From Couch Potato to Customer Service Pro: Unveiling what helped me Land My First Job

 

In my previous article, I shared the story of how I completely bombed my first interview. Now, let's shift gears and talk about the interview that led to my first job.

Most people who know me are aware that I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I was oblivious to my strengths, goals, and even how to survive in this crazy world. That's when an aunt of mine entered my life like a goddess and suggested that I interview with HSBC Bank for a customer service position.

Now, for a customer service job, there are primarily two requirements:

1.       Fluency in English (most customer service jobs demand this).

2.       Willingness to communicate extensively.

Although I was hesitant about the latter, I realized beggars can't be choosers, so decided to give it a shot. During the interview, there were several other candidates present, and we were all seated in a training room of sorts.

One of the interviewers entered the room, gave us a topic, and asked us to ponder over it for five minutes. Afterward, we were supposed to speak for about 2-3 minutes on the same topic in front of the room. The topic given to us was "Something that enhanced or improved our lives that would work in our favour for this job (Customer Service Executive)."

In the first minute, I considered all the topics that others might choose and made a mental note to avoid them. I didn't want to touch upon topics like the internet and how Google had made everyone's lives easier (this was in 2016). I also knew some would talk about their love for meeting new people, but I found that a bit cliché, so I steered clear of that as well.

The next two minutes were spent thinking about what I could talk about differently, something that nobody else would pick up. The last two minutes were dedicated to thinking about how I would articulate my thoughts and present it in a way that would work to my advantage.

The interviewer returned, and one by one, people were called to speak. To my surprise, among the 5 to 6 of us, four candidates spoke about the internet and how it had made their lives more convenient.

Now it may sound like an exaggeration, but like a good movie, the climax of the interview—my turn—came last.

So off I went.

I spoke about how the famous "Idiot Box" (television) had educated me enough to understand how to speak in a professional manner. I explained how my favourite TV show, "Suits," had helped me by observing the way the lawyers spoke, carried themselves, and resolved situations with quick and efficient solutions. My aim was to highlight how these skills could translate into success in a customer service role. The interviewer applauded my response, although it wasn't the standing ovation I had secretly hoped for.

So, let's delve into the insights from my story now!

Insight 1: Think outside the box – Strive to be different to stand out from the crowd.

Insight 2: Showcase positivity in the face of negativity – Demonstrate your ability to turn tables in any situation and showcase your problem-solving skills.

Insight 3: Always understand the requirements of the position you are applying for. Determine what the interviewers are looking for and indirectly demonstrate that you possess those exact skills by showcasing them in various scenarios. In my case, a customer service job required quick resolutions, professional behaviour, and a problem-solving mindset. I successfully demonstrated these qualities when I spoke about my chosen topic.

By incorporating these insights into your approach, you can increase your chances of making a memorable impression during an interview and securing the job you desire.

Conclusion: I hope this article serves as a helpful guide to my Reader Pals. Feedback, comments, and discussions are always welcome.

Stay tuned for the next article on July 1st, 2023.

Master your craft, conquer the chaos!