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How do I answer some of the most important interview questions?

I need some help with these recurring interview questions.

1. Why do you want to work with us?

2. Why do you think you would be a great Customer Service Representative?

3. (Main one) Describe a time when you had a problem with a customer and explain how you handled it. (If someone could make a good, brief story for me I would be very glad, all my experiences with customers have been pretty normal).

Asked By: Yaw O - 5/2/2008
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
1) Look up the companies "About Us" section on their website (if one is available) and pick out a key points that you can stress on. For example, I had an interview at Northwestern Mutual yesterday and they asked me that sam exact question. My response was, "Northwestern Mutual is the most admired company for 25 years running (taken from the website) and I would like to be a part of the highly respected Northwestern Mutual"

2) Pick out key points in your resume that match the skill set they are looking for. For example, in my interview yesterday they asked me the same question and I responded, "I have many years experience in recruiting, sourcing, attending job fairs as well as organizational skills you need. I pay strong attention to detail as well as offer problem solving techniques you need."

3) Always got to love this one. Same again, was asked yesterday and here's my response:
"Our payroll is due on Wednesdays no later than noon and my client knew this and I had not gotten my timesheets from her yet. I had to call her and leave her many messages and when 10am Wednesday came around I had to take it upon myself to call my employees for their times/dates worked. After payroll was completed I arranged for a meeting with my client to discuss why our payroll is due at that time because if she knew why it had to be in by a certain time maybe she would understand. Then I asked if we could go about the situation differently by maybe myself picking up the timesheets because I know she's very busy, etc....." You get the idea.

I hope this helps. Good luck!
Answered By: aholmberg79 - 5/2/2008
Additional Answers ()
This is usually what i tend to say :

1. I would like to work here because it seems like a very good company and you seem a very successful business and i'd like to work in that type of environment OR i see this company is very successful and all the employees seem to move to more senior positions and that's what i'd love to do to further my career in ... (whatever the job is)

2. I see myself suited to the role because the position is where i'd need to talk to the public alot and i love to do that, i like to have a challenge and i know i'd be challenged in this role. Ya know stuff like that, basically i don't know what a customer service representative is so i can't give much examples but think of the job and what they want you to do and basically say that's the stuff you enjoy.

3. Just say that you've not handled a situation like that before but if you were to be in that situation you would try to calm the customer down, get the manager to help sort the problem (or someone who deals with that stuff) basically try to resolve it.

E.g. You work in Walmart, someone comes in saying that they're digital camera isn't working and goes off on one at you saying that you've to do this and do that and they want a refund... You then calm them down telling them you'll get someone who deals with returns to come and attend them ASAP.
Answered By: Louise - 5/2/2008
1. To explore my experience within your company
2. This is something I enjoy doing and I know that I would enjoy doing this for your business to help the business to grow
3. A dissatisfied customer, determined to be right even though their wrong. I would just remember the phrase the customer is always right and continue to assist the customer with kindness and this normally cause most customers to cooperate fairly.
Answered By: Shortiemc - 5/2/2008
Easy from your own experience - a stock answer will be spotted straight away!!!
Answered By: man290663@btinternet.com - 5/2/2008
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