My peace will be broken

Just as I was about to like doing, some fat guy approached me and asked if we're all floating employees and ask what are the task that we're doing right now? One of my companion, a female, answered yes she's just doing some work with employee records stuff. The fat guy ask me, and I told him I'm emailing their employment contracts for claiming to me. He propted us, Ok finish whatever we're doing and by the next day, we'll be doing call outs. My inside scream for blood as it boils to it's brim. I object the task. Told him that I don't want to take calls anymore, I'm just waiting for a call at a company and I'm out of here, but in a fine manner like being blunt about what I feel taking calls, eventhough it's local calls. Fat guy told me that I'm a different case, he told me that he'll check my records.
So what was once a quiet tranquil work is doomed to be broken. I just hope things would work out or I'll be forced to do calls again(Which he told me, is greatly needed)! That's not my problem anyway. So I refuse the offer. Just don't know what will happen.

Chores, chores and more chores

Ok now I'm back here on recruitment, doing pounds of task. One of the first I did is sorting all these envelopes containing, well, contracts. Simply email all existing and non-existing reciepients. If there are any reply, I'll coordinate to deliver it to whereever hell they are. That simple. The only thing that makes me happy, as I sort through crap, are people who no longer work here! May God Bless their soul because they're all free!! For now, I hope I'm not to do a task like mop the floor or clean the patry the next time. It's lunch and I should be going! Still have to pay some bills!! God damn bills!!!

My Jigs is up

I thought I saw the someone familiar in the 22nd Pantry, now it's clear. Now I was being asked to report tomorrow 10am to 7pm. So much for peace and quiet. So I'm on my last hour stretch. Tomorrow, I'll be forced to do chores! I will not like it so! I will report, but not everything would be a good deal for me! I'll be starting to look for other jobs! blah blah again!! In the past few days, nothing has transpired to all this hard work I made! No jobs turned up! Now that it's over, I'll be spending time in recruitment again! That's been said, now It's DONE!

Hatred reduced to T-Shirts

T-Shirts for everyone who hate call center jobs

Yeah, I found this site from one of the members here.

-0=O=0-

Today just had a bad day! Worse of all it's a Friday!! When I log-into one of the workstation running win2k something catches my attention! LO! I can't get to ANY websites! Most of the site were blocked totally! Can't access my email, or almost all sites! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHGGGGHH!! Why do they have to put up a wall!!! What did I do to catch thier attention!@! Now my only window outside is gone, but wait. When I find a system with XP as OS there's not much wall around it. relieved! I hope soon they'll put down the wall they put up. I HOPE! As if this will ever happen! Where are all my job application! I really want to leave here!! Really do!! Really soon!! I pray I get a replacement before dead line comes! Only God knows when!!

-0=O=0-

Hark! I've finally found a nice place to spend the rest of the day. Quiet and no one here to fuzz! As long as I don't do something nasty like download and install a program, found out only one unit locked me out. I had to panic in the last moment there! A relief when I saw google! I'm moving on!

Come what may

Today I came an hour earlier. I think it's a way for me to get home an hour earlier and get used to the old office time while looking for a replacement job online. However, the computers in the canteen hasn't been working for 3 days now. Although the canteen were quiet, I'm forced to get a unit on the floor. The only problem is that I won't be able to check my emails caused it's all blocked. I have other ways to work around. ha ha ha![me evil]. My phone has been very quiet lately. No calls from the people I've submitted my applications. Well Tuesday's application will be process two weeks from now. The other from Monday, won't have any results, probably the same time duration. Today is a quiet day for me and hopefully stays quiet.

Company S called

Company S contacted me via sms, and I recieved it Tues morning, but the message was sent 11pm monday evening. Told me to come for an interview. So as soon as I got to work, I left for the interview. It took me to a place well familiar to me. It's just a block further from my old office I used to work before I started working in the call center now.

