now, I see myself at a more responsible position where my company treats me as an asset and hope to grow with this company.”
What are your strengths?
To answer this question – analyse the requirements of the position you have applied for and make a list of the qualities a person working in that profile should have. Pick up the qualities you have out of them and offer them as an answer. For e.g. some of the qualities people applying for jobs in call centres are: Patience, fluency in English, good hearing skills, problem solving etc.
This is quite an expected question so you must go prepared with an answer for this question well in advance.
What are your weaknesses?
You must understand that it is perfectly normal for any human being to have some weaknesses. What is more important is to identify them and work on them.
So, if you are asked this question in the interview – stay calm and admit that you have weaknesses. There are two ways for you to answer this question now.
a.) Offer a totally un-related weakness. For e.g. “Inspite of using the camera for so many years, I still can’t make out if anything wrong goes with it.”
b.) Offer one of your strengths as a weakness. For e.g. “My friends accuse me of being to picky about the grammar and the words in English but I think it is important to speak a language properly”. If you have applied for a position with a call centre, they would immediately buy this.
Why do you want to quit your present job?
If you are currently working or worked in the past, it is one of the most obvious questions you would face. So, you must go prepared with a good answer for this. The key here is “do not bad mouth your last employer or boss”. Just say that you want to switch for better prospects.
Can you share with us your experiences from the last job?
The purpose here is to see what you learnt during last assignments, how you used the opportunities to grow etc. Focus you answer on the challenges you faced, solutions you offered and your achievements.
Avoid talking about any bad experiences.
Will you be happy to sign a bond?
Say “Yes”
How do you rate your communication skills?
Communication skills play an important role in almost all the jobs you perform. Some need you to communicate internally with your team members, boss or management while others need you to communicate with customers.
Work on you communication skills to rate them as above average.
Can you speak for two minutes on one of these topics?
You will be given some general topics to see you communication skills, on the spot thinking capability etc. So, read a lot and be ready to speak on some general topics.
How do you rate your listening skills?
One of the key factors in communication skills and being a good team player lies in your listening skills. If you don’t have them, develop them. Offer above average or good as an answer.
How long would you expect to work for us if given an opportunity?
This question aims to find out your stability and see if you would jump at the first opportunity offered to you. To answer this question, you can just say that, “I intend to stay as long as I’m learning and growing & both of us are happy with the work.”
Why should we hire you?
To answer this question, you need to prepare well in advance. Read through the requirements of the job properly and match the qualities, skills and experience you have with the requirement. Now offer this as a reason for you to be hired.
Do you think you can work under pressure?
Work and pressure are always going to co-exist. It might be the pressure at work or on personal front but you should be able to deal with it. So, the answer to this question should be “Yes” backed up with some example where you worked under pressure.
What is your expected salary?
Don’t jump at a figure when asked a question about expected salary. Put the ball back in interviewer’s court by asking them, “What does the company offer for a position like this?” If you are the one who has to speak out the figure first, give a range which is not too broad for. e.g. I expect something in mid thirties or something.
Would you leave us if another company offers you more than us?
By asking this question the interviewer tries to analyze if the candidate will leave the job for a couple of thousands. Recruiting a candidate costs money to the company so they would like to hire somebody who has some loyalty towards the company. You can answer this question by saying that though you know the attraction of money every job offers but you would first try to analyze the growth opportunities with both the jobs. If your present company can offer you the desired growth with the industry trend, you would not switch. You will discuss the issue with your senior and ask his views on your growth in the present job and if you see that there is a potential to grow in the present job, you will stick otherwise you will politely inform him about your decision to move ahead in life.
Disclaimer: This is not an original article, the questions on this page were collected on other sites. We only gathered the common questions that are usually asked when you're applying for a call center agent position.
Why do you want to work for this company? Why are you interested in this job?
