Debt Collector Interview Preparation Guide

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Part of the work of a debt collector is to investigate the whereabouts of debtors. I have great investigative skills which make it somewhat easy for me to locate clients, by going through official and unofficial channels!

Your post-secondary background is on your resume; however, the interviewer is asking for you to go into further detail on your experience. This is a great time to brag a little bit about any scholarships, awards, or accolades you may have received during your post-secondary studies. Be sure to discuss how your education has prepared you for a position with Debt Collection Agency.

Nearly every interview that you go to will kick off with this basic question. You want to keep your answer concise but information-packed. Briefly explain your educational and employment experience with one or two sentences. (After all, the employer can already see that in your resume.) Follow up with additional information about what you are passionate about (relevant to the job) so that you impress the employer immediately with your enthusiasm. Keep all irrelevant personal information out of your answer.

You want to make sure that you know in advance what type of position the company is hiring for and answer the question in line with that. For example, if it is a temporary position, then note that you are aware that it is a temporary position and that you would stay through the end of your contract with the possibility of being open to further employment — if it is offered. In general, you want to show that you’re not going to just jump at the next big chance, leaving this company in the lurch, so use this question to explain your commitment and loyalty to the projects that you take on.

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.

A bit of both.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

☛ 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?

☛ 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?

☛ 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?

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.