The office is smaller, the setting at the waiting room, some of the tougue twisters posted on the wall. When I got there I have no idea what that company is about, so looking on the walls reminded me,"oh dear, is this another call center recruitment agency?!? IT IS!!!". There were 5 people in the room and was waiting to call their names. I've passed mine with all details. Right then my feeling was, "Oh my God!! Another dead end sloppy job again! I have no choice but ask the interviewer to find me or I'll move on." and so all of us were called in the room, which is quite peculiar style of interviewing. We were asked one by one, all typical question. The female interviewer noticed mine, and asked me a question, In case I pass the interview, is it okey If I can be assigned as a Technical Support Representative? I was twiching and could not answer very straight, and answered her in a manner that I feel bitter inside, some how she knew. I asked her if there are any offering available other than being in a call center? Like Actual Technical support where I fix REAL computers and won't have to wear a headset? She answered okey I look one for you. She asked me the question again. I finally answer in a bitter manner, "well I'll see it,.... okey.." slightly grin at her. So she interviewed the rest of them. Whew!?! They all forgot to brush their teeth or at least take some breath mint! my hands find its way to my nose! Man! As soon the interview was over, I was asked to be left behind! As soon as the rest of them left the room, She asked me so I came from E company, I got to be honest and told her that I'm still working, but on leave(not). She was surpirsed the I'm working to this company which is one tough company when it comes to standards, I agreed. I told her how I hated to work in this industry anymore that's why I was looking for a REAL job. Man, she admitted to me strightforward that she hated working in call centers too, that why she's now doing recruiting. So the level of apprehention lowered when she told me she's one of those many who hates to work in such dead end jobs! So she finally forwarded my resume to a person name Noel to find me a real job, one that would fit my love of computers, not calling.

Soon after, I transferred to the main office entrance, where a guy started interviewing me. He seem to like my credentials. Asked me If I can do Delphi? I told him I've heard but never programmed on it. Okey how about debugging. I said okey I can't probably debug and test programs in delphi. as long as they have some sort of training. He told me yes, there's training. We finally came to a certain point he will forward my resume to this company to let me try it out. I was very glad to hear that. He only told me that this will take about 2 weeks, so either I sms Noel or go back and find him to verify the status. Again! Waiting game! So I went back to E that afternoon as it starts to rain with a hoping heart. Hoping that this is it! A real job!

I am an agent, an agent of doom Part 2

*True Telephone conversations recorded from various Help Desks*

*Helpdesk: What kind of computer do you have?
Customer: A white one... *
--------------------------------------------------------------------
*Customer: Hi, this is Celine. I can't get my diskette out.
Helpdesk: Have you tried pushing the button?
Customer: Yes, but it's really stuck.
Helpdesk: That doesn't sound good; I'll make a note...
Customer: No ... wait a minute... I hadn't inserted it yet... it's still on my desk... sorry.... *
--------------------------------------------------------------------
*Helpdesk: Click on the 'my computer' icon on to the left of the screen.
Customer: Your left or my left? *
--------------------------------------------------------------------
*Helpdesk: Good day. How may I help you?
Male customer: Hello... I can't print.
Helpdesk: Would you click on start for me and...
Customer: Listen pal; don't start getting technical on me! I'm not Bill Gates damn it! *
--------------------------------------------------------------------
*Hi good afternoon, this is Martha, I can't print. Every time I try it says 'Can't find printer'. I've even lifted the printer and placed it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says he can't find it... *
--------------------------------------------------------------------
*Customer: I have problems printing in red...
Helpdesk: Do you have a color printer?
Customer: No. *
--------------------------------------------------------------------
*Helpdesk: What's on your monitor now ma'am?
Customer: A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me in the supermarket. *
--------------------------------------------------------------------
*Helpdesk: And now hit F8.
Customer: It's not working.
Helpdesk: What did you do, exactly?
Customer: I hit the F-key 8-times as you told me, but nothing's happening... *
--------------------------------------------------------------------
*Customer: My keyboard is not working anymore.
Helpdesk: Are you sure it's plugged into the computer?
Customer: No. I can't get behind the computer.
Helpdesk: Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back.
Customer: OK
Helpdesk: Did the keyboard come with you?
Customer: Yes
Helpdesk: That means the keyboard is not plugged in. Is there another keyboard?
Customer: Yes, there's another one here. Ah...that one does work!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
*Helpdesk: Your password is the small letter a as in apple, a capital letter V as in Victor, the number 7.
Customer: Is that 7 in capital letters? *
--------------------------------------------------------------------
*A customer couldn't get on the internet.
Helpdesk: Are you sure you used the right password?
Customer: Yes I'm sure. I saw my colleague do it.
Helpdesk: Can you tell me what the password was?
Customer: Five stars.*
--------------------------------------------------------------------
*Helpdesk: What antivirus program do you use?
Customer: Netscape.
Helpdesk: That's not an antivirus program.
Customer: Oh, sorry...Internet Explorer. *
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Customer: I have a huge problem. A friend has placed a screensaver on my computer, but every time I move the mouse, it disappears! *
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Helpdesk: Microsoft Tech. Support, may I help you?
Customer: Good afternoon! I have waited over 4 hours for you. Can you please tell me how long it will take before you can help me?
Helpdesk: Uhh..? Pardon, I don't understand your problem?
Customer: I was working in Word and clicked the help button more than 4 hours ago. Can you tell me when you will finally be
helping me? *
--------------------------------------------------------------------
*Helpdesk: How may I help you?
Customer: I'm writing my first e-mail.
Helpdesk: OK, and, what seems to be the problem?
Customer: Well, I have the letter a, but how do I get the circle around it?*

