Why I Quit Call Center / BPO? (part 1)

(My call center journey series…)

June 25, 2019 … I quit!

After 12 years of working in a call center, finally... Yes, I am resigning. I just have to render for 30 days, then it's over. Oh no, don't get me wrong. I love my job here. But I have my reasons...

Let me tell you how it all started…

God gave this to me. Yes. I remember more than 12 years ago, I was walking along Ortigas, trying to find companies where I could submit my resumes to. I printed more than ten resumes so I must be very careful in choosing to which company should I submit them because I spent 5php per page for colored printing. We didn’t have printer back then, no computer, we had typewriter though. Anyway, so I was wearing a black blazer under the heat of the sun, which was very uncomfy, yet, Nanay said that I should wear that to get a job.

Nanay… Yeah, Nanay.

I did not trust "me". I didn’t think I could do it. Nanay believed in me. So I prayed for God to give me that job. We were, I’d say, poor in terms of money. I didn’t have baon, I didn’t have cash to buy food, I was hungry, and worst was, I was so thirsty. It’s been like that daily for over a week. Then my friends told me to go to Hinduja (HGS). I didn’t know where that was, so I went with my barkada and we applied together. Innocent, we didn’t know where Hinduja is, so we ended up with the wrong company – Epixtar. And after weeks of praying and really working hard to get a job, wasting money which we could have spent on food, FINALLY! Epixtar hired me. Epixtar which became Amberbase – it wasn’t a perfect company, but I cannot deny the fact that they did give chance to newbies. They believed in my talent when I couldn’t even believe in myself. So yes, people may say a lot of negative stuff against Epixtar but as for me, I am full of gratitude for them.

Okay, here’s the thing. I told God that if He would give me a job, I won’t give up on it. I wouldn’t quit. I would be loyal. And in fact, Epixtar didn’t hire me right away. They offered for me to attend their one-week free call center course and if I’d pass, they would take me in. I used to live in Sangandaan, Caloocan City while Epixtar is in Eastwood QC. I asked Nanay if it was okay, I always believe in Nanay’s wisdom. She said it was fine and she strongly believed that I could do it.

Why did it matter? Money.

Again, we were poor and instead of buying food, Nanay had to borrow money for my fare – without assurance of getting a job. As I am writing this blog, I can still remember everything… Ahh yeah, it was tough. It really was. Some would say, it’s just money – NO. I’m telling you NO. I’ve been there – indeed, money isn’t everything. But be real, we need money, really.

Let’s go back. So there, after a week of no tardiness, no absences and working really hard, guess what. I studied and did stuff which I wasn’t comfortable – selling, yet I passed. According to our instructor, she passed me because she saw my effort, not because I was qualified. She was very honest with her comment. She said I needed to be better. I took it as a very honest, genuine, loving advice. I needed that. So, I started with the real training, worked harder than ever, passed and got endorsed to the prod – real world (some called it “pressure cooker”)

They made me sell credit cards for delinquent payers, with high APR and interest rates. The goal is to hit the quota and quality. I’m telling you; I was crying almost every day. But I couldn’t quit. I needed that job. I talked to my Team Leader and asked to be transferred to Inbound, otherwise, I might leave – I just said that but I didn’t mean it, lol!

I’m gonna have to end it here. I’ll tell you more next time. I got to go! See you!

***If you have questions about working in a call center, you need tips and all – just comment below. I used to be an outbound agent, inbound agent, technical support, coach, Trainer, Quality Analyst, Sales Coach and Team Leader. I’d be more than glad to help you.