Job at a Tech support call center?

nadams

I have an opportunity to get a full time job at a local call center. It's about 30 minutes away... It's a call center for www.networksolutions.com . This isn't telemarketing, it's all incoming support calls. While working the phones is not what I want to have my career in, it certainly would pay the bills, and quite nicely. Starting rate for a Tech Support Specialist is $12/hr with the possibility of a $2/hr bonus if certain sales levels are met (no penalties if they aren't, and this isn't primarily a sales position, they just want you to pump the product as much as you can).

Full benefits... medical, dental, and vision start on day 1, 401k and tuition reimbursement after 90 days. 18 paid vacation days in your first year, PLUS 10 paid holidays. 5 weeks of paid training to start, then you start fielding calls. You get your own workspace in a cubicle, so different shifts don't all use the same computers and such. They have a big cafeteria where you can eat, 24oz bottles of soda out of the machine for $0.25 (yeah!!!), free breakfast on fridays, other little incentives here and there, like free coffee and hot tea, so on. Many different schedules (11am-8pm, 3pm-11:30pm, etc), and the possibility to trade around if your schedule doesn't fit for some reason.

I went there because they were having an open house tonight, and the place is really nice. Kind of comfortable for a call center. They have two floors of a building, and the actual cube farm is on the 2nd floor.

I just don't know if I can handle working a call center though. My dad's been telling me, though, just try it, and if you don't like it, you can quit. Even if I quit during the training, I've at least made a couple of weeks of good money

What you guys think?

VR3

What do you have to lose? (Nothing) - Do it.

Polkersince85

The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Usually a center like that provides excellent training. It's easier to find a job if you have one. Potential employers are more willing to hire someone who is working (with a good attendance and performance record) than someone who is looking for any job. I smell chick heaven. :cool:

nadams

Polkersince85 wrote:

The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Usually a center like that provides excellent training. It's easier to find a job if you have one. Potential employers are more willing to hire someone who is working (with a good attendance and performance record) than someone who is looking for any job. I smell chick heaven. :cool:

Going to have to agree with you on all accounts. Being two years out of high school and only having part-time jobs under my belt, I need to get something to put on my resume.

Chick heaven... maybe, maybe not. We were there after the main shifts had ended, and most of the night folks are men it seems, most looking like the type to stay up late and get up late. If I could choose, I would pick the 11-8 shift. Sounds like that wouldn't be so bad... get up at 10, get to work

swerve

Go for it...
I interviewed for an insurance call center.... thank god I didn't get the job.

Can't deal with emotions very well.

Good Luck.

dorokusai

Noah - Why ask why? Are you waiting for the job that pays you to jerk off on the toilet?

Being employed, regardless of the actual activity or function, is a building block for the next job.

TroyD

Aside from the disturbing mental image...it's solid advice.

BDT

BobMcG

I say go for it. Empolyment is employment and there's much worse out there.

I'm one to talk though... you don't want to know how many telephones have left my rapidly accelerating hand towards and into pavement....

brettw22

Just remember (make it your mantra).......People are stupid and computers make them stupider.

danger boy

run don't walk.. get yourself over there and answer those phones.

Strong Bad

If I'm not mistaken, it looks to be an IT Helpdesk operation. If thats the case, get your **** over there RIGHT NOW and take the job. A little over 2 years ago I took a part time $12 an hour low level IT job. Today, I'm a Systems Admin for a Defense Contractor making well over double that.

If Info Technology is where you want to go, then this is your foot in the door! Take every bit of training they offer. This is your start! Answering helpdesk calls is a great way to learn. After 2+ years, I still take those calls along with doing server and network issues. It's part of our operation. However, helpdesk can be very nerve racking especially when you get some dumbass on the other end. Have patience, then laugh about it with your coworkers. Trust me, you'll have ALOT to laugh about. It's literally endless as to how stupid some users can be.

This is a nobrainer! Take the job and push forward with your career!