Company C called!

To my surprise! The Company C??? called me and they were in need for IT Representative. I've asked if they are still taking inbound or outbound calls and they replied "yes they still do". So without further ado, I told thanks but I was thinking more of a clerical work! That's it! There goes that offer, but It felt good! I being brought to the same thing again! My God!

I gave a call of one of my friends and found out that Mitch was in need to their company! My luck I asked for the email address and send her my resume. I pray IT would fail me here! I thanked Mitch from the bottom of my heart. She answered, wait don't thank me yet! But still, I'm in my desparate time of need, such friends are there to help you! God bless such people!!

Doing what I must! Take Action!

Continuing my exploits, I have with me are 4 more resume and probebly would walk around the block near the vicinity of my office to see if there are other work I can apply to. Hay I must do this! or Should! rather than lurching around the lounge or pantry. At least I need to do this to survive! If anybody has any objections to what I'm about to do, post here now! I feel some guilt, but the total apprihention to take action!

-<0=O=0>-

Finally over even before Lunch hour! All I have to do now is just sit back and wait their response after a year or two. This is one system I hate about applying for a job, which is one advantage when you ever apply in a call center! Whan you apply in a call center, for example a walk-in applicant, they'll cater to you immediately and you already have the result if you're in or out. Thin or stout! On a regular job, the reps only say to you, "Please leave your resume here on the desk, we'll get back to you and call you soon."(yeah like never)

Quite discreet

Today is quite another day for me. As a living and struggling individual trying to find the best option I can possible. I passed my resume to this company(another competitor of my company)applying a position my present one can't provide or not available or not willing to give me that option. It seems that they don't offer walkins during weekends. Just my luck, I guess. I, at least, didn't took that very long for me to wait. As soon as I hand over my un-updated resume, I left. Expecting for them to call me for a phone screening! I wish there are other ways than this, but according to their guess relation person, such position is not applicable as walk-in and only for phone interview. Well I told them to contact me on my mobile. I just hope they still are open for the position. My nephew just sms me to meet up with me, told him I'll be around after lunch, now I have to wait for him. Well, It happens to be my luck, one of the branch of our office is just accross the street. So I manage to get in and gone straight to the lounge and later the pantry to spend quality time blogging! Tomorrow, I'll buying Sunday paper again and browse the pages of hundreds more. Still, I'm very hopeful, one should turn up soon.

Judge, Jury and Executioner!

