How to Get Hired in BPO - A Guide to Job-Hunting

Are you ready to embark on a voyage of self-discovery and career exploration? If so, then you're in luck! So let's set sail and get started!

What is a BPO?

For those of you who have been living in a cave or locked away in a monastery, you've missed the explosive growth of the BPO Industry. In the last few years, the Philippines has experienced a surge in BPO activity as businesses worldwide discover the advantages of outsourcing their back-office services. It's been quite a ride – and it's only just beginning! Here's a brief overview to help you start your career in the industry: The BPO industry is diverse and dynamic, spawning global economic growth. It is a cost-effective way to outsource processes and operations. Analysts expect outsourcing to keep expanding. A Grand View Research report predicts 9.1% annual growth from 2022 to 2030.

BPO Career Path: How to Succeed in the BPO Industry

People join BPOs for many reasons. Mainly to make a decent paycheck but also to enter the global economy in a growing industry with opportunities for professional advancement, international travel, and exposure to all the industries that outsource. BPOs evolve rapidly, typically adjusting to technological advancements, customer expectations, and market forces. Likewise, you should be ready to embrace change when you start your BPO adventure.

BPO Rockstars Do These Things

Are you ready to take the plunge into the world of BPO? Here's how to give yourself the best shot at landing a BPO job.

Communicate Clearly & Often

Regardless of your role in a BPO, effective communication with your co-workers and customers is a must. It is essential for productive collaboration and healthy working relationships. Good communicators do the following:

• Listen Actively
• Exude Confidence
• Always Empathize
• Be Real

Empathize

You want to put yourself in others' shoes to gain insight from their perspective. Empathy leads to better comprehension on the path of understanding effective communication.

Solve Problems

Welcome problem-solvers! Are you ready to take on the challenge of making things right? Do you have the courage to tackle tough customer service calls and the creativity to hack processes? Today, most BPOs are working their way up the value chain to be more than providers of simple, one-trick processes. They need thinkers and go-getters who can identify challenges and handle them across all the things BPOs do, like customer support, accounting, medical coding, content moderation, and the range of back-office processes you have ever imagined.

Play for the Team

Outsourcing companies are purpose-built for a particular task or process. So working and playing well with others is an essential skill for BPOers. Like your favorite sports team, you need to know your goals and ensure that you are helping everyone win every day.

Now, Let's Get You That Job...

So you know a little about the things great BPO people do. That's important because recruiters look for great hires who empathize, communicate, solve problems, and generally make a good impression in their interview. To get started in the competitive BPO industry, nailing the interview is the first step to a fulfilling career.

... in 7 Simple Steps

Find Some BPOs Recruiting People

First, you need to send out some applications, but where to? We're glad you asked! Before you apply, make a few basic decisions about the place you want to work. Are you outgoing and talkative? Maybe you want a voice agent job calling people or receiving support calls. Night owl? Look for BPOs with programs in the United States or the United Kingdom. Majored in finance? Apply to BPOs that emphasize accounting and bookkeeping. You'll also want to consider if you want remote work or the energy of an office. If you're after that office gig, decide how far you're willing to commute. Once you know what you're after, it's time to surf the wide world of job boards, where you can find a few companies that fit your criteria.

Learn About the Industry & Companies You're Applying To

When you understand the BPO industry well, you demonstrate the initiative recruiters want to see. The effort shows you know how to identify a problem — your lack of knowledge about your employer and industry — and solve that problem (☝️👀 Solving Problems).

Here's how: Check the company's social media profile and the company website to see what's happening. Pay attention to announcements about company activity and new clients. Add this information to your discussion with observations. "Your holiday event looked great." "How is the new office in Mactan coming along?"

Read up on the industry so you have some background and understand the lingo. You'll look intelligent and knowledgeable (which might land you a better-paying job offer). Check our handy list of industry sites.

Prepare for Common Interview Questions

Stephen Hawking once said, "in life, half the battle is showing up."  The other half is being prepared when you arrive. To prepare, think about the questions that recruiters usually ask. Write down your answers. Have a friend be the recruiter, and do some role play to build your confidence. Be ready to dazzle on interview day. Here are some examples of common interview questions:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why do you want to work for this company?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What is the difference between sympathy and empathy?
• Why should we hire you?

Be Excited and Engaged

You're headed straining into the jaws of the world's biggest people business. If you've seen pictures of a BPO floor, I'll bet it had lots and lots of people. People gravitate toward energetic, engaged people. That includes hiring managers. Go on — show your enthusiasm for your new job and your commitment to BPO success.

Communicate Like You Mean It

Demonstrating your communication skills effectively allows you to accurately answer questions and highlight relevant skills and experiences. Additionally, it helps you build a connection with the interviewer making the interview process comfortable and enjoyable, increasing your chances of getting hired.

Ask Follow-up Questions

As in life, first impressions matter in business. Ask thoughtful follow-up questions; it displays your eagerness to learn about the company and the position. More importantly, it shows that you were paying attention in the interview.

Say Thank You

Ending your interview on a positive note. Be polite. Say thank you (and really mean it). To seal the deal, email all your interviewers, if possible. It's a nice gesture; it reinforces your undeniably fabulous first impression by being prepared, engaged, and inquisitive (☝️). Don't know where to start on that email? We've got you covered. Here's a sample follow-up email to use after an interview.

Get Out There & Land That BPO Job!

With BPO jobs in high demand, the competition for these positions is fierce. Taking your first steps to start your career is an exhilarating experience that leads to a world of possibilities. Follow this checklist to land a job in the BPO industry quickly. Happy job hunting!