Your Call Center Job Hunting Experience

[hbnow]

Hello, I am Harris. I am a newbie here in Pinoy Exchange. Two days ago, I started sending applications to top call centers through job street. Convergys was the first to schedule an interview and I was lucky enough to have reached the Final Interview. Unfortunately, and I respect them despite it, I was not accepted. It has something to do with my enunciation of words. It was a surprise, but according to my interviewer I have a problem differentiating some vowel sounds. It was my first rejection and it happened just 5 hours ago. I was saddened yes, but I think it is just a part of the "drama" of call center job-hunting. I mean, it was my first time to apply and it was a company like Convergys who gave me the initiation. I would have been extremely lucky if I got accepted. AND there are still other call centers who are probably willing to accept me (eventhough Convergys is my first choice).

How about the other posters here, what has been your call center job-hunting experience? How many trys did you have before you finally got accepted? And what advice can you give to new applicants like us? Thanks for the reply.

[coo|rage]

convergys was also the first call center i applied to. eheheheh. also got rejected. i also reached the final interview. i would think i was rejected for the same reason, but after six months, i reapplied, and i got the job. don't be too "saddened". there's still a lot of good callcenter companies out there. i think it's "normal" for a newbie to be initially rejected. when i started applying for a job, more than a year ago, i had to apply to several (and i really mean several) before i finally got hired. but the first company i worked for was "not good enough for me" that's why i had to reapply sa convergys. ehehehehe. buti nlng. but convergys didn't work for me. now, im with siemens and im hoping that id stay "longer" with this company.
well good luck sa ibang applications mo. andami pa jan. trust me, you will never run out of callcenters to apply to.

[c2cool]

ok my turn... about a month ago, i decided to start looking for a job in the call center industry(i graduated october 2006)... i submitted my resume to several call centers namely, people support, convergys, IBM, and JP morgan chase bank via email. a couple of days after, i recieve a call from ps, cvg and ibm and they ask me when will i be available for an interview. i decided to go through them one day at a time the following week.

first stop is PS. i passed the initial screening and their exam and got through their final interview. they told me they will call me before noon the next day if they will hire me or not. honestly, i was not really counting on it since i know that my final interview is bad. i admit, i made a lot of mistakes during that interview so i left knowing i need to prepare for my next interview and get my act together if i really want to work for a call center. i was on my way home from my very first interview when i recieve a call from eperformax. a friend of mine work there and she gave them my name and info as a referal. i also scheduled an interview with them on the last day of that week. the following day, i receive an email from them stating that i didn't make it and that i can try again after a month...

my next stop that week, was convergys. i passed the initial interview and all their exams and gone through the final interview. this time, i'm more prepared than with my interview with PS. during the final interview, the interviewer told me to go through a 5-day proficiency training with one of their partner centers.then i should come back for a re-validation after finishing that training.

the third stop is IBM Business Service, i went through the initial interview and they told me that i should apply for a back-office job instead. so i went with their suggestion and took the exam (mostly mathematics) and passed the non-it position. according to the letter they gave, they will contact me in a couple of weeks. but til now, i havent heard from them yet. i don't blame them since according to the forums of IBM BS, one's application will really take some time.

my last interview of that week was eperformax. i passed their tests and they asked me how soon can i start training. i answered after a two weeks. they said that they have a training that will start on monday, the next week, as well as one on thursday. they said that since i'm not yet available by that time, they will just put my file on active pile and that they will call me as soon as another batch of training starts. actually, i can make the start of training that following week, but upon the advise of my friend from eperformax that i should weigh my options first before going into anything.

i finally decided to go through the proficiency training of CVG, but instead of a 5-day training, i decided to finish their 10 day program instead. then i went back to cvg after two weeks for the revalidation. my interviewer kinda tried to convince me to go into their technical account instead, since i prefer non-tech. according to her, my score in their tech exam was high and that i am qualified to work for as a tech support rep. i told her that i really am wary of working as a tsr because it is very stressful and, yes, im not sure i can handle it. so i went for the non-tech position, that was yesterday.i signed the contract and will start training on monday...

and that, ladies and gentlemen, and everyone in between, is the start of my journey in the call center industry...

of course, marami pang mangyayari since its my first time working for a cc... so good luck na lang to everyone! hope u find the job you are looking for... ciao!:)

[danicalstix]

hehehe My experience was with PeopleSupport..I was so excited because I passed the initial interview but unfortunately, I didn't pass the final interview. I didn't know why. Then I applied for NCO group/RMH, it was a disaster, I failed first two written exams. Maybe, it's all because i lost my focus. But we should not worry, it's a good experience though because we get to meet a lot of people.
I guess I will just reapply again soon and then try other companies as well. :D Goodluck guys on your jobhunting!

