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Original poster

Ive just been turned down for a job in a call centre, but can't think why?

82 replies

ManicUnicorn · 31/10/2018 11:22

Just that really.

It's an inward bound call centre, so not sales. Went along yesterday for a skills assessment, after previously passing a verbal reasoning test and telephone interview. I had to do a few more tests, spelling (which I know I passed), General knowledge (which I know I passed as the questions were absurdly easy), a timed typing test which I got over 94% because it showed up on the screen and recorded voicemail which I did in one go, no stuttering. I also had to answer a questionnaire on how i'd react in certain situations and how I feel about certain things etc.

My parents run and business and I often help out if at a loose end, so am used to answering phones and my first proper job was in estate agency so I'm always complemented on my telephone voice.

Everything seemed positive, they were very nice. I asked questions. The next step would have been a face to face interview, and they made me feel like I'd be asked back, but this morning I received an email saying after reviewing everything I'm not being asked back and thanking me etc.

So random and I can't work out what Ive done wrong really? Don't get me wrong I have a job, but just fancied a change. Any ideas greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
PlateOfBiscuits · 31/10/2018 14:47

Why not call for feedback OP?

JingsMahBucket · 31/10/2018 14:50

I would also add, @ManicUnicorn, that if you had a written part of your tests and wrote the same way you do here, you may have been docked a few points. There are several grammatical errors in your posts and I’m guessing it’s because you’re in a relaxed setting. Just in case though, think back to how you wrote answers.

If English is your second language and I knew that when hiring you, I’d let some of them go. Otherwise I would and have docked people points for this during the hiring process.

Bombardier25966 · 31/10/2018 14:54

You'd have to be really thick not to know the answers to them put it that way....

Perhaps your behavioural test raised concerns? I can't think why.

Interested in this thread?

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Jobs
DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 31/10/2018 14:59

Absolutely roaring at 94% typing accuracy not being high enough for call centre work!

The likelihood is if you were the only one there, then they don’t want to take on one person and only held the interview because they had to fulfil some quota or even just forgot to cancel it. It costs the same to have a group of ten in a room as it does to have one, so you may as well do ten.

You’d be best off calling them and asking, say you were disappointed as you felt you did well and are keen.

Original poster
ManicUnicorn · 31/10/2018 15:01

I didn't do a 'behavioural test' bombardier. Read the thread.

OP posts:
Dljlr · 31/10/2018 15:04

Having done call centre work I'd say it's likely your typing score was too low.

Bombardier25966 · 31/10/2018 15:09

I also had to answer a questionnaire on how i'd react in certain situations and how I feel about certain things etc.

That's a behavioural test.

RavenLG · 31/10/2018 15:17

Maybe it’s your attitude? [shrug]

Seriously ask them for feedback.

BIWI · 31/10/2018 15:19

I think you think you're so experienced/clever/talented/good on the phone that you rather arrogantly assumed that you'd get the job.

Assuming, for example, that 94% is good enough is a start! You also have made errors in your post indicating that perhaps you can't spell well enough ...

... and your response, as PP have pointed out, to the issue of positive discrimination is also very telling in terms of your general attitude of entitlement.

That said, none of us can tell you - it could be any one of a myriad of reasons. You need to ask them for detailed feedback. And be prepared to listen and hear what they're telling you.

User212787555 · 31/10/2018 15:31

Absolutely roaring at 94% typing accuracy not being high enough for call centre work!

Why? Some call centres deal with banking, health insurance, underwriting for general insurance, customer service for high-end companies, you name it. Getting 6 out of 100 details incorrect could cause untold inconvenience or cost to a company.

Not all call centre work is mindless drudge.

SpottingTheZebras · 31/10/2018 16:10

Not all call centre work is mindless drudge.

I agree. I’ve got some friends who work in a local one and they get £30k - £35k per year which, considering they are several hours away from London and in a small town, is a good salary.

