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Showing posts from December, 2007

14 Call Center Interview Questions & Answers

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The call center industry is one of the fastest growing in the country these days. As recently as ten years ago, there were only a few call center agents and the word call center was hardly ever used in the country. Today, almost every family has at least one member working in the call center industry. The reason for this boom is partly economics. In the Philippines, low paying jobs are very notorious and while call centers set up shop here because of the low labor costs, Filipinos decide to work for the call center industry because it pays higher than average wages. Consider this: if you are an average worker with an entry level position, you probably are getting paid seven to ten thousand a month; meanwhile, an average employee in the call center industry with an entry level position will get around fifteen thousand pesos a month, plus free dental and health benefits (HMO). Call centers also will pay your SSS (Social Security), PAGIBIG (home building fund), and PhilHealth (health ins
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Pros and Cons of Working in a Call Center

Working in a call center means big pay. It means numerous benefits and overnight promotions. Your workplace will have lounges which contain many amenities. Having a job in a call center is fun, easy, and even glorious! That's what many people want you to think. Indeed, if you see call center agents, they do look rather glamorous. Endless parties, money to splurge, and luxurious workplaces. However when you look closely, the picture begins to dim. You'll see people in a production line working their asses off for greedy Americans. They are like ants trying to make up for lost sleeping time, risking their lives in the dead of the night, and their body clocks turning upside down because of the endless shifting schedules. In the USA, a general call center representative would earn around 80,000 PHP or almost 2500 USD. The typical call center agent in the Philippines earns less than a fourth of that! If you think all call center agent earns more than twenty thousand pesos,
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Pub Matic Review

For those of you who are having difficulties in optimizing your ads, Pub Matic has arrived to the rescue! Pub Matic is the newest innovation in the Online Advertising Network scene! It is currently in the beta phase and is free for all to use! The first time I heard about Pub Matic, I thought it difficult to use. However when I viewed the video presentation on how to use Pub Matic , I was instantly enlightened on how to use their service. Apparently, Pub Matic offers a free service wherein online ad publishers can have their ads optimized for them. If you are signed up with different ad networks, Pub Matic will try to run a mini auction and display only the ad with the best cpc rate. For most bloggers, the benefit that they will get from Pub Matic is the optimization feature. Pub Matic would actually try and serve ads with different colors and see which one works best. After the period wherein Pub Matic will try to 'learn' which ad works best for you. This period howev
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Asian Idol 2007 Winner

Hady Mirza is the first Asian Idol. But his win does not come without any controversies. Most viewers to hear of his victory when he did not perform very well on the performance night of Asian Idol. Here are some speculations from forumers on how Hady Mirza won the Asian Idol title. Since people had to vote for another contestant, they decided to vote for the weaker contestant. And most probably they voted for Hady since he is among the weaker contestants. All those votes accumulated catapulted him to becoming the first Asian Idol. Others say that it is the looks factor that delivered him to victory. People say that the more deserving contestants would be Mau Marcelo of the Philippines, Jac of Malaysia, and Mike of Indonesia. Anyway, the competition is over. Congratulations to Hady Mirza for being the first ever Asian Idol!
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Best Call Centers in the Philippines

According to forums and websites (and experienced call center agents), Sykes appears to be number one on their best call centers in the Philippines list. Others would say that it is Convergys who should have that number one spot. Other call centers which appear to be on top of that much cherished best call center in the Philippines are IBM, E-Telecare, Teletech, DELL, Ambergris Solutions, Teleperformance, HSBC. Sykes, I guess really comes first when it comes to stability since it has been around for so long. In fact, it is the first call center established in the Philippines. The others are probably best in other aspects. In the end, what matters is that you love the account that you work for and the people that you work with. Read:  14 Most Common Call Center Interview Questions and Answers
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China Bank

Yesterday I experienced the most dissatisfying service from China Bank when I opened a bank account with them. This was the second time that I went there to open a bank account. I was unsuccessful the first time because they did not accept company IDs (because the China bank employee claimed that company IDs can just be faked) which was weird because our IDs even have bar codes on it. I'm not sure, but I'm almost certain that that kind of IDs can't be faked. What's weirder is the fact that they accept student IDs (because according to the China bank employee, there are only a few schools). Anyway, I was told by their employee to come back with an NBI or police clearance. Yesterday I went back. To my horror, I was asked for two 2x2 pictures (I should have been informed of this requirement when I came to their establishment the first time). They then asked me to have my picture taken first. I initially thought that they were going to handle everything because that's
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5 Call Center Interview Questions And Answers For Fresh graduates in the Philippines

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If you are a fresh graduate in the Philippines, and you wish to apply for a call center job (as in any other job), it is best to be ready for the interview. Being ready for the interview means having a ready answer for common call center interview questions. Having a ready answer does not mean blurting out a memorized answer but having an outline for what you are going to say. In call centers, interviewers like to see if you have a chain of thought. So it is important that you at least have an idea of what to say next and how to transition to those ideas. Minimal fillers (uhhms and uhhs) will do you much good. Here are some call center interview questions that might be asked if you are a fresh graduate in the Philippines: Call Center Interview Questions And Answers For Fresh graduates in the Philippines 1: Tell me something about yourself that is not here in your resume For this one, say something about your family. What do your parents do, your siblings, and if you wish your
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Do you need an accent when working in a call center?