They have placed me where I can make call outs to different people here locally, hiring new recruits and setting up appointments. After I was transferred from the last department, The first week they've assign me here was nice. You get to call out and interview agents to be, by phone and if they pass, you've given a schedule. They also hand you a script to study and a few things like call back number, a report sheet or score card for the interviewee. A nice quiet job. Well the longer I make calls and the more people I fail, although inside me is a conflict that's been going on. I can't explain, but I hate failing people like that. Although I believe a right person with the right heart can do this job properly, not me. I'd rather set-up 10 computers and reinstall OS all at the same time than doing this! Reminds me a story about a young girl, long ago in a Korean dynasty.
Here's the little story I have to cut short so to get to my point. She used to be the king's head chef, then got assign to become a nurse to follow her dreams. She performed very well in her school and was reassign again for the king. Later her enemies tried to kill her because they don't want to loose their powers. Her past was a long story, but they killed her mother, and her mentor becuase of false accusations and greed. And so the queen decided to spare the nurse's life and set a trap for her enemies, because the king got ill in an attempt for his life, and then the nurse's enemies were vanqished by death. The nurse cured the king and was greatful for her skills. Later, after the nurse went back to the queen and the queen told her that she owes her life. The young prince got ill. According to the palace head nurse commette has no records of suck sickness. The young prince suffers tremendously from pain inflicted by boil like thing on his skin. She was later summond by the queen again. This is the point i was taking about. The queen ask the nurse to make her son stop suffering by ending his life quickly and discreetly since the nurse 'owes' her life from the queen, who saved her from her enemies. The nurse refueses and would rather die. The queen, upset, told the nurse that her rank is now reduced again to being a chef. The king overheard them talking and summond the nurse. The king ask what was the request of the queen to her and that she rather die than doing it? Being upset, all the nurse cried so hard and refused the king's answer and would rather die. Being so pressured and all she ran out to her love and would asked him to leave the palace forever and start over a new life. Her love one, who's the captain of the guards left with her and took down his badge and went aloft with the nurse. Sorry I have to cut it here becuase this is my point. The pressure that builds from doing something right ranther than doing something by the book or by the rules set to you is a hard thing for me.
I'd rather leave and start over, but I still bound by so many things that need me. My obligations at home, my wife and child. I rather die than see them suffer and starve. Where will I go? I'm stuck with this job, and I must adhere to it's will. no matter how many lives I will unwittingly crush in the long run! I was given the task of Judge, Jury and Executioner!! A hard job for me. I wish it never had to be this way! As I execute an innocent life, It never felt very easy. the repercussion is very tremendous. Stressful. I can't bear it sometimes! I hate this powers! I brings me saddness!! For those whom I failed! I'm sorry, it's not that you need more training and all, but it's my JOB!! No remorse!

No such luck at the moment

I've been emailing other companies lately under jobstreet. Only two has replied, but with the same content of reply

"Thank you for logging-in at Jobstreet.com and applying for a position in our company. We will be reviewing your qualifications against the requirements for t his position. We will contact you soon if you are part of our shortlist or if there is an update on the status of your application. Please check your e-mail regularly for any correspondence regarding your application. We hope that you will have a productive day ahead! "

Productive day? Gah!!?! That's one way to say, We have too little or too many of you applying and we can't handle it. Some other time again! Next!

I've been emailing other companies lately under jobstreet. Only two has replied, but with the same content of reply

"Thank you for logging-in at Jobstreet.com and applying for a position in our company. We will be reviewing your qualifications against the requirements for t his position. We will contact you soon if you are part of our shortlist or if there is an update on the status of your application. Please check your e-mail regularly for any correspondence regarding your application. We hope that you will have a productive day ahead! "

Productive day? Gah!!?! That's one way to say, We have too little or too many of you applying and we can't handle it. Some other time again! Next!

"exhaust all efforts before deciding"

Yesterday I had a long chat with my former mate over a nice bowl of Shawarma rice. I told her everything I feel about this job, deciding and quitting. She adviced me to hold on this one while I'm still employed. She told me how difficult it is to look for a job when, at present, you're unemployed. She told when she quit her first job and search for another, took her 8 months, when she quitted her 2nd job, it took her almost a year till she found a new job. Although alot of things has passed on my mind. I did the right thing not to quit out right! Make sure when you quit, you already have a new one ready and waiting for you. She also hates to see me leave here. She's been a lot of awful situation when she gets intimidated because so guys are barging in her calls. She had other customers that won't let her go. Probably to listen to her kind sweet voice over the phone. Indeed she does, but she said she needs to work on her volcabulary skills. I think she has improved a lot from the first time she hits the floor and made calls.

Rising crude prices is one of the factors that contributed that made this job hunting much harder to find. My family's need is another. I have to worry about my baby. If I quit now, Its like giving the baby to the sharks and feast on him(ugh disgusting analogy!!).

I'll give this one another chance, I'll swallow this huge bitter pil. If the right time comes then I can resign.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

This is a lovable, wonderful , hugable, kind, considerate person. He loves you very much! He has changed my life! It's a lot better now!

Decide to leave?

