Life in a Call Centre

Oh no... not one of you guys. I get calls from these till almost 9pm at night here. I hate those calls. I know people need to work. So I only know those people are doing their jobs. Please dont call me. Im in bed at 8pm here.

Nope I am over age for the job. Though many of my friend did and they are having a good time as telemarketers. They are enjoying the night life after work, because they are just across where the gigs are held.

No, I am not working in one but I have heard several horror stories involving crazy work hours and the pressure the companies put on the agents who seem to be on tiptoes all the time because their calls are monitored etc.

Well, I used to always ask this question when I was unemployed. I was thinking of taking a job as an agent and see if the people were telling the truth regarding the job. Yes, you can say that there is really a lot of pressure there. But hey it's worth the salary right?

hi ! I thank you for sharing this discussion. I have worked in a call center for 1 year, when I took a break from studies. I feel it is one of the worst job on this planet. People just want to pass on their stress and negativity. they curse you even when you are not at fault. and we are not even allowed to request them not to be rude. In normal life if some 1 used foul language or swear words against you, your mood would be bad at least for next 2 hours. but in call center every other customer is abusive and rude. we are like face of company, so that people can spit and slap on it. I got to know how thoughtless and inhuman every body can be.

Hey stan! As a sort of advise, if you fell like your job is treating you negatively please get out from that job. Look for another, Now if you don't have a choice because there's no better job out there then that is your choice! You chose between money and your passion that all about it. Thanks

I am currently working in a Call Centre company as an IT Technical Support agent. I handle calls, emails and chat as well. My account is one of the largest electronics company so I am very happy to be part of this team. I am on day job as this is an Australian account. Honestly, I really don't like working in a Call Centre when I was in night shift. But everything changes when I handle a non voice campaign in a day shift schedule.

I've never worked in a call center agent and I hope I will not be working there. Then again, it's better than being jobless or unemployed. It's somewhat disappointing or discouraging when people you talk to are annoying. I'm not the type to stay over a job to something that will only make me feel miserable. I still don't know what to do with my life and I honestly don't know what will happen to me. I guess I'm one of those who are still lost not knowing what to do with their life. Sigh.

Job in call center is fun only for few months, we feel restless and bore after few months of working. Some of my friends work in call centers as they want money and there is no option available. If they get any good opportunity they are always ready to leave.

I haven't worked in a call centre, but I have worked as a salesperson at a counter (we sold oriental scarves and home decor items)... I can imagine what you have to suffer through... I have met so many delusional and idiotic people. Once a non-native speaker, who spoke my language... I didn't know he was a non-native... so he scolded me for talking too fast, I mean, like a father or a school teacher, just in a ruder manner. Also, once a lady bought some cushion covers before Christmas, and then brought them back and asked for refund, when there was nothing wrong with them... in my country, you could only get money refund if the item was faulty. It quite makes sense, because people then would buy stuff in shops just to wear to a party or home decor items to spice up their rooms in a different way from time to time, and then get the money back. She was just careless when she bought the cushions, and told me I was a liar, because she heard in the radio that she could get a refund, when I told her it's not like that, and the most I could do for her is to let her exhange it from something else. I had to call my boss, because I was freaking out... it was like 2 months after my first day, and I still had to accustom to some things. And to think about that someone who worked as a customer service person, most of the time is called when people are not content, most of the time because they are too stupid to use a single item, but they think they're all that. Btw, I don't really like telesales people calling me, as I usually don't give my phone number out, but some companies get it anyway... but I would never hurt a telesales people, because I know they are doing this for the money, and most of the times, especially in my country, because they can't have another job... so lots of people do this who hate the job and who are really not the best people for the job, but it's the job everyone can get into. Mostly because of the things you said... that you have to make x numbers of contracts or something, and yet the supervisors are trying to find a mistake in everything you do, just for you not to get the bonus, which isn't even that huge anyway. Once I applied for a job, which didn't even state that they are looking for telesales people, they told they were looking for marketing assistants... because otherwise, the most appropriate people wouldn't even apply, because of the bad reputation of the whole business itself... I didn't even try out. I know it's not for me.

Hi friend, sad to hear about your experience with your job.My brother is also working as Customer support executive and his duty is based on the call center work, but he don't have any regrets about his work and doing it happily, after reading your topic, i come to know call center jobs are also have some drawbacks. Take care

If you just need to pick up the phone call then may be it is not very hard,though sometimes you will encounter some crazy customer.But if you work at a sales call centre than those jobs just like a nightmare,you will always in a stressful work environment,also is bad for your health.So I think if you can find other jobs may be you can transfer to other job.

Hi stan, I've worked in a call center industry for almost 2 years and it really stressful. I've started working in a call center right after graduation. I thought this was really a good job at first. But overtime it became so stressful and draining. I too started hating this job. I tried to run away from this job and applied to a different company but ended up still taking calls. good thing though we are now protected from cursing.

Thanks for sharing your experience.I have never worked in a Call Centre so far but have heard from friends that its too monotonous. Staying awake for night shifts for a long time at times can tell upon ones health. There are targets to meet in every job you do but you should not feel frustrated to such an extent. You can think of switching to a new job if required.

I work in a call center on and off since 2007. My experience is its kinda stressful because you have target to meet. But they also have no basic salary for part time. I find that is annoying if the leader keep pressing you to meet target. Impossible to me. However one thing is fun for sure, everybody gets stressful, not just me. Ha...ha...ha

Been working with telecommunication account and I agree that it's really stressful when customers called in -obviously for technical problems. Customers blame you for many things, but some are too considerate to apologize in the end. It was a challenging experience but now I'm resigned -lols.

I got a friend and gave me an advise that i should not work there because life is not normal, you see you use to work when all is sleeping and you use to sleep when all is awake and working. What a very opposite world. Another reason is yes you are given high salaries plus a lot of incentives but the pressure is turning you crazy , so much pressure from your supervisor and from clients to the extend that you are almost pushing yourself to the limit. This is bad already , you work so you can have a better life but it turns now bitter life.

I've worked at a call center a few different times in my life. It is an easy job and fun at first. But I think after a while it becomes tideous if you decided to stay at this job. Figure what to do to avoid getting your bonuses cut. Also look at ways to make it interesting again. If none of this works maybe it's time to move on an find a new type of job.