“That’s temporary work!”
That’s a myth. The reality is that most call center workers are on their positions for years. As in any other company, the average duration of work on the position is from 1 to 3 years, after which an employee either gets a promotion or changes the job. This myth is based on high call center agent turnover rate, which is true, but remember that agents are not the only job in a call center.
“That’s a student job!”
This is another myth that is based on belief that all call center workers are agents. Yes, agent’s job is popular among students as it offers flexibility in scheduling and requires no degree. Nonetheless, most of call center senior agents, supervisors and managers are not students, but people with a degree and lots of experience in this industry. By the way, that’s students who also affect call center turnover rates, as they are the demographic group that is the most likely to quit any job. What is also important, call center job is maybe the easiest way for students to open doors to business world, as other job alternatives, such as barista positions or something like that, have nothing to do with intelligent work.
“Low salaries!”
True, but not at all. Call center agents are one of the least paid jobs in the US, but there are some “buts” about it – first of all, the salary directly depends on the amount of work done – number of hours or shifts, so if you work hard, you get paid more. Secondly, this relates to agents only – all other positions are paid much more.
For a call center agent, the average salary is 2950$, for a supervisor it is 3700$, and for the manager, it is 7100$. The average pay for the US among all industries is 4900$.
“They hire anyone who asks for it!”
Myth. It gains it roots in the fact that there is rarely required to have working experience to work in a call center, but the reality is that call center workers often work with absolutely different projects, so even if you have such experience, it is an advantage surely, but you will have to get training anyways.
Call center agents also have high requirements for their job: first of all, they have to have powerful communication skills, perfect language, a high level of conversation etiquette, skills in using a PC, and stress resistance. If you think that everyone can be a call center agent, you are wrong.
That’s true by the way that there are many old people and young moms working in call centers, and even disabled people. This is a great example of diversity because call center work allows entrepreneurs to provide such opportunities, and why shouldn’t they do it?
“That’s a boring, routine job without career growth!”
Half true, half myth. There are routine tasks in every job, and even the best managers in the world do some repetitive actions every day. Yes, agents often use scripts, and yes, sometimes do the same things thousands of times. Nonetheless, this work is all about communication with people, and as all people are different, there is no way it can be boring.
Call center workers are also the workers who are getting training the most in the world, perhaps.
When it comes to career opportunities, there is a straightforward hierarchy in this world, so any skillful agent can become a supervisor, and any self-confident supervisor can become a manager.