Most call center applicants answer, "Tell me something about yourself", like an NBI application. They give out their addresses, birthdates and birthplaces. Although this answers the question, this isn't what the interviewers want to hear.
To crack this question open, put yourself in the interviewer's shoes.
Tell Me Something About Yourself
If you're the interviewer, whose goal is to look for qualified applicants, will you care more about your applicants' addresses, ages, and birthplaces, than their qualifications? Of course not.
Therefore, as an applicant, talk about why you're qualified for the job. Period.
- If you were employed, talk about what you learned from your previous job experiences.
- If you're a fresh graduate, talk about your accomplishments in school.
And then, convince the interviewer that you are the best hire, by showing that your experiences relate to the task of a call center agent.
What if your previous job experience wasn't related to call center?
Simple. Highlight the skills you learned from your previous job and relate it to the skills required in a call center. Find the connection.
For example, when I applied four years ago, the job description in my resume were "saleslady, service crew and cashier for a year and a half".
Not so helpful, you might think. But I turned it around to my advantage.
So I said:
I graduated a two-year vocational course in Computer Programming.
After graduation, I worked as a saleslady and a cashier for 6 months, and service crew for 9 months."
As a service crew, saleslady and cashier, I made sure that each customer received the best service possible.
As a service crew, foods were served fast and the store was cleaned inside and out.
As a cashier, loose change were ready for a hassle-free transaction.
As a saleslady, every customer who walked in the store were made to feel welcomed. Even those who didn't buy.
I think what makes SM so successful is their emphasis on excellent customer service. That's certainly what I learned and I'm thankful.
Let's divide the statements and figure out each of their function.
I graduated a two-year vocational course in Computer Programming."
 Why is this relevant?
Simply because interviewers want to know your level of education first, before anything else. Also, by starting with your level of education, instead of your age and address, it shows that you're smart enough to know the purpose of the question.
After graduation, I worked as a saleslady and a cashier for 6 months, and service crew for 9 months.
Why is this relevant?
Any companies, BPO or not, will always want to know their applicant's previous job experiences. Avoid being wordy though; just include the position and the duration in one sentence.
As a service crew, saleslady and cashier, I made sure that each customer received the best service possible.
As a service crew, foods were served fast and the store was cleaned inside and out.
As a cashier, loose change were ready for a hassle-free transaction
As a saleslady, every customer who walked in the store were made to feel welcomed. Even those who didn't buy.
I think what makes SM so successful is their emphasis on excellent customer service. That's certainly what I learned and I'm thankful.
Why is this relevant?
The most important part: explaining why you deserve the job.
By painting a picture of my daily tasks and experiences, I effectively explained how being a service crew, saleslady and cashier relates to the job description of a call center agent. The connection was that, like call center agents, I've also experienced dealing with customers. Not just over the phone but face to face.
What made this effective was, it didn't just tell the interviewer that I know customer service. It shows. It paints a picture. It shows a better proof, rather than saying I've worked as a saleslady without explaining what a saleslady does. It's more credible.
Another Example:
You can also highlight your sales experience, if you have one. If you worked to convince customers to buy, you can qualify as a Sales Representative.
My employer sets a daily quota of Php 5,000. Most of the time, I did not have problems reaching it. In fact, I worked harder because my boss offered commissions for sales above Php 5,000.
Note: The interviewer might ask tips on how you get people to buy. Unless you're truly making good sales, don't say this.
What if you're a fresh graduate and have no experience?
The concept is the same.
But instead of talking about your non-existent job experience, talk about school. Talk about your skills in school that you think contribute to a BPO workplace.
Show the interviewer that although you have no experience, you're a potential asset to the company.
Take this for example.
I'm Sheina. I just graduated from a two- year Computer Programming course last month. I've been wanting to start my career here in _(insert company name_).
Since I don't have a job experience yet, I wanna talk about my life in school.
My favorite subject was English but I also did well in Math.
As a student, I've been lucky to work as an editor-in-chief in our school. With the help of my English instructor, I supervised a whole team of fellow students and brainstorm with them. It's not always easy though. I had to deal with deadlines and gather new ideas on what to write. But I take pride of  my ability to handle challenges in school.
I know that being a call center agent could be stressful, but I've also had my fair share of stress in school. I know I can handle it. It won't be easy, but I will.
Why is this relevant?
Here, the applicant positioned herself as a potential hire by talking about a task she held when she was a student. Why was her experience as an editor-in-chief relevant to a call center agent position?
Because it tested her ability to handle stress, but enjoy the challenges at the same time. Without this, any employee will just be working for a paycheck with a poor contribution to the company.
With all those many years spent at school, think of a time when you became a leader, and not just a follower.
What if you had no accomplishments?
You went to school . You graduated successfully. That's something. You were responsible enough to not waste your parent's money. You have a sense of responsibility. Employers love that.
Although I wasn't an honor student when I graduated, I'm still proud to have successfully finished school, especially that I found Math very difficult. I may not be a genius but I've never dropped out of any subject just because it was difficult. I didn't want to waste my parent's money. Now I wanna make them proud and get a promising career. I'd like to start that career with _(insert company name)_.
Your homework
Think about that one thing you are good at.
How about your hobbies? Or your ability to talk and connect and build rapport with any types of personality? What are the positive traits that your friends and family say about you and how can you relate it to a call center job? Build your answer on that.
Remember
Don't make a script out of it though. You can prepare the answer but do not memorize it word for word. Take the time to expand your vocabulary so you can express your thoughts in English the way you want to. If you are already in this stage, then you're ready for an interview.
Hope this helps. Goodluck! 🙂
Tell Me Something About Yourself that Isn't On Your Resume
Now that you know how to answer, "tell me something about yourself", you might be interested in how to answer an exactly opposite but equally challenging interview question:Â Tell Me Something About Yourself that Isn't On Your Resume
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