Customer service rep interview questions

The Best Questions to Ask When Hiring Customer Service Reps

As a business owner, you know that hardworking and productive customer service reps contribute to your company’s success. They speak with your customers and help solve any problems they might be experiencing. They help you achieve company goals and represent your business in a positive and professional manner. However, there may be times where you hire the wrong candidates for this position. Unfortunately, that mistake could cost you more than you could imagine.

The consequences of hiring the wrong customer service reps

A bad hire can cost a company anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000. That’s no small figure. As well as a loss of money, hiring the wrong people results in a loss of time, productivity and employee morale. To avoid making a costly mistake, you should prepare thoughtful interview questions to really get to know your candidates and their experience.

Here at LPC, we’ve interviewed countless candidates for customer service roles over the 30 years we’ve been in operation. Based on our experience, here are some of the best interview questions to ask your candidates.

Question #1: How would you provide great customer service?

When you ask this question, you get to understand the candidate’s work process. You’ll see what steps they take to ensure that every customer is happy and satisfied after every interaction. This question also allows you to understand what the candidate’s definition of great customer service is (and if their standards are in line with yours).

Customer service reps in Houston Tx

Question #2: What skills or traits do you have that make you a good customer service rep?

You may already have certain skills and traits that you’d like to see in candidates such as professionalism, organization and punctuality. When the candidate answers this question, you’ll see what they think their strengths are—and if there are any areas where they need training to succeed in the role.

Question #3: Share an example of a time you had to think quickly on your feet.

Customer service reps at call centers have to be highly adaptable and ready to handle any situation or customer. This question will prompt your candidate to tell you about a time where they had to think and react fast. You’re not always going to be present to manage or help your team, so you need fast-thinking reps to solve problems independently.

Question #4: How would you handle an angry customer?

It’s not uncommon for customer service reps to deal with angry customers on the job. That’s why it matters to understand how the candidate handles difficult customers. The last thing you want to do is frustrate an irritated customer even more, so the rep should know what steps to take to diffuse the situation.

Question #5: How do you feel about working in a high-pressure work environment?

Customer service reps need to provide quality service and make their numbers everyday. With that said, not everyone can thrive in this type of work environment. Find out your candidate’s thoughts about working in a busy and fast-paced environment. Their answer should give you a better sense on if they can bring their A-game without cracking under pressure.

Job interviews are serious business

Job interviews are processes that shouldn’t be taken lightly, but they often are. Rushed or poorly prepared interviews happen for a number of reasons—companies may be understaffed, short on time or lack an understanding of the job’s responsibilities. Whatever the reason, hiring managers need to conduct meaningful job interviews if they want to hire the best candidates out there.

Let LPC Personnel find you the best candidates for your jobs

LPC Personnel, one of the best customer service staffing agencies in Houston TX, has plenty of experience in finding companies qualified customer service reps. If you’re pressed for time, you can count on us to help you hire quality talent. Contact us now so we can help you find talent for your jobs.

     

Construction laborers should have these 5 top skills and traits.

The 5 Skills to Look for When Hiring Construction Workers

Construction jobs are projected to grow by 12% from now until 2026. The industry is already a major contributor to the U.S economy, yet the need for new workers will continue to heighten. In order to keep up with this growth, construction managers will need to build skilled construction crews so they can complete projects on time and within budget.

I need construction workers – what types of skills and traits should they have?

When it’s time to hire new construction laborers, it’s fairly obvious that you’ll require individuals who are physically strong with high-stamina. However, you may also be wondering what other skills and personality traits you should be looking for?

Take note of these 5 traits when you’re considering hiring commercial, residential and industrial construction workers:

1. A collaborative worker

Teamwork is crucial within the construction industry. Your entire construction crew needs to work together to complete projects on time and to the satisfaction of your clients. Being a team player means that the person is communicative, patient and willing to help others. This trait is also paramount to the safety of everyone else on the job site.

Construction site

2. A “safety first” mindset

Unfortunately, one in every 10 construction workers is injured annually at work. Employers and employees need to take health and safety at work extremely seriously. Heavy, sharp materials and potentially hazardous equipment are the norm at construction sites—that’s why it’s important that all construction laborers are up-to-date on their health and safety training. In any scenario that could arise, construction workers need to know how to react and what actions to take. Candidates who understand the importance of safety at work – and demonstrate it – should be high on your wish list.

3. Good math and reading skills

No matter what project they’re working on, construction laborers need to pay close attention to the specifications that construction contractors have outlined. Construction workers should have the ability to read and understand blueprints. As well as strong reading and comprehension skills, they should have good math skills. These skills come into use when they need to calculate angles and measurements, as well as interpret designs.

4. Strong communication skills

Having employees with excellent communication skills actually makes your job easier.  If you’re looking for updates on important projects and how they’re progressing, you’ll have to speak with your construction crew. When they can clearly explain what’s been completed and whether any issues have arisen, it will save time and potential confusion down the line. Well communicated information is more effective for when you have to pass details along to clients about the project’s status.

There may be times when your crew has to speak with clients themselves if you’re not on the job site. Whether it’s answering their questions or providing status updates, you need construction laborers who can communicate in a concise and professional manner.

5. Open to feedback

Even when your construction crew conducts their work flawlessly, clients will sometimes decide to change their minds in the last minute. What the client once believe they wanted may be replaced with new expectations. Instead of brushing off their demands, your employees should be receptive to this feedback once you’ve communicated it to them. This means your construction team needs to be open to listening, understanding and implementing necessary changes to finish the project—and to keep your clients happy.

Construction crew working

Construction laborers have expectations of their employers too

These days, candidates have plenty of options for where they can choose to work. To stand out, you need to make your company a place that attracts new talent and compels your current employees to stay. Here’s how you can do this:

  • Provide them with a safe and respectful workplace and environment
  • Hold regular meetings with your team to discuss issues and ways to improve processes and project management
  • Be as flexible as possible with your employees’ schedules. There may be important appointments and events they’d like to attend. When you’re more flexible with scheduling, it provides a better work-life balance and improves employee satisfaction
  • Provide up-to-date tools, technology and equipment. Invest in equipment that helps your employees work in a safe and efficient manner

At LPC Personnel, we understand that it’s become increasingly difficult for employers to find skilled construction laborers that can fill their many jobs.

One way to help is by strengthening your employer brand. On your website’s “job openings” page, describe the work benefits and salaries that candidates can expect when working with you. Emphasize your commitment to health and safety within the workplace. Mention any training or work advancement opportunities that you offer. All of this information matters to candidates—it shows them why they should pick you as an employer over all other options. If you don’t have a job openings page, that’s ok – we do! We’re happy to work with you in order to build your winning team.

Contact us today to hire skilled construction workers

We are here to help you hire professional and experienced construction workers. Recruiting talent within the Greater Houston Area’s construction industry is one of our specialities, so you can depend on us to get the job done. Contact us now so we can get started on finding you quality talent.