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Original poster

Job snobs

59 replies

fairynick · 08/03/2020 19:26

I’m really starting to get sick of people saying things to me such as “aw how’s the call centre”, “is it just a temporary thing?” “you’ll have a career one day”.
I work in a sales role for an energy supplier. I earn 20k basic a year but also receive weekly commission so overall my salary is more like 23-25k depending on how hard I graft.
I work fairly long hours, constantly subject to target, help some really vulnerable people and love chatting to people.
There’s definitely some sort of shame placed on people working in call centres as if it isn’t a “proper job” but I don’t understand why.
I don’t think the money is bad, I know primary school teachers and nhs workers who are on similar salaries as me yet they are seen as having a real career.
So then I thought it bows down to maybe if your role holds responsibility and is seen as helping society. I think it’s great that people can help the world and teach our children, but I also think it’s fine if you just want to work to earn money.
Does anybody else receive comments like this, or are you someone who thinks of call centre staff as not having proper jobs?

OP posts:
365calendar · 08/03/2020 20:38

Some people can’t help themselves, OP, I think it’s all about them consoling themselves actually.

When I was working 80+ hours a week in childcare I’d often get asked by a family member when I was going to get a proper job. I had 20 years experience and multiple qualifications Confused

If you’re happy, do your best to push their attitude away xx

Oldraver · 09/03/2020 08:29

I've never had a 'proper' job

I've managed ok and not eating out the gutter ( a phrase in our house)

ShirleyPhallus · 09/03/2020 08:34

Unfortunately OP sales person for an energy supplier is exactly the sort of spam call I have no time or desire to take so it may be more to do with that than you working in a call centre

See also: post-sale calls furniture or appliances listed as “post sale support” but actually trying to sell you warranties; unnecessary insurance etc. I’m not saying that your role is the same but it really bothers me when people make their money from selling this stuff to the vulnerable and elderly under the guise of it being necessary when it just additional cost

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RedRed9 · 09/03/2020 08:37

Do you call the people or do the people call you?

If it’s the first I can see why friends/family would prefer for you to have a better job.

TravellingSpoon · 09/03/2020 08:42

It depends if you call people or they call you TBH.

Grumpasaurus · 09/03/2020 08:43

Hi op,

I agree, I think it's just that people have been experiences with people who do your role, rather than with the perception of a "basic" job per say.

I really hate cold callers; I feel it is an invasion of my privacy and that they lack integrity as so many vulnerable people are targeted!

I also find (not always op) that people who receive calls at call centres are unhelpful, badly trained,, rude, and can't think outside the box.

Does that make sense?

adaline · 09/03/2020 08:44

I think it's probably to do with the fact that you work in a sales-based call centre.

People have a very dim view of cold callers.

DDIJ · 09/03/2020 08:47

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

jay55 · 09/03/2020 08:49

Teachers and nurses have fairly clear roads upwards, career progression is there for those that want to work for it. They can do further training/study to increase their worth and promotion prospects.

Sales in a call centre is a proper job, but not seen as a career, as progression is going to be limited.

isabellerossignol · 09/03/2020 08:50

If its a cold calling role then I can understand why people look down on it, those jobs, by their nature, prey on the vulnerable. It amazes me that they are even legal.

AJPTaylor · 09/03/2020 08:53

Well done on having a job! .
People are arses.

ThunderPython · 09/03/2020 08:55

I'm a cleaner. Through choice. I love my job

I've held down management roles and earned good money. I also had a few breakdowns and various mental health issues to contend with, leading to full-time work being out of the question, I can't handle any pressure anymore unfortunately.

So, after a stint as an office Admin assistant and hating the office politics I decided to do something I enjoy, cleaning.

I imagine people look down their nose at me for doing such a menial job, but I give not one shiny shit. I enjoy it, I have lovely clients and it's helping to fund my wedding! I'm in the fortunate position of my Oh being well paid too.

Don't focus on what other people may think, focus on your life and what you enjoy. That's all that matters.

PerfidiousAlbion · 09/03/2020 09:01

It’s down to the fact that its not a profession (as teaching is), with no career path. There’s also the rhetoric around call centres being the new factories due to being one of the jobs that can be done with no skills or experience.