The interviewer is trying to determine what you know and like about the company, whether you will be willing to make a commitment to the job, and if your skills match the job requirements. Your research will be a big help in formulating your answer to this question. Say as many positive things about the company as possible, show your interest in whatever products/services they sell and explain why the position fits with your career goals.
Have you done this kind of work before?
The interviewer wants to know if you can learn to do the job in a reasonable time and how much training you will need. Never say "no" to this question. Instead, stress the experience you do have that will assist you in learning the new job quickly and efficiently. No two jobs are alike and you never do exactly the same work. In all jobs, new skills, rules and details have to be learned. Be sure to mention the following:
o Your past work experience.
o Your education and training related to the job.
o Volunteer work that might relate to the job.
o Any transferable skills - e.g. organizational skills, people skills.
o Your ability to learn quickly and how quickly you learned that type of work in the past.
What kind of training or qualifications do you have?
The interviewer is trying to find out what school credentials you have. If you have no formal school qualifications but have a lot of experience, you might say:
o I didn't get formal school training for this job but I have (number) of years of experience in the field. I'm willing to learn new skills or go to school to get further training if I am offered the job. I learn quickly and I like to keep upgrading my skills.
If you have just completed a training course but have little work experience, you might say:
o I took a one year training program in (name of program) at (name of school) which is related to the job I'm applying for. I look forward to working in the field and putting into practice what I learned. I don't have a lot of work experience in this area but I learn quickly. I know you will be happy with my work.
Tell me about yourself. Why should we hire you?
The interviewer is trying to find out about you, your job skills and how well you express yourself. Do not dwell on personal issues. State your best qualifications for the job. Be specific and include examples to support your statements. Try to show that you meet the employer's expectations.
For example:
o I am punctual, dependable and can be counted upon to finish what I start. I get a great deal of satisfaction from knowing that I have done something well and on time. For example, at my present job, I was given different work orders every day. It was my responsibility to finish the orders and make sure they all met quality and safety standards within a specific deadline. On occasion, I had to familiarize myself with the product and the production process. I was always able to learn quickly and carry out my job responsibilities. Our company was known for making excellent processed food products. In 1990, it received an award for being on Canada's top companies in the field. I feel I can use the same skills and hard work to do well on this job too.
o For someone who’s more entry-level and doesn’t really have a career to describe yet, the answer would be more forward-looking. For instance: “I’ve always been a news junkie and I spent my last two years in school preparing myself to work in communications when I graduated. I sought out internships and extracurricular opportunities that would expose me to media relations work, and I’m excited to continue on that path. I’ve been told that I’m particularly good at coming up with creative story pitches, and I love pitching, but I really want to learn every aspect of this business from the ground up. I’d like to work in-house rather than in an agency, and I’m especially interested in advocacy work, so I’m particularly excited about this opportunity.”
o As you see in these two examples, you want to keep this focused on your professional persona. Don’t bring kids into it, or your spouse, or where you grew up. That’s not to say you can’t say anything personal, but make sure there’s a relevant reason for raising it. For instance, you could add something like, “And I grew up in this area and still have family here, so I’m really excited about the prospect of moving back.” (Hence signaling to the interviewer that you’re not going to be flighty about relocation.)
o Whatever your answer is, practice it out loud over and over so it flows right out of your mouth in the interview. Don’t try to wing it!
What do you do in your spare time?
Interviewers ask this question to see if your activities and hobbies might help the company and to get an idea of what kind of person you are outside your work life. Describe any volunteer work you do and any hobbies or interests that might relate to the job in some way. Stick to active hobbies, such as playing sports, carpentry, gardening, etc. Avoid mentioning inactive and non-creative activities such as watching television.
What do you think of working in a group?
The interviewer is trying to find out about your ability to get along with others.Focus on the following:
o The advantages of working in a group. Explain how the various individuals in a group complement one another in carrying out certain tasks.
o Give specific examples of your personal experience in a group.
How do you react to instruction and criticism?
