Common Interview Questions

 

Interview Questions

1.       Tell me about yourself.

Your answer should focus on information that is relevant to the job, and not your life history. Share any strengths, including skills and experiences, as well as past successes.

If this is your first job, find a way to connect what you did in college to the job - for e.g., any activity that showcases your strong communication skills. Then you can move on to talking about how you love connecting with people, etc. as mentioned above.

My name is Sarwar Khan I am from Uttar Pradesh.

I have completed my degree in B.Com from integral University Lucknow.

I would like to tell you about my family. My father is a shopkeeper. And my mother is a homemaker. My hobby is to play basketball and I am quite good at playing basketball.

That's all about me. Thank you.

For instance, experienced candidates can say – “I have been in the BPO industry for the past XX years. My most recent experience has been handling incoming calls for XX industry.

2.       What do you know about a BPO?

This is usually a question for fresher’s, to weed out applicants who apply for a BPO job without actually knowing what the job entails. It's best to provide a broad outline of what a BPO company does - which is the contracting of specific business tasks. This can be back office outsourcing, which includes internal business functions such as salaries, human resources (HR) or accounting, or front office outsourcing services, which involves customer interactions by phone, etc. Be sure to mention that aspect of the operation which involves the job you are applying for.

3.       Why do you want to work at a BPO?

This is especially relevant if you have an engineering degree/diploma; recruiters may think that you are overqualified for a call center job. Your answer should emphasize the advantages of being in this industry - BPO is a very fast growing industry and it offers very good learning opportunities & career growth. It gives you chance to strengthen your communication skills and improve your personality, be part of a booming industry and enjoy the salary and perks that come with the job.

4.       Why should we hire you?

You are being given the chance to show them you are a good match for the job. Think of two or three key qualities you have to offer that match those the employer is seeking. In this case, your energy, personality and people skills are especially relevant.

You could say – “I've always been a people person, and feel confident about talking to someone

I've never met over the phone. I have excellent communication skills and I also have the experience to stay focused in stressful situations. I'm confident I would be a great addition to your team.”

5.       What are your strengths and weaknesses?

It's important to emphasise what you're good at, and minimise—but be truthful about—what you're not.

While dealing with the latter, select a trait and come up with a solution to overcome your weakness. For e.g., you could say – “I used to be a little disorganised but I have started keeping my own checklist which I regularly monitor, and that has helped me really improve my

organisational skills.” Or my biggest weakness is getting so absorbed in my work that I lose all track of time. Every day I look up and realize everyone has gone home! I know I should be more aware of the clock, but when I love what I'm doing I just can't think of anything else.

When it comes to your strengths, focus on skills acquired through education (computer, technical diplomas, etc) and portable skills (good with people, great planner). Personal traits - being dependable, flexible, friendly, punctual and a team player - should also be showcased here.

6.       Are you comfortable handling customers on the phone?

The answer has to be yes. If you can, cite instances of how you've successfully handled business calls in the past.

7.       Are you comfortable working night shifts/rotational shifts?

India is a key hub for offshore BPOs. Most of these BPOs have international clients from countries like the US, UK, Canada, Australia, etc that operate in a different time zone from India, which means the day and night cycle is different. When it's daytime in their countries, it's night here, and vice versa. Hence employees in Indian call centers have to work nights. So if you have any reservations about the night shift, this may not be the right career for you. Always answer this question with a yes.

However, if you have any health condition that may be aggravated by shift work, do bring it up.

8.       What are your salary expectations?

If this is your first job, your response ought to be “as per company norms/industry standards”. To avoid any awkwardness if you're asked to quote a salary number, find out what the pay scales are by checking the Monster Salary Index. If you have previous experience in the field, consider asking for a 15-20% hike, which is the industry norm.

9.       Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

To answer this question well, you need a plan that looks ahead to the end results you want to achieve. For e.g., if you are interviewing for a beginner's role, you can say – “I see myself in a management role in five years which would give me the opportunity to demonstrate my

leadership skills. With dedicated hard work, I hope to grow both my career and the company.”

10. Why do you want to leave your current job?

Let's start with what you shouldn't say (or, if you're the interviewer, what are definite red flags).

Don't talk about how your boss is difficult. Don't talk about how you can't get along with other employees. Don't bad-mouth your company. If you are fired from the company don’t mention about it.

Instead, focus on the positives a move will bring. Talk about what you want to achieve. Talk about what you want to learn. Talk about ways you want to grow, about things you want to accomplish; explain how a move will be great for you and for your new company.

Complaining about your current employer is a little like people who gossip: If you're willing to speak badly of someone else, you'll probably do the same to me.

11. Why have you had so many jobs?

This is a tricky question & you need to answer it in a way that makes a positive impression. Generally they would pose this question to see if you are a job – hopper. While answering this question you should never blame any of your previous employers. If needed, you can even attribute your job change to conditions beyond your control.