Today I've tried to decide whether or not I should leave or not. As I skim through the Sunday wanted ads I've found a company I never thought would pass my mind. It's quite strange but that company, is also a call center but has more options than the present one I'm in and trying to get out! It's a maudane task for me, I can't tell my wife because all she think about my present job and I must endure the beating I get from this. The other hand I tried my dad's friend to help me find a job in his company. Still no avail, he has not answered my sms exept yesterday when he told me and apologize for not being there when I visited his place. I apologize too for not forewarning him before I come. To continue, not a word yet. The other, is my own mom. Which I have a bad feeling if I tell her my predicament, she might tell my wife about it by a subtle way. I don't know, It might complecate things! The other hand is my wife's sister, but she's having problems of her own. Her baby is having a fever because of growing tooth. It's a phase. I tried to talk to my former supervisor about my next career move. Should I make it? How can I do this! I hope she won't take this bad. I mean, yesterday I tried to tolrate the person from recruitment to wait for my temp supervisor, who's on leave. I should address this kind of things to my supervisor. but since I came back from leave, I could not or would not contact her. How can I put things in perspective. I hate to work in recruitment department because, either I take in calls or make calls! In other words, I still end up as an agent!! I dislike to be a regular agent. I want to be working in a company for my skills! Not like a ball being toss around here!! I hate that! If they don't like me, I don't like them too!!

---------------

I've talked to my former supervisor and she said that I should try other admin jobs in recruiting first before going to move on. I told her how I really hated to take calls per se. I'd rather maintain a website than taking calls. I just don't feel the need. My former sups told me what about my baby and my wife, I told my sups, I have not told anybody my moves yet, that's why I talked to you. Besides, they told me that there are no available position for my job. My former sups, agreeed because they are in the Operations and hardly need much or most of the positions are hardly available unless some resigns "or killed, or getting killed!". So I finally spoke to my temp sups, which is awfully sick and did not made it to operations today, probably for the rest of the week! Darn!!

So I'm back here in the desk, thinking of a scheme, what if I go to the other comapany and apply there secretely! I know, It's against company policy if I get caught! I have an internal battle going inside me right now. Whether to go or not. My battle has been won by good! I will not go, but I'll still be not taking in calls. Which I really hate! I'd rather not take! never never never!!!

Monday blues

My salary is not what I've expected. What can I do, I'm at their mercy. Finally caught up with me, will assign later wherever hell I'll be in. I'd expecting something really really bad! Either a pit or worse 'Adios'! Still deliverating on my status here!! Aaargh! The agony they're putting me in!! Still I'm able to write here. Come by later whatever it developes into.

While on a break. A long one actually, I've visited jobsdb to forward a few resume I have, and hope the companies I applied would reply soon.

I've contacted my friend mr.a about a certain IT position, but has not replied about that yet. I hate this being toss around here. I don't like that, I get upset. It's a sure way of saying, I belong here!! You useless fag!!

I'm still deciding to wheather or not I should email my Resignation later soon. My wife won't be very happy if she hears about this. I'm FedEx...err Fed UP!!

No where to run! No one to turn to!

I could not get in touch with some of my friends who probably could help find some other jobs better than this. I tried to talk to my sister whom I could only contact her through friendster account, then the computers in the play room started to go out. I'm not sure if my message got through or not, remains to be seen. So I have no chioce since my lunch is up, go back to my freaking calls! This is a disaster to me. I want to get out, but I can't. On the other hand, there's the quitting by not attending at all, that's absence without leave. Not a graceful way to leave a company since you're soul is on contract! There's sick leave, nah used that up already. I could not do anything, I just needed to get in touch with a people I need to talk to. I hope they may respond soon. I'm getting a little impatient again. It's a Friday and I have 2 freakin days to figure out where to run to. My sands are almost up, they're on to me. My payslip could be thin this month! Someone will never forgive me of ever leaving!! Life is so cruel here! There just got to be a way out! OUT OUT OUT!!!! I WANT OUT!!! AAAAAGH!!!!

I am an agent, an agent of demise!

Speils to remember by(please forgive the wrong grammars, they're intentional):

"Hello this is callcenter_ idiot(not real name), may I have your first and last full name?!? Please? Please!! Please oh I beg you!! Come on, man!! Tell me the problem later, I still have to check if you're registered here before I can help you further! Please tell me your name first! Okey just give me your first name! Don't panic, I'm here to assists you! Just need your NAME first!!"

"Hello? Hello!!!?!... Yeeepie a dead call!!!"

"Ok hold on, while I transfer you to the correct department. YES!! SAVED BY A WRONG CALL!! "

"Ok thanks for the information, I see you're having problems with the toaster and you called-in because you have nobody to help you with your problem. Is that correct? Ok I'll just have to connect you to the technical department who can assist you with that. We're the sales department!! -- Ha ha let the technical handle that whiner!!"

