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Original poster

Laughed At For Working in a Call Centre

83 replies

ShirleyValentine51 · 01/03/2018 19:42

I have been unemployed for 3 months and have tried really hard to find new employment. I had a very successful job working as an Accountant for a Firm of Solicitors and this job was really bad for my health and had to leave in the end.
The people were really horrible, especially the Senior Partner and his Secretary. I was expected to start early and finish later (especially at the end of the month and was never given the time back or paid for it!!).
Anyway, I did some voluntary work just to get up and keep my routine going. I had some savings but realised that this was never going to last forever plus I wanted to have some money so I could do something nice with it, not to use it to pay bills, although I have to say I was very lucky I did have some savings or I would have had to claim benefits. (There is nothing wrong with claiming some benefits, I know, its just that if I didnt have to then I didnt want to).
I was off for an interview on Tuesday for a full-time job. It is only 2 minutes away from where I live and the bus stops right outside. I did very well in the interview and I was offered the job the next day. You can imagine my delight. The interviewer really sold it and it sounds great. She said my job title is Customer Claims Handler. There is a lot of paperwork involved and only SOME telephone involvement. There is great staff benefits and a chance of promotion if I want it. Wages are really good too!! (To be honest they are not paying me much less than I was receiving in my last job)....I though all my Christmases had come at once yesterday!!

My wee face was beaming all day yesterday until I met some people I know and when telling them my GOOD news they burst out laughing saying "Oh I know people who work in there and they hate it!! Its a terrible place to work - do yourself a favour and dont start...find something else"!!!...I felt mortified. As I was walking away, one of them shouted after me, "Dont tell anyone your working there....LOL...what a brass neck"... (These people are not my friends by the way and nor will I stop to speak to them again in the future)

What do you make of this??
(I'm not giving up my new job for anything but has anyone else ever worked in a call centre?? is it that bad??)

XXXXXXX

OP posts:
Flamingo84 · 01/03/2018 20:02

Ignore them. Go along, see how you like the job, the people who work there and make up your mind then.

I worked in a call centre for years and it was great. I only intended to stay 6 months! The atmosphere was really different to the ‘battery hen’ type call centre I was dreading! I made a wonderful group of friends and got another job within the same company but doing admin instead of taking calls.

Call centre work can be draining and really hard work and it’s not for everyone. I think you can burn out in these roles after a few years. But it sounds like they’re offering an attractive package and chance for movement within the company. If it turns out it really is awful, you can continue looking for something else.

Good luck in your new job!

ShiftyMcGifty · 01/03/2018 20:03

Sounds like you didn’t do much research on the place and were “sold” on whatever was told to you at your interview. You almost sound shocked anyone had anything bad to say. Have you googled and researched since you got home? What have you found out? Anything online to support the negative things these people said?

Original poster
ShirleyValentine51 · 01/03/2018 20:05

I spoke to a good friend of mine and she said that she thinks I would be really good in this job. I do like talking, Im a really chatty person and I have a lot of patience. Before my job in the Solicitors I used to work on a Customer Service Desk in Tesco for almost 10 years. If I can deal with complainers on a one to one, face to face level then doing it on the phone should be a breeze. Although the interviewer did say my job is mainly paperwork but there would be an "element" of telephone work so not sure what to expect.

I start in April, so I've got one whole month to just do what I like and know that I have got a job in the bag. This morning was the first morning that I woke up and didnt feel as though I was having a mini panic attack!! Its as though I feel secure again. When you have been out of work for this long (I should say this is the first time I have ever been out of work. I have never known what it is like to be unemployed until now). Crying practically every day and not knowing what I am going to do. Mortgage and bills are not something I need to worry about now thankfully.

I am so grateful for this job and I forgot to mention there were 10 people interviewed for positions for this company and only 4 of us were offered positions so I was even chuffed to bits that I was one of the 4.

I dont think I will look online to check out the reviews. I will just look forward to it and see how it goes. I keep thinking, good wages, lovely big modern building, not far from where I stay, lots of staff benefits. Whats not to like??

It will be a damn sight better than waking up unemployed every morning!!. I know now after the last couple of months how fortunate I am to even have a job right now!!

XXXXXX

OP posts:
NotSoSprightly · 01/03/2018 20:05

Be proud of yourself for having a job, full stop. They are nob heads!

Whatshallidonowpeople · 01/03/2018 20:06

You are an accountant who doesn't understand the requirement for extra hours at month end and doesn't know which "your" to use? Ok then...

Justanotherlurker · 01/03/2018 20:06

It might not be necessarily down to you working at a call centre but at that particular call centre IYSWIM

Other than that, just brush it off and congrats on your new job

ScreamingValenta · 01/03/2018 20:12

4 out of 10 isn't a ratio that suggests they have a huge turnover and are desperate for staff, so that bodes well.

I think you're right to go with an open mind. Online reviews of employers are naturally going to be slightly biased, as they're most likely to be completed by leavers who have an axe to grind - even if not biased, they will always be subjective.

If your acquaintances had seriously wanted to warn you, they wouldn't have been laughing and sneering - they'd have been sympathetic.

If you end up not liking it for whatever reason, all it means is that you'll want to look for something else - but in the meantime you won't have to worry about finances; and it's usually easier to find a job when you are already in one.

There is nothing that should reasonably dampen your pleasure and excitement in this situation - you have everything to look forward to!