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When I first applied in a call center, I did not try to sport an accent. However, my interviewer had a very Americanized accent and I have this tendency to mimic the accent of anyone that I talk to and so throughout the interview, I had an almost american accent. Believe it or not. When I applied for another call center, I was so horrified when I found out that the interviewer did not have an Americanized accent. Anyway, I tried my best to sport an Americanized accent and the result was a neutral accent. That's what call centers need actually. Neutralized accents. They do not require people to have Americanized accent. Bear in mind that there are many types of accents in the United States of America. Some have the slow southern accent, some have the standard American accent, and others even have a British accent. So don't worry if you don't sport an American accent. Just neutralize your accent. Read:  14 Most Common Call Center Interview Questions and Answers
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Port of cebu Videos

This was a video I took from a ship passing by the Cebu port.
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Ebay Philippines now with PayPal

Yes you read right. Ebay Philippines is now integrated with PayPal Philippines !. The announcement regarding this development was made Wednesday, 12 Dec 2007 23:19:38 PST. Emails were sent to Pinoy Ebayers informing them that Paypal Philippines is now working with Ebay Philippines. This feature (integration of Paypal Philippines with Ebay Philippines ) has long been requested by Filipino Ebayers . In the Ebay Community forum, people have been complaining about security and payment. If you are familiar with Ebay USA, it is integrated with Pay pal . In the Philippines, long before Pay pal was introduced in the Philippines, Ebay Philippines has already been existing albeit discreetly. An Ebay with an integrated payment system would surely be good news to people who do business with Ebay Philippines . This would minimize the risk for fraud.
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Week 4 in Manila

Monday- I went to ortigas to meet with a guy named Jasper. Apparently he owns an ad agency located in that area. This person contacted me in the weekend because he wanted to put up a wanted ad in my website since he is looking for copy writers. My biggest mistake was pricing ad space on my website too low. I ended up getting just 750 pesos for 3 weeks of ad space in my website. Anyway, I'll just charge it to experience. Tuesday, Wednesday- I attended training at Sykes. Friday- We had our mock call and written assessment at Sykes. Thank God I passed. Saturday- I moved to a new place just besides the Munoz market and in front of SM North EDSA . My new place is smaller compared to the one in Balintawak . Food is also a bit more expensive. I have a hard time doing laundry because I am in the 4 th floor and I do laundry at the third floor. My brother, his girlfriend and I went to SM city and ate. We also watched a fireworks show there.
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Noche Buena lyrics, video and chords

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INTRO: Am-Dm-E-Am-E-Am-E-Am- Am Kay sigla ng gabi E Ang lahat ay kay saya Am Nagluto ang ate ng manok na tinola A7 Dm Sa bahay ng kuya ay mayro'ng litsonan pa Am Ang bawat tahanan E A May handang iba't iba A Tayo na giliw E Magsalo na tayo Mayro'n na tayong A Tinapay at keso Di ba noche buena D Sa gabing ito A E A At bukas ay araw ng Pasko Noche Buena lyrics Kay sigla ng gabi Ang lahat ay kay saya Nagluto ang ate ng manok na tinola Sa bahay ng kuya ay mayro'ng litsonan pa Ang bawat tahanan may handang iba't iba Tayo na giliw Magsalo na tayo Mayro'n na tayong Tinapay at keso Di ba noche buena Sa gabing ito At bukas ay araw ng pasko Here is a YouTube video of Noche Buena. 
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Week 3 in Manila

Monday - I went to the Burgandy Corporate tower in Makati for the New Employee Orientation in Sykes. I met a nice person who was really bubbly and funny. I found out that the training was going to be from 8 PM to 5 Am. Tuesday - I again went to the Burgandy tower in Makati, this time the training started. I will be undergoing the communication skills training for 4 days. I was able to meet a really smart person who seemed to say things the way she sees them. Wednesday- nothing much happened. I am having a hard time adjusting to the shift. Thursday- The event in Makati lengthened my travel time but thankfully I was able to get to Sykes on time. This was the last day for our training. Friday - We were made to watch a slide show about American culture and geography. The show ended with the American national anthem. Imagine that.
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Hail Regional Science High School Lyrics

