BBC LA County BBC Customer Service Competency 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A customer calls to complain that they have been transferred three times and still have not received help. What is the best response?
- Tell them to call back during less busy hours
- Apologize, take ownership of their issue, and resolve it yourself or connect them directly to someone who can (Correct answer)
- Explain that transfers are standard procedure
- Ask them to submit their request in writing
Correct answer: Apologize, take ownership of their issue, and resolve it yourself or connect them directly to someone who can
Taking ownership and preventing further transfers demonstrates commitment to customer satisfaction.
Question 2: Which behavior best demonstrates active listening during a customer interaction?
- Preparing your response while the customer is still speaking
- Nodding or providing verbal acknowledgments and summarizing what the customer said (Correct answer)
- Waiting silently until the customer finishes, then asking them to repeat the key points
- Taking detailed notes without making any verbal acknowledgment
Correct answer: Nodding or providing verbal acknowledgments and summarizing what the customer said
Active listening involves engaging cues and summarizing to confirm understanding.
Question 3: A customer becomes verbally aggressive and begins using inappropriate language. What should you do first?
- Immediately hang up or walk away
- Calmly ask the customer to refrain from using that language so you can continue helping them (Correct answer)
- Match their tone to assert yourself
- Transfer them to your supervisor without explanation
Correct answer: Calmly ask the customer to refrain from using that language so you can continue helping them
Calmly setting boundaries while maintaining helpfulness is the professional first step.
Question 4: A customer requests a service that is not available in your department. What is the most helpful response?
- Tell them you cannot assist and end the call
- Provide them with the correct contact information and, if possible, offer to connect them directly (Correct answer)
- Ask them to search the county website on their own
- Apologize and take a message with no follow-up plan
Correct answer: Provide them with the correct contact information and, if possible, offer to connect them directly
Directing customers to the right resource and facilitating the connection reflects excellent service.
Question 5: Which of the following is the most appropriate way to close a customer service interaction?
- Say goodbye as quickly as possible to serve the next customer
- Confirm the issue was resolved, ask if there is anything else needed, and thank the customer (Correct answer)
- Summarize only what you could not do for them
- Let the customer end the interaction first without any closing remarks
Correct answer: Confirm the issue was resolved, ask if there is anything else needed, and thank the customer
A proper closing confirms resolution and leaves the customer with a positive impression.
Question 6: A walk-in customer arrives five minutes before closing. What should you do?
- Inform them the office is closing and ask them to return tomorrow
- Greet them and assess whether their need can be addressed before closing or schedule a follow-up (Correct answer)
- Ignore them and continue closing duties
- Refer them to a phone number without listening to their need
Correct answer: Greet them and assess whether their need can be addressed before closing or schedule a follow-up
Assessing the customer's need before turning them away reflects a service-first mindset.
Question 7: When communicating with a customer who has limited English proficiency, you should:
- Speak louder and slower to help them understand
- Use plain language, avoid jargon, and utilize available language assistance resources (Correct answer)
- Ask a bilingual coworker to take over immediately without attempting to help
- Ask the customer to bring someone who speaks English next time
Correct answer: Use plain language, avoid jargon, and utilize available language assistance resources
Plain language and proper language access services ensure equitable service for all customers.
A customer calls to complain that they have been transferred three times and still have not received help.
What is the best response?