1. Explain me isn't data collection hard work? How do you cope?
You're right. Data collection is definitely hard work. But since I enjoy the challenge so much, I can easily overlook the hard part.
2. Tell us which part of data collection do you find most challenging?
I believe that collecting data is no big deal. It is what one has to do to sort information and verify its accuracy and integrity where the challenge is most evident.
3. Tell us what was your biggest challenge with your previous boss?
The most important thing to remember here is to stay positive. You don't want to gripe and complain about your past boss, even if she was a devil. You want to be very brief in describing the challenge and then expand on that by focusing on what you did to overcome the challenge. If the end result was a positive one, then be sure to highlight that, emphasizing the part you played in coming to that end.
4. Tell us how did you become involved in the world of debt collecting?
I have been involved since 1999 in debt collection. My husband was a credit manager and saw the business opportunities in this industry. We then became involved as a team.
5. Explain what are the different areas that data collectors can work in?
Every company has different data collection requirements. From collecting information for census purposes to performing data collection activities in a meter reading capacity, everything falls under the broader category of data collection.
6. Tell us what are your career goals as Debt Collector?
You should think through this question before you go to an interview and come up with a truly honest answer that rings true for you. Then you should tailor this answer to be appropriate to the interview. If your goal is to enter an entirely different field, you need to explain clearly why this job is the perfect stepping stone to that goal. For bonus points, identify a well-known mentor in your field, and explain the assets and aspects of their career that are touchstones for your own career goals.
7. Tell us what role do you tend to play in a team?
Here you want to demonstrate your knowledge of the different roles within a team and show that you have a strength but can still be versatile. For example, you might say that you think it's great that each team has a communicator, a leader, a note taker, etc. and that you tend to take on the leadership role but are also able to be a communicator or a note taker, as needed. Provide a brief example from a past experience at work.
8. Tell me what do you feel is the biggest challenge of working as a debt collector?
The entire work of a debt collector is challenging. What I find most irksome is when debtors go into hiding, making the process longer than expected.
9. Can you explain the gaps in your resume?
Employers are fully aware of the fact that it's tough to find a job right now so they're not looking for an excuse about the employment gap . What they want to know is how you've been filling your time while you've been unemployed. Provide a thorough answer that explains what you've done and why it would benefit the employer. For example, if you took time off of work to stay at home with the kids, then focus on the fact that the skills required to manage a household will translate nicely to managing employees in your new position.
10. Explain what is the most difficult situation with which you have ever been faced?
Threatening and intoxicated debtors. Or, even worse, a serious domestic dispute when either the wife or the husband was completely unaware of the fact that the other party made the debt in the first place.
11. Please explain do you enjoy working as part of a team?
There is a subtle balance to be achieved when answering this question. You want to show that you can indeed be a great team member, collaborating with others and working together to produce a great end result. However, you also want to emphasize that you value the opportunity to share your own input and also that you have the ability to take instruction and run with it without having your hand held.
In order to achieve this subtle balance, you should answer that you do enjoy working as part of a team, but also that you aren't afraid of taking on individual tasks, either. You should then provide two examples from your past; one that shows true collaboration and one that shows an ability to work independently in a manner that is an asset to the company.
12. Tell us what makes working as a debt collector worth your while?
The work is fascinating as it offers so many challenges. There is very little boredom, as every day is always a new one!
13. Tell us why are you interested in working with this company?
There are several different things that an employer may be trying to get at when asking this question. Address them all in your answer, and you'll have a successful interview. Those things include:
☛ What do you actually know about our company?
☛ What skills do you bring to the company?
☛ Why are you even looking for a job in the first place?
☛ Why are you looking at getting a job that is below the status / pay of a previous job you've held?
Answer this common interview question by doing your research about the company and position before the interview and choosing a fact about the company that really interests you. Highlight this fact in the interview as a reason you want to work with the company, and then explain concisely how your skills dovetail with this.
14. Tell us do you think credit is granted too easily to people who cannot afford it?
There is no question about it. We see this all the time.
In the commercial services industry, your experience with clients may be widespread. Talk to the interviewer about any particular industry to which you may have more exposure. If you have a specialty - now is the time to discuss your expertise. Whether you have experience in the same industry as Pristav Debt Collection Agency, or not, be sure to appear confident in your capabilities.
My work as a data collector does not end at simply collecting and filing information. I have to make sure that the data which I have collected stays updated, which is why I follow all the procedures for updating it constantly and ensuring that its essence remains intact.
The interviewer wants to know that you are well aware of the services offered at our Debt Collection Agency. Have you used them previously? Discuss with the interviewer any exposure you have had to the company. Keep your response positive and lighthearted.
Most people are very negative when you arrive, but we are actually there to help. We take a look at income and expenditure and usually the debtor can make an arrangement for the payment of a lower installment – obviously within reason. You also find those people who make it very clear from the word go that they are not at all prepared to negotiate, and who are then sent a summons by the attorney.
