To ask for your help with my dilemma

[Toughtips]

So the question: do I leave my maternity cover post which could lead to a permanent position for another job I've been offered?

Backstory : currently work two days a week, Fri and Sat as a Bridal consultant covering for a maternity leave. Nothing set in stone but if it gets busier I could be taken on after that but it's never going to be more than 3 days really.

Alternative option, Mon to Fri 10am til 2:20 in an office in a call center. Get my weekend back and is ideal for when kids are in school.

I just don't know I'm a bit torn. I've got an induction Monday so I'll see how I get on with that but still confused about what to do for best.

We don't rely on my income but I have become accustomed to having my income too.

After working for option one, do not go for option two. Call centre is sole destroying, I’ve done inbound and cold calling and I like PP cried buckets both on the way to work and on the way home, I didn’t have much option but to stay and my health and mental health suffered, to this day (10 years on) I hate being on the phone making calls to people even if it’s personal to make an appointment to the bank / doctors etc it raises my anxiety and I just expect awful people at the other end.... if you’ve never done cold calling or call centre work I do think the transition from happy brides to hang ups or verbal abuse will really be a change for you... like others have said go for induction do a few shifts but if I was you I’d run screaming from there before it even began (don’t forget a lot of call centres have two weeks training which they make really fun and inviting - all changes after that when you “get your team”)

Ah thanks girls. I'm also a virtual assistant but my client no longer has any available work for me which is a shame as clients are so hard to come by. I think I'll probably just leave it then as I doubt trying to generate leads to sell alarms is going to be pleasant. I'll just keep on the look out for anything else. So hard when you've got children to consider too.

I worked in a bank call centre- it didn’t feel “call centre-y” and we were heavily unionised, so probably the best kind of environment for that work. I still wouldn’t go back, despite having been promoted to management.

I can guarantee you that although they say it isn’t a sales role, day to day you will be under pressure in a way to produce leads that it will seem like a sales job. EVERYTHING is monitored- from loo breaks to how long you speak after the call wrapping up, how you speak to the customers and where you’ve missed leads. If you get a twat of a manager, multiply any potential stress by 10.

There’s a reason these roles are ten a penny...

Thanks girls. Probably a reason why he said "you're the best person I've interviewed today" haha. I'd just like an office job where I am available to drop off and collect my kids from school. Or something more in the week time. I guess the search continues and I'll steer clear of the call center void