This is the Region IX ( Zamboanga City) Science High School lyrics:  Hail Regional Science High School Hail to our dearest Alma Mater Home of the analytic minds Forging the way in the pursuit for excellence We lift our spirits high And reach the stars through hard ways We struggle to keep the Regionalian's flag up high, that never furls Through every learning from instruction and experience We stay magnanimous in victory And humble in defeat And as we leave this home Nestling on the fields of green We will live by the name Regionalian's we will truly be Committed and dedicated to every vision Remembering the fabrics of friendship and those gone days That help us now stand strong We owe what we are to our beloved school Hail to our dearest Alma Mater Hail Regional Science High School Hail to our dearest Alma Mater Regional Science High School! The Regional Science High School (IX) is located in Malasiga San Roque, Zamboanga City. It was fou
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How to look for or find a good room-for-rent

In looking for a room to rent, there are four basic things you have to watch out for. 1. Price of Food - See to it that food prices in the nearby carinderias from your room-for-rent is low. Low would be around 15 php for vegetables and 25 PHP for special dishes such as adobo and afritada. 2. Fare - Try to calculate your fare towards your workplace or the nearest mall. This should not amount to more than 30 PHP back and forth. 3. Neighbors - This one is tricky. Not only do you have to observe if the neighbors are friendly and decent, but you also have to see if there are grocery stores, churches, schools, convenience stores, and carinderias near your room-for-rent. It is important that you would not need to ride a jeepney or tricycle anymore just to get to a carinderia or a grocery store. Your room-for-rent must be close to such establishments. It would even be better if your room-for-rent is near a mall, that way you'd have fast food places, banks, pharmacies, and boutiques n
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Getting around Manila

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Getting around Manila is quite difficult. The transport system is quite complex and extensive. In the provinces, you would only have the jeepney , trycicle , bus (at times), and even a pedicab. In Manila, the bus and jeep are the common ways of getting around. The train is used for inter city travel. The jeepney - How to ride the jeepney in Manila In Zamboanga city, you would pay the driver or conductor before getting off the jeepney . In Manila, you pay once you are seated and only to the conductor. You also say 'para' for the jeep to stop whereas in Zamboanga city, you use a coin to make a the jeepney stop. The bus - How to ride the bus in Manila In the bus, you pay only to the conductor. The conductor goes around the bus and collects payment. To be safe, tell the conductor where you're going and he would usually announce your destination once you get there. The conductor announces the common stops though, such as malls, main roads, and train stations. LRT
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How to Apply at Sutherland

Sutherland is a new call center located at the Export Bank Plaza in Makati. It is a fast growing call center as it has now many sites around the Philippines. Sutherland is sometimes referred to as the hidden goldmine in call centers. The application process of Sutherland is a bit complicated but very much standardized. Here now is a step by step guide on how to apply at Sutherland: 1. The first thing to do is to take the Sutherland written exam. The written exam is analytical (like a math and IQ test) and grammar. 2. Now you will be asked to undergo three different interviews. The interviews in Sutherland is mostly about yourself and what you have written in your resume. 3. After the interviews in Sutherland, you will undergo the Sutherland typing test. If in any case you don't pass any of the exams and interviews, you will be given the thank you note of death. Anyway, good luck!
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How to Apply at HTMT

When I asked for directions on how to get to the office of Nucomm International, my friend instead encouraged me to apply at HTMT . HTMT is conveniently located at the old building of ABS CBN . From the Cubao MRT stop, all you have to do is walk towards Pure Gold near a Tropical hut and ride a jeepney there going to Pasig . Forgive me if the directions towards the HTMT office is unclear, I only went there once and I can't seem to recall the exact directions given to me by my friend. Anyway, the HTMT application process takes a day and is quite simple. Here is a step by step guide on how the HTMT application: 1. You will be asked to take the HTMT phone interview. The phone interview lasts around 2 minutes and is usually more about yourself. 2. You would then be asked to take the HTMT Online Exam which covers the following areas: listening, and data entry. 3. The next part of the HTMT application process is the Written exam which covers abstract reasoning and gram
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The Importance of Networking

In this time and age, networking is very important. If you have a business which thrives on contacts (which I'm almost sure it does), networking is everything to you. Networking is also very important when it comes to looking for a job, finding a place to rent, searching for a business partner, and even in looking for a partner in life. In Manila, I realized that people are experts when it comes to networking. I guess in a big city, you would find it hard to get by without an extensive network of contacts. When I was applying for a job in a call center, I got to meet a lot of people (co-applicants). After just a bit of chit-chat, some of them already asked me for my cellphone number. You would never know when a person might be important to you. It might be sooner when a person in your network is looking for a place to stay, and you happen to know one or it might be later when you need a job, and a person in your network would like to refer you to his/her company. So when an
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