19. Tell us what did you decide to take up the work of a debt collector in the first place?
I have always felt that my follow-up skills are excellent. This coupled with an inherent interest to do something challenging on a daily basis is what made me pick up this work, and make a career out of it!
20. Fresh Debt Collector Job Interview Questions:
☛ What do you like about this job?
☛ How do you feel about working with targets?
☛ What collection methods do you know?
☛ How familiar are you with FDCPA/HIPAA/etc. dictations?
☛ Name three things a debt collector should avoid when speaking to a debtor
☛ How do you ensure you keep track of all outstanding payments?
21. Basic Debt Collector Job Interview Questions:
☛ A debtor has missed 6 months of payments. When you call them, they start talking about their difficulties and get emotional. How do you handle it?
☛ How do you ensure that you get the necessary information from someone who's eager to hang up on you?
☛ How would you perform skip tracing? How do you ensure the procedure's legality?
☛ How would you decide whether legal action were the only solution?
☛ What would be your response to a customer who's using obscene or offensive language towards you?
☛ Can you think of a few common excuses that debtors may make? How would you respond to each of them?
22. General Debt Collector Job Interview Questions:
☛ Tell me about a time you dealt with an angry customer. What did you do?
☛ Describe a time you felt good about your job as a debt collector
☛ Recall a time you had difficulties in negotiating with a debtor/customer. How did you manage?
☛ Tell me about a time you were very stressed in your job. How did you handle it?
We suspect they are true. But we have never been contacted by any illegal lenders. We have heard many stories though of people whose property has been confiscated illegally, but we don't have any knowledge of physical violence being used.
Yes, definitely. Most of the work we get is to try and recover short-term loans on which people have defaulted. It would appear to be caused partly by the ever-rising cost of living.
The interviewer would like to know if you are an engaged employee; offering suggestions and providing more profound thought when it comes to processing improvement in the workplace. Give an example of a time when you suggested an improvement in the workplace. It can be big or small! Did anything significant come out of your suggestion?
26. Explain me where does the path of data collection eventually lead you?
Eventually, I anticipate training as a data analyst so that I can handle the part where good use of information is made to meet a certain purpose.
Creating lists of delinquent accounts and sorting them to prioritize clients, contacting debtors through telephone, email and in person to solicit payments from them, sending out reminders, and ensuring that all payments are properly logged so that accounts can be closed out, are some of the main duties I expect to be performing as a debt collector.
28. Tell us do people ever ask your advice on what to do about their debts? What do you recommend?
Most often, our advice is to talk to the institutions to whom they owe the money. It is never a good idea to just keep quiet. If you cannot afford the full installment, try and pay something, so that they can see you are prepared to pay. In the final notices we issue, there is also a clause that make it clear to them that they have the option to go and see a debt counsellor.
29. Tell us what do you think are the main reasons why people fall behind in their debt repayments?
The vicious circle of borrowing money, and then having to pay it back with interest. Then another loan is applied for to keep one's head above water. There are also people who live very far beyond their means, and then they simply cannot keep up with their financial obligations. Another reason is the high rate of unemployment. Sometimes there is only one person working in an entire household, who ends up having to look after everybody. Rising cost of living also definitely plays a role, as does substance abuse of some kind.
30. Explain me do you consider yourself successful?
The correct answer is “yes”. You want to show off your confidence. However, you should never give a one-word answer in an interview, so you'll want to follow up with a specific reason that you consider yourself successful. For example, you might say that you have set goals and achieved them. You should also note that you don't feel that you've reached your pinnacle of success and explain why this new position will take you one step closer.
Many companies will ask for a background check before employing you. This due diligence could include a criminal record check, a credit check, a drivers' abstract, and education verification. The request will vary from company to company so you should always be prepared to comply with all requests. If there is a mark on your record, this is the best time to disclose that information.
If you have a clean record: "I can fully understand why Debt Collection Agency would need to conduct background checks on all potential employees. I have a squeaky clean record and am happy to comply with any of your requests."
The one strength that I possess which I depend on highly when performing my job duties is my ability to stay focused. It is this strength that helps me collect the right type of information and does not let me wander from my target.
33. Tell us what makes you feel that you are an excellent person to hire as a debt collector?
I have over 6 years of experience working as a debt collector. In addition to experience, I am well-versed in strategizing ways to connect with debtors and solicit payment. The last 4 years that I have worked as a debt collector, I have been successful in closing all accounts assigned to me. I'm quite sure that I will be a great addition to your organization.
A bit of both.
35. Explain me what does a typical working day look like for you?
These days all cases are electronically downloaded from the system of the attorneys. It has to be kept up to date, and there has to be regular feedback on progress. We also confirm home or work addresses of the debtors. Only then can you go to the debtors to try and collect. We work mostly for attorneys, who specialise in debt collection for their clients.