The interviewer is trying to find out how you get along with Supervisors and how you feel about authority. You might say:
o I appreciate getting instruction and criticism when it is done fairly and constructively.
With the kind of work experience you have had, do you think this job would bore you?
The interviewer may think you are over-qualified and want this job only until something better comes along. Stress that no job is ever boring because you always learn new skills. Mention how you would benefit by working for the company and vice versa.
Why did you choose this line of work?
The interviewer is trying to find out about your commitment to your career choice. In other words do you do it because you love the work or just take any job you can get for the money. If you did this work for many years and stopped due to a layoff,you might say:
o I have done this for (number) of years. I like my work. The only reason I left my last workplace was because I was laid off.
How well do you work under pressure or tight deadlines?
This question indicates that the job you're applying for will involve working under pressure. Give examples of volunteer and paid work that involved pressure and deadlines. You could mention that we are always faced with pressure and deadlines in our lives and you do not mind the stress. Stressful situations are a learning and challenging experience. You might mention the following:
o How you handled large rush orders at your last workplace.
o How you prepared for exams and homework assignments while working full-time and attending school part-time.
o How you managed a crisis situation. (For example: a car accident)
How often were you absent from work in your last job? Have you every had any serious illness or injuries? Do you have any health problems?
The interviewer is trying to find out if you have any health issues which will cause you to take a lot of sick days. You do not have to go into your health history for the interviewer. If you have health problems that do not interfere with your work performance, do not give the interviewer details about them. If you had a previous health problem that interfered with your work in the past, but is no longer a problem, do not volunteer this information. It no longer affects your work, therefore the employer does not have to know.
If you have a health problem that will affect your work performance, explain your situation briefly and stress the positive points. I will be helpful to have a positive reference letter from your previous employer. This letter should explain the type of duties you did and stress that you are a steady worker who is responsible, hardworking and punctual.
Have you ever been fired or quit a job?
The interviewer is looking for clues to any problems you have had in previous jobs and if you may have the same problems in a new job. Try to:
o Avoid saying anything negative about yourself or your previous employer. If you had problems, explain them without being negative.
o Be careful not the use the word "fired" or "quit". Instead use words such as: "I changed jobs", "I was laid off", or "I needed a more challenging job".
o If you were fired and are not on good terms with your previous employer, explain the reason why you were fired. Stress that you learned something from the previous situation.
Why haven't you worked recently?
The interviewer is looking for clues to serious problems or job difficulties that could carry over to a new job. You might say:
o Since I was laid off from my previous employer, I have been actively looking for a job. However, as you know, there are many people looking for work and applying for the same jobs. I have always worked steadily but I haven't been able to find a job in the present job market.
o After I got laid off from my previous employer, I decided to go back to school to upgrade my skills so I can get a better, more secure job.
What are your long-term goals or career plans?
The interviewer may want to know if you are ambitious, plan ahead, or if you set goals for yourself. The interviewer may also want to know what expectation you have of the company. You might say:
o I hope to become very good at my job and perhaps take some chooling to become more skilled in my field of work.
o I intend to learn (name of area or skills) very well so that I can be promoted to a higher position in (name skill or department).
What do you feel are your greatest strengths?
This is your opportunity to brag a little bit. It is important that you have done your research about the type of work that you are applying for. For example if you are applying as a production labourer and from your research you understand that this type of work required people that have the ability to meet quotas, work as a team and make improvement suggestions, then it is important for you to incorporate this into your strengths.
o Example: My greatest strength is that I have a lot of initiative. I am always looking for a better way to do things at work that I feel would save the company money and I can always achieve my production quotas. For example one time I was working at my station and I felt that I was wasting time by always having to walk to the other side of my station to get some parts. So I reorganized the station and my supervisor was really impressed as it increased my quota.
What do you feel are your weaknesses?
You never want to give any indication of any weaknesses that you have. Turn you weaknesses into strengths by working it to the employer's advantage.
o Example:I am the type of person or is very hard on myself. I am always expecting myself to do a little bit more. However, I guess this works out well for my employer.
