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 extended family. Describe your
relationship to them. Follow that with your hobbies and interests. Make
sure that your hobbies are indeed interesting such as mountain climbing
(means you are determined and disciplined), and web designing (meaning
you are very computer literate). If you don't have any interesting
hobbies, then at least make your hobbies sound interesting (for example
instead of just saying 'reading', say that you are a voracious book
reader).
Call Center Interview Questions And Answers For Fresh graduates in the Philippines 2: What is your idea of a call center?
This one is a bit difficult and vague. When I was asked this
question, I answered that: My idea of a call center is that it's a
place wherein you assist people and try to help them solve their
problems for them. In a call center, you give quality customer
service or something to that effect.
When asked what
is your idea of quality customer service. You may answer this: Quality customer
service is going out of your way to provide customer service. It is not
simply providing assistance according to what you are expected of. The
main idea of your answer here is going out of your way to help the
customer.
Call Center Interview Questions And Answers For Fresh graduates in the Philippines 3: What makes you qualified to work in a call center?
For this question, just enumerate all of the traits that you possess and explain how each one will help you in a call center job.
Call Center Interview Questions And Answers For Fresh graduates in the Philippines 4: What quality do you think you have which would make me not hire you?
This one is tricky and continues to boggle the minds of applicants.This question is asking for your weakness.The key is to make your weakness appear as a strength.
Call Center Interview Questions And Answers For Fresh graduates in the Philippines 5: How do you see yourself five years from now?
Never say that you see yourself having your own business (if it applies to you). Why? Because this would
mean that you would be leaving soon in case you get hired. You can say that you
see yourself still with the same company but a much higher post
Things to remember for fresh graduates preparing for a call center interview:
-
If you are an undergraduate, or you have a family, try to sound as if
these things won't become a hurdle to your call center career. Call
centers have high attrition rates, and interviewers are constantly
attempting to look for people who won't leave after a few months.
- Always sound confident by trying to feel as if you don't really want the job.
- Never lie to the interviewer. You will get caught.
You guys can also read another article that I wrote (which might be of more help):
14 Most Common Call Center Interview Questions and Answers.
I manage a small call center (about 120 seats) and I would NEVER hire you. Your answer to the question about weakness is clearly premeditated and tells an interviewer nothing about who you are. Your answers to the "tell me something about yourself" question are also intended to portray yourself in the best light and no interviewing manager would be blinded by them.
ReplyDeleteThe best advice I could give to an applicant would be to answer all questions with honesty and be confident in your delivery. Don't overprepare or your answers won't sound natural.
We are not trying to be pessimists here right so pls deal with sir Jerome's good intention. Afterall, 120 seats seems to be too small compared to his exposures/experiences. Owning a big or small call center will not make you a good interviewer mister. Thank you for your comment. I'm just a fan here who wants to give an opinion :-) -- you just made yourself fool there huh mister Anonymous.
DeleteI just remembered something that is always being stressed in call centers, it is not what you say but how you say it.
ReplyDeleteall question guide it helps me a lot in applying as a call center agent. thanks
ReplyDeletesir can you help how to get rid of being nervous.because everytime i go for an interview, i body always shake it also intends me to collapse. My another probelem is that i don't have believe to myself,i super negative thinker,like i will not pass that,i will be faild,because sir, i really want to help my family most especially my younger sister because she had been stroke for 7 years and i want to help her on her medication and theraphy. here's my e-mail address sir,maryannedugayo@yahoo.com
ReplyDeletethank you very much
This will be very helpful in my upcoming interviews. Thanks! ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is really something helpful. Not all people really know that ins and outs of job interviews.
ReplyDeleteuhm hi, i graduated from highschool but finished 1st year college whole 1 year sem, any tips for undergrads like me?
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous. Most call centers don't care whether you're an undergrad or not. Some will require you to have 2 years of college or a college degree though. But as far as tips are concerned, I have the same tips for both undergrads and degree holders.
