Dear Doctor Credit:

Do you have any unique ways of assessing the collectors I am looking to hire?
Shorthanded in L.A.

. . . good collectors will never assume anything. It is their job to gather facts and then determine ability to pay.

First, I look for trainees by examining their resumes or applications. I look for answers to these questions.

Then I have the applicant actually call my office and leave a message for me to call. This helps me to determine the applicant’s ability to work under stress.

Next, I explain to the applicant that ASSUMING is a major mistake made by all collectors and that it is a hard habit for the normal person to break. For example, when you first speak to a customer and ask for payment, you will hear them say, "I CANNOT PAY because we have poor cash flow," Most people assume that means "No money, hardship, and fat chance of getting money from this customer." But good collectors will never assume anything. It is their job to gather facts and then determine ability to pay.

The following is a test to see how much an applicant assumes. I explain that it will not determine whether or not he or she will be hired; rather, it’s intended to show how important it is not to assume. I write the following on a piece of paper:

1. Put a cursive letter i without the dot above the i.
2. Draw 4 lines here like _ _ _ _
3. P.B. M.B. B.B.

I hand this piece of paper to the applicant and explain that there are three directions that I will give, for him to respond to the best of his ability, and that I will only give directions one time.

1. Put a dot on the i.
2. Write the word "bank."
3. In question three P.B. stands for Papa Bull, M.B. stands for Momma Bull, and B.B. stands for Baby Bull. These three are standing in a field and a plane flies over their heads and scares the heck out of Baby Bull. Now who would Baby Bull run to? Pick either Momma or Papa Bull.

OK, so you think this sounds stupid? Check below for the answers and I will give you the punch lines. Good luck!

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Answers to the Quiz
The first task was put a dot on the I. Did you put the dot above the I or did you actually place the dot onto the body of the cursive i?

Second, did you print the word bank on the four _ _ _ _ lines? Or, did you just write down the word bank? No one said to put the letters over the four blanks _ _ _ _. Did you assume that the four blanks were for the letters in the word "bank"?

Third. Did you answer "Momma Bull"? Ask yourself, "What is a bull?

Brain teasers are fun and exciting when used to develop a person’s lateral thinking.

Helping collectors to see things as they are and not make assumptions about the collectability of any account is the difference between making a good collector and a mediocre collector.