[jeruel1977]

I was reading most of the replies here but there was a certain post that makes me wonder. There was a guy who wishes to apply to apply as an E-REP then the PS recruiter said that one of the requirement is college educated/college level. It inspires me to apply at PS. I applied online then after a day they called me up for a schedule of exam and interview. I opened up to them that I've only reached and completed 2nd year 1st sem, I wasn't able to enroll for the second semester because of financial problems of that time. Years goneby and finally I had a chance to go abroad, My previous employer (Mcdonalds Corporation) which is based in the mid-east was been so kind to me for giving me a chance to undergo their management course and became a psrt of their management team. After 6 long years, I finally decided to come back home. I really want to be a part of People Support. During their phone screening, I opened up to them that I wasn't able to complete my 2 years of college, they advised me that my application will be put on hold. I really believe that I can do the job very well. Any advice??

[namazucon]

Pinakaayokong experience eh yung sa Ambergis. Kasi ba naman, Final Interview mo eh sa hatinggabi o madaling araw!!!!

ANO BA YAN!

[hotstick]

ano ba ang kadalasang tinatanong pag ini interbyu na? What topic ba ang nasa written exam? tanong lang po!!!

[b_9904]

2004 CVG Alabang.

i passed thier interview and was asked to sign the contract the next day.

i was applying for a part time position kasi sabi ng recruiter nila may part time DAW sa alabang site.

they offered me a FULL TIME postition.... apparently hindi ako na gets ng interviewer ko when i said part time habol ko.

2007 St. Thomas Square CVG HR site

ok naman lahat wala nang miscommunication kasi may cover letter na ako inatach sa resume.

the receptionist is a pain though.... TARAY! hahahah

i signed the contract in three days kasi i had to do this habang tambak ako ng wok load sa skul.

2007 other CCs

nagbabasa ba ng cover letters ang mga cc?

generally NO: My recruiter in PS and CVG didnt even though the subject line is in all caps and bold. jpmc and hsbc are exceptions to the rule.

JPMC

i tried my luck at JPMC mga kasabayan ko mga seasoned employees ng ibang CCs. initial interview palang patay na ako... hahaha nauna ang kaba ko kaya hindi ako naka sagot ng maayos.

HSBC

sa front desk palang hindi na ako nakalagpas kasi they want GRADUATES daw... errr... mali ata dating nun (post grad nakalagay sa resume ko). pero naintindihan ko naman yung idea ng sinasabi niya shifting sked could kill my studies daw at wala silang part time position.

[ladykythe]

hello, people! I am new in this forum. Ask lang ako ng advice, I am from Davao planning to find work in Manila. I am CS graduate and I was thinking of applying as Technical Support rep. Is it ok to apply online or in person? What company can u suggest that offers good salary for first timers like me?

[Altwegg]

Here's mine.

I was suprised to get a call from Convergys scheduling me for an interview and examination because I did not apply for this company. Probably, I was referred by someone I know who works there. Anyway, to cut the story short, I was able to hurdle every stage. I got to spend 2 months there in CVG.

The first contact center company where I really applied at is PeopleSupport. I will be celebrating my first anniversary this April 17, but I have tendered my resignation effective April 30.

:D

[b_9904]

^so you are with ps?

[intellectual]

Hi b9904 - I apologize regarding the " Graduates" info you got from our reception area. We ACCEPT applications from undergrads, grads and post grads so long as they can work full time :)
We are currently conducting an Open House from this week till the next,Saturdays included 7am to 7pm.
We also offer non tax allowance like meal and rice, free shuttle for Alabang employees and a much higher HMO coverage.
Coming this May is our transpo allowance.
We hope to see you at either our PBCOm Office or at our Alabang site all you job seekers!!!

[Altwegg]

^so you are with ps?
Yup. Why?

[b_9904]

^wala nalito lang kasi ako sa post mo hehehe

[b_9904]

Hi b9904 - I apologize regarding the " Graduates" info you got from our reception area. We ACCEPT applications from undergrads, grads and post grads so long as they can work full time :)
We are currently conducting an Open House from this week till the next,Saturdays included 7am to 7pm.
We also offer non tax allowance like meal and rice, free shuttle for Alabang employees and a much higher HMO coverage.
Coming this May is our transpo allowance.
We hope to see you at either our PBCOm Office or at our Alabang site all you job seekers!!!

i think hsbc ka hehehehe

nasa cvg na ako eh so... im sticking with them.

[hbnow]

Hi b9904 - I apologize regarding the " Graduates" info you got from our reception area. We ACCEPT applications from undergrads, grads and post grads so long as they can work full time :)
We are currently conducting an Open House from this week till the next,Saturdays included 7am to 7pm.
We also offer non tax allowance like meal and rice, free shuttle for Alabang employees and a much higher HMO coverage.
Coming this May is our transpo allowance.
We hope to see you at either our PBCOm Office or at our Alabang site all you job seekers!!!

