1. Tell me about yourself.

In answering this question, you dont have to give details on your resume. That is the most common mistake of an applicant.
They give off information that is already in there resume like name, age etc...
What the interviewer would like to see is your spontaneity in answering and the things of your interest that will relate to the
job you are applying to. Also, because this is the initial question, try to give an answer that will leave a positive impression
on you.
2. Why did you leave your last job?
Try to answer this in the most honest way you can without bad-mouthing your last company. Of course we have something
to say about the company weve been with right? But the recruitment would not want someone who back stabs other
companies even if they are competing.
Now, this is where your research pays off. What you need to do is just focus on the positive points of the company you are
applying to. You can tell them that as an applicant you would want to be part of the best in the industry.
3. Why call center?
Dont give off any sugarcoated answers for this one. Just give them the most honest answer you can give. It is practical to
work on a call center. You get all the benefits like, HMO, night differential, allowances and not to mention the high salary.
(For a more detailed answer please read my article; Why call center?)
4. What are you weaknesses?
When answering this question you need to turn your weakness into strength or into something positive. Most common
answer is saying that you are a perfectionist; this becomes a weakness for you because as a perfectionist, you are very
particular to the quality of the result of the task given that it usually eats up your time to finish a job.
This example sounds a little cheesy and obvious so try to think of your own Weakness.
5. How do you provide EXCELLENT customer service?
We all know that when we say customer service is when we address to the clients concern. When we say excellent
customer service, we provide additional service aside from the inquiry of the client and at the end of the day; the client was
pleased about the service provided. Exerting every effort we can give and empathizing to the client as if we are the one in
need of help.
6. How do you see your self 5 years from now?
Now, dont go saying youre planning to be in abroad at that time. The last thing they want is an employee who has no
intention in staying with them.
You need to tell them that by that time; you see yourself as one of the big bosses in that company, regardless if its manager
or supervisor or on a different department. Anything that will tell them that you are serious in your job application, you are
willing to stay for a long time and you have the dream to grow in their company.
7. How would you describe the color red to a blind person?

Now, this one is a little tricky. The interviewer is testing your spontaneity in answering and how you think.
We all know we have 5 different senses; Sight, Hearing, Feeling, Smell and taste. A blind a person is missing one, sight. So
what we need to do in order to describe the color red is try to use other senses in describing the color. For example; the
color red is like a loud noise, it is a very loud color.
8. Do you have any questions for me?
This is usually the last question in an interview. Even though its the last question, you as an applicant can still leave a great
impression to the interviewer by asking more information about the company or even the next process of the application.
This will show sincerity in your application.
Always remember that you need to answer interview questions honestly. If you will give any false information about yourself
or your work experience; it can lead to the termination of your application and the worst is you may be black listed in their
company.
Outsourcing is the trend among large companies nowadays that's why more and more call centers have been emerging like
mushrooms in Asia particularly in the Philippines. If you are a fresh graduate you might be thinking of applying at one of
these BPO companies. As one of the call center agents for 3 years now, I have decided to write tips on passing the call
center application process.
Here are my tips on to how to pass the initial interview.
An initial interview can be done over the phone or in person. Usually, you will be asked by the interviewer some 3-5
questions about you.
Common Questions:
Tell Me about Yourself
At this point, the interviewer is looking at your resume, thus, theres no need to repeat everything you wrote on your resume.
Tip: Give answers that would say more about your character as a person like
Basically, Im the kind of person who enjoys working with different kinds of individual. I love variations and I can appreciate
individuality. Working with different kinds of people has always been a challenging thing to me. And I like challenges. It
keeps me going.
Wrong Answer: Beginning the answer with I am (insert name here) and I live in (insert address here). Meaning, stop telling
whats obviously written in your resume.
The Interviewer's Side
The interviewer will focus on questions that look for evidence of call center-related competencies or questions that would
measure your capability to work with different kinds of individual or your customer service skills. You may be asked to give
specific examples of when you have shown the required competency in your previous jobs.
More possible questions:

How do you usually spend your weekends?