John

Dennis Gardner

Hey Noah,

Just the fact that you aren't trying to disguise your Indian accent and calling yourself Rosey or Daisy (the last 2 SBC front line reps I dealt with) would make me jump up and down as a caller!

I've seen alot of college students putting themselves through school doing the call center thing since they need 24/7 coverage and evenings are some of the heaviest call times. Nicely hourly wage for part time too!

Good luck,

DG

ublguy

One of my good friends does that for a living - actually moved into a manager position rather quickly. The only downfall to the job he told me was the lack of difficulty - after a while you get into the same routine with the same questions.

He has something similar to your perks (they have a free arcade) and he has been there for a 2 or 3 years.

As others have said, try it out, if you don't like it good a new job. And the best advice I can give you: "The best time to find a new job, is when you have one currently." That will give you options!

Good luck!

I-SIG

Dude,

You should do it, big time. Even if you hate computers, the customer service experience will be worth it when you get a more professional job that really puts emphasis on CS, both internally and externally.

Wes

nadams

Yep... sent my resume in to them last night. The problem is, their next training for Tech Support guys starts on Monday, and I don't think I could leave my current part-time job that soon.

One other downside is that, being 30 minutes away, it'll cost me $6.50/day in gas to drive there and back (at 20mpg and $2.49/gal). I think it's something like 26 miles or so.

PolkThug

nadams wrote:

Yep... sent my resume in to them last night. The problem is, their next training for Tech Support guys starts on Monday, and I don't think I could leave my current part-time job that soon.

You can do whatever you want to do. If you don't look out for #1, nobody else will.

RuSsMaN

That's how I got started in IT/IS. Started at $10.50 an hour, and built a $50K plus career out of it in a matter of a couple years.

Needless to say, I don't do that anymore - but it's a great path to start down for the PC savy. Check out education programs along the way (they may even pay for all/part of it), start getting certified, and watch the $ roll in.

Cheers,
Russ

Danny Tse

Worked at GTE Wireless call center for 2 1/2 years....pretty good job. Helped out Barry Bonds and Peter Graves (of Mission: Impossible fame). Somehow, a couple of people thought I sounded Dutch. I don't even know what that sounds like.

Take the job and have fun with it.

nadams

I have an interview this afternoon at 2. Hopefully things will go well... I'm not really nervous, but I don't think I've realised it yet. I just got the call about the interview yesterday, so I haven't really had time to be nervous! (no complaint from me there...)

jdhdiggs

Call centers aren't too bad, I worked one for Packard Bell doing tech support for the worlds crappiest computers. I learned a ton, mostly about how dumb the population really is but also about how to deal with difficult people and how to not let stuff bother you. Also, you get some HILARIOUS stories. The training is cool as well, I got A+ certified within 2 months of going to work there with them paying for the testing and classes. All in all, you could do worse.

danger boy

good luck Noah. You're the man!!!!

Mazeroth

Good luck, bud!

nadams

Well, the interview yesterday went very well... and they called me this morning and told me I had a job . I don't start 'til March 20th, though, so I've got some time to get things in line.

Strong Bad

Congrats! Take full advantage of everything they offer you. Training, benefits, etc....take it!

Did they give you details on the full scope of your position? What software and such will you be supporting? You might want to do some reading ahead of your start date.

Again, congrats!

John

jdhdiggs

Congrats... Now practice: "Thank you for calling network solutions, my name is Noel. How can I help you today?"

cfrizz

Congrats! +1 on what John said.

shack

Thank God! Another young person is gainfully employed and can start paying into the Social Security System so that MY benefits will still be available. Good Job!

Congrats

nadams

jdhdiggs wrote:

Congrats... Now practice: "Thank you for calling network solutions, my name is Noel. How can I help you today?"

Except... my name's not Noel...

But I guess everyone usually hears it as Noel anyway.

jdhdiggs

My bad... Have fun, it's a start...

Pablo

Good luck with the job. Helping people on the phone is a plus for any future job. It will give you an edge up on both dealing with customers and dealing with problems (which I'm sure you will get plenty of on a help desk).

Mazeroth

Way to go!