20 SYKES Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re interviewing for a job at SYKES, you can expect to be asked questions about your customer service experience, your ability to handle difficult customer situations, and your knowledge of SYKES’ products and services.

You may also be asked behavioral interview questions about how you handle stress, how you work in a team environment, and how you handle difficult customer situations.

Preparing for your interview by knowing the types of questions that will be asked will help you feel more confident and give you the best chance of impressing the hiring manager and getting the job.

SYKES Interview Process

The interview process at SYKES is relatively short and easy. You will first speak with a recruiter, who will then give you your own boarding package online. You will fill out your background information and be sent for an in-person interview. The interviewer will ask you general questions about your interests and level of education in order to review your English level. You may also be asked to take a grammar and writing test. If you are applying for a customer service position, you may also be asked to roleplay a customer service scenario. Overall, the experience is positive and most applicants find the process to be hassle-free.

1. Why do you want to work for SYKES?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. When preparing for this interview, make sure you read through the job description and highlight any aspects that particularly interest you. Use these as talking points during your interview.

Example: “I have been working in customer service for five years now, and I am ready for a new challenge. SYKES offers so many opportunities for growth, and I would love to be part of a team that values employee development. I also really like how SYKES focuses on providing excellent customer service. I feel like I could bring my experience and skills to help your company achieve its goals.”

2. What makes a good customer service representative?

This question is a great way to show your understanding of the role and how you can be an asset to SYKES. When answering, it’s important to highlight qualities that are essential for customer service representatives in any industry.

Example: “A good customer service representative needs to have excellent communication skills. They should also be empathetic and compassionate toward customers. It’s important to understand what they’re going through and help them find solutions to their problems. Finally, I think it’s vital to have patience when working with customers. Some people may not know how to use our services or products, so we need to be patient while they learn.”

3. Do you have any experience using Customer Service software such as Salesforce or Zendesk?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to gauge your experience with SYKES’s products and services. If you have used similar software in the past, be sure to mention it when answering this question.

Example: “I’ve worked with Zendesk before, but I’m not as familiar with Salesforce. However, I am eager to learn more about both platforms if hired by SYKES.”

4. Have you ever had an angry or upset customer before, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to determine how you handle conflict and whether or not you have the ability to diffuse it. It’s important for customer service representatives to be able to resolve conflicts with customers in a positive manner, so interviewers may ask this question to see if you have experience doing so.

Example: “In my previous role as a customer service representative, I had an upset customer who was unhappy with our company’s product. The customer called me multiple times within one week about their issue, which made me feel overwhelmed. However, I took a deep breath and remembered that I needed to remain calm and professional. I listened to what they were saying and empathized with them before explaining why we couldn’t offer a refund.”

5. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be prepared with an answer that shows your strengths while also being honest about any weaknesses you may have. When answering this question, try to focus on your soft skills and personality traits rather than technical skills.

Example: “My greatest strength would be my ability to communicate effectively with others. I am always willing to listen to what others have to say and work hard to find solutions that make everyone happy. My weakness would be my attention to detail. While I do my best to proofread everything I write or type, sometimes mistakes slip through the cracks. If hired, I will continue to work on improving my proofreading skills.”

6. How do you think the rise of social media has impacted customer service?

Social media has changed the way customers interact with businesses. It’s important for customer service representatives to be familiar with social media platforms and how they can use them to help customers. Your answer should show that you understand how social media impacts customer service and how you would apply your knowledge of these tools in this role.

Example: “I think social media is a great tool for customer service because it allows us to connect with our customers directly. I’ve used social media myself when I needed to find information about a product or company, so I know firsthand how helpful it can be. In my last position, I was responsible for managing the company’s social media accounts. I created content that helped customers learn more about SYKES and provided answers to their questions.”

7. Describe a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for customers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you went above and beyond for a customer and how it helped them or benefited their business.

Example: “I once had a client who was having trouble with one of our software programs. They were frustrated because they couldn’t figure out what was going on. I stayed late into the night helping them troubleshoot the issue until we figured out what was causing the problem. The next day, they called me to tell me everything was working perfectly and thanked me for all my help.”

8. Would you describe yourself as a patient person?

This question is a great way to determine how you handle customer service situations that may require more time and effort than others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a situation in which you had to work with a difficult or impatient client.

Example: “I would say I’m a fairly patient person, although there are definitely times when I have to put forth extra effort to remain calm and collected. For example, last year I was working with a client who was having issues with their account. They were very frustrated because they couldn’t figure out why the system wasn’t working properly for them. After spending about an hour on the phone with them, we figured out what the issue was and resolved it.”

9. If hired, what would be your approach to solving problems in the workplace?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and how you would apply them in a work environment. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you would take to solve a specific type of problem.

Example: “If I encountered a problem at work, I would first try to understand what caused it. Then, I would assess whether there was a way to fix the issue or if it was something that needed to be reported to my manager. If I could resolve the issue myself, I would do so immediately. If not, I would report it to my manager and provide as much information about the situation as possible.”

10. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s often asked to see if you have career goals. When answering this question, be honest about your future plans but also emphasize how SYKES can help you achieve them.

Example: “I plan on staying in the customer service industry for quite some time. I love helping people solve problems and providing excellent customer service. In five years, I hope to be working as a manager at SYKES. I would like to continue growing with the company and learn more about business process outsourcing.”

11. Tell me about a time that you were working on a team project and there was conflict. How did you handle it?

When working in a customer service role, it’s important to be able to work well with others. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to collaborate and resolve conflict. In your answer, explain how you used problem-solving skills to help resolve the issue.

Example: “In my last job as a call center representative, I was part of a team that had weekly meetings where we discussed our goals for the week. One time, one of my coworkers said they wanted to increase their sales by 10% each week. Another coworker asked if she could do 5%. My coworker who made the 10% goal got defensive and started arguing with the other employee.

I spoke up and told them both that I understood why the other person would want to lower her expectations. Then, I suggested that we all set smaller goals for ourselves and then celebrate when we met those goals. The two employees agreed and ended up having a productive conversation about what they were trying to achieve.”

12. While working at SYKES, can you commit to being available from 6am-midnight 7 days a week?

This question is a test of your flexibility and willingness to work long hours. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but also show that you can balance this schedule with other commitments.

Example: “I understand the importance of being available 24/7 when working for SYKES. I have worked in customer service before, so I am used to working odd hours. However, I do have two children at home who need me during the day. If I were hired, I would make sure to communicate my availability clearly so there are no misunderstandings.”

13. Do you think you could thrive in a fast paced environment where each call lasts 10 minutes?

This question is a great way to assess your ability to work in a high-pressure environment. It also helps the interviewer understand if you’re comfortable with handling multiple calls at once and how quickly you can multitask.

Example: “I thrive in fast-paced environments because I’m used to working on several tasks at once. In my previous role, I was responsible for answering phones, scheduling appointments and managing customer accounts all at once. This helped me streamline processes and make sure each task got done efficiently.”

14. What are some common issues that customers face?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you might handle customer issues in your role. Use examples from previous work experience to explain what you did to resolve these common problems and how it helped customers.

Example: “I’ve worked with many clients who have had trouble finding a company that could provide them with quality service at an affordable price. I always recommend SYKES because of our competitive pricing, excellent customer service and high-quality solutions. In my last position, I was able to convince several new clients to try out SYKES by offering discounts on their first month’s services.”

15. Do you feel comfortable asking for help when needed?

This question is a good way to determine how you will fit into the team at SYKES. The company wants employees who are willing to ask for help when they need it and can also provide assistance to their coworkers. When answering this question, try to show that you are humble enough to admit when you don’t know something or have never done something before.

Example: “I am definitely comfortable asking for help when I need it. In my previous role as an account manager, I had no experience with social media marketing. My coworker was very helpful in showing me how to use some of the most popular platforms. She even gave me some tips on how to make the best content for our clients.”

16. Do you feel comfortable with sharing your desktop during calls?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your comfort level with sharing your desktop during calls. This can be an important factor in determining whether you’re a good fit for SYKES, as they often have their customer service representatives share their desktops during calls.

Example: “I feel comfortable sharing my desktop during calls because I know it’s necessary and that it helps me provide better service to customers. In fact, I find that being able to see both my screen and the caller’s screen makes it easier for me to troubleshoot issues and answer questions.”

17. Are you prepared to work weekends?

This question is a common one for employers to ask because they want to make sure you understand the work schedule of their company. They also want to know if you have any objections to working weekends or nights. In your answer, be honest about whether you are prepared to work these hours and explain why.

Example: “I am prepared to work weekends and late nights as needed. I understand that this is part of the job in customer service roles. However, I do prefer to spend time with my family on the weekend, so I would hope that we could limit weekend shifts to only when absolutely necessary.”

18. Do you enjoy helping people solve their problems?

This question is a good way to assess your customer service skills. It’s important for SYKES employees to be able to help customers with their issues and questions, so it’s helpful if the interviewer can see that you enjoy this aspect of the job.

Example: “I love helping people solve problems because I find it rewarding when they’re happy with my work. In my last role as an account manager, I had a client who was having trouble finding the right person to fill a position in their company. After speaking with them about what they were looking for, I found several qualified candidates for the job. The client was very pleased with my work and offered me a promotion.”

19. Some days may go by without getting a call, are you okay with this?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to handle periods of inactivity. It’s important to be honest about how you feel about this, but also show that you can still perform well when there are no calls to answer.

Example: “I understand that some days may go by without any calls coming into my queue. I am okay with this because it gives me time to do other things like research and training. However, if I have a day where I don’t get many calls, I will make sure to work extra hard on the ones that come in.”

20. Can you tell us about a time when you dealt with a difficult situation over email/chat?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to communicate with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the situation and how you resolved it.

Example: “I once had a client who was upset because they didn’t receive their order on time. I explained that we were experiencing technical issues with our shipping software and apologized for any inconvenience. The client understood and appreciated my honesty. We ended up delivering the shipment two days later than expected.”