"I see you're having problems with your toaster? Ok I'll connect you to sales department, we're the technical group! One mement please!! -- Those freaking sales group sold the customer a junk!!"

"I'm sorry the supervisor is not available at the moment. I'm sure you can email your problem if you have further complaints... Oh! I remember, you don't have a PC! Please hold! --- Thank you for waiting, I'll just have to give you an tag number so you can call us back with that reference number! Oh ok, then can I call back in an hour. Please calm down! I understand you're going through right now. yes. yes. ok. ok. ok. yes. yes. ----- Oh that's great you fixed the problem! Ok thank you for calling, have a nice day!"

"You finally fix your issue. Is there anything else I could have help you with? Oh you're husbund been cheating you? Ok, Anything else? Your cat just died? I'm so sorry to hear that! Anything else? Somebody stole your credit card? Ok now let's check your account..."

"I see, I just have an offer you can't refuse! It's our new product, try it, it's for.... hello? hello? I think you didn't heard it's for free."

"Thank you for calling, our lines are available 24/7 everyday, the whole year round, forever and ever! AMEN!"

"I apologize for the inconvinence. Let me assure you that you're in good hands. -----[mute] Oh my god, what will I do!! What will I do!!!!"

"How's the weather there? I see."

"Do you love dogs?"

"I'm a dog lover myself."

"I'm a cat lover myslef."

"When did this problem occured? 10 years ago? ok yes it's still covered by warranty. Yes we still support you. Let me check. ok Let me recommend upgrade for better features?"

"Who the winner in the NFL games this season? NFL? N as in Nancy? Right! Right! Ok. I'm sorry to hear. Maybe next time! --- These chinese-american are not patriotic."

"I'm from India. Yes. Yes. hello? Hello?"

"I'm calling from Canada. Yes. hello?"

"I'm calling from China. Hello?"

"Im calling from Manila. Hello?"

"Have you seen PS3? It's awesome!! Sorry, I apologize ma'am, I forgot you're don't like console!"

"I'm sorry sir if you're in a hurry and have to go in 2 minutes, I'll just have to give you a number to call back. Yes this would only take a moment. Hold on my files are still loading.. searching.. hold on, almost there! ... wait... oh wrong folder! Going back! there we go. click here, click here. type in password... accessing file... opening exel.... searching our number... ... ahh --- It's not here!!! -- wait here it is. it's 1-800 ... uh hello? hello? hello? Still there? Ok still there, here's our number.---- Oh!!! you want to continue our work? The kids are here? Oh your dad picked them up. Ok, No problem. Let me access the documents i've closed a while ago and reopen the case..."

"Yes sir, I couldn't agree more! That is a great choice,sir! Buy it! Buy it! I really don't recommend toasters, buy a microwave oven!---[mute]-- What am I saying! I'm selling freaking toasters!!!"

Ah the good Ol' days!

This morning I came an hour earlier to sleep in the lounge, feel good. An hour later, I went to my usual place to do my usual thing. Later before lunch, I came across some of my former teammates from my original department. They're not going on calls? I wondered and ask where they headed. Told me that they're going to the training room for a refresher course on the newly released, top of the line pc products. I tag along with them for old time sakes! Later after the training on the way back to the work area in the elevator, they kept on asking me if I happen to find someone pretty while recruiting, I told them "all information are classified and cannot be disclosed by unauthorized personnel." They just laugh. Ah, just like old times! I missed the training days of when... Later in the afternoon, I was just blogging when I freeze my hands stiff.. so cold here. Some guy must have forgotten to set the temp to normal 18 degrees. I decided to go down the ground to buy a load for my cell phone. Whew!! It soo damn hot! Reminds me about the jobless people looking for one. I get the best of both worlds! As I sit back and wait for the time to pass, my emails were not been so active lately? No emails from PAC, TL's and so forth for the pass 3 days now? Is this the beginning of the end for me?? I looked out of the window and heard a few thunder showers coming. Summer showers? Or the beginning of the rainy seasons. Ironic life I'm having!!