TerfsUp · 01/03/2018 20:15

Ignore them and enjoy your new job!

user1495997773 · 01/03/2018 20:17

I worked in a debt recovery call centre for 3 years and it was hard work. The call handling times and positive outcome targets were very stretching and I hated being timed when I went to the toilet or to get a drink, I found it plain intrusive. However, it did motivate me to get my shit together (eventually!), apply for other jobs and finally get a much more interesting, less stressful and better paid job. I think working in a call centre makes you resilient, and some people do enjoy it, so it's worth a try!

LunchBoxPolice · 01/03/2018 20:18

Congratulations op. I'm job hunting and it's horrible. The relief must be fantastic!!

Dcdfcdfc · 01/03/2018 20:19

It might not be necessarily down to you working at a call centre but at that particular call centre IYSWIM

That what I was thinking too. It sounds like the rude people were talking about that particular company rather than you working in a call centre

ArchchancellorsHat · 01/03/2018 20:21

Give it a chance - you might love it, especially if it's minimal phone calls. I worked in a call center when I first moved here, it was the first thing I could get and some people thrived in the job and really were able to develop a career. I wasn't one of them, and was signed off sick for months with stress so I left, but everybody is different. If it suits you, then that's what matters.

thatcoldfeeling · 01/03/2018 20:22

These people are idiots.

I have worked in a call centre, it was SO much fun, great people to work with, a really positive atmosphere. I only left because I moved away.

Some call centre jobs are rubbish, just like some jobs in every sector can be, that doesn't mean they all are.

category12 · 01/03/2018 20:22

Congratulations Flowers - you're going into it with the right attitude and even if this person knows people who hate working there, it doesn't mean that you will. You're not them and your experience will be your own.

LifeofClimb · 01/03/2018 20:24

I did, and it was the pits, but that was the company I worked for. I would also warn anyone against working for my old employers. Your job might be great!

Glumglowworm · 01/03/2018 20:24

Like most jobs, there are good call centres and bad call centres. I work for a good one. Whenever I discuss jobs with people outside work I always add “but it’s customer service not sales, and it’s inbound only not outbound” (which is all true!)

You’re not currently working so you’ve nothing to lose by starting this job (congratulations by the way!), you sound like a positive person, you may end up liking it, or at least not hating it, and especially if it really is a mixture of phones and admin it can be a good stepping stone to something more technical.

Butteredparsn1ps · 01/03/2018 20:28

Well done for getting the job OP, but honestly I would check them out on glass door. It’s not nice being told something you have set your heart on isn’t what it seems, but if there is anything dodgy wouldn’t it be better to find out sooner than later?

I’m slightly dubious about a call centre salary being close to that of an accountant. Would you need to hit targets to achieve this?

coffeemugged · 01/03/2018 20:35

Well done on the new job Smile

I'd say give it a go and forget those idiots. Maybe they and their friends didn't like it because they have shitty attitudes like that!

I've worked in call centres and it's what you make it tbh. If the people are nice and your tam is supportive you'll do fine.

Good luck.

Castleway · 01/03/2018 20:40

There are different elements to call centres and it sounds by your new job description and salary that you might not necessarily be working in the typical customer services side of it, taking dozens of calls a day.
For example, I work in a call centre but I'm a complaints handler. Whilst my job does entail calling customers, it also involves investigation of the complaint and writing letters etc. It's also better paid than the people in the "actual" call centre.
Ignore the horrible comments and best of luck in your new role!

SnipSnipMrBurgess · 01/03/2018 20:42

I've worked for call centres for all my working life. A lot are shit, metrics and KPI adherence can be very strict in places but if you are a good worker, you get on well. If you are a dosser, you Will be pulled on it.

Like a previous OP, I'm over paid for my job, I'm in the high 50k Mark, I work from home, as does a lot of call centres these days , I set my own hours and work are paying for me to do a night course in HR up to masters level. Not a lot to look down on there.

Selfsestructactive · 01/03/2018 20:43

I have worked long term in a call centre. I love it, refused to go part time when our home situation allowed it because I love it.
Once you can deal with the bad calls, angry/abusive customers, you will do great... And after a short while you get used to them. I thought my job there was short term, a stop-gap for me... But I loved it and turned down other opportunities to stay... Could have earned more but would I have liked the work... For me liking the job is worth that

AJPTaylor · 01/03/2018 20:51

Claims handling can be an excellent career. I cut my teeth in it and my DD has just started her career in a customer claims role. She is on great starting money, working for a large firm with all those benefits plus a structured career.
Like any job, it doesnt suit everyone but there is no reason to think you wont. There tend to be a fair few who have worked in legal offices and thrive.
Well done you for getting the job.

ineedamoreadultieradult · 01/03/2018 20:52

I work in a call centre. Some people hate it and leave and slag it off to anyone who will listen. I find it a very good job I won't say I enjoy the work, talking about has and electric all day is not anyone's idea of fun. But the people are lovely, management are flexible and helpful (I was off work for 4 weeks with depression and they were so helpful and arranged free private counselling sessions), 5 weeks holiday a year with bank holidays on top. We have lots of fun at work and the hours are child friendly and the pay is good. Do you let people being you down only you will know if it's a job you want long term but for now it's a job and that is fantastic.

Lovestonap · 01/03/2018 20:55

You have a great attitude and they will be lucky to have you

cherrypopsicle · 01/03/2018 20:56

How rude! I'm now a manager in a call centre but worked on the phones for 12 years before this (through 2 mat leaves) and the money is good but the people are FAB! I actually enjoy my job,.love chatting to colleagues and I would much rather be working than not working.
Go into it with an open mind and hold your head high for supporting yourself!