how come call centers are so hot these days?

winkee · Apr 26, 2002, 04:47 PM

well as a new grad, it's really frustrating to have all job offers in customer service..i mean, the only nice thing about customer service and call centers is the fat salary...

i don't know,,it's just that i don't have a very high regard for such work...and besides, i don't like the idea of having irregular schedules!

soulthird · Apr 29, 2002, 11:40 AM

to each his own...

supersix2 · Apr 29, 2002, 05:52 PM

stop being idealistic

ur too young for that

suerte ka kung matanggap ka pa sa call center...

Gabriela · Apr 30, 2002, 11:06 AM

Call centers started booming here during early to mid 90's. A lot of companies followed suit because of the profit you get. Lalo na pag US calls ang specialty. You just need the technology and good English-speaking people.
Call centers can be good training ground pero hindi matagalan. Screening is tough in some companies (e.g E-Telecare) pero mataas din ang turnover rate. The job doesn't appear fulfilling kasi in the long run. Our agents complain of monotony.
Kanya-kanyang gusto naman yun eh. Pero I definitely disagree that it's a lowly job dahil mahirap maging call center agent.

Adroth · May 1, 2002, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by winkee
well as a new grad, it's really frustrating to have all job offers in customer service..i mean, the only nice thing about customer service and call centers is the fat salary...

i don't know,,it's just that i don't have a very high regard for such work...and besides, i don't like the idea of having irregular schedules!

Picky

What do you have against call centers? Some of the smartest people I know work in technical support. Do you have any idea how hard that job is?

* tinny gUrL * · May 1, 2002, 05:21 PM

i don't mind working in a call center... who knows... it might even serve as my stepping stone towards a better job...

--------------
bb'sEarth

kathy_luscious · May 3, 2002, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by winkee
well as a new grad, it's really frustrating to have all job offers in customer service..i mean, the only nice thing about customer service and call centers is the fat salary...

i don't know,,it's just that i don't have a very high regard for such work...and besides, i don't like the idea of having irregular schedules!

Um, hija -- if you keep this attitude, I'm sure you'll be jobless for a long, long time. Just think about the other people who are all dying to be offered a job --and would be willing to do anything, and be paid for it.

I understand how new grads sometimes is VERY idealistic about getting the right job, the one that's 'in line' with the course that they studied for 4-5 years -- but if you keep that up-- naku, I'm sure you'll be an expert being a bum.

Hope these new grads better think twice about being "pihikan" on the jobs being offered to them.

spadia · May 7, 2002, 01:24 AM

yup its not easy to get the job...not as easy as you think

yun job ko nga..needs around 4 tests..although mine is more like phone interpreter.....

IQ(includes leadership,customer handling,phone skills), computer skill, language assessment and later on..phone,customer skills again..

why its high paying? because its a demand nowadays due to globalization..clients are internationally based...

its also a stepping stone for you.....you may have opportunity to travel.....know more people...this kind of job helps improves your people relation skills etc.

TheGENTLEMAN · May 7, 2002, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by spadia
yup its not easy to get the job...not as easy as you think

yun job ko nga..needs around 4 tests..although mine is more like phone interpreter.....

IQ(includes leadership,customer handling,phone skills), computer skill, language assessment and later on..phone,customer skills again..

why its high paying? because its a demand nowadays due to globalization..clients are internationally based...

its also a stepping stone for you.....you may have opportunity to travel.....know more people...this kind of job helps improves your people relation skills etc.

wer do u work can u help me get a call center career? tnx.

inihaw · May 8, 2002, 03:46 PM

Call centers are in boom in the country because companies nowadays started outsourcing their customer support division. Since this will be less expensive and less hassle to do. They do not have to go through the processes of hiring since the call centers will be responsible for this. Outsourcing is a trend in other countries speacially europe and US base companies. For FYI, Outsourcing is the process of getting another entity to do a certain task for a company.

Usually call centers are in Asia because it is cheaper to maintain it here. The Philippines and Singapore I think are the main competitors. We are at edge because we speak better english and Filipinos are very hospitable.

