How do you ace customer service interviews?

1 Know your employer

Before you go to any interview, you should do some research on the company and the role you are applying for. Find out what their mission, vision, values, and goals are, and how they relate to customer service. Also, learn about their products, services, customers, and competitors, and how you can add value to their business. This will help you tailor your answers to their specific needs and expectations, and show that you are genuinely interested in working for them.

2 Practice your skills

Customer service is not just about being friendly and polite, it is also about being able to communicate effectively, solve problems, handle complaints, and work as a team. To demonstrate these skills in your interview, you need to practice them beforehand. You can use online resources, such as mock interview questions, role-playing scenarios, and feedback tools, to test your skills and improve your performance. You can also ask a friend, a family member, or a mentor to help you practice and give you constructive criticism.

4 Be confident and positive

One of the most important qualities of a customer service professional is confidence. Confidence means that you trust your abilities, you are comfortable with yourself, and you are not afraid of challenges. To show confidence in your interview, you should maintain eye contact, smile, speak clearly, and use positive body language. You should also avoid negative words, such as "can't", "don't", or "won't", and focus on what you can do, what you have done, and what you will do. Additionally, you should express enthusiasm, gratitude, and curiosity, and show that you are eager to learn and grow.

6 Ask questions wisely

The last part of any customer service interview is asking questions. This is your chance to show that you are interested in the company and the role, and that you have done your homework. You should prepare some questions in advance, based on your research and your skills. You should also avoid questions that are too personal, too obvious, or too negative, and focus on questions that are relevant, insightful, and positive. For example, you can ask about the company culture, the expectations, the training, the feedback, or the opportunities for growth.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?