The most dreaded stage when applying for any job is the final interview. In a call center, it is called Client Call, or other descriptive names, depending on the company. It’s done by someone at home office in the United States, a true McCoy. He judges the potential applicant’s voice quality, manner of speaking, perceptible intonation, and of course the rudimentary requirements of correct grammar, good sentence structure, and perfect syntax, in acceptable, extemporaneous, common conversational English. The interview is usually held in a room with the necessary communication facilities and the applicant is alone.
My experience as a successful first-time interviewee went like this:
HE: Hello! How are you?
Me: Hello! I feel very good.
He really? And why is that?
ME: Well, I’ve come this far and it makes me feel good.
HIM: Good to hear that. Can you give me your full name and the application number that the Human Resources people gave you, just to confirm what I have on my side?
ME: (I gave him the information he asked for.)
HE: Tell me, do you live far from where you are applying now?
ME: Not really, maybe only about 5-7 miles.
HE: And how long does it usually take to get there?
ME: Only half an hour in a private car, under normal conditions. Otherwise about double the time on public transportation, which is actually quite plentiful in these places.
HIM: Good to hear. Now, assuming you’ve had a pretty stressful day, can you tell me how you deal with it and how you relax?
At this point I realized the guy was just trying to strike up a conversation and believe it or not I relaxed so much I almost fell out of my chair! (It was one of those comfortable swivel chairs that can turn in all directions, quite common in call centers, and apparently one of the most used in that room I was in. Just my quick reflexes clinging to the edge of the table saved me. from ending up on the floor.)
ME: If there is anything I can do about the condition right now, I would correct it immediately. If not, I will proceed to the best of my ability, but with that in mind so I can find a solution to prevent it from happening again. Finding a workable solution relaxes me.
HE: Very well said. Now, I must ask you a serious question. Are you ready?
ME: Always ready as I can be.
HE: If there is something you could change in today’s world, what would it be and why?
ME: Wow, that’s great.
The fact that?
ME: I mean it’s a very serious question. Let me think for a moment, please.
HE: Take your time.
ME: Very well, if there is something that I would change in the world today, it would be to end terrorism and terrorists. They, despite their declared religiosity, are declared agents of destruction and fear, and are not averse to killing innocents and civilians. The world would really be better off without them.
HIM: Very well said, by the way. So let me thank you for applying for the position and good luck. Just ask the Human Resources lady for further instructions. Bye.
ME: Actually, I should be the one to thank you for giving me the opportunity. Have a nice day.
HE: You too.
As you can see, far from the usual mentality applicants are subjected to, the client call is quite easy to get through, as long as one is calm, collected and collected. Being prepared, with quick reflexes, also helps.