I think it is not a lowly job because you cannot be a call center representative if you are not a college student with at least 3 semester of study. It is a honorable job that you can be proud of. Yes other pexers are right, it is not for a long time though. Since the job is very demanding physically and mentally and it has fast turnovers. However, it will be a good training ground and there is always a possible for promotion.

Hope this will help

inihaw · May 8, 2002, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheGENTLEMAN

wer do u work can u help me get a call center career? tnx.

Actually pldt is now hiring call center representatives, im not sure though if it is still open, better try contacting them.

TheGENTLEMAN · May 8, 2002, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by inihaw

Actually pldt is now hiring call center representatives, im not sure though if it is still open, better try contacting them.

wer? can u give d contact info tnx.

Mr_Buchi · May 10, 2002, 08:13 AM

ano ba yung eksaktong ginagawa sa call centers???

spadia · May 10, 2002, 01:38 PM

in call centers you receive phone calls from customers
and you try to explain or help the person...

there is also another kind where you do multinlingual interpretation...its harder

another one is you make calls to other people and try to offer them your service or product....more like a telemarketer

try
e telecare
sykes asia
people support

bro_eli · May 10, 2002, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kathy_luscious
Um, hija -- if you keep this attitude, I'm sure you'll be jobless for a long, long time. Just think about the other people who are all dying to be offered a job --and would be willing to do anything, and be paid for it.

I understand how new grads sometimes is VERY idealistic about getting the right job, the one that's 'in line' with the course that they studied for 4-5 years -- but if you keep that up-- naku, I'm sure you'll be an expert being a bum.

Hope these new grads better think twice about being "pihikan" on the jobs being offered to them.

But can you be a call center agent forever? Are call centers here to stay or are they just like the dot-com industry in the late 90's -- an industry ravaged by hype? After working, say, 3 to 5 years as a call center agent, and you finally realize that a fat paycheck is not all there is to a career, what's in store for you?

I'm also asking this to some of my friends who work in call centers, but all they can give is an indefinite reply. So ok, they converse very well in English, but what's next after that? A teacher of Phonics in some low-grade private elementary school?

I have nothing against call centers. Heck, I still get envious whenever I see their payslips

, but the prospect of having a dead end in your career after being an agent may far outweigh being a bum while waiting for your "ideal" job.

tammers · May 12, 2002, 01:51 AM

you don't have to be a college graduate to enter these call centers... most of the employees in etelecare are from benilde... you just have to be fluent in english... thats it!

spadia · May 12, 2002, 06:36 AM

not all are like that..
some call centers require you to be multilingual

most of employees of e telecare are from benilde?
do you mean benilde is a lousy college? thats a terrible statement

well there are also ateneans. lasallians and Upians.etc. even foreigners
working there...
in the co. i worked for there around 60+ applicants and only 18 got in to think of it there are ateneans and lasallians

if youre not a college graduate you may not be that competent in handling customers...being fluent is just one of the requirements
just check www.copc.com and see what is requirement to be a world class call center agent

call centers are not a hype..with the ongoing globalization its a need now..most companies in the US are trying to cut cost thats why they relocate to countries like China, Phils, india, etc.

yep obviously you cant stay there forever...but then ,...being a call center agent doesnt mean no future...you can be promoted to supervisor..acct. manager...regional manager etc.you have opportunity to undergo training outside the country..with all the money you earn there..you can start your own biz..from your experience in handling customers you wont have problems with your marketing and public relations...and you also get to know lots of contacts

do you know that your complaints on a certain product are being handled by call centers? Microsoft, dell, aol, intel, adobe are just a few examples

sex hotlines are also examples of call centers..

in short call centers is a great stepping stone for your career

come on why cant some of you accept the fact be realistic..and start submitting your resumes...
btw...im just fresh grad and i ll be earning 30k a month =)

marcel · May 16, 2002, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheGENTLEMAN

wer? can u give d contact info tnx.

hi inihaw!

yes pldt is still hiring. I'm actually one of the newly hired
CSR(customer service rep). Ok i will give you the contact number of the agency. Pygmalion, the name of the agency was hired by pldt to do the recruiting for them. You can call at 8445835. Please look for Edward Ponti. Tell him I (Michelle Arcilla) gave you his contact number. Main requirement is for you to be a college graduate. You'll also have to take a grammar test and a personality test. After that you'll now undergo the final interview.

