Interview Questions: Are You Prepared?

Posted by in Customer Service


When it comes to being in the field of customer service, there are as many tips and guidelines as there are potential customers; so being fully prepared for any and all possible questions is really pretty much impossible. The types of questions you could be asked on an interview will vary depending on the type of position being applied for, the type of products involved, and the overall type of company dynamics in question.

 

Most everyone knows to be prepared for the typical questions like “what are your strengths/weaknesses?” – “where do you see yourself in five years?” – “do you wear miniskirts?” – and….WAIT! What was that? Yes, you need to be prepared for anything when it comes to interview questions, because the interviewer may try to throw you off your game by adding a zinger in there to make you think or see how you might respond.

 

I recently read through an article that was a compilation of responses that resulted from a survey asking for specific interview questions that they have been asked. Some are fairly common, while others are a bit off the wall. The miniskirt one was actually asked to a girl applying to work in a furniture store.

 

Why do you want to work for our company? - Here is one that would be more common but maybe not as often considered ahead of time.  It does require you to give it some forethought and be prepared with a stellar answer. Have you done your homework beforehand, and do you know the company history, target demographic, items they carry, and their general work philosophy? What key tips drew you to the company, and can you express them in an intelligent and manner that sells you as the best candidate? If you are just looking for a job to make money, and have no real answer to this, it could lead to being passed over.

 

Describe your interpersonal skills and any personal characteristics that make you effective in this type of position - So basically, what kind of personal traits do you possess that makes you fit and potentially successful in this position? Be prepared with some answers that really sell you at this point.

 

Do you like working under stress? = Not many people do, but if the job requires it, how do you handle it and how would you answer this question? Give it some thought beforehand.

 

If you could be an animal, which would you be and how does that reflect your personality? – I have actually heard this one mentioned more than once, and I know I do not have a good answer off the top of my head.

 

It is always good to give some thought to some of the potentially oddball questions you may come up against. Even if you are not asked the ones you prepared for, being prepared for some less common ones may go a long way in helping you to answer others that may normally catch you off guard.

 

What kind of oddball questions have you been asked on an interview?  Did you have a response?

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  • Jennifer W
    Jennifer W
    In an interview my sister was asked "Do you sparkle?"  I was told the answer to this question is "yes."  They want to see if you will shine in your job.
  • Jeffrey McCormack
    Jeffrey McCormack
    Thanks for reading and commenting - it is a very important aspect of the interview process to be prepared, however, such odd ball questions are hard to prepare for. Hopefully some of these kind of get the mind thinking outside of the box some.
  • Theresa N
    Theresa N
    I find these questions for interviewing most helpful since the task can be daunting sometimes.  I heard one once on if you could be any part of a bicycle which one would you be?the answer they gave was great the friend answered the colored tassels on the bars flapping in the breeze ! although I immediately thought of the wheels since we are all looking to go places and get some where !
  • Linda D
    Linda D
    It is informative and we have to be prepared for the questions.  Do the homework about the company you are applying for, dress professionally and be early for your interview.
  • charmain l
    charmain l
    very good article
  • Nazia H
    Nazia H
    It is informative and we have to be prepared for the questions. But we need to do some homework about the company we are going for interview. You have to be updated about profesionalism and dress code.
  • Marianne R
    Marianne R
    The article has some very interesting thoughts.  However, I would have appreciated some examples of good answers.  When you are an older applicant, there are some questions that really do not fit the situation , yet you cannot challenge them without risking offending the interviewer.

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