12. May I contact your present employer/manager for your reference/feedback

This question is generally asked to see your reaction. Stay calm & cheerful. Say with a smile, yes absolutely. It’s fine to add they may call your manager/ employer/ team leader for a reference & that you are sure they will get a positive response.

13. Are you applying for other jobs as well?

You can answer this question with honesty. Say that you have applied to some of the best companies & this company is on my priority list.

14. What is the most enjoyable part of working in a company?

You can answer this question by saying that team work & individual contribution are the two things that you enjoy the most while working in a company. Plus you can also mention that excelling at work and getting the right experience is the key to success.

15. Are you ready to sign the bond / contract for a year or two?

The answer has to be yes. Bond is banned in India to check your stability/ confidence level they are asking.

16. Are you having any plan to take leaves in next coming days?

The answer has to be NO. No matter the reason will be any marriage function / health issue/ travelling/outing / government exams / internal exams as they want a stable candidate in their firm.

17. How Long Do You Plan On Working here?

If you want the job, don’t say that this is just a short-term gig for you. Don’t say I am planning only for 6 months or 1 year. Instead, say I don't have any immediate plans to move on. I'd like a job where I can have continuity and be part of a team. I’m confident that this company can offer me a fulfilling and exciting career and I want to remain with you as long as I’m having a positive impact on the enterprise.

18. Tell me how will you handle if a co-worker or customer got angry with you?

Conflict is inevitable when a company works hard to get things done. Mistakes happen. Sure, strengths come to the fore, but weaknesses also rear their heads. And that's OK. No one is perfect.

But a person who tends to push the blame -- and the responsibility for rectifying the situation -- onto someone else is a candidate to avoid. Hiring managers would much rather choose candidates who focus not on blame but on addressing and fixing the problem.

 

Every business needs employees who willingly admit when they are wrong, step up to take ownership for fixing the problem, and, most important, learn from the experience.

19. Describe your dream job/future goal/career plan/future plan?

Don’t describe about any other plan if you are willing do or you are into something. Tell them confidently you always had a plan to join BPO and I wanted to make my career in BPO only.

20. How long do you travel everyday to reach your workplace? Will you be able to travel everyday this long? or Are you willing to relocate or travel?

Answer should be yes. I would definitely consider it. If the opportunity given to me is appropriate, rewarding and feasible, I don’t think I will have any issues with the relocation or traveling involved. Tell them you are fine traveling with this distance. If your place is 20 kms far from the company tell them you will be relocating to this place after getting the job. As they want a stable candidate so mention this.

21. You have not done your PG yet. This is not a drawback, but don’t you think you should get a PG degree asap? Or Do you want to complete your Masters/Post Graduation in near future? Do you aspire to pursue higher studies?

Don’t fall into the interviewer’s trap. This question is shot at you to check your confidence level. So, do not feel unarmed or look surprised. Keep your calm and answer smartly with a strong and indestructible logic.

Having a PG degree/any course is important, but I don’t think it is mandatory. As of now, I have a lot of responsibilities back home, which is why I don’t think it will be wise on my part to enroll myself into a full-time PG program/any course.

22. Do you have any serious medical issues?

Note: Please make sure that you talk about relevant health conditions, wherever needed while having a discussion during your HR interview questions and answers round. A “serious health condition” generally includes pregnancy or any chronic disease such as epilepsy and cancer.

If you do not have any of the above, do not give out too many details about your illness. For example, if you are suffering from cold flu, say so. Do not exaggerate the situation as it might create a negative impression wherein your HR will start to anticipate your absence in the near future. If you do so, you might bid goodbye to goodies such as promotions, hikes and even ripe leadership positions.

Ans simply: I do not have any serious medical issues

23. How do you feel about working weekends and night shifts?

I am a fresher and I hardly have any exposure of the corporate world. Back in college, weekends were no different from weekdays for us. The assignments, tasks and projects had to be submitted within deadlines, and to do so, we would study during the weekdays. As far as night shifts are concerned, I would like to say that I am a nocturnal person and I like to do my studies generally at night. I have no issues working during weekends and at night, provided I get enough compensatory offs to relax and wind down.

24. What’s your absenteeism record like?

At college/ school, we had an 85% attendance adherence rule. I followed this rule all along. If there are certain policies in the company pertaining to an employee’s attendance, I will surely abide by them.

25. What are the three things that are most important for you in a job?

Honesty, loyalty, and determination to achieve my team’s target or Professionalism, growth and a healthy work-life balance are important.

26. Will you leave this company if you get better opportunity?

Any sensible person would (and will) leave a company for a better opportunity.