Sorry you’re being subjected to cruel remarks by unthinking or mean people. If you enjoy it that’s all that matters.

AutumnLeavesSeptember · 09/03/2020 09:13

It's great that people are judgy. It shows me who to avoid even bothering to be friends with.

isabellerossignol · 09/03/2020 09:14

It’s down to the fact that its not a profession (as teaching is), with no career path.

That doesn't explain why so many people look down their noses at teachers. Or nurses.

It doesn't matter what job you do, someone will look down their nose at it. Even in professional jobs, where there is more than one professional body they will each look down their noses at the others and make little comments about how the others aren't quite as skilled as they are...

GrannyBags · 09/03/2020 09:21

People are very judgmental. I used to be a teacher. Now I have two part time, minimum wage jobs - but I have time and energy to have a life and am not permanently stressed.

OchAyeThaNoo · 09/03/2020 09:24

I grew up working in kitchens and waiting on. I love it. The food service industry is definitely a job I enjoy and I did have a lot of people assuming I was working until something better came along or working part time to add to the family income.

My husband sometimes sees people make a cats bum face when he says he's a factory process worker. That's it. He runs a machine doing shift work in a factory yet some (admittedly very few thankfully) think it crap work. To those people he does make sure to mention that he works just 7 shifts a fortnight and works around 150 shifts a year, all for £42,000. That's a pretty high wage for this area so it shuts the rude people up.

I always think a job is a job. Whether it's a high flying lawyer or an office cleaner. Good for anyone getting off their bottoms for an honest days work.

Though if you're a cold caller OP I have to say that's one of the few jobs I do think is awful. It's harassment for people who haven't asked for the service.

Teakind · 09/03/2020 09:25

I don't think the salaries are similar for all nurses and teachers. I know a primary school teacher on nearly double that.

However, the salary isn't important if you are happy and can live on it. Some people earn a fortune and are miserable.

I agree with previous posters that people are wary of call centres because of cold calling and nuisance calls. Without knowing what exactly you do it's hard to know if people are just being snobby or have a moral objection to it.

ShirleyPhallus · 09/03/2020 09:26

To those people he does make sure to mention that he works just 7 shifts a fortnight and works around 150 shifts a year, all for £42,000.

Erm, disclosing your salary isn’t really that classy at all, I’m not sure that makes him look particularly better at all tbh!

Itsacakebaby · 09/03/2020 09:27

As long as you are happy then sod what anyone else thinks.

Ignore them. They are arses.

Andypandy81 · 09/03/2020 09:30

Don’t listen to people who says this crap . At the end of the day , you work hard and earn decent money of which you will pay tax and national insurance on . So therefore are also contributing to the country . As long as your happy with your life then sod the rest .

adaline · 09/03/2020 09:32

There’s also the rhetoric around call centres being the new factories due to being one of the jobs that can be done with no skills or experience

I don't think it's anything to do with that.

A lot of people have had very poor experiences with cold callers and call-centre staff.

OchAyeThaNoo · 09/03/2020 09:46

@ShirleyPhallus my husband doesn't disclose his salary to be an classless arse but to shut snobbish arses up looking down on him for being a factory worker.
He's perfectly happy in his stress free job earning a very good wage (for the area) and to have someone be rude about his work when he actually earns more than them is just asking for them to be told they know fuck all.

TiggerRoll · 09/03/2020 09:53

I work in retail and get similar. I actually find it really hurtful at times because the idiots making the comments have no idea how much time, effort and money I've put into trying to change jobs. One of my old teachers shops where I work and tells me to go and work at a specific accountancy practice. Obviously, accountants are tripping over themselves to employ retail workers and I can walk into any one and they'll create a role just for me.

HonestlyItsFine · 09/03/2020 09:56

Yes, it's snobbery. I was a HCA in a hospital for 7 years. People would always ask "When are you going to train to be a nurse?". I didn't want to, liked where I was, but for some people, it was never enough to be "lower" and happy.
I had to leave due to health conditions in the end anyway, otherwise, I'd probably still be there.