Collection Specialist with German

As a Collection Specialist at SGS, your primary responsibilities include building relationships with clients through phone and email communication in German and English, monitoring account receivables, and ensuring smooth financial operations. You'll collaborate closely with the accounting team and other departments to maintain good communication and uphold financial liquidity. This role allows you to work with business clients, rather than private individuals, ensuring a focused B2B working environment.

To qualify for the Collection Specialist position at SGS, you should have a strong command of both German and English at a minimum level of B2. Experience in customer service or finance is beneficial but not mandatory. A patient and solution-oriented mindset is crucial, as well as a willingness to work collaboratively with team members. Your ability to nurture client relationships while managing financial tasks will enable you to thrive in this role.

No prior experience in a Collection Specialist role is required to join SGS; passion and eagerness to learn are what we prioritize. Our comprehensive training program is designed to equip you with the skills necessary to succeed, meaning that individuals who are motivated and keen to develop professionally are highly encouraged to apply.

Joining SGS as a Collection Specialist comes with a variety of benefits. This includes stable employment with a fixed schedule, flexible remote work options, private medical care, group insurance, and support for language learning. You'll also receive opportunities for professional training, individual career path development, and flexible time-off options for volunteering, ensuring a work-life balance that suits your personal needs.

The recruitment process for the Collection Specialist role at SGS is designed to be quick and efficient, predominantly conducted remotely. This includes an initial interview, skills assessment, and the opportunity to sign a preliminary agreement that secures your employment. Throughout the process, candidate experience is prioritized to ensure the best fit for both the company and the applicant.

When discussing your method for building client relationships, emphasize your communication skills, such as active listening and empathy. Sharing specific examples of how you've successfully managed client interactions in the past will demonstrate your capability in nurturing relationships effectively.

Handling difficult conversations requires diplomacy. Explain your approach to conflict resolution, focusing on remaining calm and understanding the client’s perspective while still addressing the financial issue at hand. Provide examples of successful outcomes when navigating challenging discussions.

To ensure accuracy in account monitoring, detail the processes you prioritize, such as maintaining organized records and using financial software to track payments and balances. Share how your attention to detail helps mitigate errors and improves the overall financial workflow.

Illustrate your teamwork skills by sharing a specific instance where collaboration led to achieving a common goal. Highlight your role, the effective communication strategies you employed, and the positive outcome of that teamwork, emphasizing its importance in a finance-related environment.

Discuss your intrinsic motivation, such as enjoying problem-solving, helping clients navigate their financial processes, and fostering a sense of community in business interactions. Share how customer satisfaction directly impacts your personal job satisfaction and drives you to excel.

Explain your method for prioritizing competing tasks, such as creating a to-do list, determining urgent versus important tasks, and managing your time effectively. Providing examples of when you successfully handled a busy period can highlight your time management skills.

Express your admiration for SGS as a leader in the inspection and certification industry, and how you align with the company's values. Talk about your excitement for the role and how you can contribute to SGS’s mission while growing your career in a supportive environment.

Mention any relevant financial software or customer relationship management (CRM) tools you’ve used. If you can connect your experience with the tools SGS utilizes, it will demonstrate your preparedness for the role. If you lack direct experience, show your willingness to learn and adapt quickly.

Discuss your strategies for overcoming language barriers, such as using clear and concise language, confirming understanding, and employing translation tools if necessary. Providing examples of past experiences where you successfully communicated across language differences will strengthen your answer.

Share your aspirations for career growth within the financial and collections field. Emphasize your desire to develop your skills and advance in roles with increasing responsibility, illustrating how those goals align with the opportunities that SGS provides.