ReplyDeleteHi. I just want to seek for advice. This thought is bugging me for almost a month already. I could even have a hard time sleeping for 3-5 consecutive days. I know my situation right now is getting worse. My problem is, I work for a call center only for 2 months. Right then, I decided to resign because my work is really affecting my health - mentally, physically and emotionally. Because of the depression and stress that I felt during my shift, I could not perform well in the production. I keep on overthinking. I talked about it to my supervisor and I asked if it is possible if I could resign even if it is still within the training bond period or to just get terminated because I could not take it anymore. Because of my depression, I don't feel like eating and I couldn't sleep. My supervisor told me that there is no way she could terminate me but if it's really my desire to resign, she will accept my resignation letter but I would not be able to get my exit clearance beacause of the training bond. I will only be cleared if I pay the training bond. Now, I regretted my decision. :'( I feel so helpless. I wanted to apply again in a call center but what shall I do? Is there any possibility that I will be hired in any company that I will apply for in the future? For sure, they would know that I have a previous employer when they conduct the background check. Please help me. I couldn't sleep because if these thoughts. I hope anyone could help me fix myself. :(
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous. Please contact me via email (there's a contact me link above in the menu). I will try to help you. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI
ReplyDeleteam also fresh graduate from high school , is it possible for me to be hired even though i don't have experience
of course
DeleteHey there,
ReplyDeleteNot a harsh comment but i would like to know , Do you consider reading as a hobby. Most of the lines said call center in philippines, Do u mean to say is this how you would be asked questions in philippines, And is this how you guys need to answer.
@ Marimar Yes, it is definitely possible :=)
ReplyDelete@Diwa Yes, I do consider reading a hobby. This is a guide on how to form your answers. :=)
Hi! I am an undergrad, and i would like to know, would being an undergrad be something that'll hinder them from accepting me?
ReplyDeleteNot at all. :-)
ReplyDeleteHello can you help me about the call center interviews. Any tips or advice? I am a shy person and I want to apply in a call center.
ReplyDeleteHi Fina,
ReplyDeleteBeing shy should not be a problem in applying for a call center job. :-)
Regarding tips, please visit this page: http://allicanhandle.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_7092.html
Hi, some interviewer in a call center will show you a short story then ask you on how can you relate to a story..
ReplyDeleteIf ever you will not be hired in this poistopn youre applying for, what are your other options?
ReplyDeleteCan you give me a good answer for this?
To be honest, I haven't encountered that question yet during my interviews but I would probably answer that I would request for feedback from the interviewer on why they are rejecting my application and try to improve on that particular weakness.
ReplyDeleteHope this helps. =)
Can u make a topic regarding Call center Computer exam.. Or maybe how was it in training. I only know basic computer skills and I am afraid to apply because of that. I only know few things about computers.
ReplyDeleteI'll try to come up with one soon. =)
ReplyDeletecan you make an application letter sir , so i can easily attach to my resume please ...
ReplyDeletethank's sir Jerome..it will really help me a lot
ReplyDeleteHi, i really like to work as a call center but im shy in comes to interview ,the way i spoke english.I know some of english language but there is deep english that i cannot understand.
ReplyDeleteWell, practice makes perfect. Try watching English TV programs. Anyway, you don't need "deep English" for this job. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Jerome! I am also a High school graduate, is it possible for me to get hired even though I don't have any experience .. I don't know the interview process and I don't know how to introduce myself? I've been graduated since 2011 .. Im a self spoken person.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah. Some call centers hire high school graduates. Most require 2 years of college. You can read my other articles on call center interviews to help you prepare. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Sir Jerome actually my 2nd interview is on Monday but I'm nervous because I don't have an idea about it. I'm undergraduate of college taking the bachelor of elementary education i can speak english well but I'm not sure if I'm already in the front of an interview !!! I've gonna pushed this or not huhuhu I need someone to help me. Thank you
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous. Just do your best in the interview and prepare for it as much as you can and I'm sure you'll do fine. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Jerome. Your posts are so helpful. I really want to work in a call center but like the others, I'm also shy and get nervous when it comes to interviews. I also don't know if I can answer properly from a situational or behavioural questions that the interviewer may ask to me. Can you give samples of these questions with answers? I would appreciate it if you would. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHere are some examples of behavioral interview questions: https://www.themuse.com/advice/30-behavioral-interview-questions-you-should-be-ready-to-answer
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I wasn't able to find any on answers. I will try to come up with my own post on this topic soon. :-)
Hello Sir, have a good day. .. I would like to apply to call a center. I m a fresh graduate of IT. But I have problem of my self.. I always nervous every time that interviewed of the interviewer. That is really one of my problem. I hope you can help me. Or please advice me for this matter. Thank u .