BUT, on an employment application, the correct answer is 'No.' You can expound on that lie by saying something like "I am a person who believes in reliability. I feel that by staying with the same company, my chances for advancement are improved. Many times. 'better' opportunities turn out to be short-lived and not worth the risk of 'throwing away' the relationship I have forged with the longer-term company.

27. How will you utilize 1 crore rupees if given to you or if you win 1 crore rupees in lottery what will you do?

It would mean having the opportunity to completely eradicate those financial worries that all of us experience from time to time. It would also allow me to continue doing what I love with no stress involved.

Don’t tell the interviewer that you’d quit immediately and lounge around on a beach. 

Don’t answer dishonestly and say that money doesn’t matter to you.

28. Describe your daily routine.

Don’t say that you are pursuing any courses/ further study/ classes/coaching while describing. Example: For me, as a student who just finished studying, even when there are no upcoming classes or exams, I just try to spend my time with ease and with a calm mental repose. This makes me feel refreshed and recharged for the day. During such days, I usually get up a bit late from my usual waking up time. After that, I freshen up and have a hearty breakfast. After breakfast, I sit down and make a list of chores that I have to complete for the day. I try to be as productive as possible during my leisure time.

After which, I go to the nearest supermarket and get all the groceries that I need for the rest of the week. Also, I try to do my chores, such as getting the tyres fixed, mowing the lawn, looking after the garden, cleaning the house and so on. These duties usually take up some time and by 12:00, I get most of them finished. After which I rest for a while by watching a movie or taking a nap. Then, I get up and make lunch for myself and call up my friends, if they have any plans to spend time for the evening. Then I would usually go meet up my friends by 4:00 and spend a couple of hours with them, talking about various topics or doing some activities like cycling, playing any kind of sports and so on.

By 6:30, I come back home, take a shower and I usually check my social networking sites. I usually spend 1 – 2 hours, this includes checking my mail, future schedules and so on. The day usually ends with me having dinner, watching television and going to bed by 11:00 pm.

29. Tell me how you spent your last weekend.

The last weekend was really interesting because i did celebrate the b'day of my close friend.I planned the party for him along with my other friends so we reached at his place by 11:45 because we were thinking to give him a surprise so we rang the bell of his door exactly at 12 in the night to give him a surprise.He was really happy by our surprise and we could easily see that on his face, after cutting the cake at his place we went out for night out.We were doing fun till 5

A.M in the morning then we all dropped him at his place and came back to home. So i slept around 6 in the morning woke up by 1 PM fresh n up myself and get ready to go to the market along with my friend for her shopping and we went for movie as well.I came back home by 10 PM in night, had food with my family and went to sleep by 11:00.

30. What is a customer Support executive job profile?

A customer support executive is required to do a wide range of voice activities including taking calls, answering business enquiries, resolve issues and facilitate information to customers.

31. What is customer satisfaction?

Consumer satisfaction means the degree to which a company’s customers are happy with their purchase or experience with the company.

1.     Are your expectations met with this product?

2.     How did the product perform?

3.     Overall, how do you rate the product?

4.     How do you rate your shopping experience?

5.     How likely is that you recommend this product to a friend?

6.     Are you satisfied with the way the company performs on this product?

7.     Are service representatives knowledgeable?

8.     Are service representatives professional?

9.     Is the company responding in a timely manner?

32. Tell me about your experience with an irritating customer. How did you handle it?

Every customer service support representative faces the issue of irritating or abusing customers. You should say that “I will remain calm and provide as high a level of service as possible by being professional.”

33. Will you lie for the company?

I have strong ethics. I will not lie to deceive or cheat customers for any company even if this costs my job.

34. What is Your Favorite Place to Vacation? Describe.

If your interviewer asks you why, and you respond with “I don’t know, I kind of like it” you are getting off to a really bad start. Not having an interesting reason for it makes you seem like an odd person. The interviewer is probably not going to remember this answer, but that’s what makes it a good answer. You have successfully been engaging and interesting, and so the interviewer sees no red flags before the interview begins. With all of these rapport job interview questions, the content is not as important as how you present it. If you are engaging and interesting, the rest of your job interview will go much more smoothly. Don’t avoid these questions like they are unimportant.

 

35. Tell me about your last movie that you see?

The last movie I have seen is Rockstar where the leading role was played by Ranbir kapoor he wants to be a musician a Rockstar and the character played his girlfriend's role is Nargis Fakri they both love each other and the whole story revolves around both of them. The end was very emotional as Nargis was suffering from cancer and Ranbir used to keep on meeting her but he

parents doesn't allow them to meet. The conclusion of the story was that if we want to achieve something don't wait for the perfect time just make the time perfect for yourself.

 

Interview Tips :

Carry Updated Resume + 2 Passport Size photos + Identity Proof ( Aadhar Card/PAN Card )