Uncertainties at the moment

It has been a while since I left my last department. If I can recall 3 weeks. Where am I right now is anyone's guess. It all started when my trainor gave me a name of a person I suppose to go to so that person can help me out in getting a new slot, if anything is available. That was easter week. Then came Monday, looked around and found the person. The person told me that there is a training shedule and will be available by May 1st. By the last Friday of April I came by to the office again to see if the schedule is still avaialble. To my surprise, the person told me that that schedule has change and I have to wait another. So right now I'm in a limbo, feeling a bit uneasy. No training or no department to go to? I requested her to find me a tech position if one becomes available. The person just told me "yes". That's it! Now I'm still waiting for that time for the chance to either go to that department I always wanted or foresee this as the end for my career here in a call center or is this just the beginning of another termoil awaiting to burst open! Either way it is okey at least I don't have to work on a call center no more!!
The only nice thing about this waiting is that I can freely come and go whenever I want, to check up on my email, get plenty of relaxation. I like it! Stressfree. Yahoo...

~-0-0-~

I'm here behind you people while I watch you take in calls! I watch you all grovel!! HA HA HA!! Life is pathetic when you're a useless turd!!!! A bitch life I'm having!! A bitch job as well!!

Spiral down, way down!

It was my 4th month that my supervisor emailed me a new opening. The prospects was good. If I transfer now, I get to be a regular employee automatically and from what I've heard the new opening is fairly easy, much easier than the one I'm in at the moment. I was thinking, this is an easy way to be a regular employee and be able to transfer later to a department I want(not exactly making or taking calls). So I was determined and signed up for the roster! A week later, a lists of candidates are being screened. There were 5 of us, only 3, that includes myself, was picked and drafted for transfer. Later everything came out and I bid farewell to my teamates and had to move on. I was totally happy that day, a months of training and not taking in calls is relief and a big break for me.

Week one, introductions to the new department, my trainor, and about the department's mission and philosophy thinggy! Yes, since most of us, there were 23 in the room and a bit of a surprise, came from the same department I used to be assign. Seasoned veterans for at least a year to 4 years was transferred and would like to try out this new department. Like the story from before stage 1(intro), stage 2(the bonding), stage 3(simulations), and finally stage 4(the needing). Well actullay I did not got passed to stage 4. It was easter week when the whole training class has to go through three stages of training. The first was Oral examination. The second was Decision making examination. The third was panel simulations conducted by the people that monitors every calls you make. There was three of them, I almost failed the first one, a passing mark I got 80.7%! Cool! But during this time, I felt a cold shiver that something is wrong!! I ignored it. On my second take, I failed, a whopping 67% complience! the passing should be 80%! It was my fault, I did not check my tools correctly! BOOM!! I was in panic inside, but I still made a straight composure that I will still do my best here! I reviewed my notes thoroughly, but in panic! They gave me the feed back of what went wrong! I tried to fix my already ruined composure, but time was at hand, It was my turn again! I failed again to a worst 64%!!! Nooooooo!!! The feedback the last panel person gave was that I did not ask further questions, I quickly assumed that led me to a wrong conclusion! Hmmm, At this point, ok I made that error, but were those the same error most agents make all the time? It took me a while to contemplate to this notion in my head! After I got the failed score, my trainor decided to give me another chance the next day. I agreed since I have nothing else to loose!! The next day, I took the exam again. The panel person is again, the same person that gave me that low score. DAMN!!! 66% again!!!! The reason is the same, did not ask further questions!! So yield the wrong conclusion! My trainor was very upset and disappointed. My trainor gave me a contact person on recruiting and have to got back and wait for any further openings available, either the same department I left or a new one! Well this really sucks! a week after easter was my most horrifying experience I ever had. The overall class, there were only 3 others failed the department. No choice but to pack everything and go back to recruiting department for further instruction. At this time I told my wife I had not specific schedule so I have to be in day shift for the moment. It's an experience for me that is horrifying and stained me as a person for life! I want to blame the last person who failed me, but he makes it look so professional that It was MY fault that I failed! What can I say, that's their job, they eat, breath and sleep with irate customers. Their hearts as cold as ice! I have to yeild to my fault and live with it. 'Sorry' is a word loosely used to people that did not met their expectation! To put it bluntly, 'GO AWAY! YOU DON'T BELONG HERE! YOU STINK!'. Stared me right in the face!