I was scheduled for final interview in HSBC two weeks ago, but I was not able to come. Have I lost my chance to be interviewed, and do I have to start the whole process again?

[hbnow]

Quick update: I got an offer to work with PeopleSupport as a Technical Support Engineer and with Sykes as a CSR for Financial Clients. It's nice to have a choice and I think I will be choosing Sykes. The account offers more challenges (taking a Brokerage Exam from the US) and is in line with my course (Accountancy).

After a month of adventure in job hunting, I think PREPARATION is the real key in acing final interviews. I also think that after numerous interviews (from Convergys, PS, Sykes, Teledevelopment, Call Center Academy), I was finally able to master the craft.

IMHO, PS and Sykes have the easiest application process. It is also a plus that these call centers require their applicants to take an assessment exam first prior to the interview. In this way, the applicant already musters enough confidence (after passing the tests) before facing the HR officer.

[intellectual]

[I was scheduled for final interview in HSBC two weeks ago, but I was not able to come. Have I lost my chance to be interviewed, and do I have to start the whole process again?]

Hi!

Any reason why you weren't able to make it?
Send me a PM and I'll check:)

[intellectual]

Hi b9904,

Yup am from HSBC and if you do change your mind, drop by any of our sites!

[kumagcow]

You need a job right?
Want to work in Quezon City? We have these jobs to offer you...


PRODUCT SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE (PSR)

• Good communication skills
• Non-technical course are welcome to apply
• Willing to undergo comprehensive communication and product training
• Has basic computer operations background


TECHNICAL SUPPORT ENGINEER (TSE)

• Good communication skills
• Has background in troubleshooting and networking
• Has at least 6 months call center work experience


CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

• Excellent communication skills
• Has good computer keyboard skills
• Fresh graduates are welcome to apply

INBOUND ACCOUNT PROFESSIONAL (IAP)

• Excellent communication and telemarketing skills
• Has at least 6 months call center experience with telesales background
• Knowledgeable in computer peripherals.


Please do not forget to indicate in the subject your preferred position.

Email your resumes to princetroy_cool@walla.com.
A Multinational Corp now owns this company so don't hesitate and apply now!!

If it's too much of a hassle to send resume's, please send me your name and contact number (kahit cellphone) and you will definitely hear from us. Tsaka na lang kayo magdala ng resume if you pass the initial phone interview.

Huwag pahuhuli! Send it now!



princetroy_cool@walla.com or PM me here sa PEX.

[badrra]

I took my first call center exam at Convergys Commonwealth. I failed the very first test which was the typing proficiency test. :rotflmao: And I agree I am not really got at it. So they asked me to come back after a week to take the exam again. So I did, well just for the heck of it. Lucky I passed so I moved to the second test and so on and so forth till I was given a job offer to work as a Technical Support Representative.

By the way, Im 51 (turning 52) and I have been with company for over a year now. Convergys is such a good employer and true to their word, they provide equal opportunity to everyone for as long as you are legally elligible to work. At Convergys I even see handycapped people getting hired even those on a wheelchair. For this reason I am inviting everyone to apply at Convergys. You wont regret it.

My second application was with Orchid bla bla. Its a day job kind of thing. Their's is an Autralian account, and they are looking for a Technical Support Representative as well, exactly the same job I have today. So I was invited by a certain Ms. Reyes who said in her text message to me, that she will personally handle my interview and if I pass her standards, I will be asked to comeback for a final interview with the Chairman. I came about 30mins earlier and I waited till the designated time. Guess what, she did not appear. Instead, she had a representative interview me. A secretary I suppose. So we talked and talked and talked and finally the representative said that she will call me if my qualifications will fit in to their organization. Several days after, I received an email from Ms Reyes again, telling me that I am not qualified for the job despite the fact that the job offer is something that I have been doing for over a year with Convergys.

Ms Reyes of Orchid bla bla, I appoligize for taking my chances with your company and I also appoligize for being old and unfit to work in your organization. I would like to thank you though, for sending someone else to talk to me that day, after all I was professional enough to come way ahead of time to show you and your good company that despite my age, I am professional enough to give importance to what we agreed on. Even if it was just in the form of a text message.

[g_2787]

im a newbie here and i just wanna ask things or tips on how to have a job or how to apply for a callcenter i really got no idea whats the basics

[*LaDy*]

i flunked two times :( in HSBC and COVERGYS... im so sad... really feelin' like trash :mecry:

[Altwegg]

^wala nalito lang kasi ako sa post mo hehehe

Ang ibig ko pong sabihin, sa CVG hindi ako nag-apply. Tinawagan nila ako. Ang unang kumpanyang inapplyan ko talaga ay PeopleSupport at nananatili ako dito pero hanggang April 30 na lamang.

:D