Top 5 Things to Remember When Applying For a Call Center Job

For almost close to a decade now, the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry is fast-growing sector. Although BPO companies are focusing more on countries like the Philippines and India, almost anywhere in the world there is sure to be a call center job.

Even China is starting to create its own outsourcing industry in terms of back end office services and not just in their manufacturing industry.

However, even though there are a great number of call center jobs being offered today, it is still not an easy thing to apply and get accepted. While the educational and work backgrounds of these customer service agents are varied, there are a few constant traits and qualities that hiring managers will always look for in an applicant.

The following are some of the areas that you might want to consider improving before you submit your application for any call center job.

1. How good is your English?
This applies to both the native English speakers and those who only consider it as their second language. We all know that the majority of these outsourcing companies service customers from countries like the United States, Great Britain, Australia that is why it is important that you know and can speak in good English.

2. Are you confident with your communication skills?
Most accounts will have you handle calls where people will ask for information, for instructions on how to do a certain task, or to buy or reserve a product or service. A higher than average communication skill is necessary to be efficient in this kind of job.

3. Are you patient enough to handle irate callers?
There will always be an irate caller and you can consider yourself lucky if a whole day passes by without a single one calling you. Patience is a virtue and it rings very true in a call center job.

4. Can you operate a computer and do you know how to use the internet?
While it might be unthinkable to even consider a person nowadays who does not know how to use a computer and browse websites, but the truth is there are still a lot of people who cannot even type on a computer. Make sure that you at least know the basics especially browsing the web, using a word processor and working with a spreadsheet.

5. Are you confident?
Are you confident enough to work in any call center position? The outsourcing industry is usually said to be a completely different world. It is the industry where people work in varying shifts, where people from all backgrounds meet and work as a team, and especially those who have high ego and competitive nature that might surprise or intimidate most others people. If you can handle these situations and personalities then you are made for this kind of job.