The Training & Transformation

First day of training, we were greeted as the "cream of the crap" .... "crop" and we will all make a difference for the customers. We had speech handling skills and conversational spiels that SHOULD sound like it's not being read on script! Yet, many was able to adapt their own without leaving the essential part of or the essence of the script. That's the illusion that telephones masks when you make calls. During the course of the training, a formation of bond grows within the group. From stage 1(knowing each other), stage 2(the linking/bonding), stage 3(the loving), stage 4(the needing). The training took almost 3 months, until the finals came. Yes everyone made it to the finals with flying colors!!
It is stage 4 when we have to make calls for the first time. Yes the moment of traing has passed and much of stage 4 anxiety lingers from wanting to go back in training, to quit now and payup for the months of training the company invested!(It's a small print at the bottom of the contract when we sold our soul to them)It's a bond we have no choice but take it like a pill without water to swallow it.
The first week was a nightmare!!! The time was a PEAK season where calls bunch up on you and get mugged with complaints!! Shortages!!! Dispatches!! Need I say more?? The faces of my colleagues with headsets and ears were falling off! Eyes finching and watery. Some came with a flu and had to take a break. Others like me fight on! Being bombarded by calls from people we never seen but voices echoes in your brain, when you sleep at DAY, I get daymares of talking to customers over the phone only to find out I was only dreaming. It's something I got used to it, but get tired of it!!
At work we have to keep the energy alive! Looking forward for another weekend or day off only to work again the next night after you day offs.
On my third or probably 4th month, I snap!! I just had calls that you know you've tried your best to help only to be shouted and cursed at in the end!! WE'RE JUST HUMAN BEINGS YOU KNOW!!! Can't shout back at them, you have to muffle your voice if you feel like shouting back with full force or the most famous invention of all the 'MUTE' button!! God I just want them to understand what you want to do, but you can't!! There are sooo much limitation a telephone has!! You can shout but you can't feel and yet, here it is! My headached and my brain gets burned up. If it not for my wife I could have quit and gave up a long time ago. There are some call that you feel sooo helpless and want to reach out but still you can't. So much factors involved here! I can't begin to descibe what it is. Sometimes you have to lie to tell it's okey but it's not! So many questions fill my mind that time, I'd burst!! Sometimes I just go to a lonely corner and stare at the window and wonder, what am I doing?? I just keep grabbing a hot cup of coco to fill out the cold nights I had to be away from my ,then ,pregnant wife.

The Origins

Call me anything you want to call me, I don't care. Just want to vent out all my angst. In this past few days I never felt so sorry about myself and continously wonder why am I working in this God forsaken job!!! At first, back about 5 years ago, I never had this kind frustration on my job before. I used to work in a company where selling ideas and marketing new things are so enjoyable. Meetings with people from different places I go, get to know them personally. Of course there are some annoying ones, but I can manage that! In short, I love my old job so much, I enjoy working endlessly. Don't care about the salaray. It was not enough for a typical young single guy, but who cares. It drives me to aspire more. Like all other good stories, there are always tragedies! One day the boss of our company made an annoucement. Although it was expected, but it happened. The compnay is closing down and we have to find other jobs elsewhere for a month. My world came crashing down on me like avalanche. I know it was the talk of the whole people at work, rumoring about it in small talk, yet a month later I was out of the job!!! Yes I got my separation pay, but I had to payup all my loose ends, but It was not enough. A month earlier, I just got married. I was thinking, man! This sucks!! Just as when you got married this happened, now how am I going to earn cash for me and my wife! As I came off a news stand and buy the Sunday paper(every Sunday, this particlualr paper that posts wanted ads), hell yeah there's the internet, but the pace is a little informal for me, I decide to read a few wanted ads! Days and days of search nothing. Until one day when my mom's friend came over and told us about her daughter worked in a company but resigned and worked on a new one. I asked her what was the first company she mentioned and she told she used to work at *******e. She resigned and now she's making twice as she earns from her first job. I thought, I'll give it a try to work here at *******e. At that time I have no idea what call center was all about. All I know that you talk to people over the phone about products and stuffs the company sells. You earn 5 digits more, much more than anything previous jobs I know. It was a growing trend and more and more people are biting to that notion. Just like a little kid, not knowing the repercussions,"Hey piece' a cake!! That does not sound so hard. I can speak English fluently, why don't I try it, what can I loose.(not knowing I loose my very soul)". The next day, I tried 5 companies, they all turned me down due to the fact that most companies that need my experties(IT) are not availble or going through retrenchment. So I came to *******e. On the 20th day of the month I walked in with my resume and my wits ready. After 5 hours of interview and a trial phone simulation, I passed the job!!!! On the 27th, I will report to training. So I've sign my contract not knowing I've already sold my soul to the devil and happily went home to my wife to tell the great news that I finally got a job and ready for training!! We were so happy.