ReplyDeleteI do have the same problem with anonymous i'm also not cleared bcoz of the training bond..help me also sir jerome what to do..
ReplyDelete@Jennifer Just continue on applying and you will soon stop feeling nervous during job interviews. Also, stop thinking too much. :-)
ReplyDelete@ Norman To be honest, there's really no other choice but to settle the training bond with the company for you to get a clearance. :-(
Thanks for the help mr jerome, Actually,im planning to apply a callcenter, but im just afraid because sometimes,when im in the front of the interviewer im gettng speechless , i don't have enough confident too, can u help me what i am going to do ?Do you have any tips for my preparation in applyng n call cnter.thank you & God bless ☺
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous. Well, nervousness is really a problem that you have to overcome yourself. Some tips that I can give you to minimize nervousness are role playing, smiling, and praying before the interview. :-)
ReplyDeletehi Jerome,I would like to apply to call center. I am a fresh graduate of Office Management Technology. but I have a problem of my self. I am weak to speak English. but I have an Experience from my school to train a call center but unfinished to trainee.
ReplyDeleteHi John. Well, you won't know if your English is indeed not good enough until you try to apply for a call center job. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jerome, that's my problem too. I can't talk english fluently. I'm so nervous on interviews especially in English-speaking interviews. It always result me on mental block. But i wanted to apply as a call center agent. Any tips? Thanks :)
DeleteHi. Ur post helps a lot thank u. However do u know any other hard questions on interview?
ReplyDeleteHi Anne. You may find this post a bit more helpful: http://allicanhandle.blogspot.com/2011/10/14-most-common-call-center-interview.html
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous. Well, nervousness is really a problem that you have to overcome yourself. Some tips that I can give you to minimize nervousness are role playing, smiling, and praying before the interview. :-)
ReplyDeleteI hope that helps.
This post would help me a lot. Actually It will be my interview tommorrow in a call center company. I'm just afraid because sometimes i get mental blocked. And i'm not fluent in English also. But i will try my best . By the way im a fresh graduate of BSHRM.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! :D
DeleteGood Evening, this is one of the most helpful article since I'll be applying tomorrow in one of the in demand Call Center company here in the Philippines. I'm a graduating Multimedia Arts student by the way I hope I can overcome the interview tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteHai sir Jerome. Im a fresh graduate in BEED. And im applying for a call center job online. And then during phone interview i get so tensed.. And i cant help it. Im shaking.. But then I have this one question in the interview that i can't easily answer. Mostly from the phone interview they will ask me. "How to give a customer a great customer service experience" I really can't answer that because I don't really know how. So If You knew. I would like to seek help from you. Any advice or example would do. So that I'll have an idea on what to answer next time when another company would call me. Thankyou and Godbless.
ReplyDeleteGood day sir Jerome. I Can't really answer the question from the one who is inteRviewing me when they would asked on how will i give the Good customer service experience.. Because I don't have any experience in working in a call center. Its my very first time applying because im a fresh Graduate. And I know you can help me. You article helped me already from some of my phone interviews. But that question. One question I don't have any idea how to answer it. Please help me. Thank you.im just applying online so the company would conduct a phone interview.
ReplyDeleteHi. A very simple answer to that question is by going out of your way or going the extra mile to help out a customer.
ReplyDelete