Tips in answering, "Why call center?"

"Why call center?", a simple question yet many fails to understand the simplicity of the answer for this (I am one of those who failed). I remember my first application to a call center company. During my initial interview, I was asked the same question.

"To practice and improve my communication skills." I replied with conviction.

To be honest, I wasn't really expecting that question so I tried to answer it in a way I thought would give the interviewer the impresion that I want to grow in the industry. But I was wrong.

From the moment I finished my answer, I can see the sudden change of expression from the interviewer. She told me that the they are not looking for people who are just here for practice and improve their communication skills. She also added I could have done that at school or on an English training class.

At that point, I knew I flunked my interview. It really messed up my confidence. When I was told that I would just receive a call and just keep my lines open, it just validated my apprehension.

First, we must understand that this question is not a trick question. It's a question that does not need sugar coated answers. You should be honest and truthful.

Let's discuss the reasons why people go to this industry and sometimes leave or shift careers;

SALARY - Here in the Philippines, the average salary of a starting professional is $220-$250 a month. While a call center agent with no experience can start from $350-$500 a month.

This is the most honest answer that you can give, you earn higher in this industry compared to the local ones. My mom has been a teacher for more than 15years and yet my salary in my first call center is a LOT higher compared to hers.

BENEFITS - 10%-20% night differential, 10-20 days of sick leaves/ vacation leave a year, Health Card(HMO), payed over time, transportation allowance, signing bonus and much more.I even heard that some even offer rice allowance, clothing allowance. You won't get that on most local companies or jobs here.

PEOPLE - Because this is a new industry here in the Philippines, most of the employees are young and fresh graduates. We can say that the environment is fun and the atmosphere is very fresh.

TIME OF WORK - I'm not saying that all centers here in the Philippines offer nighttime schedule, but because most of the employees are young, they prefer working on night shifts. I think this has got to do with them coming from a day shift school schedule or a day shift job before. Nightshift is something different and a new experience for most of them, it is a COOL idea to work night time and sleep duringthe day. Also, the night differential plays a big role for this, the 10% to 20% night differential on their salary really adds up.

JOB AVAILABILITY - Now, this answer is a little tricky, it could play well or it can lead you to a disaster of follow up questions. We all know there is no special course or degree needed to work on call centers. The interviewers will try to see if you are really serious in your job application, they would want to know if you are going to stay or is this just for temporary basis. They know that most of the employees are there because they can't find a job on the degree they graduated from. Of course they would want to hire an employee who would stay longer.

These are the most honest answers that can help you with the question. You don't have to sugarcoat every answer. All you need to do is answer in the most honest way you can so the interviewer will feel the sincerity of your application.

Also, check out the hubs I made, it's about the Basics of Call Centers in the Philippines and Tips on applying for a call center position.