Interviewing Tips
Most people go into an interview with the wrong mindset. You only have 1 goal and that is not about your skills / qualifications / proving your worth but its all about making it MEMORABLE.
1. Master the art of telling YOUR story.
This is the first because it’s the MOST IMPORTANT. You will be remembered for telling your story in an interesting relatable way. Study storytelling and practice your stories in the mirror.
Why does this work? Everyone talks about their experience, but few people can communicate it memorably. Improve this one thing and you’ll outperform 80% of your competition. Now, lets take it further!
2. Become an investigator.
Scour the internet to learn everything you can about the company. It is available through their web page, Linkedin, Google, etc.
You don’t study them to create more informed answers (although that IS a benefit) but you do this to show that you’re truly interested. Hiring managers LOVE a candidate who talks about the research they’ve done on the company. Tell them your 3 favourite things you read about them.
3. Know how to answer the final question.
Every interview ends the same way… “Tell me why you’re the best candidate for this position” This is the most important question of the interview and here’s how you ace it. Everytime.
It’s all about your UNIQUENESS. All candidates will say they are driven, hard-working, team players, etc etc but these are boring and not unique.
Share exactly what it is that makes you unique / different / legendary!
4. Ask the KILLER questions.
At the end of the interview, you will be asked if you have any questions. Most people blow it by not asking any questions at all. If they do, they ask about turnaround time, training, salary, off days, WFH, etc but these do not help you at all.
Instead, ask the 3 killer questions that is:
a. What’s the biggest challenge facing the team today?
b. What does greatness look like in this role?
c. What has your career looked like at this company?
The last one gets them to talk about themselves, which ironically makes them remember you!
Other tips and tricks
Always interpret the question in practical terms rather than personality faults. For example:
“Sometimes I let people take advantage of me” or “I take criticism personally” are bad answers. “I am too honest” or “I work too hard”, even if they believe you, make you sound like you’ll be irritating to be around or you’ll burn out.
Instead, say something like:
“My biggest weakness with regards to this job is, I have no experience with [company’s database platform]” or “I don’t have much knowledge about [single specific aspect of job] yet, so it would take me sometime to learn”.
These are real weaknesses that are relevant to the job, but they’re also fixable things that you’ll correct soon after being hired. Personality flaws are not (and they’re also none of the interviewer’s business).
Common Questions Asked (illustration purposes)
1. Tell me about yourself
I have a solid background for more than 3 years in Customer Service, gained working in a BPO industry. As a Customer Service Representative, I consistently demonstrated exceptional communication, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills. My commitment to excellence has position me as a consistent top performer in various roles, showing my ability to effectively manage and address inquiries, resulting in high customer satisfaction.
2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
My greatest strength is adaptability. Through my experience in customer service, I have learned to adjust quickly to different situations and demands. As for weaknesses, it is difficult for me to ask for help when I need it. Because I always try to figure things out for myself when I encounter problems. However, I do understand that it would be more beneficial to seek advice and ask for help from others and I am taking steps to improve this by communicating my needs.
3. Why do you want this job?
I am keen on this job because I am eager to embrace new experiences and challenges. I believe that this role will offer me opportunities for growth and development within the company. I am excited about the chance to expand my skills and contribute to the team’s success.
4. Can you describe a challenging situation at work and how you handled it?
Certainly! In a challenging situation at work, I encountered diverse customer needs and concerns. To handle this, I remained calm, actively listened to each customer, and personalized my approach to address their specific issues. By adapting to diverse needs, I ensured effective problem resolution and maintained overall customer satisfaction.
5. How do you handle stress and pressure?
I thrive under pressure by staying organized, prioritizing tasks, and maintaining open communication with my team. This approach helps me focus on solutions rather than getting overwhelmed.
6. How do you handle corrections for your mistakes at work.
I take responsibility by acknowledging the error openly and transparently. Within the team, I actively participate in discussions to understand where improvements can be made collectively. With customers, I apologize sincerely, offer solutions promptly, and ensure measures are in place to prevent similar issues in the future.
7. What do you know about our company?
After researching your company, I’m impressed by its dedication to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. I believe there’s a strong match between my skills and your company’s values.
8. Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I envision myself in a leadership role within the company, contributing to its growth and innovation while mentoring and developing a high performing team.
9. Why should we hire you?
You should hire me because I bring a proven track record of excellence in customer service and a genuine passion for this industry. With my experience and dedication, I offer a unique blend of skills and enthusiasm that I am confident will significantly contribute to the success and growth of your company.
10. Do you have any questions for us?
Could you tell me more about what it’s like to work on your team? I am curious about the day-to-day responsibilities and the company culture.
Please note that the above is just a simulations of the commonly questions asked during an interview. Please change in accordance to the position you are applying and the values you bring to the table.