Dljlr · 31/10/2018 16:51

Absolutely roaring at 94% typing accuracy not being high enough for call centre work!

Wouldn't have been in the job I held. They want 100% accuracy. 94% isn't great.

Satsumaeater · 31/10/2018 16:58

I'd agree if we still used typewriters but you can easily go back and amend errors in a word processing program. I made an error typing this, I went back and amended it and it took a couple of seconds.

On the other hand it could have been something you said in between the assessments which set off alarm bells

This could be the case - I lost out on a vacation placement many moons ago when I was at university. I was at the interview and it went well and as I was leaving the interviewer said he thought they'd offer me a placement. Anyway we moved onto small talk and I said something about the phone having gone while I was in the garden (to ask me to come in for interview) and I said I'd had to run "like hell" to get to the phone in time! How I wanted the ground to swallow me up. I didn't get offered a placement.

starrynitelight · 31/10/2018 18:23

It's very entitled to be so perplexed that you went for a job and didn't automatically get it.

Maybe someone was better at interview than you?? Someone who didn't give off the impression that they were too good for the job? Confused

MorningsEleven · 31/10/2018 18:37

I suspect it's based on attitude. My boss took a massive risk hiring me because I'd been out of the workplace for a while. She liked my attitude, my values and my enthusiasm. I suspect there are issues with yours.

Batteriesallgone · 31/10/2018 18:41

What’s wrong with saying run like hell?

VladmirsPoutine · 31/10/2018 18:55

Judging from your attitude on this thread I agree it's a total mystery why you didn't get hired.

CarryOnScreamingValenta · 31/10/2018 18:59

I'd agree if we still used typewriters but you can easily go back and amend errors in a word processing program.

I might be wrong but I think online typing tests measure first time accuracy, so you're docked points for going back to amend errors.

OliviaStabler · 01/11/2018 06:53

I think some people are being very harsh on the OP. There is nothing wrong with being confident when going for a job, knowing you tick all the boxes they are asking for on the job description.

MinorProphet · 01/11/2018 08:28

And many call centres surely also encompass the live chat and email help people? For whom typing accuracy at speed is v important. Maybe I'm wrong and they are totally separate functions.

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 02/11/2018 20:18

Not all call centre work is mindless drudge.

Yes I know, I work in contact centre development for a high street bank and regularly interview people for roles here. Have done for ten years.

For Live Chat yes there would need to be a degree of accuracy but telephony work doesn't generally encompass writing letters. Getting 6 out of 100 details incorrect could cause untold inconvenience or cost to a company. Accuracy in noting down what the customer has said and what you have replied and how you've resolved XYZ isn't the same as 100% accuracy in typing.

Attitude would be the main reason for turning down someone for a role where I work. The higher rated roles are not really inbound contact centre work as they work to appointments rather than a constant flow of calls.

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 02/11/2018 20:19

Although Talk Type call centre stuff would need a very high degree of accuracy, but again, that's less taking calls and more a Live Chat function.

junebirthdaygirl · 02/11/2018 20:32

I genuinely don't know why people are being so nasty. Was there something in the opening post that suggested op has white privelege.? I must have missed it. For all we know she may be a small person or have one leg or be from China and could have been discriminated against on those grounds. Op its always hard to know. I got jobs l thought l did badly at interview and was turned down for ones l felt l sailed through. I'm afraid its a matter of taking it on the chin and keeping going.

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 02/11/2018 20:40

What's 'attitude on this thread' got to do with the price of tea in China?

People are allowed to use anonymous forums to sound off and are also allowed to think they did well in an interview. They're allowed to get arsey at other arsey people as well!

We're all keyboard warriors on this blessed day Wink

OP did you get any feedback?

SofiaAmes · 02/11/2018 20:52

Did they do a background check on you. I've had friends who didn't get a job because unbeknownst to them there was something on their credit check/criminal check from a stolen identity and/or mistaken identity and/or just a mistake. They only found out that that's why they didn't get the job after enquiring about it.

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