Getting a job in a call center isn’t the most difficult task in the world. Employee fluctuation is high, big call centers are always hiring, and since the entry barrier is low (you do not need higher education or relevant working experience), you have a good chance of getting in. However, you still have to say something (or write something on your job application). Remaining silent won’t take you anywhere, and one of the questions that many people struggle with is the question about their strengths and weaknesses. So how should you deal with it while trying to get a job in a call center?
As a rule of a thumb, you should talk about strengths that are relevant for a job, and mention one or two weaknesses that won’t be a showstopper. For example, you shouldn’t say that you have bad listening skills or struggle to handle rejection, since such skills are vital for everyone who wants to do this job well without getting crazy after the first week. The key is to show confidence on one side, confidence that you will handle the job, and at the same time awareness of your weaknesses, and a willingness to improve on them, or even eliminate them down the road.
Let’s have a look at 7 sample answers. I tried to come up with some variety on my list. You will find answers for students, fresh graduates, experienced people, people who worked in call center before, and also some unconventional answers that will make the hiring managers think (and hopefully remember you at the end of the interviews). I hope you will like at least one of them, and benefit from it in your interview or on your job application. Enjoy!
7 sample answers to “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” interview question in a call center
- I have to pick communication skills as my greatest strength. People generally enjoy talking to me, since I am a great listener, pay attention to their needs and feelings, and I can often use this ability to sell them whatever I want–in good means of course. Be it some idea for an evening, or a product, I can convince them to “buy it”. I honestly believe I can benefit from this strength in a call center, and it is one of the reasons why I decided to apply for the vacancy you advertise. Having said that, I struggle sometimes with my energy levels, feeling low on some days, almost unable to work. I am aware of this weakness and currently experiment with changes to my diet and lifestyle, hoping to improve on it. Because I know it matters, and my common absence was the no. 1 reason why I lost my previous job.
- My biggest strength is no doubt my enthusiasm for whatever I do. I haven’t lost the spark yet, and basically enjoy every new endeavor, learning things, trying to get better in whatever I do. On the other hand, I am sometimes too optimistic about the eventual outcome, which is my weakness. Because I often hope for the best, and think I will achieve the best, but of course it is not how it works in life. In any case, I try to become more realistic, and I am sure I will eventually find the right balance, keeping my enthusiasm for work and life, but at the same time having realistic expectations.
- My biggest weaknesses are managerial and leadership skills. Though I tried to learn management and lead other people in my former job, I just do not have the personality for it. But I accept it is a fact, and now I am looking for a job in which leadership doesn’t matter. Call center operator seems like a good fit. When it comes to my strengths, I would pick responsibility and motivation. You can count on me to always arrive on time, and I won’t give up on this job–regardless of what happens and how many bad words I have to handle on the call, because I really want to earn money to support my studies, and this part time job in a call center is an ideal way of doing so.
- I would say my biggest strength is my experience. I have worked in telesales for five years already–which is a rare feat to achieve I believe. And while I am not naive and know the job is hard, and one has to be able to handle rejection and everything, I still somehow enjoy working in this field. Obviously with my experience I am able to handle any situation that happens on the call, and also tough things that happen in the workplace (conflicts with colleagues, heavy workload, etc), and the pressure of the monthly goals. My weakness is that I often hesitate with closing the deal, trying to convince the customer more and more, which isn’t a good thing. I need to learn to “always be closing” and improve my effectiveness in the job. Well, the new position with you is an ideal opportunity to do so.
- I am simply a machine on the call. Do not mind spending ten or twelve hours on a call daily, and with a few coffee breaks I can maintain my level throughout the day, making many calls and turning some prospects into clients. Some people hate talking on a phone and some love it–I belong to the second group. To take it one step further, I even enjoy rejection and interactions with strange clients, since they add some spice to this relatively monotonous job. On a flip side, my memory isn’t the best, and I may sometimes give incorrect information to the person I am calling to, simply because I forget the correct ones. That’s why it is pivotal for me to have a “cheat sheet” on the table, with all important numbers and details of the campaign, so I can always look at it and make sure I am not saying something stupid or incorrect.
- To be honest, I cannot tell you at the moment. In my opinion, one has to work in a call center for a few weeks at least, to understand the reality of the job, and see in which areas they excel and which they struggle. I’ve never had a similar job before. And while I am a quick learner and have confidence in my ability to do well, I prefer to stay humble and have a healthy level of respect. What I try to say here is that no doubt I will struggle in some areas of the job, discover some weaknesses. But call center job is no rocket science, and with the right attitude and motivation one can eventually eliminate each weakness, and truly excel in their job. And that’s exactly my plan!
- No doubt my biggest weakness is the desire to “be friends” with everyone. I generally treat people nicely, and hope for the same from their side. But I know that many people outright hate sales calls, and many won’t treat my nicely. This is something I have to get ready for mentally. And while I know it won’t be easy at the beginning, I also believe I will get used to it and eventually handle the rejection and bad words well. On the flip side, my proven sales skills should help me achieve better results than most operators do achieve in your call center, and I want to rely on them in the job…
Ready to answer this one? I hope so! Do not forget to check also other tricky interview questions you may face in a call center interview:
