Have you ever worked in a call center?

[memphis]

I have not. If you have, discuss your feelings and experiences about the job.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I currently do. It can range from awesome (getting paid to wait over 20 minutes between calls watching movies and reading webcomics at one point.) to one of the most stressful experiences imaginable.

[Hatman 🍁]

I did for 8 years until getting promoted to programmer / analyst. It's a polling firm, so I enjoyed aspects of it, but it was also soul crushing. Totally worth it, considering it got me where I am today.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     I called for a while before being promoted to an administrative role in the same office. It was really stressful for me, but I know some people who are perfectly relaxed about calling. Sometimes I wonder how they do it.

[Indy Texas]

I was in an alumni booster organization in college and we were periodically required to spend an evening in the university call center cold-calling alumni for donations.

There are two things I hate in this world: (1) talking on the phone, and (2) asking people for money.

I would work retail before I would work in a call center, if it came to that.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I was in an alumni booster organization in college and we were periodically required to spend an evening in the university call center cold-calling alumni for donations.

There are two things I hate in this world: (1) talking on the phone, and (2) asking people for money.

I would work retail before I would work in a call center, if it came to that.

Inbound vs. outbound makes a huge difference mind you. I know a guy who makes $16/hour resetting people's bank account PINs all day.

[Joe Republic]

Yes, and it was f[Inks]ing soul-crushing.  So much so that one day I said, "f[Inks] it, let's move to Vegas."

[AndrewTX]

Thank the good lord above I never have.

[Tender Branson]

Nope, never.

[RR1997]

No (normal)

[Joe Biden 2020]

Worst employment mills out there.  Trust me, I've had more than my share.  Pitiful work, but if it pays the bills, then its not all bad.

[memphis]

I wonder how their turnover rate compares to other low wage powerhouses like fast food, retail, or hotel housekeeping.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I wonder how their turnover rate compares to other low wage powerhouses like fast food, retail, or hotel housekeeping.

Turnover is quite high, however call centers have two big advantages over those type of jobs:

1-They usually offer tons of overtime opportunities.
2-They usually have lots of bonuses available.

So the POTENTIAL for earning is much better. Obviously not everyone (see Bushie) pulls this off but I had over $600 in bonuses on my last check of the year.

But another advantage contributes to high turnover: The experience is useful for getting better jobs while the ones you mentioned are as dead end as they come.