Call Simulation Tips

July 11, 2018 • written by

Call simulation is one of the most intimidating parts of the call center screening process.

If you haven’t experienced call simulation, you’ll be asked to go to a space like a desk, cubicle or phone booth, put on the headset and wait for the phone to ring.

In some situations the phone is identical to the standard call center headset, in some situations, it’s a regular phone.

In some situations you’re just talking to the same interviewer, sometimes it’s a recruitment manager, sometimes it’s a production team leader, sometimes it’s a foreign staff.

I have once had a call simulation with an American and an Indian manager or client.

In the screening process, call simulation is what most looks like the actual call center work.

The call, will be what you will be doing for work everyday.

When you get hired in a call center, you will be taking calls eight hours a day, five days a week.

Many people report that they fail in the call simulation process.

The call simulation is a way for the recruiter to check how you handle calls.

To prepare you for the call simulation screening we need to prepare you so you never panic.

When you know the elements in advance, you will be better prepared.

Here are some rules that we follow during a call.

Never panic.

You learn to do this by being familiar with the situation.

You become familiar with the situation by study and experience.

In my case, I failed a few times until I understood common patterns.

Take deep breaths before a call.

Smile when you get nervous.

Never get angry.

In a customer service situation, some customers will love you.

Some customers will hate you.

Some customers aren’t emotionally involved in a call.

Whatever the situation is,

Never get angry at the customer.

The customer is having the worst day of his or her life and only you can fix the problem.

The customer is not angry at you.

The customer is in pain.

Your job is to fix it.

Here’s a tip.

Call center agents describe this situation as “angry customer” or “irate customer.” In my mind, I replace the word “angry” and “irate” or “upset” with the word “passionate” to describe the situation.

The customer is passionate about getting his service back.

The customer is passionate about getting the best rates from our company.

The customer is passionate about getting his request accomplished today.

The customer is passionate about his desire to speak with a manager.

There’s something about the word passionate that puts a smile to my face.

I imagine the actor Antonio Banderas because when he talks, he sounds really angry but he’s really passionate.

Whenever I use the word passionate to describe the situation, I’m able to see the customer as someone who is simply passionate about trying to get something done or to get a solution to his or her problem.

This makes the call less serious.

This makes the idea of facing an angry customer less scary.

The customer might raise his or her voice and perhaps use some profanity but that’s not because he or she is angry, he is passionate.

You are likely to get offended or upset by someone who is angry but you are also likely to forgive someone who is passionate.

Adding the word passionate makes a scary call a fun one for me.

This tip had made the senior team leader refer to me as “the super-agent” because I had the highest amount of good customer service feedback and the highest amount of sales in the entire account for that day.

Another tip.

Angry customers are customers who will most likely give “feedback about the customer service representative” and how well you handle the call will reflect your customer service score.

This is the reason why I love passionate customers.

They are responsible for my 20-30% pay increase.

Use positive phrasing.

Don’t say “your package will be delayed by four days.” Instead, say “In four days you’ll get to enjoy your package” The glass is half full not empty.

You need to master this because positively phrasing things will allow you to communicate your message without being interrupted by negative emotions.

You can learn this.

I’m giving you instructions you can do this yourself.

Is a lot better than.

You suck.

Use simple words.

College English with five-syllable words that nobody but intellectual snobs use anyone?

No thanks.

Use the simplest words that you can.

Say it with a smile.

Your smile can be heard over the phone.

Speak loud and clear.

You’re projecting your voice to be heard in another country.

Speak loud and clear.

We’re not in school anymore passing test answers with our classmates.

Seriously, speak loud and clear.

Practice it.

You need to be heard and understood.

Inhale before you speak and increase the volume louder than you’re used to especially if you’re a shy person like me.

Avoid dead air.

While waiting for things to load provide the customer with important information about the process or procedures and/or build rapport.

How is your day going so far?

Use common sense.

Only say what is needed and nothing more.

Your goal is to get to a resolution or the next step as quickly as possible.

Think solutions not excuses

Elements of an Inbound Customer Service Call

Now here are some parts of a typical inbound customer service call and tech support call.

These elements are commonly used in a customer service situation and call simulation.

Once you are familiar with the parts you will be familiar how to do it properly and eventually do it well all the time.

Once you are very familiar with these elements you can pass this test all the time.

Introduction.

Thank you for calling (possibly or if needed insert company name).

My name is Kevin.

How can I help you?

Acknowledge.

Okay.

I see.

Let the customer know that you hear them.

Clarify.

So you calling regarding…

Rephrase the situation or customer concern.

Just to make sure I understand the situation correctly.

Rephrase the situation.

You may further clarify by asking did I get that correctly?

Probe.

Can you tell me more about you.

Insert issue or problem you are experiencing.

Apologize.

I’m sorry to hear about that.

I’m sorry you are encountering some issues with your service.

I’m sorry for the specific experience you are encountering.

I apologize for (specific issue).

Avoid saying, I’m sorry for that or I apologize for that.

Always refer to the specific issue.

I’m sorry to hear that the delivery wasn’t on time.

I apologize that you are experiencing difficulty with your service.

Empathize.

I understand why you are upset.

I’m a customer as well and I know how frustrating it is when the product or service is not going or working smoothly.

If I was in your situation I would be upset as well.

Assure.

But don’t worry you have reached the right person or department.

I’ll work on getting insert specific issue fixed.

Verify the customer.

May I have your name address last four digits of your social , please.

Just to make sure I have the right account may I have your insert required information.

Hold procedure.

May I place you on hold for two minutes?

I just need to double-check some information related to (their specific question)

Thank the customer for complying.

If they give you their address or agree to wait on hold, always thank the customer.

Solve the issue.

Provide the information or instructions needed or transfer the customer to the right department.

Transfer procedures.

To best assist you I’ll transfer your call to specific department.

They will be able to assist you with your specific concern.

Please stay on the line I’ll transfer your call now.

Summarize.

I’ll just place some notes on the account.

You called today about specific concern.

We did specific action and your concern is now addressed. Or fixed.

Provide additional assistance.

Would there be anything else that I can assist you with?

Or do you have any other questions that I can answer for you?

Personalise.

Use the customer’s name.

It’s Mr. Smith or Ms. Smith.

Or their first name if they tell you that you can call them by they’re first name.

Don’t use ma’am or sir.

It’s a Filipino thing.

Americans go by names.

It affects your confidence negatively.

It puts you in an interior position.

Your job is to assist them as an equal and not pretend to be lower than them.

Using sir and ma’am tells them that you didn’t bother to remember their name when they told you the first time.

Using sir and ma’am is only allowed if the customer has a name that sounds like a curse word.

Closing spiel.

Thank you for calling (insert company name).

Branding.

Insert the company name at the opening and closing spiel as needed.

Call handling procedure is different from company to company.

However, these are the common steps in a customer service call.

Knowing this will help you pass call simulation screening.

Always use your common sense.

Listen attentively to the questions or what the customer is saying.

Ask questions if you don’t understand.

Always practice the clarify step.

Don’t say, “come again?” Instead, use proper English.

I’m sorry you’re cutting off.

There must be a problem with the line on my end, can you say that again , please.

You can customize the spiel by always asking yourself “How can I say it better?”

Understand each element and practice using them.

Practice with a friend with good English or someone who knows customer service procedure.

Watch Call Simulation Video on YouTube

Thank you for reading this far and thanks for your attention.

I am praying for your success. God bless!

If you made it this far, you should introduce yourself.

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