Do you read books? If yes, what kind of books do you like?
Why do you want to work in a call center?
What do you know about our company?

Being nervous is inevitable especially if it's your first time to apply for a job. But as much as possible don't show it. Smile at
the interviewer every once in a while. A pleasant and sincere smile. Avoid being flirtatious.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
Advise ko lang sa mga job seekers and newly grads out there na i take advantage nyo ang BPO or Bussiness Process Outsoursing. All
you need is a "good" conversational English.

Initial Interview:
Wag kang kabahan. Look straight into the eyes of the interviewer. Answer directly wag paikut-ikot. Don't say negative things, always
positive. Avoid talking too much, Focus with the basics, Begin with your name, nickname, where you live, etc. Of course you need to
say it with confidence and good grammar. Talk like about 2-3 min. Be ready when the interviewer asks you based on what you said
like for example:
Applicant: I just came from a vacation. (add casual conversations like this one)
Interviewer: How was it?
Applicant: It was great! We spent the whole night drinking.(or you can invent your own).
Keep in mind that the initial interview is a critical part of the process. It's do or die.
Additional tips:
Kung hopper ka wag ka na lang mag declare ng previous work mo. Sabihin mu 1st time ka nag work but be ready for the questions:
(Note: Sample lang eto, bahala na kau mag iba).
Q:Why did you choose to work in a call center?
Suggested answer: Personally for me, I wanted to try something new as well as meet new friends. I also see this as an opportunity to
put my skills to good use.
Q:What skills? (If the interviewer asks)
Suggested answer: Those skills are my ability to multitask, my computer knowledge (if you're applying for TSR) and my ability to
speak conversational english (make sure you really do have this skill).
Q:Why should we f**cking hire you?
Suggested answer: You should hire me because I believe I have the skills and abilities that your company is looking for considering I
have no experience yet in the call canter industry.
Q:What skills? (See answer above)
Exams:
Multiple choice exam - Kaya nyo nato. Basic English, Math and Logical thinking. Kung bagsak ka dito bobo ka hehe joke. Kung bobo
ka nga o kaya napurol utak mo kakatambay lang, review your basic geometry,algebra and english grammar book.
Typing exam - it really depends on the center. Merong 30,35, or 25 wpm (words per minute). Pag addict ka naman sa computer wala
lang eto.
Listening exam - Pag bagsak ka dito bingi ka o kaya kulang ka sa focus. May nakikita akong bumabagsak pa din dito.
After you have passed all these wag muna kayo mag celebrate dahil hindi pa tapos !:rofl:.
Behavioral interview (again it depends on the CC kung meron nito):
Answer with confidence. Pag tinanong - Why did you resign from your previous company? Don't say negative things about your boss,
colleagues or the management. Say that you did it for personal reasons like: you want to look for more opportunities like career
growth (sawa kana mag agent).
Another example:
Q: How do you see yourself 2-5 years from now? (Remember to be positive..:beat:)
Suggested Answer: I see myself as a team leader who will lead this company to it's full potential. (Again the rest it's up to you).
Q: How long do you plan to stay with the company? (Be careful of your answer here.., tinitignan lang ung staying power nyo if ever
ma hire kayo).
Suggested answer: I plan to stay as long as the account that I will be assigned with will not be dissolved.
Q: What are your weaknesses? (Medyo mahirap lusutan eto, Minsan may bumabagsak dahil lang sa question na eto.) The trick to
answering this is to say first a certain weakness you have and back it up on how you coped with it like for example:
My weakness is I tend to talk too fast when I am excited about something that is work related. I have taken steps to slow it down by
forcing myself to think before I speak. (Just improvise this answer or you can make your own based on the format = say the
weakness >>>> then back it up with how you prevented it from happening again :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Final Interview:
Eto na! It's a win or go home situation. Iba-iba ang nag iinterview dito sa part na to. Pwedeng TL (team leader), QA (Quality analyst)
or OM (Operations Manager). Minsan ung trainer na gumagawa. Same questions din tulad ng initial and behavioral interviews.
Dipende na din sa interviewer kung anu ang trip nyang itanong. Make sure you look positive and have a willing to work
attitude.:pray: Marami na din akong nakitang bumabagsak dito. (Isa na ako dun :clap:) Minsan na din akong nabigo sa parteng to.
Kung bumagsak ka nga e bobo ka talaga hehe :lmao::lmao:. Kung bobo ka nga kelangan mu mag refresh ng utak at wag mag inarte
na hindi mu talaga kaya. Just try and try until you die! (or until you suceed):upset::upset:.
For the record mga nasa 35 centers na ako nag apply pero failed!! 13 lang dyan ang napasukan ko. You'll never know where your
luck is. Pero syempre it's worth the pain and suffering pag natanggap kana. Saan ka makakakita ng starting na 15k + 3k allowance
without even finishing college? Ung mga nagrereklamo na fresh grad dyan na kesyo di daw sila makakuha ng trabaho, MGA TAMAD
YAN!! :rofl::rofl::rofl:, The Philippines now is actually beginning to get the title "Call center hub of Asia". Kaya marami dyang call
center and take note: hindi kau nagtatrabaho para sa mga pinoy, you have international clients and corporate pa! Sarap pa pumetiks.
Ako iniisip ko na lang para hindi ako tamarin, na kakalibre ako ng internet habang binabayaran nila ako ng 18k per month! Marami pa
akong natututunang technical pag dating sa computer since I'm handling a technical account now. Kunyari busy.... un pala busy sa
pag iinternet!! HAHA! :lol::lol:. I love this industry.
Additional tricky questions:
(You can use the answers here or make up your own).
The trick here is don't focus too much on the question, but rather say what you think is possible to happen. There really is no right or
wrong answer here. In fact, the interviewer doesn't really care about the answer. It's how you deliver it! (Remember the interviewer
is still watching out for those grammars and that's what they are really focusing on!) and last make it simple and of course
understandable..:thumbsup:
Q:How will you explain the color red to a blind person?
Suggested answer: The first thing that I will do is put the blind person beside a fire and that way, he will feel the heat. Heat
represents fire, on that point he will understand that fire represents the color red. (Makes sense? :lol:)
Q:Why is the cover of the manhole round?
Suggested answer: The makers of the manhole cover made it round because it is much easier to manufacture unlike other shapes
which is harder to produce.:lmao::lmao:
Nga pala.., I'm doing PTC (pay to click) during my shift. Kaka start ko lang. Sana totoo eto. Kung may nakagawa na sa inyo nito enge
advise haha lol.. :rofl::rofl:
to be continued!!!.....:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::sa lute:

If you find this helpful, don't be shy to hit the :thanks: button!
Update 12/16/13:
Still in the industry unfortunately haha. By the way, I'm planning to finish my college this coming June. I'll start from scratch and will
pursue a 4 year course! Medyo magiging mahirap kasi nag ka baby boy nako pero kakayanin! :p. Nag decide ako na magtapos ng
college because I realized iba na din ung nakapagtapos. Gusto ko na ding maging stable ung career ko. I'll be back in the BPO
industry after I graduate pero not as an agent, maybe as an I.T. Admin or Operations Manager haha kapal! :dance:
Anyway, if you have further questions you can post it here and I'll be glad to answer them. For those who are asking what to answer
to the question, "tell me about yourself". The answer is simple. Just start with your name, college education, what school did you
come from and why you chose your course then shift to hobbies, pastimes, part time jobs if any then finally talk about your career.
The key to answering this question is don't overtalk and always use diferrent subjects - what I mean here is don't overuse the "I"
very often like I live at.., I started my college in.., I mostly play basketball etc. Besides using "I", also use my.., before I started
college.., when I worked as..., you get the point:naughty: GOOD LUCK GUYS!!