anti-prose. random matter.
or it won't...
Published on January 13, 2006 By crimson In Blogging
Some things have happened really quickly...

I've been working pretty hard, lately. It sounds silly to admit it, but I've been busting my ass at work to try to make some form of improvement so that I can move up in the company. For anyone who works in a customer care environment, then the realities of the situation are known. It's not a fun job, overall. The plain truth is, when someone contacts customer care, it's rarely to give thanks for a job well done, but to do the opposite. And while I'm used to people freaking out on me, cussing me, and damning me to hell and back on a daily basis, I rarely look forward to speaking to the next person in queue.

Well, I've finally done enough to be able to start applying for other jobs. It's taken me awhile to do it (since summer), but the main reason was the lack of motivation. I've seen many good people come and go, and have often figured that perhaps the best thing to do is just take the calls, rather than get involved in the politics and crap that go with more responsibility. Later, I decided that I heard enough of it anyway, and I might as well try to do something new.

I had an interview this afternoon for a different position. It involves reviewing job performance of other employees on a daily basis, reporting, compiling stats, and teaching. I'm more than a bit nervous, and don't really want to get my hopes up. It's not a lot more money, but it does mean new responsibilities and new challenges. It requires more face-to-face contact than I've been accustomed to, and it's certainly going to mean some time organization.

The funny thing about the interview is this: I applied for the position yesterday. I was on a call at work today, and my supervisor came over. She waited and waited, and after I finally put the customer on hold to see what she wanted, she told me to go into code immediately after my conversation was done, and to go downstairs to HR for my interview. Holy shit!!! I wasn't prepared. It was even bloody casual Friday, and I was wearing a pair of cords, sneakers and a pullover. The plus though, was since I had NO time to prepare, I also had no time to worry.

The crappy thing is, that I applied for a specific position, but got accepted into a job recruitment pool that a friend of mine has her hopes on. The posting that I applied for was a temporary position with possibility to continue on and hiring isn't supposed to be for that position for another couple of weeks, but instead, HR saw that I got interviewed for the full time salaried position that my friend had applied for.

I think that must be good news. Or at least, a bit of a bonus. Mind you, my friend is ranked one level higher than I am. She might definitely get the job over me. But who knows.

I'm crossing my fingers, though.


Comments
on Jan 14, 2006
Wow.

I'll tell you this...I am ALWAYS nice to the customer service people I have to call. It's not their fault that I'm having problems, and unless they're completely rude to me, I have no reason to take anything out on them (not that I do anyways).

I really respect people who work in customer service. I was a manager/photographer for a photo studio back in Texas, and my job was STRESSFUL, and I took a lot of crap over things that I no control over (with a smile, no less), so I understand what kind of negativity they deal with, and I sympathize.

It's always good to have a new challenge, and I hope you get the position you want. The situation with your friend is kinda sticky, but if you do get it, hopefully she'll understand that it wasn't your intention and be happy for you.
on Jan 14, 2006
I wish you luck!

Will you be working day hours again? or are you back to the day hours now?

I'll bet that even if you don't get that position they move you up to something with more responsibility. Good employees in any business are truly hard to find these days.

So, I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you.
on Jan 14, 2006

with a smile, no less


the hardest thing to do!

So, I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you.


thanks! I'm back on days/early mornings right now. Starting tuesday, I'm in at 7:30am. brrr. I'm not looking forward to it, but it's gotta be done.


on Jan 14, 2006
Best of luck. Too bad you have a friend who wants the same job. I don't envy anyone who works in customer service. I can totally understand why you would bust your but to get put somewhere else.
on Jan 15, 2006
Nicky, first of all, even though I've managed a number of call centres in the past and am aware of how some people treat customer service officers, I've occasionally been guilty of giving them a hard time, but only when I thought they needed it. Constructive criticism is one thing but abuse is a completely different matter. Hopefully you won't hold this against me.

Good luck for the new job.
on Jan 16, 2006
Having managed a call center in my past life I can tell you that you they look for people who demonstrate the kind of personality you describe here. You have a very good shot at it.