Anyway, i agree that it is difficult to get hired in call centers because even magna cum laude's were rejected. Even ateneans were rejected. The main reason is that they had a different focus. They showed the interviewer that they had qualms in becoming a CSR. So one tip is that you should show them that you really want the job.
I also agree that it is diffcult to become a CSR. For one, you would sometimes deal with dissatisfied customers and thus your patience would get pushed to the limit. Second, we all know the shifts are in the wee hours of the morning. Sleep in the morning does not compensate sleep in the evening.
Lastly, becoming a CSR is a stepping stone. There is career growth since you can get promoted.
There is so much to tell but i think my post is quite long. Anyway, one last thing...if you love challenge then this job is for you.

twixz · May 17, 2002, 05:12 AM

marcel: what's the shifting schedule at pldt - parlance? how long does it usually take to get a promotion?

sarin · May 17, 2002, 09:06 PM

i actually work for one. what people already said before is mostly true: shifting schedules, high employee-turnover rates and is a little unfulfilling in the sense that you may not end up practicing what you actually studied for in college, which can be a good thing for some people

the job requires that you be fluent, if possible very fluent, in english. and if you're doing technical support, you also have to be very familiar with computers and operating systems, particularly the differences between the multiple versions of Windows. finally, you have to be extremely patient, because some of the calls I receive have irritated, cursing clients at the other end of the line.

in general, the job does offer high salaries, so it's okay. the turnover rate is often caused by dissatisfaction with the job (can you imagine giving tech support, usually to computer-illiterate clients, for 5 years?). but it is a good stepping stone to other jobs out there.


Apr 26, 2002, 04:47 PM	#1
winkee *********** Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rizal	how come call centers are so hot these days? well as a new grad, it's really frustrating to have all job offers in customer service..i mean, the only nice thing about customer service and call centers is the fat salary... i don't know,,it's just that i don't have a very high regard for such work...and besides, i don't like the idea of having irregular schedules!


Apr 29, 2002, 05:52 PM	#3
supersix2 Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Cavite	re stop being idealistic ur too young for that suerte ka kung matanggap ka pa sa call center...


May 12, 2002, 01:51 AM	#16
tammers Banned by Admin Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Pampanga	under grad you don't have to be a college graduate to enter these call centers... most of the employees in etelecare are from benilde... you just have to be fluent in english... thats it!


Apr 29, 2002, 11:40 AM	#2
soulthird It Ain't Worth It Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Where It Matters	to each his own...


Apr 30, 2002, 11:06 AM	#4
Gabriela i luv my baby Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Las Piñas City	Call centers started booming here during early to mid 90's. A lot of companies followed suit because of the profit you get. Lalo na pag US calls ang specialty. You just need the technology and good English-speaking people. Call centers can be good training ground pero hindi matagalan. Screening is tough in some companies (e.g E-Telecare) pero mataas din ang turnover rate. The job doesn't appear fulfilling kasi in the long run. Our agents complain of monotony. Kanya-kanyang gusto naman yun eh. Pero I definitely disagree that it's a lowly job dahil mahirap maging call center agent.


May 1, 2002, 05:21 PM	#6
* tinny gUrL * 25 and counting... Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: i'll find my place	i don't mind working in a call center... who knows... it might even serve as my stepping stone towards a better job... -------------- bb'sEarth


May 7, 2002, 01:24 AM	#8
spadia Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: MLA	yup its not easy to get the job...not as easy as you think yun job ko nga..needs around 4 tests..although mine is more like phone interpreter..... IQ(includes leadership,customer handling,phone skills), computer skill, language assessment and later on..phone,customer skills again.. why its high paying? because its a demand nowadays due to globalization..clients are internationally based... its also a stepping stone for you.....you may have opportunity to travel.....know more people...this kind of job helps improves your people relation skills etc.


