I need help with an application form question?

Question

This is the question:

You will be required to identify and analyse key information in order to be able to make decisions that support the needs of the business. Please describe a time when you have had to make an important decision. Describe how you made the decision and justify your choice.

How would you answer it as i don't fully understand it. It is for a job in a call centre. I have worked as a receptionist (at a solicitors and also a car showroom) for 4 years and a Legal Secretary for 4 years

Answer 1

Swaley,

The question is asking for information on how you come to a decision.  I guess for a call centre the key information will be the issue that the caller has contacted you with, and you will need to identify specific parts of that.  If it's for sales for example, are they more likely to find the product useful if they have kids, that kind of thing.

In terms of what you put, think of a time at work or at home when you've had to make an important decision and you have had to find out more about the circumstances before being able to make that decision.  E.G. buying a house or a car.  How structured and what research did you put in and was your decision the right one?

Probably the more structured your response the more likely to be what they are looking for.

Answer 2

In your previous  work places, have you ever, on the phone or in person given an important decision to a third party. If so, can you justify making that decision and why you made that decision, and do you think you were right in doing so. I guess that they want to make sure you can handle a one on one situation

Answer 3

Only you know the circumstances of your life surely you can remember having to do something 'out of the box' using your own initiative that helped someone!

they are looking for someone with leadership potential someone who is not afraid to step outside the daily limits but work towards the good of the company.  A 'jobsworth' rule follower would not have the initiative for this neither would a reckless rule ignorer get in.

Answer 4

this is one of those 'let's see how they answer a stupid question' question.  it's supposed to show how well you can deal with an unanswerable question.  there is no right or wrong answer.  penmanship and spelling are as important as anything else.  sentence structure and syntax, how well you can shovel the manure, straddle the fence, talk a lot and say nothing... flowery phrasology and meaningless rhetoric... depending on the person doing the interviewing- you could try some light humor- "well, i could have applied at McDonalds- but i'm a vegetarian"  (but only if you think they'll react well to a joke).. my advice?  don't overemphasize the importance of one question.  personal appearance and poise, friendliness and personality... that's what will get you the edge in an interview for a job answering phones. (and don't forget diction and enunciation... be polite... and be yourself!)  good luck!

Answer 5

The question is for you to give an example when you used your own initiative and made a justified decision there and then.  

eg, A customer comes in and complained of a faulty hairdryer.  You then test and have a look at it and then decide whether the customer has damaged it herself or whether it is an electrical fault.  If you decide it was an electrical fault, you inform the customer of the problem and ask her if she would like to have it repaired or have a refund as it is still under warranty.

1. You've made the decision that it is an electrical fault

2. You inform the customer she may have a refund or have the hairdryer sent for repair

3, You are justified in your choice because it is still under Gurantee.

That pretty much explains your question.  Hope that helps.

Answer 6

hi they want to know how you make decisions basically if you have made a decision regarding work when your boss wasn't available i would descibe that is a solicitors receptionist well paid the reason i am asking i have applied for two jobs for receptionist in two solicitors offices i hope you don't mind me asking you that question my email address is rennickelizabe:yahoo.co.uk if you have any advice  

Answer 7

Okay well that's easy.

Just think of a time where you've had to make a decision while taking other things into account.

For instance, say you needed pens but there weren't enough money in the budget for pens. What would you do? The key information is the budget - you need to analyse the budget in order to be able to afford the pens - buying the pens is supporting the business. Does that make sense?

Or say, a customer calls, you need to analyse what they want in order to support the business (eg by making a sale).

That is just an example to hopefully help you to understand the question.