Or
o I never like to leave work until I have every thing finished completely. Sometimes this bothers me but I feel inside that it is important.
Or
o I am the type of person who always takes my work home with me. This sometimes interferes with my personal life but I feel that work comes first.
How would you describe your last employer?
Never run down or say anything negative about anybody or anyone. The employer will feel that you will do it to them. You should state the positive things such as he had high expectations and I really respected him for that. He was down to earth and really knew the job I was doing, if I had any problems he was approachable and would always give me suggestion or he gave the responsibility to do a good job.
o Example: I liked my employer. He/she treated me fairly and respected my work
Or
o I appreciated my previous employer having given me the opportunity to acquire a lot of skills and experiences in (name area of work skill).
What five words would be describe you?
These should be your transferrable skills such as reliable, punctual, organized,friendly, honest, cooperative, outgoing, easy to get along with, hardworking,energetic, take pride in my work, responsible, respected,dedicated.
What did you like about your last job?
Say only positive things that you feel could transfer across to the position your are applying for.
Example: I liked my last job because I got along well with my co-workers and the work was challenging, fast paced and I was given a lot of responsibility to do a good job.
Why did you leave your last position?
Keep this answer simple. If you were laid off simply say so, If your company downsized, simply say so. Do not go into a lot of detail. If you were terminated you will have to say you were let go but always follow up that as a result you have learned how to overcome this and feel it will not affect you in the future.
What are your long range goals?
The interviewer is trying to figure out whether or not you are going to be a long term employee or whether or not you will be using this job as a stepping stone to another objective. So, you should try to assure him/her that your intention is to stay with the company and to grow in your career within the company. You should respond "I am looking for a position with a company where I can stay and grow with and I feel this position would give me this opportunity."
What kind of machines or equipment have you worked with?
This is your opportunity to give some detail of what actual work skills you have. Don't be vague, supply all of the information that you have to offer.
What type of salary are you looking for?
Do not get into this subject unless you are forced to. Even then you want to leave an impression that you are flexible in this area.
What do you know about our company?
This is your opportunity to show them that you have taken the time to research their company in particular.
Do you have any other skills of experiences that we have not discussed?
List any other skills that you have that are related to the position. You can also discuss any hobbies or volunteer experience you have and discuss any interest courses or educational upgrading you have.
What according to you is a BPO?
BPO stands for Business Process Outsourcing. When a company decides to outsource some of its non-core work processes to another company with expertise in it, it is called Business Process Outsourcing.
Why do companies outsource their work?
There are mainly four reasons for a company to outsource its work:
a.) Cost saving
b.) Focus on core activities
c.) Access to special enterprise who has expertise in the domain.
d.) Other resource related reasons like relieving resource constraints, reducing IT staff and augmenting IT staff .
What is off-shore outsourcing?
When a work process is out-sourced to a different country which is not nearby – it is called off-shore outsourcing. For e.g. If USA outsources a work process to India- it is off-shore outsourcing.
What is near shore outsourcing?
When a work process is out-sourced to a nearby country, it is called near shore outsourcing.
For example, if a business process is out-sourced from a company in USA to a company in Mexico or Canada – it is near shore outsourcing.
What is onshore outsourcing?
When a business process is outsourced from a company in one country to another country in the same country – it is called onshore outsourcing.
What is a call centre?
Call centres are voice based BPOs. These are usually used for sales, customer service or support activities.
What do you mean by following?
a.) Inbound call centre - Inbound call centres are the call centres which receive calls on behalf of their client – usually the support or customer service centres fall in this category.
b.) Outbound call centre – Outbound call centres are the call centres which make calls on behalf of their clients – usually the sales calls.
What is the difference between a BPO and a call centre?
Call centre is a subset of BPO.
What attracts you towards a BPO?
When you are asked this question – focus your answer mainly on the growth of the industry and the prospects you see for yourself in the industry. You can also keep some facts and figures about the growth of the industry handy which will help you in providing more weight to your statement.
Where do you see yourself (xx) years from now?
The purpose of this question is to see if you are ambitious and if you will stay with the company for sometime or not. To answer this question you can say, “In three years from now, I see myself at a more responsible position where my company treats me as an asset and hope to grow with this company.”
What are your strengths?
To answer this question – analyse the requirements of the position you have applied for and make a list of the qualities a person working in that profile should have. Pick up the qualities you have out of them and offer them as an answer. For e.g. some of the qualities people applying for jobs in call centres are: Patience, fluency in English, good hearing skills, problem solving etc.
This is quite an expected question so you must go prepared with an answer for this question well in advance.
What are your weaknesses?
You must understand that it is perfectly normal for any human being to have some weaknesses. What is more important is to identify them and work on them.
So, if you are asked this question in the interview – stay calm and admit that you have weaknesses. There are two ways for you to answer this question now.
a.) Offer a totally un-related weakness. For e.g. “Inspite of using the camera for so many years, I still can’t make out if anything wrong goes with it.”
b.) Offer one of your strengths as a weakness. For e.g. “My friends accuse me of being to picky about the grammar and the words in English but I think it is important to speak a language properly”. If you have applied for a position with a call centre, they would immediately buy this.
Why do you want to quit your present job?
If you are currently working or worked in the past, it is one of the most obvious questions you would face. So, you must go prepared with a good answer for this. The key here is “do not bad mouth your last employer or boss”. Just say that you want to switch for better prospects.
Can you share with us your experiences from the last job?
The purpose here is to see what you learnt during last assignments, how you used the opportunities to grow etc. Focus you answer on the challenges you faced, solutions you offered and your achievements.
Avoid talking about any bad experiences.
Will you be happy to sign a bond?
Say “Yes”
How do you rate your communication skills?
Communication skills play an important role in almost all the jobs you perform. Some need you to communicate internally with your team members, boss or management while others need you to communicate with customers.
Work on you communication skills to rate them as above average.
Can you speak for two minutes on one of these topics?
You will be given some general topics to see you communication skills, on the spot thinking capability etc. So, read a lot and be ready to speak on some general topics.
How do you rate your listening skills?
One of the key factors in communication skills and being a good team player lies in your listening skills. If you don’t have them, develop them. Offer above average or good as an answer.
How long would you expect to work for us if given an opportunity?
This question aims to find out your stability and see if you would jump at the first opportunity offered to you. To answer this question, you can just say that, “I intend to stay as long as I’m learning and growing & both of us are happy with the work.”
Why should we hire you?
To answer this question, you need to prepare well in advance. Read through the requirements of the job properly and match the qualities, skills and experience you have with the requirement. Now offer this as a reason for you to be hired.
Do you think you can work under pressure?
Work and pressure are always going to co-exist. It might be the pressure at work or on personal front but you should be able to deal with it. So, the answer to this question should be “Yes” backed up with some example where you worked under pressure.
What is your expected salary?
Don’t jump at a figure when asked a question about expected salary. Put the ball back in interviewer’s court by asking them, “What does the company offer for a position like this?” If you are the one who has to speak out the figure first, give a range which is not too broad for. e.g. I expect something in mid thirties or something.
Would you leave us if another company offers you more than us?
By asking this question the interviewer tries to analyze if the candidate will leave the job for a couple of thousands. Recruiting a candidate costs money to the company so they would like to hire somebody who has some loyalty towards the company. You can answer this question by saying that though you know the attraction of money every job offers but you would first try to analyze the growth opportunities with both the jobs. If your present company can offer you the desired growth with the industry trend, you would not switch. You will discuss the issue with your senior and ask his views on your growth in the present job and if you see that there is a potential to grow in the present job, you will stick otherwise you will politely inform him about your decision to move ahead in life.
