To answer the job interview question Why do you want to work in a call center, you need to convince the interviewer that you truly are serious and interested in the call center industry. If you want some sample answers, read on. Here’s how to answer Why do you want to work in a call center.
Here’s the video version of this article if you hate reading. Otherwise, read on.
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How to answer
Interviewers ask this question to simply know why you want to work in the call center instead of working for other jobs. That’s it.
Therefore, to answer this question, simply mention one great benefit that you can find in the call center industry but not in other jobs. Then explain how call center could change your life for the better.
Simply put, you want to be singing the call center industry’s praises. After all, isn’t that why you decided to apply, in the first place?
So put all your best in highlighting that one great benefit about the industry and you should be good. To start, think of one personal reason for wanting to be in this industry.
If you’re like most applicants, then I guess it’s one or more of the following:
- High salary and monetary benefits
- Opportunity to build a career (especially for high school graduates and college dropouts)
Sample answer #1: Money
“I want to work in the call center because this is the only industry where I know I could earn enough to pay for my sisters’ education.
“Try as I might, the starting salary I was getting as a nurse just couldn’t fully support my sister’s college.
“Please understand that I’m not saying this to complain but to simply stating a fact.
“I understand that you might have some reservations in hiring me, because I’m a nursing graduate, but I do intend to stay in this industry for the next 5 years. For now, my priority is my sister’s education, and working in the call center is the only way that I could make that happen.
“I’m aware of the stress, the graveyard shift, the irate customers, and the pure hard work necessary for this job and I am fully prepared.”
Explanation:
You might think that mentioning money as your reason for applying is a no-no. And yes, in most cases that is true.
However, in call center recruitment, that’s perfectly okay. In the Philippines, if someone abandons her current field to apply as a call center agent, it’s common knowledge that the likely reason is to get a higher salary.
Your interviewer isn’t going to take this answer against you. If anything, she’ll appreciate you for being straightforward and honest about it.
Note: If you mention money as your reason, don’t just leave it at that. Assure your interviewer that she’s not going to regret hiring you; that you’re going to be a good hire. You still want to steer the conversation to the subject of what you can do for the company instead of what the company can do for you; hence, the last two paragraphs of the sample answer above.
Sample answer #2: To build a career
I want to work in this industry because I believe this is the only industry where I, a college dropout, could have a chance to build a career.
And I’m aware that a lot of people say that working in a call center is a dead-end job. But you see, I completely disagree with that!
I’ve met a lot of call center agents whose lives changed for the better because of this industry. Not only are they able to put food on their tables but they also improved their professional skills and experiences. I’d like to be one of those proud agents and hopefully, someday, climb the corporate ladder.
Explanation:
In this answer, the applicant justified her answer by singing the call center industry’s praises.
She started by first bringing up a negative misconception about the industry (that it is a dead-end job). She then contradicted that statement by painting a picture of how beneficial the industry actually is; hence, the last paragraph.
Mentioning a negative label about call center and then turning that label into a positive one is a solid way to convince your interviewer that you really are serious in working in the call center.
Avoid saying these:
“I want to work in a call center because I want to improve my English and communication skills.”
What’s wrong with this answer: This sounds like you see call center as an OJT (on-the-job-training) instead of an actual workplace. It also highlights the fact that you are inexperienced which doesn’t help you land the job. Besides, improving your English should be done before the interview, not during the actual work.
“I want to work in a call center because I love talking to customers.”
What’s wrong with this answer: First, you haven’t experienced how hard it really is to work as a call center agent. Second, I am yet to meet someone who truly loves talking to customers. At best, one could tolerate and effectively deal with customers but to the point of loving it like one’s passion? Hmm… I don’t think so.
“I want to work in a call center because I love the challenges that come with it.”
What’s wrong with this answer: This answer is okay if you have been in the call center for a long time. But if you’re a newbie, this is just gonna sound pretentious. Unless you can present a truly compelling reason as to why you truly love the challenges in a call center workplace, then I suggest that you avoid this answer altogether.
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