May 8, 2002, 03:46 PM	#10
inihaw deep in the grey sea Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Metro_Manila	Call centers are in boom in the country because companies nowadays started outsourcing their customer support division. Since this will be less expensive and less hassle to do. They do not have to go through the processes of hiring since the call centers will be responsible for this. Outsourcing is a trend in other countries speacially europe and US base companies. For FYI, Outsourcing is the process of getting another entity to do a certain task for a company. Usually call centers are in Asia because it is cheaper to maintain it here. The Philippines and Singapore I think are the main competitors. We are at edge because we speak better english and Filipinos are very hospitable. I think it is not a lowly job because you cannot be a call center representative if you are not a college student with at least 3 semester of study. It is a honorable job that you can be proud of. Yes other pexers are right, it is not for a long time though. Since the job is very demanding physically and mentally and it has fast turnovers. However, it will be a good training ground and there is always a possible for promotion. Hope this will help


May 10, 2002, 08:13 AM	#13
Mr_Buchi Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Quezon	ano ba yung eksaktong ginagawa sa call centers???


May 10, 2002, 01:38 PM	#14
spadia Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: MLA	in call centers you receive phone calls from customers and you try to explain or help the person... there is also another kind where you do multinlingual interpretation...its harder another one is you make calls to other people and try to offer them your service or product....more like a telemarketer try e telecare sykes asia people support


May 12, 2002, 06:36 AM	#17
spadia Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: MLA	not all are like that.. some call centers require you to be multilingual most of employees of e telecare are from benilde? do you mean benilde is a lousy college? thats a terrible statement well there are also ateneans. lasallians and Upians.etc. even foreigners working there... in the co. i worked for there around 60+ applicants and only 18 got in to think of it there are ateneans and lasallians if youre not a college graduate you may not be that competent in handling customers...being fluent is just one of the requirements just check www.copc.com and see what is requirement to be a world class call center agent call centers are not a hype..with the ongoing globalization its a need now..most companies in the US are trying to cut cost thats why they relocate to countries like China, Phils, india, etc. yep obviously you cant stay there forever...but then ,...being a call center agent doesnt mean no future...you can be promoted to supervisor..acct. manager...regional manager etc.you have opportunity to undergo training outside the country..with all the money you earn there..you can start your own biz..from your experience in handling customers you wont have problems with your marketing and public relations...and you also get to know lots of contacts do you know that your complaints on a certain product are being handled by call centers? Microsoft, dell, aol, intel, adobe are just a few examples sex hotlines are also examples of call centers.. in short call centers is a great stepping stone for your career come on why cant some of you accept the fact be realistic..and start submitting your resumes... btw...im just fresh grad and i ll be earning 30k a month =)


May 17, 2002, 05:12 AM	#19
twixz cute, happy, cArAmEL cOoKie Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Glorietta	marcel: what's the shifting schedule at pldt - parlance? how long does it usually take to get a promotion?


May 17, 2002, 09:06 PM	#20
sarin motivational sleeper Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: under your skin	i actually work for one. what people already said before is mostly true: shifting schedules, high employee-turnover rates and is a little unfulfilling in the sense that you may not end up practicing what you actually studied for in college, which can be a good thing for some people the job requires that you be fluent, if possible very fluent, in english. and if you're doing technical support, you also have to be very familiar with computers and operating systems, particularly the differences between the multiple versions of Windows. finally, you have to be extremely patient, because some of the calls I receive have irritated, cursing clients at the other end of the line. in general, the job does offer high salaries, so it's okay. the turnover rate is often caused by dissatisfaction with the job (can you imagine giving tech support, usually to computer-illiterate clients, for 5 years?). but it is a good stepping stone to other jobs out there.