A Fun Observation (A Challenge)

You’ve probably noticed the same thing that I have, and you’ve probably done so when you were still a new hire.

The topic: Headsets. Whenever I go to the pantry, or smoke outside, or pass any corridors, I always notice these new hires who always wore their headsets around their necks, as if it’s the latest fashion.

I did mine too, when I was still a new hire, and under training. Please read on…

Some of these people may think that wearing the headset that way, and parading it, would make them certified already. Some may think that they’d look cool in doing so. I bet, a few even treat it not so much as a rudiment in the call-taking process as a lucky charm for the Phone Certification process or the Language Testing.

I really don’t know why I did wear mine admiringly around my neck about six months ago. But one thing is for sure: I never knew that I would hate my headset as much as I used to love it the first weeks after I received it.

This job is really stressful, and you’ll spend about 54 hours a week, contending against this, doing the same thing, over and over again. This is what you would really call a routine, although some may say we have a fast-paced environment, which I disagree to. And I was flabbergasted when I woke up one day, realizing that I’ve spent six precious months of my life already, in this call center.

I see the innocence in the eyes of these new hires, as one would toward a child. I see their happiness and over-friendliness with one another, not expecting that all these positive things would evanesce like bubble sooner or later.

I sometimes just laugh when I see them so lively, thinking, “Yes, celebrate while you’re still fresh from training. Let’s see you weeks from now.” Sad.

Before the first week of taking in calls, you’ll be excited, and so happy that you passed everything. During your first couple of weeks on the floor, you’ll still be filled with positive anxiety. After this, you’ll start to sprout pimples and the area around your eyes will start to darken. Too much stress and then overfatigue will follow, and in a few months, you hair will grey, if not bald. You’ll hate this job so much that you will be suicidal. That’s what I experienced, and if I won’t be promoted soon, I might as well resign. You’ll hate most of your customers so much (I myself find them as a nuissance to my Bloglife… Ang kapal no?). Six months into the floor, you’d wanna go back to school already, and just face the heavy projects and assignments, and the endless ranting of your instructor about the school administration. A year into this job, I bet, will make flagellation seem cool. Oh my gosh. If you only knew.

So, still wanna wear those evil things?