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A collection agent has a tricky job: asking people for money can be challenging. There are many misconceptions about the job. Collections isn’t about being pushy and ruthless, it’s about coming from a place of understanding and persuading people to meet you in the middle. The best way to stand out when applying for a job as a collection agent is to have the right skill set. This job requires a certain personality, but these traits can be built. If you want to be great at collections, you need these attributes:

Problem-Solver

The nature of collections involves some negotiation, some compromise, and a lot of problem-solving abilities. You’ll be a successful collection agent if you can get creative. Talk with your supervisor about what your guidelines are to meet expectations when it comes to collecting on debts. Once you know what your parameters are, you can talk with debtors about making small frequent payments, connecting with a local organization that can help them bring down their costs, or find additional revenue sources.

Firm but Fair

This is not a job where you can take things personally. As you reach out to debtors, know that they are frustrated and stressed. If you make every effort to be authentic and empathetic, you’ll have more success collecting from your debtors. If you’re looking to go above and beyond in this field, it’s vital to balance a thick skin with a thoughtful approach. Keep in mind that the individuals you speak with may have fallen into debt due to traumatic circumstances: illness, injury, divorce, and loss. Use some compassion when you work out a payment plan to ensure the debtor will be able to follow through on your agreement.

Communicative

Successful collectors need to be able to ask for sensitive information. Being an effective communicator is essential to collections. As a collections agent, you’ll need to speak clearly and concisely, getting across your message in a simple way that anyone can understand. Also, you’ll need to be comfortable with the second half of communication — listening. It’s not enough to give your speech, you need to actively listen to your debtor in order to come up with an effective solution. Credible agents know that the collections industry is a two-way street.

Competitive

Whether you’re new to collections or you’ve worked in this area before, you know that collection agents are clever, hardworking, and often competitive. Because some departments offer incentives to those that exceed in collections, you’ll need to show a competitive spirit. Staying on top of your game will help you focus on the work that needs to be done. Leave no stone unturned when it comes to contacting a debtor, and talk with potential employers about what they use to motivate their staff.

Work With a Top Staffing Agency in Chicago IL

Looking for a collections position? Contact the pros at Davis Staffing. We know how tough it can be to find the right fit, so we’re here to help you identify your skills and match those to our list of premium postings. Check out our listings today!

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